Vaccine advisory panel; New maternal care recommendations; Lilith Fair documentary

Summary

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Georgia Today – September 19, 2025

Main Stories: CDC's Vaccine Panel, Maternal Care in Georgia, Lilith Fair Doc & More

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Episode Overview

In this episode of Georgia Today, host Orlando Montoya delivers comprehensive coverage of several important stories for Georgia listeners. The show focuses on:

• Protests and changes at the CDC’s new vaccine advisory panel meeting in Atlanta
• Recommendations from a major new study on improving maternal health care in Georgia
• A preview and historical context for the premiere of a Lilith Fair documentary with strong Atlanta connections

Insights into immigration cases, labor updates, local politics, community concerns, and sports results are also featured, providing a wide-ranging snapshot of Georgia’s current affairs.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel Meeting (00:44–02:50)

• Protest and Concerns:

  • Former and retired CDC employees, including physician Barbara Mattson, protested outside CDC headquarters. Their concern centers on the agency’s process and recent changes in vaccine policy:
    • Barbara Mattson (01:14): “That have worked well and protected Americans for decades are being disrupted. And I think the decisions that are being made are not based on the best science and so we worry for the health of people.”

• Panel Decisions:

  • The panel removed a recommendation for a combination vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) for children—individual vaccines remain recommended.
  • A vote on the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns was tabled due to member confusion about the recommendation’s language.
  • For the COVID-19 vaccine:
    • Still recommended for all age groups, but guidance now stresses providers should discuss risks and benefits with patients.
    • COVID-19 vaccine access will be easier—available without a prescription at pharmacies.

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Immigration and Press Freedom Updates (02:50–03:49)

• Mario Guevara Case:

  • Mario Guevara, a Spanish language journalist known for immigration reporting, faces imminent deportation after his June arrest at a protest near Atlanta.
  • The ACLU and press freedom groups condemned the decision, calling it, “a gross violation of his rights.”

• Rodney Taylor Detention (03:16–03:49):

  • Atlanta barber Rodney Taylor, a double amputee and Liberian immigrant since age 2, has been detained by ICE since January.
  • Family and supporters rallied for his release, citing lack of proper medical care.
    • Mildred Pierre (Taylor’s fiancée, 03:35): “We're all affected somewhere somehow...I feel like, you know, the support is overwhelming and I'm grateful for everybody that took their time to be here.”

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Politics: DNC Chair Campaigns in Georgia (03:59–04:47)

• DNC Chair Visit:
  • Ken Martin, national Democratic Party chair, campaigns for state Senate candidate Deborah Shigley, signaling high Democratic hopes in a suburban district.
  • Focus on channeling voter frustration at Republicans and flipping a right-leaning district.

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Maternal Health Care Recommendations (04:47–05:36)

• NORC Report Highlights:

  • Ten years of data analyzed; recommends:

    • Greater mental health access
    • Improved Medicaid reimbursement
    • Ongoing improvements in cardiac care for postpartum women

  • Some recommendations, like Medicaid extension to 1 year post-birth, already implemented.

  • Dr. Keisha Collins, OB-GYN (05:16): “Maternal deaths from cardiovascular diseases is the second top category for where we lose our moms during the first year after pregnancy.”

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Workforce, Economic, and Community News (05:36–08:17)

• Georgia Workforce and Employment (05:36–05:57)

  • State gained 1,900 jobs in August; unemployment rate steady.
  • Health care, social assistance, leisure & hospitality sectors reach all-time highs.

• Twiggs County Data Center Approval (05:57–06:20)

  • 300 acres rezoned for a planned 900-megawatt data center; local opposition and legal threat remain.

• Savannah Hispanic Heritage Festival Postponed (06:20–07:15)

  • Event scaled back over safety concerns amid immigration tensions.
  • Alfonso Reboot (Chamber President, 06:55): “It's not just all the different immigration and things like that...We worry about the fact that since we are so polarized that...people might start throwing things at the parade. Well, they might start inciting fights.”

• Middle Georgia Poll Worker Sentenced (07:15–08:00)

  • Jones County’s Nicholas Wimbish gets prison for mailing bomb threat after working a poll in October 2024.

• WNBA Playoffs: Atlanta Dream Eliminated (08:00–08:58)

  • Dream lose at home in final seconds to Indiana Fever, who advance to semifinals.

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Culture: Lilith Fair Documentary and Georgia’s Role (09:23–13:37)

• Lilith Fair Doc Premiere (10:04–13:37)

  • Documentary Building a Mystery revisits the 1990s all-women music festival.
  • Atlanta connections include Indigo Girls, India Arie, Michelle Malone, Doria Roberts—many of whom performed locally during Lilith’s three-year Atlanta run (1997–1999).
  • Indigo Girls are featured in the film and set for a local show (Sept. 26).

• Michelle Malone on the Lilith Fair Experience:

  • Reflects on industry sexism and Lilith’s impact (11:42):
    • “I was told by a lot of radio stations via my record label that they were already playing three women and they couldn't play more...So when Lilith came around, it was miraculous. It was a mind blowing and I was so grateful.”
  • Tells a moving backstage story with Emmylou Harris (12:18): “Emmy Lou and I ended up being the last two people in the green room...I just chose that moment to tell her that one of the first songs I ever sang in public was her song ‘From Boulder to Birmingham.’...She sat there next to me...and she sang me that song. And I learned so much in those, you know, three or four minutes about how to just give to other artists.”
  • On what she hopes new artists will learn from Lilith (13:14):
    • “There's enough for everybody. And if we lift each other up and support each other, it'll just be that much better...It's really just about uplifting each other.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Barbara Mattson on CDC decisions (01:14):
  “The decisions that are being made are not based on the best science and so we worry for the health of people.”

• Mildred Pierre on community support for Rodney Taylor (03:35):
  “I feel like, you know, the support is overwhelming and I'm grateful for everybody that took their time to be here.”

• Dr. Keisha Collins on maternal deaths (05:16):
  “Maternal deaths from cardiovascular diseases is the second top category for where we lose our moms during the first year after pregnancy.”

• Alfonso Reboot on community safety fears (06:55):
  “We worry about the fact that since we are so polarized...people might start throwing things at the parade. Well, they might start inciting fights.”

• Michelle Malone on Lilith Fair’s legacy (11:42, 13:14):
  “When Lilith came around, it was miraculous.”
  “There's enough for everybody. And if we lift each other up and support each other, it'll just be that much better.”

• Malone’s story with Emmylou Harris (12:18):
  “She sat there next to me on the couch...and she sang me that song. And I learned so much... about how to just give to other artists.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel: 00:44–02:50
• Immigration/Press Freedom: 02:50–03:49
• GA Senate Race & DNC Chair Visit: 03:59–04:47
• Maternal Health Care Study: 04:47–05:36
• Economic/Workforce & Community News: 05:36–08:17
• Lilith Fair Documentary Review & Local Connections: 10:04–13:37

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Summary

Today’s episode of Georgia Today blends significant public health reporting with cultural legacy, local politics, and community challenges. The show’s strength lies in contextualizing headline events—like shifts at the CDC or the ongoing impact of Lilith Fair—so listeners understand their significance for Georgia's communities, history, and future. The candid, sometimes emotional interviews and on-the-ground updates make for a compelling, news-rich listen.

Transcript

[Orlando Montoya]

Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, former CDC employees gather outside the organization's Atlanta headquarters as a new vaccine advisory panel meets. A new study has recommendations for improving maternal health care in Georgia and a new documentary on the 90s Music Festival Lilith Fair is premiering this weekend. We'll talk about the Georgia connection.

[Michelle Malone]

There's enough for everybody and if we lift each other up and support each other, it'll just be that much better.

[Orlando Montoya]

Today is Friday, September 19th. I'm Orlando Montoya and this is Georgia Today. Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees and agency supporters gathered outside the CDC building in Atlanta today where a new advisory panel on vaccines was meeting. Retired CDC infectious disease physician Barbara Mattson called the panel's work concerning the processes.

[Barbara Mattson]

That have worked well and protected Americans for decades are being disrupted. And I think the decisions that are being made are not based on the best science and so we worry for the health of people.

[Orlando Montoya]

By the end of the meeting, members had voted to remove a recommendation for a combination vaccine that protects kids from measles, mumps, rubella and varicella or chickenpox. A separate vaccine for those diseases is still recommended. The committee tabled a vote on the hepatitis B vaccine that kids receive soon after they're born. Several members were confused over language in the recommendation. As for the COVID 19 vaccine, it's still recommended for seniors, adults and kids, but the committee change language in its guidelines to ensure providers discuss risks and benefits of the vaccine. The vaccine will be available at pharmacies without a prescription. A Spanish language journalist known for documenting immigration raids is facing imminent removal from the US after an appeals court ordered his deportation. El Salvador native Mario Guevara was arrested in June while covering a protest near Atlanta and later was transferred ICE custody. His arrest drew widespread criticism by press freedom groups. Today. The ACLU condemned the court's order, calling his detention, quote, a gross violation of his rights. A news conference on Guevara's situation was being held at the State Capitol. As we record this podcast, GPB's political reporter Sarah Kallas is there and you can get the [e-mail] news. A group of supporters gathered outside the ICE field office in Atlanta today to call for the release of Rodney Taylor, a disabled Georgia barber being held in immigration detention. GPB Sarah Kallis reports.

[Sarah Kalis]

Taylor has been in ICE custody and South Georgia Stewart Detention center since January. The 46 year old Atlanta area barber and a double amputee arrived in the US From Liberia when he was two years old for medical care. Mildred Pierre, Taylor's fiance, says their family is leaning on each other and praying for his release.

[Barbara Mattson]

We're all affected somewhere somehow, so it shows that, you know, there's unity in this space. I feel like, you know, the support is overwhelming and I'm grateful for everybody that took their time to be here.

[Sarah Kalis]

Taylor's family says he is not receiving proper medical care in detention. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis in Atlanta.

[Orlando Montoya]

The chair of the Democratic National Committee will travel to Georgia this weekend to campaign for a state Senate candidate. DNC Chair Ken Martin's appearance for candidate Deborah Shigley highlights how much Democrats want to win a special election in a suburban district north of Atlanta. Shigley will face Republican Jason Dickerson on the ballot on Tuesday. Dickerson hopes to consolidate votes in a right leaning district, while Shigli hopes to channel voter frustration with the GOP into an upset. A new study is making recommendations that could improve maternal health care in Georgia. GPB's Ellen Eldredge reports. The recommendations come from analyzing 10 years of data on women's health.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The report from NORC, a non partisan data research center at the University of Chicago, makes several recommendations, including greater access to mental health care and Medicaid reimbursement. Some of the recommendations have already been implemented, including extending Medicaid through one year postpartum and improve cardiac care. OB GYN Dr. Keisha Collins sees patients in several rural counties in middle Georgia, where she's often the sole provider. She says better cardiac care is a big deal for the state.

[Michelle Malone]

Maternal deaths from cardiovascular diseases is the second top category for where we lose our moms during the first year after pregnancy.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The remaining recommendations in the report have not been fully implemented. For GPV News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Orlando Montoya]

The August workforce report for Georgia shows a gain of 1900 jobs, with the unemployment rate unchanged from July. The Georgia Department of Labor released data yesterday showing nearly 5 million people are employed in the state. Health care and social assistance reached all time highs, as did the leisure and hospitality sector. Commissioners in Middle Georgia's Twiggs county last night unanimously approved rezoning 300 acres of timberland for a 900 megawatt data center. The vote came despite large opposition, turnout and promises of a legal challenge. The project's developer told commissioners construction at the site won't begin until at least 2028. An annual celebration of Hispanic heritage originally scheduled to take place in Savannah this weekend won't happen this year over safety concerns The Metropolitan Savannah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was organizing the event, but decided a few months ago to change plans. The group's president and CEO, Alfonso Reboot, said his community is, quote, hurt and scared in the current political climate around immigration.

[Alfonso Reboot]

It's not just all the different immigration and things like that. It's actually, you know, we worry. I'm worried about the fact that since we are so polarized that people mal intended, people must start throwing things at the parade. Well, they might start inciting fights.

[Orlando Montoya]

The festival was to take place in a downtown location that would invite the entire community to attend. Instead, it's been scaled back to a celebratory breakfast for ticketed event goers at a safe and inspiring private location. A former poll worker in Jones county in Middle Georgia has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting he mailed a bomb threat to fellow poll workers. Nicholas Wimbish of Milledgeville got into an argument with a voter while working at a Jones county precinct in October 2024. Later, he wrote a letter addressed to himself and his precinct co workers in what was supposed to be the voice of the voter threatening to harm, quote, woke liberal fraudsters. After admitting to the letter and to lying to the FBI about it, Wimbish was sentenced to 20 months in prison. Prison to be followed by a year of supervised releases and a $2,000 fine. In Georgia sports, the Atlanta Dream were knocked out of the WNBA playoffs last night in the final seven seconds of a game against Indiana Fever at home in Atlanta. The Dream's Ryan Howard twice had trouble getting the ball in during the final seconds. The Fever's Lexie Hull stole the ensuing inbounds play and the game ended 87 85, with the Fever winning a three game series and advancing to the WNBA semifinals. Atlanta has not won a playoff series since 2016.

[Marielle Segarra]

It's rare to find a podcast that can actually change your life, but when the show's called Life Kit, that's that's kind of the whole point. I'm Marielle Segarra. Three times a week on the Life Kit podcast, we guide you through a topic we could all use help with, from personal development to healthy living to managing your dinero with takeaways so you can start living what you learn right away. Escucha El Life Kit podcast from npr.

[Orlando Montoya]

The Shake Knees Music Festival takes over Piedmont park this weekend, marking its first year at the Midtown venue. The three day festival features headliners like Lenny Kravitz, My Chemical Romance, the Black Keys, Blink 182 and Vampire Weekend, alongside dozens of other acts across four stages. Organizers recommend taking Marta or the Beltline to reach the park. A new documentary about the 1990s music festival Lilith Fair, meanwhile, premieres on streaming the weekend. GPB's Christy York Wooten reports on the legendary All Women concert series and its connection to Atlanta artists.

[Christy York Wooten]

The Lilith Fair brought some of music's biggest stars to venues across North America. Led by Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan and featuring everyone from Erykah Badu and Emmylou Harris to Chrissy Hine and Bonnie Raitt, the event was a watershed moment for women in the music industry. A new documentary celebrates the legacy of those concerts. It's called Building a mystery.

[Orlando Montoya]

Singer Sarah McLachlan has launched an all female tour.

[Interviewer]

This was the first time you'd seen.

[Christy York Wooten]

Lilith Fair came to Atlanta's Lakewood Amphitheater in 1997, 98 and 99, while Georgia musicians including Indigo Girls, India Arie, Michelle Malone and Doria Roberts played on stages around the country. Indigo Girls feature widely in the documentary and are back in town for their own show at Atlanta's chastain Park on September 26th. Atlanta singer Michelle Malone spoke with me from France about her memories of performing at Lillard Fair.

[Interviewer]

So welcome Michelle, how are you?

[Michelle Malone]

I'm great. Thanks for having me.

[Interviewer]

You know, this groundswell of female musicians was kind of taking over and record companies and MTV and nobody knew what to do with all this woman power. And so Sarah McLachlan and some others had formed this great idea. We're going to do an all women concert and not just women who are the top of the charts, but really lifting women up at all levels and trying to create a diverse platform and things like that. What we're really interested in hearing about is maybe some of your memories. We'll start with when you first heard about the idea of Lilith Fair.

[Michelle Malone]

I'd like to just address the part where you said there was this groundswell of women in the 90s that were actually getting attention because there's always been great female talent out there. And when I started in 1990, I was told by a lot of radio stations via my record label that they were already playing three women and they couldn't play more. They couldn't play me, for example, because they were playing, I don't know, Hart, Pat Benatar and whoever else was getting played at the time, Right? So when Lilith came around, it was miraculous. It was a mind blowing and I was so grateful. One of my favorite stories is sitting backstage with Amylou and we were all hanging out in the Green room, all these gals, everyone hung out. There wasn't a lot of ego. You know, there was none of that. Everyone was helping each other. And it was very a lot of camaraderie. And Emmy Lou and I ended up being the last two people in the green room. And I just chose that moment to tell her that one of the first songs I ever sang in public was her song from Boulder to Birmingham. And her guitar was sitting right there, her 1958 Gibson Everly Brothers. And she sat there next to me on the couch, just she and I. And she sang me that song. And I learned so much in those, you know, three or four minutes about how to just give to other artists.

[Interviewer]

What would you want younger artists to know about Lilith Fair in addition to the camaraderie?

[Michelle Malone]

Well, that is what I'd like them to know. There's enough for everybody. And if we lift each other up and support each other, it'll just be that much better. It's not about who gets what or who's more famous or who's selling well. We don't sell records anymore, who's getting more streams. It's really just about uplifting each other.

[Christy York Wooten]

For GPB News, I'm Chris Diork Wooten in Atlanta.

[Orlando Montoya]

And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. I invite you to Visit our webpage, gpb.org news, where you'll find many of the stories that you you hear on this podcast and a whole lot more stories from our partners and from npr. If you haven't yet hit subscribe on this podcast, take a moment to do that now. That'll help you to keep us current in your feed. And as always, we welcome feedback. Tell us what's going on in your community. We'd love to hear it. Send feedback to Georgia Today. I'm Orlando Montoya. Have a great weekend.