Georgia Today – August 22, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Episode: Vance visits Peachtree City; Tuberculosis rising; First Housing Center opens

Overview

This episode of Georgia Today covers major developments across the state, focusing on politics, public health, and community-driven solutions to homelessness. Key stories include Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit and economic pitch in Peachtree City, the rise of tuberculosis in metro Atlanta, and the opening of Gwinnett County's First Housing Center—a new model for addressing homelessness among men. The episode also highlights memorials for a fallen police officer, legal challenges related to journalism and child welfare, and ongoing issues impacting Georgia communities.

Key Discussion Points

1. Vice President J.D. Vance Visits Peachtree City (00:35–01:24)

• Event: VP Vance speaks to hundreds at Alta Refrigeration, promoting the Trump administration’s economic agenda.
• Policy Highlights:
  • Support for making 2017 tax cuts permanent.
  • Pushing for the elimination of taxes on tips.
  • Advocacy for tariffs on foreign-manufactured goods.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "And that's what President Trump's economic policies are all about, my friends. It's the carrot and the stick. We want to make it easier to build in America. We want to want to make it harder to build overseas." – J.D. Vance (01:12)
• Democratic Response:
  • Charlie Bailey, Democratic Party of Georgia chair, criticizes Vance for misrepresenting the impact of these policies, especially regarding potential threats to healthcare funding. (01:24)

2. Honoring Officer David Rose (01:43–02:39)

• Context: Officer Rose’s funeral at First Baptist Church of Atlanta after he was killed outside the CDC.
• Community Response:
  • Ceremony featuring "Amazing Grace," a flyover, and 21-gun salute.
  • Attendance from family, law enforcement, Governor Kemp, and CDC staff.
• Personal Impact:
  • Lisa Walker, CDC staff:
    • "Cause I was there on the 8th... We have a strong community, the agency and we’re supporting each other. So it's one day at a time." (02:16–02:24)
• Family Tribute: Officer Rose’s family receives a proclamation and American flag; his daughter wears a "My Daddy is a Hero" shirt (02:27).

3. Tuberculosis on the Rise in Metro Atlanta (03:16–04:04)

• Current Situation:
  • TB cases increasing after years of decline; 254 cases statewide in 2024.
  • Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, and DeKalb counties are most affected.
  • DeKalb County is managing an average of 50 active TB cases per month (May–July 2024).
• Public Health Response:
  • New TB clinic launched at Richardson Health Center in DeKalb.
  • Key message: Anyone can get TB; strict treatment is vital to prevent chronic/fatal cases.
• Speaker Highlight:
  • Sophie Gradis (GPB):
    • "A consistent treatment schedule is key to keep infections from becoming chronic or fatal." (03:49)

4. First Housing Center Opens in Gwinnett County (05:38–12:34)

Background (05:38–06:25)

• Project:
  • First Housing Center is a new apartment building in Lawrenceville offering temporary housing for unhoused men, a result of years-long public-private partnership.
  • Funded through federal grants and city-owned property transformation.
• Motivation: Men are disproportionately represented among the unhoused; traditional responses (arrest/sweeps) failed.

Support Services (06:51–07:18)

• Wraparound Model:
  • Psychosocial assessments, care plans, and individual case management.
  • Focus on identifying barriers and devising individualized stabilization plans.

Emphasis on Community & Individualized Approach (07:30–09:45)

• Quote on Standards:
  • "Thinking that extended stays or places that are open 24 hours or even encampments are sufficient for the unhoused is not acceptable here in Lawrenceville. We want to create a high standard for all our citizens and residents." – Jen Young, Impact46 (07:30)
• Housing Model:
  • Non-congregate apartments allow independence and tailored care plans.

Structure & Success Metrics (08:11–09:45)

• Maximum Stay: Up to 89 days per participant, with progress milestones every 30 days.
• Milestones:
  • Employment, income stabilization, and progress tailored to individual needs—including partnerships for “second chance” jobs and housing access.
• Quote on Individualization:
  • “We have employment partners who offer second chance jobs for those who have had a criminal background...We’ve really tailored the program based on the demographic of who we’re working with.” – Jen Young (08:57–09:45)

Replicability and Community Building (09:45–12:34)

• Challenges & Advice:
  • Some communities may feel under-resourced; Young emphasizes the need for mobilization, collaboration, and relational capital.
• Quote on Progress:
  • “We moved at the speed of trust. And so it takes leadership to be able to do that. It takes thick skin and it takes a lot of courage to keep going...this is not easy work, but it’s definitely worth it.” – Jen Young (11:38)
• Encouragement to Other Communities:
  • Start now, build relationships, and recognize that momentum comes with even one “yes.”

5. Brief News Highlights

• Journalist Mario Guevara’s Detention (04:04):
  • Legal motion seeks release of Guevara, an Atlanta reporter allegedly targeted for his reporting on law enforcement.
• Pediatrics COVID Vaccine Guidelines (04:49–05:38):
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends COVID shots for children 6 months to 2 years, countering HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s stance.
  • Dr. Paul Offit on the stakes:
    • “When you have a Secretary of Health and Human Services who is willing to ignore the science because he has these false, fixed, immutable, science resistant beliefs...he is a dangerous man to be in this position.” (05:10)
• Child Support Lawsuit & Policy Gaps (12:34):
  • Civil rights lawsuit challenges Georgia’s billing of low-income parents for child support while children are in foster care, despite federal recommendations to limit such practices.
• Workforce & Business Updates (13:24):
  • Collaborative efforts for workers laid off after paper mill closures.
  • New manufacturing facility by Belgium’s Stoe Group to create 200 jobs in Gordon County.
• Environmental Note (13:59):
  • The Great Southeast Pollinator Census kicks off, inviting community participation across five states.

Notable Quotes

• Jen Young, Impact46:
  • “Thinking that...encampments are sufficient for the unhoused is not acceptable here in Lawrenceville. We want to create a high standard.” (07:30)
  • “We moved at the speed of trust...it takes leadership...thick skin...a lot of courage. This is not easy work, but it’s definitely worth it.” (11:38)
• Peter Biello:
  • “So what I’m hearing you say is that if a community doesn’t have it all in place right now, it’s time to get cracking.” (11:25)
• Dr. Paul Offit:
  • “He is a dangerous man to be in this position.” (05:10, on HHS Secretary RFK Jr.)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Vance in Peachtree City: 00:35–01:24
• Officer Rose Memorial: 01:43–02:39
• Tuberculosis Update: 03:16–04:04
• Pediatrics COVID Vaccine Guidance: 04:49–05:38
• First Housing Center – Lawrenceville: 05:38–12:34
• Child Support Lawsuit: 12:34
• Workforce/Business News: 13:24
• Great Southeast Pollinator Census: 13:59

Summary

This episode wraps several threads of Georgia’s social, economic, and political landscape into a concise yet thorough report. Particularly striking is the in-depth feature on the new First Housing Center, illustrating how collaborative, individualized approaches can change outcomes for unhoused men—an issue many communities struggle to solve. The leadership of Jen Young and the philosophy of “moving at the speed of trust” stands out as a replicable model for other communities. National issues, such as vaccination guidance and child welfare policies, are linked to local impacts, emphasizing the importance of state and local advocacy in shaping lives on the ground.