Georgia Today Podcast – Episode Summary

Date: August 22, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting

Overview

This episode covers key political, public health, and community housing developments across Georgia, giving listeners updates on Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit to Peachtree City, rising tuberculosis cases, and the opening of Gwinnett’s First Housing Center for unhoused men. The show also remembers a DeKalb County police officer killed outside the CDC, explores updates in pediatric Covid-19 vaccine guidance, highlights a civil rights lawsuit against Georgia’s child support practices, and briefs listeners on significant economic and community initiatives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Vice President J.D. Vance’s Visit to Peachtree City

[01:00 - 01:48]

• Event Details:
  Vice President J.D. Vance spoke to a large, enthusiastic crowd at the Alta Refrigeration facility.
• Policy Focus:
  • Championed Trump administration's economic policies, emphasizing permanence of 2017 tax cuts and eliminating taxes on tips.
  • Highlighted tariffs on foreign manufactured goods as part of a strategy to strengthen American manufacturing.
  • Quote (Peter Biello quoting Vance):

    "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 make it harder to build overseas." [01:36]

• Democratic Response:
  Democratic Party of Georgia chair Charlie Bailey Daniel argued Vance was "trying to deceive Georgians about what the Trump administration's economic policies actually do and that funding for health care could suffer." [01:48]

2. Remembering Officer David Rose

[02:07 - 02:51]

• Event:
  Hundreds gathered at First Baptist Church of Atlanta to honor Officer David Rose, killed during a shooting outside the CDC.
• Tributes:
  • Ceremonies included "Amazing Grace," a flyover, and a 21-gun salute.
  • Notable attendees: Rose’s family, law enforcement, Governor Kemp, CDC employees.
  • Lisa Walker, CDC staff:

    "I was there on the 8th... We have a strong community at the agency and we're supporting each other." [02:40 - 02:49]

  • Emotional moment: Rose's daughter wore a shirt reading "My Daddy is a Hero" and was presented with an American flag.

3. CDC Shooting Update

[03:03 - 03:39]

• New Details:
  The perpetrator, Patrick White, tried to enter the CDC two days before the fatal shooting. White blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for his depression before the attack.
• Ongoing Investigation:
  The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is still reviewing the case.

4. Tuberculosis on the Rise in Metro Atlanta

[03:39 - 04:28]

• Increase in Cases:
  Tuberculosis cases are climbing nationwide, including in Georgia, with 254 new cases statewide in 2024.
• Regional Impact:
  Over half the cases are concentrated in Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, and DeKalb counties. DeKalb alone has managed about 50 active cases monthly (May–July).
• Public Health Efforts:
  A new TB treatment clinic has opened at the Richardson Health Center.
  • Key Insight:

    "A consistent treatment schedule is key to keep infections from becoming chronic or fatal." (Sophie Gradas) [04:09]

5. Update: Detention of Reporter Mario Guevara

[04:28 - 05:14]

• Background:
  Mario Guevara, Spanish-language reporter, has been jailed for two months. Lawyers are seeking his immediate release, citing unconstitutional targeting for his journalism.
• Legal Context:
  Guevara has valid U.S. work authorization, has been granted bond, and is eligible for a green card.
• Immigration Officials’ Concerns:
  Their main objection relates to his reporting on law enforcement issues.

6. AAP vs. HHS: Pediatric Covid-19 Vaccine Guidelines

[05:14 - 06:03]

• Divergent Recommendations:
  • HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. does NOT recommend Covid-19 vaccines for healthy children.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends them for all children ages 6 months to 2 years.
• Expert Commentary:
  Dr. Paul Offit, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia:

  "Half the children killed last year by Covid were previously healthy." [05:31]
  On HHS Secretary Kennedy:
  "...he is a dangerous man to be in this position." [05:35]

• Insurance Implications:
  Vaccines are less expensive than hospitalization, and insurers may back the AAP.

7. First Housing Center for Unhoused Men Opens in Gwinnett

[06:03 - 12:59]

• Facility Details:
  An 8-unit apartment building in Lawrenceville is transformed for unhoused men, led by nonprofit Impact46 and city partners.
• Systemic Need:
  • Men more likely than women to be unhoused.
  • Old models (arresting/displacing, encampment sweeps) were ineffective.
• Innovative Approach:
  • Focus on non-congregate shelters, personalized care plans, and “wraparound” services.
  • Jen Young, Impact46:

    "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." [07:55]

• Services Provided:
  • Participants receive psychosocial assessments, case management, and targeted treatment and stabilization plans.
  • Maximum stay is 89 days, with milestones required every 30 days.
  • Employment and “second chance” job partnerships are built in, especially for those with criminal backgrounds.
  • Young:

    "We have employment partners who offer second chance jobs for those who have had a criminal background." [09:54]

• Community Collaboration:
  • Lawrenceville’s collective impact came from years of community conversations before nonprofit incorporation.
  • Young:

    "I think the relational capital, the social capital came first before the finances and before the ideas. But we moved at the speed of trust." [12:27]
    "It takes leadership...thick skin...and a lot of courage to keep going because there are days you want to stop...But it's definitely worth it." [12:45]

8. Additional News Briefs

[12:59 - End]

• Civil Rights Lawsuit:
  A Georgia mother is suing to end the state’s practice of billing low-income parents for child support after kids are placed in foster care, arguing it unjustly targets impoverished families.
• Economic Development:
  State agencies mobilize in response to mill closures, aiming to support 1,100 laid off workers. Belgium-based Stow Group plans to open a $36 million manufacturing facility in Gordon County, creating about 200 jobs.
• Community Science:
  The Great Southeast Pollinator Census encourages residents to count pollinators this weekend to support research and awareness.

Memorable Quotes

• J.D. Vance (via Peter Biello):

  "We want to make it easier to build in America. We want to make it harder to build overseas." [01:36]

• Lisa Walker (CDC):

  "Strong community at the agency and we're supporting each other." [02:45]

• Dr. Paul Offit:

  "Half the children killed last year by Covid were previously healthy." [05:31]
  "He is a dangerous man to be in this position." (referring to HHS Secretary Kennedy) [05:35]

• Jen Young (Impact46):

  "Thinking that extended stays...are sufficient for the unhoused is not acceptable here in Lawrenceville." [07:55]
  "Relational capital, the social capital came first before the finances and before the ideas. But we moved at the speed of trust." [12:27]
  "It takes leadership...and a lot of courage to keep going because there are days you want to stop...But it's definitely worth it." [12:45]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Vance in Peachtree City: 01:00 – 01:48
• Officer David Rose tribute: 02:07 – 02:51
• CDC Shooting Update: 03:03 – 03:39
• Tuberculosis in Metro Atlanta: 03:39 – 04:28
• Mario Guevara Detention: 04:28 – 05:14
• Pediatric Covid-19 Guidance: 05:14 – 06:03
• First Housing Center Segment: 06:03 – 12:59
• Brief News Roundup: 12:59 – end

Tone

The episode maintains a factual, empathetic, and community-focused tone throughout, blending urgent news with hopeful reporting on local initiatives and public health.