Georgia Today – November 4, 2025

Episode Title: Voters turn out on Election Day; Furloughed CDC workers set up mutual aid system
Host: Chase McGee (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Theme: Reporting on Georgia’s Election Day turnout, community responses to the ongoing federal shutdown, and major updates in state news.

Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today combines on-the-ground impressions from Election Day across Georgia, a look at how furloughed CDC workers are supporting each other through mutual aid during the government shutdown, the reopening of Atlanta’s Center for Civil and Human Rights, and brief updates on other key Georgia news. The tone is informative, community-focused, and grounded in direct quotes from citizens and leaders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Election Day in Georgia

Voters Cast Ballots for Public Service Commission and Local Officials

• Main Focus: Georgians are voting for two Public Service Commission (PSC) seats, with PSC responsible for regulating utilities such as electricity.
• Voter Motivation:
  • Concerns over rising utility bills are a driving force for many voters.
  • Local elections in Atlanta and Augusta include mayor, city council, and county commissioner races.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:49] Cliff Abraham (Marietta voter):

  "We just want to make sure that we were voting for the people who weren't going to take care of what we needed to like our, you know, utilities bills, pretty much make sure that we are not going be underwater."

• [01:02] Krista Krieger (Atlanta voter):

  "The utilities are high and the prospect of it getting even higher, not even just for me, but for people who are really in need and are really struggling right now like this feels like an important time to be voting."

2. CDC Workers Organize Mutual Aid Amid Shutdown

Furloughed Federal Employees Support Each Other

• Situation: Continuing federal government shutdown has resulted in hundreds of CDC workers in Atlanta being furloughed, following an earlier reduction where about a quarter were terminated.
• Community Response:
  • CDC staff have set up a mutual aid fund.
  • The fund is experiencing a surge—150 applications for assistance last week, three times the usual volume.
  • Over $80,000 has been raised and distributed based on need.

Notable Quotes:

• [01:59] Ben McKenzie (CDC researcher, fund coordinator):

  "We got 150 applications for help last week, which is three times the number that we've received over the rest of the year."

• [00:20 & 02:11] Ben McKenzie:

  "It's certainly not enough money to replace a career, but it is enough money to help pay some bills and give people a little bit of breathing room."

• [02:20] Sophie Gradas (GPB Reporter):

  "While donations to the Fund are up, McKinsey expects applications to follow suit as long as paychecks are paused."

3. National Center for Civil and Human Rights Reopens

Expansion Seeks to Amplify Legacy and Relevance

• Reopening Details:
  • Four years of construction; $57 million expansion.
  • Additions: two wings, six galleries, three classrooms, a terrace—24,000 sq ft, nearly double the original size.
• Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony:
  • Attended by former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, philanthropist Arthur M. Blank, and Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr.

Notable Quotes:

• [03:13] Bernice King:

  "They [the exhibits] speak urgently to our time, a time of rising authoritarianism, fractured democracies and communities under siege. My father's words always remind us that we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality."

4. Brief Statewide News Updates

• [03:37] Peyton Anderson Historical Marker—Macon:

  • Journalist and philanthropist Peyton Anderson honored; marker to be dedicated next week.

• UGA College of Education Receives NSF Grant:

  • $5 million awarded to train and support science educators through new statewide programs.

• Hyundai Mobility Training Center Opens:

  • New center in Ellabelle, GA will train workers for Hyundai’s near-Savannah plant; Gov. Brian Kemp to attend opening.

• Global Payments Surpasses Expectations:

  • Atlanta-based company reports over $635 million profit in Q3; attributes success to "Genius" platform.

• Atlanta Braves Name Walt Weiss as Manager:

  • Former bench coach and ex-shortstop steps up after Brian Snitker’s departure.

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The candid concerns of everyday voters about utility affordability underscore the real-life impacts of public policy ([00:49], [01:02]).
• The sense of solidarity and practical support among CDC workers reveals resilience amid hardship ([01:59], [02:11]).
• Bernice King’s remarks at the civil rights center opening connect history to today’s political climate in a deeply personal way ([03:13]).

Important Segment Timestamps

• Election Day coverage & voter quotes: 00:27 – 01:12
• CDC mutual aid fund details & interviews: 01:47 – 02:32
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights reopening: 02:32 – 03:37
• Brief statewide news round-up: 03:37 – end

This episode offers a snapshot of Georgia’s civic life, from ballot boxes to community-driven mutual aid and the ongoing legacy of civil rights—capturing both current challenges and enduring hopes.