Georgia Today – March 25, 2026
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB News)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Georgia Today" delivers comprehensive coverage of some of the most significant developments in Georgia. The main stories include new security measures proposed for schools, a major pharmaceutical investment in Gwinnett County, a legislative push to prevent homelessness, a Supreme Court decision impacting internet providers, local research breakthroughs, and profiles of upcoming cultural events. The episode also features an in-depth conversation with author Tayari Jones about her writing craft and her latest novel, "Kin."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Student Weapons Checks in Schools

Segment starts: [00:33]

• Context: A Senate committee in Georgia advances a bill that may require daily weapons checks for all public school students.
• Bill Details: Students may be checked for weapons by "electronic, analytical, visual, olfactory or other means."
• Motivation: Prompted by a 2024 school shooting at Apalachee High School.
• Support/Opposition:
  • Supporters believe detectors are critical to prevent gun and knife violence in schools.
  • Concerns exist over costs, false alarms, necessity in elementary schools, and whether efforts should instead focus on limiting kids’ access to guns.

2. $2 Billion Pharmaceutical Plant in Gwinnett County

Segment starts: [01:28]

• Company: UCB, a Belgian pharmaceutical giant.
• Investment: Will build a $2 billion manufacturing facility in Gwinnett, employing 330 workers when completed in 6–7 years.
• Incentives: Gwinnett County offers $174 million in tax abatements and infrastructure improvements.
  • Quote:
    "It was a significant investment and we're proud that we're seeing a return on that investment. And we have a company like UCB, which is the largest in the history of the county."
    — Nicole Hendrickson, Gwinnett County Chairwoman [01:45]
• Facility Role: First tenant in the 'Rowan' research park, modeled on North Carolina's Research Triangle.
• Company Focus: Develops drugs for neurological and autoimmune diseases.

3. Homelessness Prevention Program Legislation

Segment starts: [02:17]

• Overview: State lawmakers advance a bill to create a homelessness prevention program.
• Funding: Would use federal, state, and private funds to support local organizations for legal aid, low-income housing, and other preventative measures.
• Sponsor: Rep. Casey Carpenter (Dalton Republican).
  • Quote:
    "Doing it on the front side is a lot cheaper than doing it on the backside. Getting people off the streets [is] three times more expensive than trying to keep them off the streets."
    — Rep. Casey Carpenter [02:34]
• Status: Passed State House in February; advanced by Senate panel, awaits full Senate vote.

4. Supreme Court Ruling: ISPs Not Liable for User Copyright Violations

Segment starts: [02:44]

• Case: Cox Communications v. Record Labels (Sony Music et al.)
• Ruling: Supreme Court unanimously finds Cox is not liable for customers’ illegal downloads, overturns previous rulings.
• Expert insight:
  • Quote:
    "Imposing liability on the ISPs could lead the ISPs to block people's access to the Internet, I think that's really driving a lot of the interest in this case."
    — Prof. Thomas Codrey, University of Georgia Law [03:19]

5. International Athletics Update

Segment starts: [03:33]

• Background: Three U.S. athletes misled by a lead vehicle in a qualifying half-marathon.
• Response: World Athletics grants a one-time exemption for Jessica McLean, Emma Grace Hurley, and Edna Kurgat to compete in the upcoming world championships.
• Local Impact: A nod to fair play after runners’ race was derailed.

6. Sea Turtle Research Breakthrough

Segment starts: [04:34]

• Research: UGA's Brian Shamblin develops a new technique to identify male sea turtles using genetic material from a single egg.
  • Quote:
    "It makes it possible to take that egg the morning after it was laid rather than having to be present and interfere with the nesting female."
    — Brian Shamblin, UGA [04:58]
• Conservation Impact: Improves tracking and survival rates for at-risk species like the loggerhead turtle.

7. Culture & Events Spotlight

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Branding

Segment starts: [05:25]

• News: Despite a temporary venue name change for the FIFA World Cup, the iconic Mercedes-Benz roof logo will remain visible due to its size and prominence, though other branding will be removed.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra 2026–2027 Season

Segment starts: [06:01]

• Highlights:
  • 24 concerts, 2 world premieres.
  • Focus on Johannes Brahms.
  • Pianist Anna Ganushina as artist in residence.
  • Composer Jasmine Barnes will debut a new piece for Coretta Scott King’s 100th birthday.
    • Quote:
      "We have invited her to write a piece in honor of Coretta Scott King's 100th birthday."
      — Ashley Marakian, Atlanta Symphony [06:23]

Savannah Music Festival

Segment starts: [06:46]

• Event: 37th annual festival runs 11 days, brings together classical, jazz, roots, and global acts.
• Opening Night: Larkin Poe and Stephon Harris featured.
• Economic Impact: $7 million in direct spending (2024).
  • Quote:
    "As performers... we have to go deep to connect to people. And I know that people will recognize that down the road that we are approaching this with such passion."
    — Sinisha Siric, Festival Director [07:09]

8. Interview: Tayari Jones on "Kin" and the Craft of Writing

Segment starts: [08:07]

• Background: "Kin," Tayari Jones’s latest novel, is Oprah's Book Club pick.
• Interview Focus: Writing advice, character economy, importance of first pages, and her "budget" metaphor for storytelling.
  • First Page Advice:
    "Every detail in the first few pages of a novel the reader thinks is very important... you have to decide in those first pages how to set the tone for the rest."
    — Tayari Jones [09:07]
  • Character 'Budget' Metaphor:
    "Every story has a budget and things cost. Every character costs... every time you change scenery, that costs money. Are you sure this really needs to move? Point of view, the most expensive thing."
    — Tayari Jones [10:17]
  • Memorable Analogy:
    On the film E.T.:
    "The alien was so expensive. There was no money left over. You cannot have ET set like in a war zone because it's too expensive to have an alien and international conflict in the same story."
    — Tayari Jones [11:21]
• On Success:
  "I think it can change your life, but it does not change your life as much as you think it will ... all of the relationships and things in your life that matter that you love, you will still have."
  — Tayari Jones [14:09]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On preventative homelessness programs:
  "Getting people off the streets three times more expensive than trying to keep them off the streets."
  — Rep. Casey Carpenter [02:34]

• On copyright and ISPs:
  "Imposing liability on the ISPs could lead the ISPs to block people's access to the Internet..."
  — Prof. Thomas Codrey [03:19]

• On writing craft:
  "[Those] first two pages mean more to your story than almost anything else."
  — Tayari Jones [08:58]

• On 'story budget':
  "If a story is over budget, it's too busy and you can't follow it, and you don't know what matters. If a story is under budget, it's boring."
  — Tayari Jones [10:17]

• On success and publishing:
  "Every problem you had before you published the book, you will still have. And all of the relationships and things in your life that matter that you love, you will still have."
  — Tayari Jones [14:09]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Weapons Check in Schools: [00:33]
• Pharmaceutical Plant Investment: [01:28]
• Homelessness Prevention Bill: [02:17]
• Supreme Court ISP Ruling: [02:44]
• World Athletics Update: [03:33]
• Sea Turtle Research: [04:34]
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium/World Cup: [05:25]
• Atlanta Symphony Season: [06:01]
• Savannah Music Festival: [06:46]
• Tayari Jones Interview: [08:07]

Conclusion

This episode of "Georgia Today" provides listeners with a rich blend of timely news, cultural highlights, legislative updates, and literary wisdom. The mix of policy, innovation, community investment, and creativity is delivered with clarity, concise reporting, and engaging soundbites—making it essential listening for anyone interested in Georgia’s evolving story.