Weekend closure on I-285; Atlanta rejects no-bond policy; Fulton County raid upheld

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast – May 7, 2026
Hosted by Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)

---

Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today covers major news updates impacting Georgia, including legal decisions related to Fulton County ballots, a significant weekend closure on I-285, changes to Fort Gordon’s medical services, a pivotal ruling against an immigration no-bond policy, concerns over hantavirus exposure, the Carter Habitat for Humanity project, as well as Atlanta’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup and agricultural news. The edition rounds out with sports highlights and local economic updates.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

---

1. Fulton County Ballot Seizure Ruling

• Summary:
  A U.S. District Judge ruled that the Justice Department does not have to return 2020 election ballots seized in a January raid on a Fulton County warehouse.
• Expert Analysis:
  Gawi Ramachandran (Brennan Center for Justice) clarified that the decision was procedural:
  • Quote: “This decision doesn't mean that there's a there there in terms of the investigation. Instead, the judge really focused on the fact that the legal standard, he said, is that there had to be a callous disregard for the constitutional rights of somebody...”
    (Gawi Ramachandran, 01:27)
• Response:
  Fulton County Board Chair Rob Pitts expressed intent to pursue further legal options.
  • Quote: “We intend to vigorously pursue all available legal options.” (Paraphrased, 01:46)

---

2. Highway 82 Wildfire Containment

• Summary:
  A wildfire near the Brantley and Camden County line is 85% contained after burning over 22,000 acres.
• Emergency Response:
  Described as one of the most complex wildfire operations in Georgia’s history.
  • Quote: “While Georgia has experienced large wildfires…nothing this impactful that we can think historically as hey, yeah, we've done this before. The governor was in there three times and that should tell you a lot.” (Chuck White, 02:15)
• Aftermath:
  Evacuations have ended; counties will conduct reviews to assess the response.

---

3. I-285 Full Interstate Closure

• Summary:
  A two-mile stretch of I-285 (Cascade Road to MLK Jr. Dr.) west of Atlanta will close from Friday 7:00 PM to Monday 5:00 AM for upgrades, creating citywide traffic challenges amid major events.
• Expert Commentary:
  Mark McKay, traffic analyst:
  • Quote: “DOT shutting down the entire stretch north and southbound starting Friday night at 7 o’clock… it has the potential to be a real traffic nightmare…”
    (Mark McKay, 03:12)
• Context:
  Closure coincides with commencements, sports events, and Mother's Day travel.

---

4. Fort Gordon Medical Center to Shift Services

• Summary:
  The Eisenhower Army Medical Center near Augusta will close its 60 inpatient beds, switching to ambulatory care. The ER will become urgent care; operating rooms and treatment center remain.
• Local Concerns:
  Karen Gordon, resident and state House candidate, voiced worries:
  • Quote: "How are we handling record keeping? Will those records transfer? That's one of the concerns in my family." (Karen Gordon, 04:35)
• Context:
  Ongoing staffing shortages prompted the change.

---

5. Appeals Court Rejects Immigration No-Bond Policy

• Summary:
  The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a no-bond policy for immigration detainees, splitting with other circuits and potentially paving the way for a Supreme Court review.
  • Policy denied bond to all detainees, including those with no criminal history.
  • Ruling emphasized government cannot detain everyone without bond.
• Implications:
  Significant divide among federal circuits could impact future national policies.

---

6. Hantavirus Exposures on a Cruise Ship

• Summary:
  Two Georgia residents exposed to hantavirus aboard a cruise are monitored. Spread is unlikely, but they may need to isolate for weeks.
• Expert Insight:
  Jodi Guest (Emory University) links exposure to an Argentine bird watching expedition:
  • Quote: "It's believed that they were on a bird watching expedition prior to getting on the cruise ship and that they likely picked it up there in Argentina." (Jodi Guest, 06:07)
• Note:
  The U.S. is no longer a WHO member, complicating the international response.

---

7. Trump Endorses Bert Jones for Governor

• Summary:
  Donald Trump reiterated his clear and exclusive endorsement of Bert Jones in Georgia's gubernatorial race.
  • Quote: “He's just an incredible guy who has my complete and total endorsement in the race… I endorsed a man named Bert Jones.”
    (Donald Trump, 00:40 & 06:50)
• Election Context:
  Rick Jackson (another front-runner) also pledges loyalty; both candidates spend heavily on attack ads. Early voting for the May 19 primary underway.

---

8. Carter Habitat Work Project Returns to Atlanta

• Summary:
  Nearly 1,000 volunteers are in southwest Atlanta for the 40th annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, constructing 24 affordable homes in five days.
• Voices from the Project:
  • Rosalynn Merrick (Atlanta Habitat CEO):
    • Quote: "For a long time, this land sat as an overgrown forest… now it gets to be this beautiful, vibrant community for ultimately 64 families." (08:10)
  • Allen Merrick (Volunteer):
    • Quote: "The Carters didn't do it for show. They came to work…we've got a house to build." (09:24)
  • Kyrie Redding (New homeowner):
    • Quote: "Watching my mom go through the process kind of helped me figure out…what I needed to do on my end… And then I got a turn." (10:02)
• Milestone:
  Project's first return to Atlanta since 1988; over 1,500 Atlantans now own Habitat homes.

---

9. Atlanta World Cup Hospitality Outpaces Other Cities

• Summary:
  A new report says Atlanta is leading other U.S. cities in hotel bookings ahead of World Cup 2026.
  • Half of Atlanta hotels report bookings meeting or exceeding expectations, compared to only 20% nationwide.
• Insight:
  Chris Hardman (GA Hotel & Lodging Assoc.):
  • Quote: "We're used to hosting these large sporting events…we are ready and prepared to host the World Cup." (11:30)
• Projected Impact:
  Tournament expected to bring a half billion dollar economic impact.

---

10. Agriculture: Tobacco Assessment Extension

• Summary:
  Georgia’s tobacco growers will continue a $0.50 assessment per hundred pounds to fund promotion and research for another three years.
• Economic Context:
  2024 tobacco harvest valued at $28 million.

---

11. Sports Highlights

• Summary:
• Atlanta Braves prepare to play the Dodgers after a recent series loss to the Mariners—their first of the season.
• Chris Sale scheduled to start on Friday.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Fulton Ballot Ruling:
  “This decision doesn't mean that there's a there there in terms of the investigation.”
  — Gawi Ramachandran (01:27)

• On the I-285 Closure:
  “…it has the potential to be a real traffic nightmare not only for the west side Perimeter commuters, but for any drivers trying to get into and through the city.”
  — Mark McKay (03:12)

• On Habitat Volunteers and the Carters:
  "The Carters didn't do it for show. They came to work…"
  — Allen Merrick (09:24)

• On Atlanta As a Host City:
  "We are ready and prepared to be able to host the World Cup."
  — Chris Hardman (11:30)

---

Segment Timestamps

• Fulton County Ballot Ruling: 00:52 – 01:46
• Highway 82 Wildfire: 01:46 – 02:30
• I-285 Closure: 02:30 – 03:50
• Fort Gordon Medical Center: 04:07 – 04:55
• Immigration No-Bond Ruling: 04:55 – 05:52
• Hantavirus Exposure: 05:52 – 06:38
• Trump Endorses Bert Jones: 00:40 & 06:38 – 07:02
• Habitat for Humanity Project: 07:36 – 10:37
• Atlanta World Cup Bookings: 11:09 – 12:17
• Agriculture/Tobacco News: 12:17 – 12:53
• Braves Sports Update: 12:53 – 13:28

---

This episode provides a rapid, insightful update on legal, civic, medical, and economic developments across Georgia, balanced with personal voices and direct quotes from influential figures. Whether you’re tracking public policy, preparing for a weekend drive, or following Atlanta’s rise as a major event city, this edition offers context, detail, and the sense of a state on the move.

Transcript

[GPB Announcer]

GPB belongs to Georgia and you are the center of everything we do. Become a GPB sustainer today or increase your monthly gift to fortify our work enriching Georgians of all ages. Visit gpb.org to donate today and thanks.

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, a federal judge says the U.S. justice Department doesn't have to return Fulton county ballots seized in a January raid. The two mile stretch of I285 will be closed this weekend and President Donald Trump reiterates his endorsement of Bert Jones for governor.

[Donald Trump]

He's just an incredible guy who has my complete and total endorsement in the race. There's a lot of confusion. Everyone's saying I endorse them. I didn't. I endorsed a man named Bert Jones.

[Peter Biello]

Today's Thursday, May 7th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. US District Judge J.P. boulay for Georgia's Northern District ruled yesterday that the federal government does not have to return the 2020 ballot seized in a January raid on a Fulton county elections warehouse. Gawi Ramachandran is the director of elections and Security at the non partisan Brennan center for Justice. She says Fulton county lost because their case did not meet a standard, not because of any electoral wrongdoing.

[Gawi Ramachandran]

This decision doesn't mean that there's a there there in terms of the investigation. Instead, the judge really focused on the fact that the legal standard, he said, is that there had to be a callous disregard for the constitutional rights of somebody, you know, of the county or maybe potentially the voters.

[Peter Biello]

Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Rob Pitts disagreed with the ruling, saying, quote, we intend to vigorously pursue all available legal options. The Highway 82 wildfire near the Brantley and Camden county line is now 85% contained after scorching just over 22,000 acres in southeast Georgia. At the Camden County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday night, Emergency Management Director Chuck White described the multi agency response as one of the most complex wildfire operations in Georgia history.

[GPB Announcer]

While Georgia has experienced large wildfires, right, we've got nothing, nothing this impactful that we can think historically as hey, yeah, we've done this before. The governor was in there three times and that should tell you a lot.

[Peter Biello]

Earlier this week, Brantley county officials announced a return to business as usual, lifting evacuation orders and ending the curfew. White says counties across southeast Georgia are now expected to review what worked and what didn't through a formal after action process. As wildfire season continues, An unusual full interstate closure west of Atlanta this weekend is expected to create traffic bottlenecks far beyond the immediate area. The Georgia Department of Transportation is closing a two mile stretch of Interstate 285 from Cascade Road to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Traffic will be diverted downtown Traffic guru Mark McKay watches the roads for Atlanta

[Mark McKay]

Talk radio WSB DOT shutting down the entire stretch north and southbound starting Friday night at 7 o', clock running 24 hours through the week until Monday morning at 5. Now a lot of this will be weather contingent. If there's any weather, they may break it down earlier. It's one of those things we have to monitor pretty closely, but it has the potential to be a real traffic nightmare not only for the west side Perimeter commuters, but for any drivers trying to get into and through the city. We will have round the clock coverage on 95.5 WSB. Our triple team traffic coverage is 247 anyway.

[Peter Biello]

The shutdown is part of a larger 285 upgrade. It comes on a weekend of college commencements, sporting events and Mother's Day travel. The US army is reducing its medical services at Fort Gordon near Augusta, GPB's Sophie Gratis has more on the administration's plans for Eisenhower Army Medical Center.

[Sophie Grados]

The federal defense health agency confirmed it plans to close the medical center's 60 inpatient beds and shift to ambulatory care. Operating rooms and the residential treatment center will stay open while the emergency room will become an urgent care. The DHA has not outlined a timeline for the plans. Longtime Augusta resident and state House candidate Karen Gordon says she's worried about how the care for her husband and other active duty service members, retirees and their families will be managed with taking that

[Donald Trump]

outside of the base. There's some concern about that. You know, how are we handling record keeping? Will will those records transfer? That's one of the concerns in my family.

[Sophie Grados]

The medical center had recently cited staffing shortages as a reason for diverting care. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Grados.

[Peter Biello]

An Atlanta based federal appeals court has rejected a no bond policy implemented by the Trump administration for people in immigration proceedings. The 11th U.S. circuit Court of Appeals issued the 21 ruling yesterday. The decision deepens a divide among federal appeals courts on whether people can be kept in detention while their cases are pending. The 2nd Circuit reached a similar conclusion in April, while the 8th and 5th Circuits upheld the policy and the 7th Circuit deadlocked. The policy denies bond hearings to people in immigration detention, including those with no criminal history. The 11th Circuit ruling states that the government cannot detain every person here without documentation, without bond. With the circuit split deepening, the US Supreme Court could be called upon to resolve the issue. The Georgia Department of Public Health is continuing to monitor two residents exposed to hantavirus aboard a cruise ship. An infectious disease expert in Georgia says while spread of the sometimes deadly virus is unlikely, the couple might have to isolate for several weeks. GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Experts with the World Health Organization believe deaths from hantavirus on a cruise ship came from a country where the disease is endemic. The rare strain is the only one known to cross from human to human. Jodi Guest is an epidemiologist with Emory University.

[Jodi Guest]

The WHO is doing the surveillance, tracking backwards to see where they were, but it's believed that they were on a bird watching expedition prior to getting on the cruise ship and that they likely picked it up there in Argentina.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Guest says the WHO is leading the international investigation, which is why American membership is crucial to public health. The US Officially withdrew from the WHO in January. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Peter Biello]

President Donald Trump sought to clarify his support this week for Bert Jones in his race for Georgia governor. On the brief call, Trump emphasized that Jones, the current lieutenant governor, is the only candidate with his full support.

[Donald Trump]

He's just an incredible guy who has my complete and total endorsement in the race. There's a lot of confusion. Everyone's saying I endorse them. I didn't. I endorsed a man named Bert Jones.

[Peter Biello]

Republican candidate Rick Jackson also has promised to be loyal to Trump if elected. Jackson and Jones are the front runners for the Republican primary and have spent millions of dollars on attack ads against each other. Early voting in the May 19 primary election is already underway. Nearly 1,000 Habitat for Humanity volunteers are in Atlanta this week for the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Crews have just five days to build 24 affordable homes and townhouses. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the work project and its first return to Atlanta since 1988. GPB's Amanda Andrews takes us to the work site.

[Amanda Andrews]

It's a Monday afternoon in southwest Atlanta's Sylvan Hills neighborhood. The sky is clear, there's a slight breeze, and the sounds of power tools fill the

[Rosalynn Merrick]

so all the noise you hear behind me, those are volunteers swinging hammers, raising walls, painting.

[Amanda Andrews]

That's Rosalynn Merrick, the CEO of Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. She's part of the sea of volunteers in matching blue hard hats building Langston Park, a community of 24 houses and townhomes Merrick says this project is almost a decade in the making.

[Rosalynn Merrick]

For a long time, this land sat as an overgrown forest, and there was a concrete slab from a previous factory that became a skate park park. And while that was great for the time that it was here, now it gets to be this beautiful, vibrant community for ultimately 64 families. As we build here for the next couple of years, let's give them a

[Donald Trump]

hand getting this next.

[Amanda Andrews]

Creating affordable housing has become a priority for Atlanta leaders, but it wasn't always like that. Jimmy Carter and Habitat started the work project in 1984 to address the rising cost of housing.

[Rosalynn Merrick]

Since then, over 4,500 families have been served overall by the Carter Work Project. So we were super excited to see it come back here to Atlanta.

[Amanda Andrews]

Allen and Lynn Merrill got their start as Atlanta Habitat volunteers in the first Atlanta Work Project in 1988. Allen says things weren't as polished back then.

[Allen Merrick]

You know, there's a tent that will, that will allow US to feed 900 people a hot meal instead of a bag lunch, which is probably what we had in 1988.

[Lynn Merrick]

Yeah, what the church ladies made for all the volunteers all those years ago,

[Amanda Andrews]

back when Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were still on site to help build the houses, Alan Merrick worked alongside them. He says it was more than a

[Allen Merrick]

photo opportunity, and the Carters didn't do it for show. They came to work so typically with the press, they would say, okay, we'll give you a few minutes at the beginning of the day to get some. Get to get your photos. But from then on, we're working. We've got things to do. We've got a house to build.

[Amanda Andrews]

Alan took that message to heart. He ultimately quit his corporate job and trained to be a lead carpenter. He says building a house is fun, but meeting the families is a blessing. Families like Tammy and Kyrie Redding. Kyrie says she was inspired when her mom, Tammy, purchased an Atlanta habitat home in 2022.

[Kyrie Redding]

So watching my mom go through the process kind of helped me figure out, like, what exactly I needed do on my end to make sure I was ready when it was my turn, if I ever got a turn. And then I got a turn.

[Amanda Andrews]

So, yeah, Homeowners are required to take classes on budgeting, home maintenance and complete 250 sweat equity hours. Kyrie says she's looking forward to the next family get together.

[Kyrie Redding]

Yeah, I'm excited. We rotate houses every holiday.

[Amanda Andrews]

Her mom, Tammy, is ready for Kyrie to host.

[Kyrie Redding]

The next family gathering will be here. Yes. Now it's time for her to take the rings. Yes, come, come when you're invited.

[Amanda Andrews]

When her house is done, Kyrie will be one of over 1500 Atlantans owning a Habitat for Humanity home. For GPB news, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Peter Biello]

A new report says Atlanta is faring better than other World cup host cities when it comes to hotel bookings for the summer tournament. The American Hotel and Lodging association said this week that about half of the Atlanta respondents to a recent survey reported bookings meeting or beating expectations. Nationwide, that number is only 20%. Chris Hardman is with the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association.

[Chris Hardman]

In my personal opinion, and based off of anecdotal evidence, there is several things that Atlanta has to offer. First and foremost, we are home to the world's busiest airport at Hartsfield Jackson, so it's easy access to both international and domestic travelers alike. We are a quick retreat away to any of the other host cities, a simple flight or a drive away to the other host cities. But more importantly, we're used to hosting these large sporting events. We're going to be one of only two cities to have ever hosted both the Olympics and the World Cup. We've hosted multiple Super Bowls, multiple national championships. We've hosted various global sporting events throughout our history as a city, and we are ready and prepared to be able to host the World Cup.

[Peter Biello]

He says the average World cup booking is currently just shy of three nights, but he expects that number to rise as FIFA releases more tickets. The Metro Atlanta chapter expects the tournament to have a half billion dollar economic impact. Georgia's tobacco producers have agreed to continue an assessment on their product to fund education, promotion and research. The Georgia Department of Agriculture said this week that the $0.50 per £100 assessment will continue for another three years. Georgia's tobacco harvest was valued at $28 million in 2024. That's according to the most recently published Farmgate Report. In sports and baseball, the Braves have the day off today before heading to Los Angeles to face Freddie Freeman and the Dodgers for a three game series. Yesterday, the Seattle Mariners beat Atlanta 3 to 1 to hand the Braves their first series loss of the season. Atlanta had won eight consecutive series. Chris Sale is scheduled to get the start for the Braves tomorrow. That is a wrap on this edition of Georgia Today. Thank you so much for tuning in. We hope you come back tomorrow. Best way to remember to do that, of course, is to subscribe to this podcast. That way we will pop up automatically in your podcast feed. And Remember to check gpb.org news for updates to the stories you heard on the podcast today as well as any new headlines. Our reporters are constantly posting new things there. If you have feedback on this podcast, let us know by email. The address is Georgia TodayPPB.org that's also where you can send some news tips if you've got them. Again, Georgia, today at gpb, I'm Peter Biello. Thank you for listening. We will see you tomorrow.

[NPR Up First Announcer]

You know, Every day on Up First, NPR's Golden Globe nominated morning news podcast. We bring you three essential stories. the heart of each story are questions, what really happened? What really mattered? What happens next? At npr, we stand for your right to be curious and to follow the facts. Follow up first wherever you get your podcasts and start your day knowing what matters and why.