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Peter Biello
Foreign welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast from GPB News. Today is Tuesday, January 14th. I'm Peter Biello. On this podcast, you'll hear the GPB News team's most recent reports. Your tips and suggestions for future episodes are welcome. Email Georgia todaypb.org on today's episode State senators authorize an investigation into Fulton County DA Fani Willis Importers in Savannah braced themselves for new tariffs, and in 2011, an executive at the Cartoon Network brought Atlanta rapper Killer Mike and Brooklyn producer LP together to produce an album.
Jaap Van Der Doolen
He thought that Mike and L.P. would be a great fit stylistically and also usher in something that hadn't been done before.
Peter Biello
What emerged was Run the Jewels, an iconic rap duo known as much for their beats as their politics. A new book looks into their rise. We'll hear from author Jaap Van der Doulen. All that and more coming up on this edition of Georgia Today. The Georgia State Senate is once again turning its attention to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. State senators voted yesterday to reauthorize a Senate committee on special investigations to examine her office. Democrats, including Sandy Springs State Senator Josh McLaurin, criticized the movement, calling the investigation purely political.
Chase McGee
This is a fixation on the past.
Peter Biello
But worse than that, it is a.
Chase McGee
Fixation on the past that is driven primarily by the obsessions of one man.
Peter Biello
Last year, the committee investigated Willis's conduct and her case against President elect Donald Trump. Willis was subpoenaed to testify but argued the committee lacked constitutional authority. In December, a judge ruled the committee does have the authority to subpoena Willis. Meanwhile, after a week of legal wrangling, the U.S. department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on President elect Trump's attempts to interfere in the 2020 election have been released. GPB's Chase McGee has more.
Sarah Kalis
Trump will not face federal prosecution over the contents of the report. The Department of Justice maintains they do not prosecute sitting presidents. Smith says if Trump had not secured reelection, the evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial. The report outlines the infamous call Trump made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, pressuring him to find enough votes to overturn the election results in Georgia. After losing the election, Trump held a rally in Dalton, Georgia, where he pressured Vice President Mike Pence to alter the outcome of the 2020 election.
Jaap Van Der Doolen
Plus, if he doesn't come through, I won't like him quite as much.
Sarah Kalis
Jack Smith resigned from the Justice Department after submitting the report. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee.
Peter Biello
Governor Brian Kemp laid out some of his legislative priorities during the Georgia Chamber's annual exit issues this morning, GPB's Sarah Kalis reports.
Grant Blankenship
Kemp told the gathering of business leaders.
Peter Biello
That controlling the number of lawsuits in Georgia is essential. Tort reform will be my top legislative.
Chase McGee
Priority for this upcoming session, he says.
Peter Biello
The push for tort reform and changing the rules around civil lawsuits that has been a multi year effort. I will soon be unveiling a robust legislative package that will bring balance to our proceedings and parity with our neighbors. Proponents of tort reform say it could lower insurance costs. Other priorities for Kemp include workforce training and housing in rural communities. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis in Atlanta. Governor Brian Kemp announced more funding for schools on the first day of the legislative session. Kemp announced a hefty one time increase in the school safety grant to help schools beef up their security months after a deadly shooting at a high school in Winder. With that in mind, I am proposing an additional $50 million in one time school security grants. That money, combined with the existing school safety grant will even out to about $68,000 per school. Kemp also announced more funding for student transportation and money to increase the number of school psych Georgia continues to lead the nation in the growth of clean energy transition related jobs, especially in rural and disadvantaged areas. That's according to a new report by the advocacy group climate power. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more.
Grant Blankenship
Since 2022, climate power has compiled public announcements of clean energy sector jobs incentivized by the Inflation reduction act. For 2024, the group counted over 43,000 of these new jobs in Georgia, close to twice as many as the number two state New York. Nationally, most of these jobs flow to Republican congressional districts, and three of the top 10 Republican House districts for clean energy job growth are in Georgia. That's Buddy Carter's first district, anchored by the Hyundai Mega plant in Bryant County Barry Loudermilk's 11th district in northwest Georgia, home to Qcell Solar and Georgia's 10th District, represented by Mike Collins and home to SK Battery and Commerce. Donald Trump will become president again next week. He and various Republican lawmakers have signaled their intent to cut Inflation Reduction act spending. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon.
Peter Biello
The Lakin Riley act cleared another procedural hurdle in the US Senate yesterday, bringing it one step closer to final passage. Named for a Georgia nursing student killed by an immigrant who entered the US Illegally, the bill would allow the detention of unauthorized immigrants accused but not convicted of certain crimes and give states more control over immigration. Emory University law professor Emily Davis says that likely would set up legal challenges that could take years to sort out.
Jaap Van Der Doolen
Criminal law applies the same to non citizens and citizens. Additionally stripping the federal government of its power to control immigration and to make immigration law and giving that to the states I think would also create a constitutional concern.
Peter Biello
Democrats, including Georgia Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, largely voted with Republicans on the measure. A U.S. senate confirmation hearing for former Georgia Congressman Doug Collins is being delayed. President Elect Donald Trump nominated Collins to be the next Secretary of Veterans affairs in a statement yesterday. The chairman of the Senate's Committee on Veterans affairs says his hearing would be delayed by a week because the FBI hasn't yet completed his background check. Collins represented in Northeast Georgia district for three two year terms, winning notice for defending Trump during the Robert Mueller probe into Russian interference in U.S. elections. Atlanta leaders say the New Year's Eve vehicle attack on Bourbon Street, New Orleans has helped guide their security security plans for the college football national championship game. They also urge people who see threats online to report them to authorities. At a briefing this morning, Atlanta's police chief said his department took note of how a vehicle was able to ram into tourists on Bourbon Street. Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta will host Monday's game between the University of Notre Dame and Ohio State University. Authorities spoke in general terms about security plans without sharing specifics. Tariffs were among the many campaign promises made by President elect Donald Trump last year. Now, with less than a week to go before Inauguration Day, US Importers are preparing to pay more money to ship goods in from overseas. Many of those importers can be found in Savannah, a major gateway for global trade. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports on how tariffs may impact commerce in Georgia.
Chase McGee
It's nighttime along the Savannah river where massive container ships slip through through the darkness, their horns echoing across the water. These vessels and the cargo they carry represent billions in international trade, trade that could soon look very different.
Jaap Van Der Doolen
With a world class port and a world class workforce, this city will soon become one of the premier export hubs anywhere on earth, tripling and quadrupling traffic as your power will lead an American manufacturing boom.
Chase McGee
That was Trump at a rally in Savannah last year. On the campaign trail, candidate Trump teased universal tariffs of up to 20% on all imports, though trade experts expect a more targeted approach from a President Trump. This uncertainty is creating real challenges for those in Savannah's bustling logistics industry, like Tom Patterson. He's a manager for a bicycle importer at the Port of Savannah.
Tom Patterson
Whether it's all smoke or not. Nobody really knows. You know, like we don't know if it's just hyperbole that he's been spitting or reality. We have to plan for reality and hope it's not.
Chase McGee
Patterson says retailers might use tariffs as an excuse to raise prices, something he thinks they planned on doing anyway.
Tom Patterson
They've already built their profit plans for next year and they're going to maintain them come hell or high water. And so whether their suppliers shoulder the burden of tariffs, it doesn't matter to them. They're going to raise their prices as they've already planned to raise their prices. I mean, retailers will.
Chase McGee
Griff lynch is president and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, which oversees both the ports of Savannah and Brunswick. He says manufacturing growth from tariffs, if it happens, won't be immediate.
Jaap Van Der Doolen
I think it depends on what the goal is here. If the goal is to create exports, you know, and production and manufacturing for the U.S. i think it won't have any impact in the near term. In the long term, certainly it could drive growth to the U.S. that's if.
Chase McGee
It becomes cheaper to make things here than to import them from other countries. The impact could extend beyond manufacturing to your grocery bill, considering that Savannah doesn't just bring in heavy cargo, but also fresh produce. In fact, the world's largest cold food storage company, Lineage Logistics, recently opened a facility in Port Wentworth, basically a giant freezer just outside Savannah. Here was Jim Henderson, the company's vice president of global sales, at the unveiling.
Grant Blankenship
We looked at facilities all over the world at many different ports, and we said Port of Savannah is really the.
Peter Biello
Perfect spot for us to be, to.
Grant Blankenship
Be able to get this product in, get it to market faster, because it's fresh produce primarily, it's got a short.
Chase McGee
Shelf life, and much of it is imported from the Southern Hemisphere. Back at the bicycle warehouse, Tom Patterson says the supply chain may be running out of flexibility after years of disruption. People in the operations world, he says.
Tom Patterson
Are so tired of unprecedented times. We never stopped during COVID and we never stopped during supply chain interruptions in 2021, 2022. It's just been one thing after another. And like, it just really feels like we're getting to a point where the supply chain and the logistics of it all are not as malleable as they once were.
Chase McGee
Just how much the supply chain will need to bend and how much that slows action at the port of Savannah should begin to become clear next week after Trump returns to the White House. For GPB News, I'm Benjamin Payne and Savannah.
Peter Biello
Run the Jewels began as a one off collaboration between Atlanta rapper Killer Mike and Brooklyn born rapper LP more than a decade ago. Four albums and dozens of remixes later, Run the Jewels has built a cult following by capturing the discontent of the poor and the oppressed.
Killer Mike
We overworked, underpaid, and we underprivileged.
Peter Biello
They love us.
Killer Mike
They love us.
Peter Biello
Why?
Killer Mike
Because we beat the village. You really made it or just became a prisoner of privilege? You willing to share that information that you've been given?
Peter Biello
New book looks at the music the duo has created and the political landscape it emerged from. It's called Kill your masters. Run the Jewels in the world that made them. Author Yap Van Der Doolen is with me now. Welcome to the program.
Jaap Van Der Doolen
Hi, nice to meet you.
Peter Biello
Michael Render, also known as Killer Mike, and Jamie Moline, AKA lp. They kind of formed an unlikely partnership. Can you talk a little bit about how these two guys came together to form Run the Jewels?
Jaap Van Der Doolen
They met through Jason DeMarco, who was an executive at Adult Swim at the time, the nightly programming of Cartoon Network, and ran a music label which grew out of reaching out to musicians that he respected to create various bumpers in between the programming slots and the commercial slots on the television station. They brought a sense of cool to the television station and he gave them a bigger platform than they had through music alone. Out of that drew a music label and he wanted to publish a new solo record by Killer Mike and he wanted to do something big and he thought that Mike and L.P. would be a great fit stylistically and also usher in something that hadn't been done before, at least not in that way, and introduced them to each other and he was 100% right. And they immediately hit it off. And initially LP was only supposed to produce two or three tracks on the Killer, the upcoming Killer Mike solo album, but they had such strong chemistry that Killer Mike just wanted to use only his beats on the album and basically badgered him into producing the entire album.
Peter Biello
Well, let me ask you a little bit about some of the things that fans of Run the Jewels really like about them. One is that they don't dumb down their music, and although some of the lyrics can be on the nose, generally speaking, they aren't spoon feeding you the interpretation they want you to have. Can you tell us a little bit about a song that exemplifies this?
Jaap Van Der Doolen
I think a great song that exemplifies that is early from Run the Jewels 2, which is still my personal favorite of theirs. In its first verse, Mike tells a first person Story about a man being arrested for a minor infection. It's. It's weed usage.
Killer Mike
Put me in the truck when my warmer screen said shut up Witness with the camera flown on Saw the copper pull a gun and put it on my gorgeous queen As I peeled out the window I could see by all the Kim okay. And hear my little boys and shit.
Jaap Van Der Doolen
I think the smart thing about the way that Killer Mai tells this story is that nobody in the story wants this thing to happen. These are all people in a pressure cooker that society has put them in.
Peter Biello
Each of run the Jewels 4 Studio Albums is responsive in its own way to the mood of the country. Can you give an example of how Run the Jewels has captured that mood?
Jaap Van Der Doolen
I think the greatest example of this is also a very tragic one. It's walking in the snow on rondajewels fourth album. And there's a moment in there where code and Mike raps about being choked by a police officer.
Killer Mike
And every day on the evening news they feed your fear for free and you so numb you watch the cops choke out a man like me until my voice goes from a shriek to.
Jaap Van Der Doolen
Whisper I can't breathe that song came out very shortly after the murder of George Floyd, but it was actually recorded in response to the murder of Eric Garner. They're tragedies in themselves, but there's an even bigger tragedy in the fact that they. They keep on repeating that they made this song in response to a tragedy. And then around the time that it comes out, another extremely similar tragedy has happened again. And I think that it underscores how necessary it is to keep on responding and grappling with these instances and not turn a blind eye towards them.
Peter Biello
One testament to the group's strength was the choice to put Killer Mike at the podium when Atlantans were rioting in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in 2020. Wearing a shirt that says kill your masters, Killer Mike went on camera and told Atlantans to stop destroying their own home and start organizing.
Killer Mike
And it is the responsibility of us to make this better right now. We don't want to see one officer charged. We want to see four officers prosecuted and sentenced. We don't want to see targets burning. We want to see the system that sets up for systemic racism burnt to the ground.
Peter Biello
You started your book describing this speech. What does this say about the impact of Run the Jewels music that the government turned to Killer Mike to try to calm things down?
Jaap Van Der Doolen
I think it resonated with so many people. Maybe also because of the juxtaposition of the T shirt and what he was saying. This isn't a man that's saying don't riot or don't express your pain. He's acknowledging the pain that people are feeling. He is acknowledging that it is their anger is just. But he is also explaining to them in a very honest and down to earth way that there are better ways to express this anger, to use this anger as fuel to organize, yet not burn down your own fortress that you need to organize. There have been he has also referenced the riots that happened in Ferguson.
Peter Biello
You're talking about Ferguson, Missouri where Michael Brown was killed in 2014, which had.
Jaap Van Der Doolen
Direct results for the people in Ferguson to the betterment of their community. The riots there worked. They they got results. But he's saying don't burn down your own economy. He gave them a very direct way of how to be how to use those emotions in a more constructive manner to the betterment of their community.
Peter Biello
Well, the book is kill your masters, Run the jewels in the world that made them Gab Van Der Doolen, thank you so much for speaking with me. I really do appreciate it.
Jaap Van Der Doolen
Likewise Peter. Thanks for taking out the time.
Peter Biello
Jap Van Der Doolen's book about Run the Jewels is the subject of the latest episode of Narrative Edge, GPB's podcast about books with Georgia connections. We hear more of RTJ's music and extra insights about the book. Find Narrative Edge at gpb.org Narrative Edge or wherever you get your podcasts. One more story before we wrap up today. Buc EE's the Gas and Ghost Stop, with a couple of locations in Georgia and many more scattered throughout the American south, got approval from the Middle Georgia Monroe County Commission last month for a new 74,000 square foot location off I75. Buc EE's is a place to get your jerky, mixed nuts, hot sauce, plush toys, beaver branded clothing and brisket, of course. And it's been sold to residents of Monroe county as a possible source of tax revenue. The exact amount of money collected in sales tax varies. During the meeting to approve the new Buc EE's, several attendees claimed it could generate around $30 million in tax revenue per year for the county. But that figure, $30 million, is actually how much Buckey's estimates it'll generate in retail sales for the company at the Monroe county location. That's according to documents Buckey submitted to Monroe County. And in Monroe county, the combined sales tax rate, which is the total of state, county and city sales tax rates, is 8%. So that puts the estimated number of dollars to Monroe county at about $900,000. But it could come not exclusively from the locals, but from those just passing through who can't resist a slice of brisket and a photo with a guy in a beaver costume. And that's it. Thanks once again for listening to Georgia today. We do appreciate it. And we will be back tomorrow with all the latest news. So make sure you subscribe to this podcast. That way you won't miss a thing. And if you want to check out the details on these stories, head on over to our website, gpb.org news we are always posting news stories there. And again, your feedback is welcome. Send it to us by email. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. Back tomorrow with more news from Georgia.
Georgia Today Podcast Summary
Episode: Willis Investigation Reopened; New Tariffs for Savannah; Run the Jewels Book Author
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB News)
In the latest developments surrounding Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the Georgia State Senate has once again authorized a Senate committee on special investigations to examine her office. This move has ignited significant debate among state senators and the public.
Key Points:
Reauthorization of Investigation: The Georgia State Senate voted to reauthorize a committee specifically tasked with investigating DA Fani Willis. This marks a continuation of efforts to scrutinize her conduct and decisions.
Political Criticism: Democrats, including Sandy Springs State Senator Josh McLaurin, have condemned the investigation as politically motivated. McLaurin stated, “This is a fixation on the past” (00:49).
Historical Context: Last year, the committee probed Willis's handling of the case against then-President Donald Trump. Despite Willis arguing that the committee lacked constitutional authority, a judge ruled in December that the committee could subpoena her testimony (01:36).
Impact of DOJ Report: The U.S. Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith released a report detailing President Trump's attempts to interfere in the 2020 election. Although Trump will not face federal prosecution while in office, Smith noted that the evidence was sufficient for a conviction if Trump had sought reelection (02:04).
Notable Quotes:
With President-elect Donald Trump set to take office, importers in Savannah are bracing for the implementation of new tariffs, a significant shift that could reshape Georgia’s bustling logistics and manufacturing sectors.
Key Points:
Tariff Announcements: During his campaign, Trump proposed universal tariffs of up to 20% on all imports. While experts anticipate a more targeted approach, the uncertainty surrounding these tariffs poses challenges for Savannah’s importers (07:36).
Economic Implications: Tariffs could lead to increased costs for importing goods, impacting everything from consumer prices to supply chain dynamics. Tom Patterson, a bicycle importer manager at the Port of Savannah, expressed concerns about potential price hikes: “They’re going to raise their prices as they’ve already planned to raise their prices.” (08:27, 08:45)
Supply Chain Strain: Years of disruptions, including those from the COVID-19 pandemic, have left the supply chain less adaptable. Patterson highlighted the exhaustion within the operations sector: “It really feels like we're getting to a point where the supply chain and the logistics of it all are not as malleable as they once were.” (10:17)
Manufacturing Growth: Griff Lynch, President and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, mentioned that any manufacturing growth resulting from tariffs would not be immediate. However, over time, tariffs could incentivize domestic production, potentially benefiting Georgia’s economy (09:11).
Impact on Fresh Produce: Increased tariffs could affect the import of fresh produce, as Savannah is a major gateway for perishable goods. Jim Henderson of Lineage Logistics emphasized the importance of Savannah's infrastructure in maintaining the freshness and speed of product distribution (09:52).
Notable Quotes:
The podcast delves into the rise of the iconic rap duo Run the Jewels, exploring their formation, musical influence, and socio-political impact through the lens of author Jaap Van Der Doolen’s new book, Kill Your Masters: Run the Jewels in the World That Made Them.
Key Points:
Formation of Run the Jewels: Run the Jewels originated from a collaboration between Atlanta rapper Killer Mike and Brooklyn producer LP, orchestrated by a Cartoon Network executive aiming to create something unprecedented in the music industry (11:00).
Musical and Political Fusion: The duo is renowned not only for their compelling beats but also for their incisive political commentary. Their music often addresses issues of systemic racism, police brutality, and social injustice.
Cultural Resonance: Run the Jewels gained a cult following by voicing the frustrations and aspirations of marginalized communities. Their songs like “We Overworked, Underpaid, and We Underprivileged” encapsulate the struggles faced by the poor and oppressed (11:17, 13:19).
Response to Social Movements: The group actively participated in social movements, exemplified by Killer Mike’s pivotal speech during the 2020 protests in Atlanta. Wearing a shirt emblazoned with “Kill Your Masters,” he urged protesters to channel their anger into community organization rather than destruction (15:59).
Literary Exploration: Jaap Van Der Doolen’s book examines how Run the Jewels’ music reflects and influences the political landscape, emphasizing the duo’s role in advocating for systemic change through art (18:10).
Notable Quotes:
Governor Brian Kemp outlined his legislative agenda during the Georgia Chamber's annual meeting, highlighting several key areas aimed at fostering economic growth and public safety.
Key Points:
Tort Reform: Kemp identified controlling the number of lawsuits as his top priority, intending to introduce tort reform to balance legal proceedings and reduce insurance costs (03:00, 03:11).
Education Funding: On the first day of the legislative session, Kemp announced a significant one-time increase in school safety grants. This initiative aims to enhance security measures in schools following the tragic high school shooting in Winder, providing approximately $68,000 per school for safety upgrades (03:00).
Workforce and Housing: Additional priorities include increased funding for workforce training and housing projects in rural communities, addressing long-standing economic disparities.
Clean Energy Job Growth: According to a report by Climate Power, Georgia is leading the nation in clean energy transition-related jobs, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas. Governor Kemp highlighted over 43,000 new jobs in 2024, positioning Georgia as a leader in the clean energy sector (04:27, 09:52).
Notable Quotes:
The Lakin Riley Act, named in memory of a Georgia nursing student, has advanced another step toward potential passage in the U.S. Senate. The bill seeks to grant states greater authority over immigration enforcement, including the detention of unauthorized immigrants accused of certain crimes.
Key Points:
Legislative Progress: The act cleared a procedural hurdle in the Senate, bringing it closer to final approval. However, experts like Emory University law professor Emily Davis caution that the bill may face lengthy legal challenges (05:14).
Constitutional Concerns: Critics, including author Jaap Van Der Doolen, argue that reallocating immigration enforcement powers to states could raise significant constitutional issues, disrupting the federal government's role in immigration law (05:40, 05:57).
Bipartisan Support: Notably, Democrats such as Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff voted alongside Republicans in support of the measure, indicating a complex bipartisan stance on immigration policy.
Notable Quotes:
The confirmation hearing for former Georgia Congressman Doug Collins as the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs has been postponed. President-elect Donald Trump's nomination faces a brief delay as the FBI completes Collins' background check.
Key Points:
Reason for Delay: The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs announced a one-week postponement of Collins' confirmation hearing due to incomplete background checks (05:57).
Collins' Background: Representing Northeast Georgia for three terms, Collins gained prominence for his staunch defense of Trump during the Robert Mueller probe into Russian interference in U.S. elections.
In response to the New Year's Eve vehicle attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Atlanta authorities have revised their security strategies for the upcoming College Football National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Key Points:
Security Measures: Atlanta's Police Chief emphasized that while specific security details remain undisclosed, lessons from the prior attack have been integrated into the game’s security planning.
Public Vigilance: Authorities urge the public to report online threats and suspicious activities to ensure the safety of attendees and participants.
Buc-ee’s, renowned for its vast array of products including jerky, mixed nuts, hot sauce, and brisket, has secured approval for a new 74,000-square-foot location in Monroe County, Georgia.
Key Points:
Economic Projections: While BUc-ee’s claims the new store could generate $30 million in annual retail sales, experts clarify that with Monroe County's combined sales tax rate of 8%, the county would receive approximately $900,000 in sales tax revenue (11:00).
Local Impact: The store is expected to attract both locals and travelers, contributing to Monroe County's economy through increased sales and tourism.
Notable Quotes:
This episode of Georgia Today provided comprehensive coverage of several pivotal issues affecting Georgia, from political investigations and economic policies to cultural phenomena and local business developments. Host Peter Biello facilitated insightful discussions, enriched by expert opinions and firsthand accounts, ensuring listeners remain well-informed about the matters that shape the state's present and future.
For more detailed reports and updates, visit gpb.org/news.