GA News Podcast – East Metro for Sunday, 7/28– Published Friday 7/25
From the Ingles Studio, Welcome to your Georgia News Podcast. This podcast features stories compiled from the publications of Times Journal Inc.
Today is Sunday, July 28th and Happy 82nd Birthday to broadcaster Marty Brennaman.
***07.28.24 – BIRTHDAY – MARTY BRENNAMAN***
I’m Keith Ippolito and here is your top stories Georgia is talking about, presented by Drake Realty
We’ll have these stories and more, coming up on your Georgia News Podcast and If you want community, local, and statewide news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!
Commercial: DRAKE
Story 1: Woods defends dropping AP African American studies course
State School Superintendent Richard Woods faced criticism after deciding against adding an Advanced Placement African-American studies course to Georgia's curriculum for the upcoming school year. Woods defended his stance, emphasizing that schools can still teach the course using existing standards or local curriculum choices. He expressed concerns about endorsing the entire AP course but assured that districts opting to use the African-American Studies course code from 2020 would receive state funding. Critics, including educators and Democratic lawmakers, argued that the decision hindered inclusive education and cited opposition to previous legislation limiting how U.S. history can be taught in schools.
Story 2: Gunman flew drone over Trump rally area before shooting: FBI Chief
Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old gunman, attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, firing shots with an AR-style assault rifle. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified that Crooks flew a drone over the rally area two hours before the shooting but did not specify a motive. Crooks, positioned on a nearby building's roof, was swiftly killed by a Secret Service sniper. The incident left Trump injured, two attendees wounded, and a Pennsylvania firefighter dead. Wray disclosed that Crooks had crude explosive devices and a transmitter, although their detonation capability was limited. The FBI is investigating Crooks' internet searches and motive, finding a focus on public figures and Trump in recent days preceding the attempt. No evidence of accomplices has been found.
Story 3: Trump Lead Over Harris in Georgia Within Margin of Error
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are in a close contest in Georgia, according to a recent poll by Landmark Communications. Trump holds a slight lead over Harris among 400 likely voters, with 48.0% to 46.7%, within the 5% margin of error. Harris, now the presumptive Democratic nominee after Joe Biden's withdrawal, fares better than Biden did previously against Trump in Georgia. In a broader six-way race including other candidates, Trump leads with 45.8% to Harris's 44.3%. Harris performs strongly among younger, Black, and female voters, leading in these demographics, while Trump maintains an edge among older and white voters. Both candidates overwhelmingly secure support within their party bases, with independents favoring Harris by 9.1 percentage points.
We’ll be right back
Break: Wheeler funeral
Story 4: Georgia OBGYNs Attack Abortion Law
Georgia's strict abortion law, known as the "heartbeat bill," enacted in 2019 and effective from 2022 following legal challenges, is sharply criticized by OBGYNs in the state. At a hearing chaired by U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, doctors expressed concerns that the law forces women into high-risk pregnancies and impedes their access to reproductive healthcare. The legislation prohibits most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, a timeframe when fetal heartbeat can be detected. Exceptions for rape, incest, and medical emergencies are included, but doctors argue these are insufficient. They contend that the law limits their ability to provide comprehensive care, leading some doctors to leave the state. The issue remains contentious in the context of national abortion policy debates ahead of the presidential election.
Story 5: Floyd County Oks New RV Park in Cave Spring Over Opposition
Floyd County Commissioners unanimously approved a special use permit for an RV park near Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center in Cave Spring after revisions were made to address concerns. Owner Anthony Carver assured officials of a viable septic system and road upgrades. Nearby residents had raised issues about traffic safety, flooding risks, and potential crime. The approval includes conditions like limiting RV spaces to 50 and upgrading Davis Road to county standards. In another decision, the board narrowly approved a $2.2 million solar farm despite staff concerns about land use, citing its potential to provide energy to Georgia Power.
We’ll be right back.
Break: INGLES 5
Story 6: Environmental groups pushing to delay Georgia Power gas turbines project
In Georgia, an independent energy consultant recommended that Georgia Power postpone the construction of three new dual-fuel turbines at Plant Yates near Newnan. The consultant argued for evaluating potentially cheaper alternatives and reducing reliance on natural gas, citing higher costs and volatility in prices. Georgia Power seeks approval from the Public Service Commission (PSC) to build turbines that primarily use natural gas but can switch to diesel. Opponents, including environmental groups, expressed concerns about increased fossil fuel dependency and price volatility. However, the PSC's Public Interest Advocacy Staff supports the project, emphasizing periods of low natural gas prices and urgent capacity needs due to growing data center demand. A decision on the project is scheduled for August 20.
Story 7: US Secret Service director resigns after Trump assassination bid
US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned following bipartisan criticism over the agency's failure to prevent an assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a July 13 campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Cheatle acknowledged the incident as the Secret Service's most significant operational failure in decades during her testimony before Congress. The 20-year-old gunman wounded Trump and fatally shot a Pennsylvania firefighter before being killed by a Secret Service sniper. Cheatle's resignation came amidst calls from both Republicans and Democrats for her to step down due to her handling of the aftermath and reluctance to disclose specific details about the attack.
Commercial: Dermatology Con.
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Georgia News Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at [insert website link].
Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Produced by the BG Podcast Network
Show Sponsors:
#NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
