Peter Viello: welcome to Georgia today GPB News Podcast. Today he is Wednesday February 1st. Peter Biello. About today’s episode: Plans for the controversial Atlanta Public Safety Training Center take a step forward. A Georgia rock and roll legend advocates a music tax credit.And this weekend, a music festival in Atlanta will shed light on a more prevalent disease. Georgia today.
story 1
Peter Viello: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and DeKalb County Chief Executive Michael Thurmond yesterday announced changes to the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, known as Cop City. They said their compromise would protect the environment, spur local businesses and serve as a community resource. have been camping for months. His 26-year-old protester, Manuel Teran, also known as Tortuguita, was shot dead at the scene on Jan. 21 by law enforcement. Police say Terran opened fire first, wounding a state trooper. In an announcement at City Hall yesterday. Some members of the press were denied entry and protesters banged on walls and shouted.
Protesters: Please shut down! Please shut down! Please shut down!
Peter Viello: Mayor Dickens outlined the agreement and its new recommendations.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens: Here are the recommendations to add 100 feet of tree buffer, the recommendation to add sidewalks, and the recommendation to move the shooting range further away from residential areas.
Peter Viello: It’s from a live stream provided by 11Alive. Mayor Dickens also referred to what he called misinformation.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens: Misinformation has gone too far. This is a fire and police and community training facility. This is where community policing takes place, where fire and police can work together, and in 2020 it will be where everything happens, including the state. The city, including this former city council member, called for additional training and community-based training. This is where it can happen.
Peter Viello: An agreement between Atlanta and DeKalb County paved the way for construction permits.
Story 2
Peter Viello: Passed in 2005, Georgia’s film tax credit spurs a now $4 billion industry in the state. A prominent Georgia musician visited the Capitol and lobbied legislators to pass similar legislation for the state’s music industry. GPB’s girlfriend Sarah Rose reports.
Sarah Rose: Chuck Leavell has played in two of the most legendary rock and roll bands in history: The Allman Brothers and The Rolling Stones. And he’s one of several people shining the spotlight on Georgia’s legendary music industry. Leavell supports the work of Georgia Music Partners. He said the group is appealing to lawmakers why recording studios, rehearsal spaces and music venues should receive tax breaks.
Chuck Leavell: The proposed law would give all aspects of the music business, including bands, artists, promoters, and studios, specific incentives to come to work in our state.
Sarah Rose: Music advocates hope the session will introduce tax credit legislation. This is Sarah Rose from GPB News.
Story 3
Peter Viello: State lawmakers may soon consider legislation that could ban the sale of Delta-8 THC. The compound is now readily available in Georgia, where some users claim it helps with sleep, anxiety, and other problems, while others use it recreationally. We have introduced legislation to close the loopholes that allow products. Proponents of the bill say Delta-8 THC is a compound with little consumer protection and can have adverse effects. Its opponents say banning it would push its production out of state and into the black market.
story 4
Peter Viello: Governor Brian Kemp and top leaders celebrated Kia Day at the Capitol yesterday to honor the automakers’ continued investment in Georgia’s economy. GPB’s Stephen Fowler has a lot more to offer.
Stephen Fowler: Over the past few years, Georgia has seen major development announcements from the automotive and electric vehicle industry, including Rivian, Qcells, and SK Battery. But Gov. Brian Kemp said Tuesday there was KIA first.
Governor Brian Kemp: We are pleased to be part of several milestone events for Kia Motors’ Georgia operations. That’s because Kia is not only a great partner for our state, but it’s been incredibly successful here.
Stephen Fowler: The West Point plant opened in 2009 and is expected to produce its 4 millionth vehicle by April. Kia’s parent company, Hyundai, is also building a second plant for electric vehicles and Bryan County soon. For GPB News, this is Stephen Fowler from the Capitol.
Story 5
Peter Viello: The White House has said the two federal COVID-19 emergency declarations will end in May. The Biden administration says the announcement should give states time to scale back pandemic-era services. GPB’s Sofi Gratas elaborates on how this change will affect consumers.
Sophie Gratas: The decision to end the public health emergency means the federal government is no longer responsible for key areas of pandemic response. Free testing and treatment will end, and many uninsured people will pay for his COVID-19 vaccine out of their own pocket. Vaccine maker Pfizer says its shots could be sold commercially for up to $130 per dose, although costs fluctuate. pledged to extend funding for The decision to end PHE in May came after House Republicans petitioned for an immediate end to the state of emergency, a move the White House strongly opposes. Died of COVID. About 500 of those deaths died in Georgia. He’s Sofi Gratas from GPB News.
Story 6
Peter Viello: Voters in three districts of the Georgia House of Representatives and one district of the state Senate went to polling stations yesterday to fill vacancies. GPB’s Devon Zwald has more.
Devon Zwald: North Georgia banker and Republican Johnny Chastain won the seat of the late Speaker of the House David Ralston, defeating Ralston’s widow, Sherri Ralston. Chastain won his 52% of the vote, according to the unofficial results of yesterday’s runoff ballot. In another special election, former Republican Congressman Sam Watson won a seat in the state Senate. South Georgia, and Republican Charles Cannon were unopposed in Watson’s victory over the former South Georgia House district. there is This is Devon Zwald from GPB News.
Story 7
Peter Viello: Supporters gathered in the state capitol on Mental Health Day yesterday to demand more reforms and funding to help those facing mental health challenges. Last year, we enacted major mental health reform bills into law. South Forsyth Republican Rep. Todd his Jones focused on that his legacy and looked to the future.
Todd Jones: And one thing he kept impressing us every time we saw him was that 2022 may have been the year of mental health, but we’re calling this 10 for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. I was told that it should be a year old.
Peter Viello: Jones and other lawmakers expect more laws on mental health this year. One component of that is expected to address labor shortages that have hampered efforts to increase access to treatment and services.
Story 8
Peter Viello: Popular ’90s bands Cracker, Drivin’ & Cryin’ and Arrested Development will headline a music festival in Atlanta this weekend to raise funds and awareness to fight an increasingly prevalent disease. purpose. GPB’s Ellen Eldridge reports.
Ellen Eldridge: The Alzheimer’s Music Festival was started ten years ago by a musician who retired from his career in his mid-twenties to care for his father, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Vince Zangaro said he was barely making ends meet financially at the time, but now raises money so others can use his respite care and resources.
Vince Zangaro: I put everything into non-profit activities. I found the right team to work with to help my family and put everything into the festival. And I don’t think it ever will.
Ellen Eldridge: According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, 130,000 Georgians have dementia, and that number is expected to increase by nearly 200,000 over the next decade as the population ages. This is Ellen Eldridge from GPB News.
Peter Viello: Now for this edition georgia today. thank you for your attention. I look forward to hearing from you tomorrow. Of course, the best way to remember this is to subscribe to this podcast. If you haven’t taken the time to subscribe, subscribe now. Then it will pop up in your feed tomorrow. Of course, if you have any feedback, we would love to hear from you. send us an email. The address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. For more news from GPB, see here georgia today Newsletter at GPB.org/Newsletters. My name is Peter Viello. See you tomorrow.
GPB’s georgia today The newsletter arrives in your inbox on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and features top stories statewide covering news, politics and more. Subscribe here.
