Georgia Today: Senators consider ending income tax; New GA Supreme Court justice; Hot weekend ahead

Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, Georgia senators consider eliminating the state income tax. The newest justice on the Georgia Supreme Court is sworn in, and an already hot July will get even hotter this weekend.

David Nadler: Anything more than 30 minutes could be too much for some people, even if you're, you know, in shape and and exercise quite a bit

Peter Biello: Today is Friday, July 25. I'm Peter Bielo, and this is Georgia Today.

Story 1:

Peter Biello: Georgia senators are considering eliminating the state income tax, GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.

Sarah Kallis: A state Senate committee considering how to eliminate the tax will hold their first meeting later this summer. Sen. Blake Tillery, who will chair the committee, says changes will not happen overnight, but:

Blake Tillery: And you've seen us move over in this direction over the past three years. I think that this is the year, though, that we show that we are going to go to zero. It's not a debate anymore about if we go to zero. The question now is how we go zero.

Sarah Kallis: The state's current income tax is 5.19%. Critics of eliminating the tax say it will force the state to raise sales or property tax. Tillery says the committee will look to other states to figure out how to pay for the change. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis at the state capitol.

Story 2:

Peter Biello: A former Georgia sheriff's deputy has been sentenced to federal prison in the beating of a Black detainee three years ago. Court records show Ryan Biegel was sentenced yesterday to a year and four months in prison. Biegel pleaded guilty earlier this year to violating the due process rights of detainees Jarrett Hobbs by using unreasonable force. Security camera video from the Camden County Jail recorded deputies beating Hobbs after he was booked for traffic violations and drug possession charges in September, 2022. Biegel and two other deputies, all of them white, were fired and arrested in connection with the assault, but not until more than two months later, when one of Hobbs' attorneys obtained video and made it public. All three still face state charges of battery and violating their oaths of office.

Caption

Bibb County Jail (Macon, GA)

Story 3:

Peter Biello: Georgia U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are calling on the Justice Department to investigate conditions at the Bibb County Jail. In a letter sent yesterday to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the senators cited reports of violence, unsanitary conditions and potential civil rights violations. The letter references multiple incidents, including a jail fight from early June that injured four and killed one detainee.

Story 4:

Peter Biello: An already hot July is about to get hotter. Temperatures are expected to climb now through the middle of next week. Sunday through Tuesday will be the hottest days, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees in most parts of the state. Heat index values could reach 110 or 115 in some areas. National Weather Service meteorologist David Nadler says people should avoid long periods of time outside.

David Nadler: And when I say long periods of time, it could be anything more than 30 minutes could be too much for some people, even if you're, you know, in shape and exercise quite a bit.

Peter Biello: Temperatures are expected to drop slightly by Thursday next week as possible thunderstorms drop a cooling rain across the state.

Story 5:

Peter Biello: The Barrow County Board of Education approved salaries and benefits yesterday for two dozen school resource officer positions. Barrow County is home to Apalachee High School, where two students and two teachers were killed in a shooting last year. The accused shooter was detained on the scene by school resource officers. Board member Dr. Darlene Carey said the organization was committed to building the school resource office program.

Dr. Darlene Carey: Their presence is a proactive step towards strengthening the safety and security of our schools, while also fostering positive relationships between students and law enforcement..

Peter Biello: The Board of Education took this step after the Barrow County Commissioners provided only partial funding for the jobs.

Story 6:

Peter Biello: A judge in South Georgia's Coffee County yesterday issued a stop work order on what some residents say could become the largest chicken farm east of the Mississippi River. In a lawsuit filed last week, the residents claimed the proposed operation would come with too many negative impacts. GPB's Orlando Montoya reports.

Orlando Montoya: The state's poultry industry suffered major damage from last year's Hurricane Helene, but the rebuilding near the Satilla River worries residents concerned about wastewater and other issues. Satilla riverkeeper Shannon Gregory notes problems at a downstream treatment plant.

Shannon Gregory: The Waycross facility has had struggles processing some of the wastewater from other chicken facilities in the past. What's going to happen to the wastewater that comes from this facility? I'm worried that that might overload the system.

Orlando Montoya: Helene destroyed hundreds of chicken houses in Georgia. The lawsuit says the Coffee County farm would build 60. For GPB News, I'm Orlando Montoya.

Story 7:

Peter Biello: The newest justice on Georgia's Supreme Court was sworn in yesterday. Justice Benjamin Land was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to fill the vacated seat of former chief justice Michael Boggs, who stepped down from the bench at the end of March. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony yesterday, Justice Land promised to work hard for Georgians.

Benjamin Land: To the citizens of the state, I promise the delivery of justice for each and every one of them who find themselves in our courtroom. Lady Justice is blindfolded for a reason, and I offer the impartiality that is demanded by our system of justice.

Peter Biello: Justice Land has served on the Court of Appeals as well as as judge for the Superior Court for the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit.

Story 8:

Peter Biello: Columbus-based Sonovus Financial has confirmed it is merging with Nashville's Pinnacle Financial Partners in an $8.6 billion all-stock deal. The company will operate under the Pinnacle name, creating the largest bank in Tennessee and the largest holding company in Georgia. Sonovus CEO Kevin Blair will lead the new firm, with Pinnacle's Terry Turner serving as chairman. It is not clear how the merger will impact Sonovus employees in the Chattahoochee Valley or the name of Columbus's newly renovated minor league stadium, Sonovus Park. The merger is expected to close in early 2026.

Story 9:

Peter Biello: And Atlanta-based Invesco Mortgage Capital reported a second-quarter loss yesterday of more than $23 million. The Real Estate Investment Trust said it had a loss of 40 cents per share. Invesko posted revenue of more than $70 million in the period. Its adjusted revenue was nearly $18 million.

Story 10:

Peter Biello: For expectant moms and families on the coast, Savannah's public health department is hosting a super community baby shower on Saturday. There will be free diapers and baby items that are first-come first-serve meant for families with kids up to 5 years old, plus raffle prizes. More than a dozen other organizations will offer resources on nutrition, breastfeeding, and sleep. The Coastal Public Health District says the baby shower will be its biggest yet. They will run it from 10 a.m. to noon at the Savannah Tech Auditorium.

And that's a wrap on Georgia Today. Thank you so much for tuning in. Be sure to check GPB.org/news for the latest updates as well as new stories our reporters are following. And remember to subscribe to this podcast because of course we will be back with you on Monday afternoon. Your feedback is welcome. Story tips as well. Send it by email. The address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. We hope you have a great weekend. I'm Peter Biello. I'll see you on Monday.

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For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news