Georgia Today: Election Day preview; SNAP benefits will partially resume; LaGrange cricket stadium

Chase McGee: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, tomorrow is election day in Georgia. We'll explain some of the key races. SNAP payments will partially resume as the federal government shutdown continues. And this week construction will begin on a new 10,000 seat cricket stadium in LaGrange. 

Siddharth Das: Obviously everybody's like, "Why cricket, why LaGrange?" But they just haven't seen it. They haven't see how passionate we are about it and the excitement around the game. 

Chase McGee: Today is Monday, Nov. 3, I'm Chase McGee and this is Georgia Today. 

Story 1:

Chase McGee: The Trump administration has announced it will resume SNAP benefits, but will only pay out half the amount people normally receive — this after two federal judges ordered the White House to release emergency funding for food assistance. U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock says that SNAP recipients should not be caught in middle of the government shutdown. 

Raphael Warnock: I'm going to continue to fight for health care because it's a matter of life and death. And I'm gonna keep fighting for these SNAP recipients because food is a matter of life and death.  

Chase McGee: Gov. Kemp has said he can't legally use state surplus money to fill in the gaps in SNAP. 

Story 2:

Chase McGee: Tomorrow is Election Day in Georgia. GPB's Sarah Kallis explains some of the key races on the ballot. 

Sarah Kallis: Voters in all parts of the state will vote for two public service commission seats. The seats are currently held by Republicans Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson, who are being challenged by Democrats Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard, respectively. The PSC regulates the rates consumers pay for many utilities, including electricity. Mayors, city councilors, and county commissioners will also be on the ballot in several cities, including Atlanta, Augusta, McDonough, and Americus. Voters in State House District 106, previously held by former state Rep. Shelly Hutchinson, will vote for her replacement after she vacated her seat earlier this year. Polls are open from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m.. Voters can check the My Voter page website to find their polling place. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis. 

Caption

Eurie Martin in a photo provided by his family.

Credit: /Provided

Story 3:

Chase McGee: Jury selection is underway in the retrial of three former Washington County Sheriff's deputies accused of murder in the 2017 electrocution death of a mentally ill man who was walking down a country road on a summer day. GPB's Grant Blankenship explains. 

Grant Blankenship: When Eurie Martin asked for a drink of water on a blistering day at a house west of Sandersville, the homeowner deemed him suspicious and called 911. When deputies Rhett Scott, Henry Lee Copeland, and Michael Howell found Martin, they ordered him off the road. When Martin, with a history of schizoaffective disorder, didn't obey, the deputies deployed tasers. Martin would be electrocuted for about a minute and a half total before he died. The 2021 jury was deep into deliberation when they asked to watch officers' dash camera and bystander footage of the encounter before saying they could reach no verdict. The lack of verdict means the deputies can be tried again. This time, the Muskogee County District Attorney will handle prosecution in the trial, expected to begin in earnest on Nov. 12. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon. 

Story 4:

Chase McGee: There have been a number of layoffs in Georgia in the past week. According to documents submitted to the state, Atlanta-based clothing retailer Carter's says it is laying off nearly 200 workers. The company late last week says 189 employees at its Atlanta headquarters will be laid off starting in December, with other groups of employees scheduled to lose their jobs in late winter or early spring. The move comes after the company reported profit of $11.6 million in its third quarter and cited higher tariffs as one factor cutting into profits. 

Story 5:

Chase McGee: Also, Atlanta-based Integrated Health Resources is laying off more than 100 workers after losing a state contract. The company is eliminating 107 positions at the end of the year, including specialists trained to provide community-based, rapid-response services to children and adults with behavioral health conditions, and consultants helping people with autism spectrum disorder. 

Story 6:

Chase McGee: And in North Georgia, a carpet company is laying off workers at two facilities. Mannington's retail carpet business will be closing plants in Dalton and Chatsworth late next month, permanently laying off more than 200 workers. The company says the layoffs are a result of, quote, "the continual decline in demand and unfavorable market conditions."

Story 7:

Chase McGee: Those caring for a family member with a serious illness often face stress, burnout, and health issues of their own. GPB's Ellen Eldridge reports on an upcoming event designed to help people caring for someone with Parkinson's disease. 

Ellen Eldridge: The Caregivers Guide to Wellness program recognizes the impact of families and the community when a loved one is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The Georgia Chapter of the American Parkinson's Disease Association is hosting an event where people can connect with other caregivers and learn about self-care. Barbara Mooney is the Georgia Chapter Coordinator. She says caretaker stress includes taking on the responsibilities once shared by two. 

Barbara Mooney: That can include mental wellness, their own physical care, and maintaining their own independence and their own likes and dislikes. 

Ellen Eldridge: The Nov. 8 event at the Marcus Jewish Community Center in Dunwoody is free with registration. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge. 

Story 8:

Chase McGee: Spelman College in Atlanta has announced it's receiving a $38 million gift by philanthropist Mackenzie Scott. The college calls the donation transformative and says it will go towards strengthening student access and affordability. In a release, the school said the unrestricted gift will help students regardless of their financial background and serve as an investment in technology that will, quote, "enhance the academic experience," among other things. 

Story 9:

Chase McGee: A New Jersey-based developer plans to break ground this week on a 10,000-seat stadium in West Georgia's LaGrange. GPB's Orlando Montoya reports it's expected to become a destination for fans of the world's second-most popular sport. 

Orlando Montoya: Beloved especially in South Asia, cricket also has a large following in this country that was evident during the Cricket World Cup held in the U.S. last year when hundreds of thousands of supporters attended matches in Florida, Texas and New York. Developer Siddharth Das says that enthusiasm now will come to a city about an hour's drive from the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. 

Siddharth Das: Since we announced the stadium in LaGrange, obviously everybody's like "Why cricket, why LaGrange?" But they just haven't seen it. They haven't seen how passionate we are about it and the excitement around the game. 

Orlando Montoya: Das is the driving force behind Das Cricket Academy in New Jersey, the New Jersey Black Caps and the Atlanta Black Caps, a professional cricket franchise team for cricket's U.S. Premier League. He's working with the sports governing bodies, the International Cricket Council and USA Cricket, to promote the LaGrange stadium for games and training camps, but he's also promoting the venue for other events. 

Siddharth Das: One of the exciting things that I always envision happening is monster truck being here at the stadium because of the space that we can provide. The way the stadium is being designed from an audio visual standpoint, the lighting, all of that is being done in order to ensure that we actually host concerts, cultural events. We'll open up it to everybody, whoever wants to host an event there. 

Orlando Montoya: The plans also include a FIFA-compliant soccer field, a hotel, food and beverage opportunities, and other projects backed by real estate giant Selig Enterprises. Selig already has developed a nearby resort and water park, Great Wolf Lounge. The new developments are expected to have a huge impact on Troup County. As to why cricket lovers are so passionate about the sport, Das pointed to its camaraderie — as in any popular game, like tailgating events or watch parties for soccer or football — and he notes there is a shorter version of the game. 

Siddharth Das: Because when you think about cricket, everybody thinks it goes on for days. Yes, that is true. There is a version of the game that goes on for up to five days, and then you have a one-day game, and then, you have T20 game, which is a three-and-a-half-hour game, very similar to a football game or a baseball game. So it does not take that long. It's very exciting. It keeps moving. And the beauty of all of this is if folks don't know that baseball actually came out of cricket. 

Orlando Montoya: The stadium is expected to be complete by 2027. For GPB News, I'm Orlando Montoya. 

Caption

First baseman Matt Olson plays in a game against the Red Sox, May 10, 2023.

Credit: Peter Biello

Story 10:

Chase McGee: In other sports news, Braves first baseman Matt Olson has won his third Gold Glove Award. It's the third time Olson won the award for the best player by position in each league. He played every game last season and committed only five errors while preventing 17 runs. It's also the first time he's won it since joining the Braves in 2022. 

And in the NFL, the Falcons lost to the Patriots 24-23 yesterday. Atlanta has now lost three straight games. The Falcons had a chance to tie the game after Michael Penix Jr. connected with Drake London for a touchdown, but Parker Ramos' missed kick sealed their fate. The Falcon's headed to Indianapolis to face the Colts on Sunday the 9th. 

Story 11:

Chase McGee: Paul McCartney will play his second concert tonight in Atlanta. On Sunday, he performed Beatles classics and some of his solo hits at State Farm Arena. 18,000 fans across four generations attended the two-and-a-half-hour spectacle, which included the piano ballad, "Let It Be," Wings rock anthem "Jet," and a confetti drop during an encore from the Beatles' Abbey Road album. Becky Christo and her identical twin sister, June, saw the Beatles perform in Atlanta in 1965 and attended the Got Back Tour show together on Sunday. 

Becky Christo: It's just wonderful that he is still here and still doing this. And really, it's about peace and love and doing the songs that everybody can relate to. We need more of that, especially in these times. Yeah.

Chase McGee: McCartney last played Atlanta in 2017. 

Story 12:

Chase McGee: Finally, tonight on GPB TV, watch the powerful new documentary, The President and the Dragon, which chronicles former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's decadeslong fight to eradicate guinea worm disease. That starts tonight at 9 p.m. on GPB TV. More details at GPB.org/television.

That's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. If you'd like to learn more about these stories, visit GPB.org/news. If you haven't hit "Subscribe" on this podcast, take a moment right now and keep us current in your podcast feed. If you've got feedback, we'd love to hear it. Email us at GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Chase McGee and we'll see you tomorrow. 

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