Georgia Today: South Georgia wildfire growing; Sexual harassment bill needs signature; Joro spiders

 

Orlando Montoya: Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, a large wildfire in South Georgia is growing and residents nearby have been warned to prepare for evacuation. A new bill awaiting Gov. Brian Kemp's signature would require state lawmakers to any settled claim of sexual harassment or discrimination as an open record. And according to a new study, the Joro spiders you see around your neighborhood might be under a lot of stress. 

Andy Davis: Some people may not care whether the Joro spiders are stressed or not. I think this study really highlights something that a lot of entomologists even kind of forget, that insects and arachnids can get stressed, just like other animals. 

Orlando Montoya: Today is Monday, April 20. I'm Orlando Montoya, and this is Georgia Today. 

 

Story 1

Orlando Montoya: A large wildfire in South Georgia's Clinch County is growing, prompting officials to tell nearby residents to prepare for evacuation. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more. 

Grant Blankenship: The Pineland Road fire started about 15 miles northwest of the town of Fargo. Because most of the acreage is private timberland, the Georgia Forestry Commission is leading the firefighting effort with the aid of local landowners. According to Georgia Forestry, by Monday afternoon, the fire was just under 7,000 acres, more area than the rest of the wildfires currently in the state combined and only about 10% contained. Clinch County was in the line of Hurricane Helene in 2024. Woody debris still left from the storm is likely fueling the Pineland fire. Local emergency managers advise people living along U.S. Highway 441 to prepare to evacuate. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship.

 

Story 2

Orlando Montoya: A small amendment to the last bill to pass the Georgia General Assembly this year could cause quite a stir if Gov. Brian Kemp signs it into law — or it could do nothing except give lawmakers pause about pursuing sex with a staff member. The bipartisan measure would require state lawmakers to treat any settled claim of sexual harassment or discrimination as an open record. The measure connects Georgia to recent events in Washington, D.C., where two members of the U.S. House resigned last week after being accused of sexual misconduct with staff members. Its supporters say the measure is about transparency. Gov. Brian Kemp has until May 12 to sign or veto bills. 

 

Story 3

Orlando Montoya: According to a new study, the Joro spiders you see around your neighborhood every year might be under a lot of stress. GPB's Chase McGee has more. 

Chase McGee: Although they look pretty docile, chances are that Joro spider you see near a roadway or other high traffic area has a racing heart. A study from the University of Georgia and Valdosta State University is examining how the invasive spider reacts to stress by looking at them under a microscope to study their physical response. Andy Davis is a research scientist at the University of Georgia; he says that stress could also apply to other creatures near human habitats. 

Andy Davis: Some people may not care whether the Joro spiders are stressed or not. I think this study really highlights something that a lot of entomologists even kind of forget: that insects and arachnids can get stressed, just like other animals. 

Chase McGee: Future studies could show how stress affects how invertebrates adapt and develop. For GPB News, I'm Chase McGee. 

 

Story 4

Orlando Montoya: A 40-acre organic garden that has long supplied Athens-area residents, markets and restaurants with fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers is being protected from development. The Conservation Fund and the Athens Land Trust said last week that a conservation easement has been secured on the 26-year-old Woodland Gardens Organic Farm in Winterville. The organization said the land was facing development pressures from fast-growing Athens much like farmlands at the edges of growing cities across the state and nationwide. 

 

Story 5

Orlando Montoya: A Florida-based defense manufacturer plans to build uncrewed surface vessels, sometimes called sea drones, in Valdosta. The company, Blue Ops, said today its $30 million investment in a new manufacturing facility is expected to create 300 jobs. 

 

Story 6

A new online tool is tracking eviction filings in metro Atlanta. The Atlanta Regional Commission debuted the data visualizer last week. The agency says the tool is aimed at informing decisions and providing transparency in the landscape of housing stability, which it notes is crucial to physical, mental, and economic well-being. 

 

Story 7

Orlando Montoya: A new generation of cyclists is enjoying a newly completed section of Atlanta's bike and pedestrian trail, the Beltline. GPB's Amanda Andrews has more on the recent opening. 

Amanda Andrews: The ribbon-cutting included Atlanta and Fulton County leaders, as well as the Maynard Jackson High School band. But the most enthusiastic group were students from the Parkside Elementary Bike Bus, where parents and students bike a shared route to school every Friday. First grader Jackson Mulkerrins says the route was hard before the trail was finished. 

Jackson Mulkerrins: Sometimes it might take a while. We changed our path because it took a while to get up the big hill. 

Amanda Andrews: But now he'll get to ride in his favorite place. 

Jackson Mulkerrins: I really like to bike on the Beltline and also I like to bike on my street, too. 

Amanda Andrews: The Beltline now has 16 miles of continuous paved trail. The city plans to get to 18 before the World Cup. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews. 

 

Story 8

Orlando Montoya: A new park honoring a Civil War-era hero has opened in Coastal Georgia. Leaders gathered last week in Liberty County to celebrate the opening of Susie King Taylor Freedom Park in Midway, according to The Current in Savannah. Taylor escaped slavery at age 13, later serving as a nurse and educator with the U.S. Colored Troops. Officials say the park sits near the site of her escape and is part of a broader effort to preserve Gullah Geechee history along the coast. 

 

Caption

Shot of Piedmont Park on April 4, 2023, also known as 404 Day in Atlanta.

Credit: David Wald

Story 9

Orlando Montoya: The Piedmont Park Conservancy announced that it will host its annual landmark luncheon on Thursday, April 23 at the Promenade in Piedmont Park. The annual event will bring together community leaders, supporters, and park advocates along with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who is set to be a guest speaker. Now in its 29th year, the upcoming luncheon will take a look at several enhancements that were made to the greenspace as part of the park's first comprehensive plan in 25 years. 

 

Story 10

Orlando Montoya: In Georgia sports, Atlanta Dream center Brionna Jones has had right knee surgery, leaving her status uncertain for the start of the WNBA season. A four time All-Star, Jones recently resigned with Atlanta and was expected to join newly acquired forward Angel Reese to give the Dream an imposing front line. Jones suffered a meniscus tear in late January while playing for a club in the Czech Republic. She had been expected to be back in time for the start of the season. The Dream did not say if the surgery was related to the meniscus tear. 

 

And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. We remind you to keep GPB.org/news front and center on your web browser. That way you can always check out the latest news from our GPB reporters. We'd like you to hit "subscribe" on this podcast. That way, you stay current with us in your feed. If you have feedback, send that our way. We love to hear your comments and suggestions at GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Orlando Montoya, we'll be back again tomorrow with another edition of Georgia Today.