Sofi Gratas covers rural health and health care for GPB. She joined GPB in June 2022 as a Report for America Corps member. Based in Macon, her coverage area includes Middle and South Georgia. Her focus is on the crisis facing rural communities that consistently rank near the bottom nationwide in health and health care. Sofi is a 2020 graduate of the University of Georgia's Grady School of Journalism. Prior to joining GPB, she worked at the Red and Black and WUGA.
On the April 1 edition: Georgia lawmakers pass a bill aimed at school safety; layoffs at the CDC; and a new bill establishes mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl distribution. Some worry that won't help.
In anticipation of cuts from the federal government, the Georgia Department of Public Health had already made plans to tighten the belt around its budget. Grants cut this week were originally issued in response to Covid-19 but have since been used for other programs.
On the March 27 edition: Georgia lawmakers make another push to create the state's first national park; Hyundai opens a new electric vehicle plant in Bryan County; and it's opening day for the Atlanta Braves.
On the March 25 edition: Measles outbreaks have health care providers concerned; the Georgia Legislature aims to ban cellphones from schools; for Flannery O'Connor's 100th birthday, a tour lets visitors explore the celebrated author's childhood home in Savannah.
