Georgia Today: Wintry weather approaches Georgia; Jimmy Carter funeral services conclude in Plains

Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Thursday, Jan. 9. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode, Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency as wintry weather approaches Georgia. Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns looks ahead to this year's legislative session. And six days of funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter conclude in his hometown of Plains. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.

Story 1:

Peter Biello: Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns is expecting a, quote, "effective and impactful" state legislative session. Lawmakers will begin the 2025 General Assembly next week. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports on priorities Burns laid out yesterday.

Sarah Kallis: Burns says the House will focus on public safety, health care and education this session.

Jon Burns: we're going to hit the ground running. We're going to work up front because we've been working on these issues over the interim and we're going to be ready. Education. We all know in this room there's no more important issue that affect Georgians and our quality of life than education of our people.

Sarah Kallis: Burns specifically wants to pass legislation that bans transgender girls from participating in school sports. He also wants to codify protections for in vitro fertilization or IVF. Other priorities include tort reform and increasing the medical workforce. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis at the state Capitol.

Story 2:

Peter Biello: Winter storms are closing schools, canceling or delaying flights, and putting millions of people across the South on alert. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency across the state and National Weather Service forecasters are warning that snow and ice are likely to accumulate across metro Atlanta, making roadways treacherous and possibly threatening power outages. For a look at what the whole state of Georgia can expect, let's turn to Dr. Marshall Shepherd. He's the director of the Atmospheric sciences program at UGA. Thank you so much for speaking with me.

Dr. Marshall Shepherd: Thank you for having me.

Peter Biello: What can you tell us about the broader weather system that's bringing all this ice and snow to Georgia?

Dr. Marshall Shepherd: You know, it's interesting in creating excitement in Georgia because we haven't had this type of system in a couple of years. And, you know, it's very indicative of a type of system we used to see more often in winter. I think we're setting up for a wintry mess for much of north and central Georgia with the first of the winter weather moving in early Friday morning likely as a snow wintry mix but then transitioning to an icy mix in the afternoon, which always worries me; as a native Georgian, I have many memories of black ice and frozen power lines and trees here in the state.

Peter Biello: What is the precedent for this kind of storm?

Dr. Marshall Shepherd: Well, it's a typical winter storm. I think it's something that we see. I mean, I mean, many of us remember when we used to have these a bit more frequently than we do, but we're already seeing the beginnings of this storm out in places like Oklahoma and Texas. It's a typical low-pressure system that's going to move across the Gulf boundary into the panhandle of Florida. And that's the perfect setup for winter weather here in north and central Georgia. You have a low-pressure system that skirts across the panhandle of Florida; typically will keep us in significantly cold air for some type of wintry precipitation. Now, the interesting thing about this particular storm is it'll start off as a really cold storm, but there is going to be an intrusion of warm air in the upper level of the atmosphere. And that's why we expect to see this changeover to more of a freezing rain, rain/sleet mix, which is very problematic for transportation.

Peter Biello: North Georgia is expected to take the brunt of the storm. What should North Georgians expect to see?

Dr. Marshall Shepherd: I think from the mountainous region down to a line, say, from Rome over to Gainesville, Ga., I think they'll linger in a little snow through the afternoon Friday, but even then, they will start to see a transition. And of course, the elevated regions of the state will get most of the snow. I think from, say, Rome, Gainesville, south to I-20, that's the mixed mess. That's where we'll see a mix of snow, freezing rain, even sleet throughout the day. And that's problematic. And so I know Gov. Kemp has declared a state of emergency. Most school systems have closed. The University of Georgia has announced that it is closed. And so Friday will be a day to just sit back, enjoy the winter precipitation, if you like that .Stay off the roads unless you absolutely have to — and even then, hopefully you don't have to. And just enjoy all of those French toast ingredients — eggs, bread and milk — that Southerners tend to buy in situations like this.

Peter Biello: How far south can we expect the ice and snow?

Dr. Marshall Shepherd: I think the the National Weather Service does have a winter storm watch issued as of Thursday afternoon. I expect that may move over to a winter storm warning or at least an advisory for some parts. But I think the current winter storm watch extends as far south as places like just north of or perhaps inclusive of Eatonton, Ga., or central Georgia just north of Macon. So I think those areas will see a mix of frozen precipitation that likely will transition further in the central part of the state later to freezing rain and rain. But I think if you get up towards I-20 and into the metropolitan Atlanta area, I think you're dealing with a mix of frozen precipitation most of Friday. And of course, as you get up into the mountains, you're talking about even more snow totals. So the snow totals to some people may not seem that impressive in terms of the amount of snow — because remember that snow is going to be compacted or impacted by the freezing rain and sleet that will likely occur as well. So I view this almost more as an ice storm with snow rather than a snow storm with ice.

Peter Biello: So how are you preparing?

Dr. Marshall Shepherd: Well, you know, I am actually I know my my wife went to the grocery store yesterday and bought some soup ingredients. I make a very mean, world famous vegetable beef soup. So I plan to sort of make a big pot of soup, stay at home, make sure that I have some provisions and salt for sort of my sidewalks and so forth. I've encouraged my two kids to stay at home. I have a college-age daughter and a son in high school. He plays basketball at Dacula High School, their games have been canceled for the weekend, and so we're just going to stay at home and enjoy each other and, you know, probably watch sports all weekend.

Peter Biello: Dr. Marshall Shepherd, thank you so much for speaking with me.

Dr. Marshall Shepherd: Thank you.

Story 3:

Peter Biello: Let's get another take on the weather from Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency director Chris Stallings. He says he wants residents to stay at home while weather warnings are in effect, if possible. He believes the window of travel hazards will last about 12 hours starting on Friday.

Chris Stallings: By Saturday afternoon, I think we're going to be able to get out and move around some. Certainly the hope is Sunday at the latest. So I don't see a need for a run on supplies at the store. Probably everything you've got in your home is sufficient.

Peter Biello: He says state crews are brining roads and highways to prevent ice. The exact timing and severity of conditions will vary by location. But Stallings is urging caution for everyone north of a line from Columbus to Augusta, including metro Atlanta.

Story 4:

Peter Biello: A student has been arrested after bringing a gun to Apalachee High School in Northeast Georgia, the same high school where another student shot and killed two teachers and two students in September. The Barrow County Sheriff's Office says school resource officers arrested the boy, quote, "without incident" yesterday afternoon. Deputies said there were no reports the boy threatened anyone with the gun. The school district canceled school today at the high school. The County Board of Education called a meeting this afternoon to discuss, quote, "safety enhancements."

Story 5:

Peter Biello: An Atlanta-based property management firm, has agreed to stop using pricing algorithms that federal prosecutors say harm renters. The U.S. Department of Justice said yesterday that Cortland Management was added to a sweeping, multi-state lawsuit over landlords sharing sensitive data to keep rents artificially high. Cortland manages rental units in 13 states, including more than 20,000 in metro Atlanta. A consent decree between the company and the DOJ still has to be approved by a federal judge in North Carolina.

Story 6:

Peter Biello: Six days of funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter end this afternoon where they began: in his hometown of Plains. A small service at Maranatha Baptist Church was planned for family, friends and church members — this after a morning of pageantry at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. That's where dignitaries, including former U.N. Ambassador Georgia's Andrew Young, eulogized the South Georgia farmer who leapt onto the world stage.

Andrew Young: Jimmy Carter was a blessing that helped to create a great United States of America. And for all of us and many who are not able to be here, I want to say thank you. You have been a blessing from God.

Peter Biello: The late president's grandson Jason Carter remembered his grandfather with the blend of personal touches and humor. Jason Carter said for his family, his spirit will live on.

Jason Carter: He'll be in the kitchen making pancakes. Or in his woodshop finishing a cradle for a great-grandchild. Standing in a trout stream with Mom Carter. Or for me, just walking in those Georgia fields and forests where he's from.

Peter Biello: Carter will be buried alongside his late wife, Rosalynn Carter. We will have more on Carter's funeral at GPB.org/Jimmy Carter.

Story 7:

Peter Biello: There aren't too many people who can say they knew the Carters as well as Rick Hutto. Hutto is a former Macon City councilman, a writer and one of the foremost experts on the Gilded Age. But before that, he worked on Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign as part of the infamous "Peanut Brigade." He went to Washington and the White House working as appointments secretary for the first family. He sat down with PBS's Pamela Kirkland to reflect on his time working for the Carters.

Pamela Kirkland: So tell me, how did you first meet the Carter family?

Rick Hutto: I was very involved at the University of Georgia in student government, and so I met people sort of active in the Democratic Party: Phyllis Barrow, who was one of my professors, Jim Langford, one of my fraternity brothers. So sort of all of those paths led there. And so when they were gathering up people, volunteers to go to New Hampshire for the very first Peanut Brigade, I went up. I've never been so cold in my life. I didn't realize that campaigning in January in New Hampshire would be just like that. But anyway, after that, I then actually join the campaign staff afterwards and then worked all the way through the campaign, through the general, and then was very honored to be asked to go to work for work in the White House, in the East Wing for Mrs. Carter.

Pamela Kirkland: Tell me more about the Peanut Brigade. So a group of about 600 volunteers started working for Carter's campaign for governor in the 70s, and many continued through his run for president. What was that like traveling the country and telling America about Jimmy Carter?

Rick Hutto: Well, it was an incredible experience. There were people, you know, there were wealthy people, there were students, There were people in between. Very diverse group. There were only, I think about 80 or 90 of us who went on the first trip to New Hampshire. And, of course, we — we studied all of the planks within the platform that President Carter wanted to implement. So we were ready for questions. But I'll always remember the first day: I was walking up and down. A lot of people wouldn't answer their door because, you know, these are strangers outside. But I had a mustache. And when the person finally opened their door, I tried to talk and I couldn't move my — my lips because my mustache was frozen. But at any rate, after I talked to this —this man for quite a while, he said, "well, where are you from originally?" And I said, "I'm a ninth-generation Georgian." And he said, "Where did you go away to school?" And I said, "I'm a graduate of the University of Georgia." And then he said, "But you talk so intelligently," sort of with a surprise in his voice as though someone from Georgia couldn't possibly do that. So I remember at the time thinking if this campaign does nothing else, maybe we'll be able to change that impression of Southerners as stupid, or at least here in New Hampshire, that's what they seemed to think.

Pamela Kirkland: Wow. So changing hearts and minds quite literally. So Carter wins the presidential election. It's time to pack up the house in Plains and move to Washington, D.C. What was the transition like for the family and how did Washington react to Georgia coming to D.C.?

Rick Hutto: Well, the transition itself was just exhausting. I mean, I think all of us were working 20-hour days and people would try to invite us to something and we would say, "You don't understand. There's just too much work to do." And I remember in the transition, I was in a group house. There were seven or eight of us, and we might get back to the house at 9:00 at night and we would maybe play a couple of hands, a bridge, and then just fall into bed exhausted. But you'd come the come inaugural day, which was incredible, as you remember from your history, President and Mrs. Carter and the family walked down Pennsylvania Avenue all the way to the White House. And when they got there, we were already inside working. I went directly from the swearing in up to the White House and literally went to my desk that day. So it was a wonderful experience. But I'm glad that I was young. I'm not sure that I could do it now.

Pamela Kirkland: Yeah, it sounds like the Carters wasted absolutely no time between getting to the White House and getting to work. So you were essentially a gatekeeper to the Carter family as appointment secretary. You had authority over the calendar. Did you feel like you had a duty to protect them or protect who was granted access to them?

Rick Hutto: I felt very protective since I handled the family. Phil Wise and others handled the president, but I was sort of protecting them but also scheduling them. So, for example, Amy was still in school. She was in elementary school, and people would still write to invite her to come do this or that or do a ribbon-cutting. And we always just said no to those things. That was just not something she did. And as far as their three sons were concerned, those — those requests went through me. And of course, I would first look at if they were possible, whether it's something that would be desirable. And then, of course, there was also the question of going to them, saying, "Do you want to do this? Does your schedule allow you to do this?" And occasionally even Miss Lillian, which was fun. I remember when she was asked to go in 1977 to the funeral of the president of India because she had been a Peace Corps volunteer in India. It was really exciting because she was going back in a different position than she had been previously.

Pamela Kirkland: You worked particularly closely with the first lady, Rosalynn Carter. She was one of the first first ladies to be so involved in her husband's presidency. What was it like watching her work with Jimmy Carter and how was it handling that schedule? Because I'm sure she had her own calendar and then also wanted to be involved in some of the most important meetings on his calendar.

Rick Hutto: Absolutely. And she had so many people coming to her for help, you know, for advocate — for her to advocate for them, that it became difficult in the evenings. She couldn't very well hit the president with 10 points. So what they finally did was schedule a weekly lunch meeting between the two of them. And so that was where she would get everything addressed that she needed from a policy standpoint. But yet she didn't sort of mess up his evening, if you will, by coming in after a long day and immediately hitting him between the eyes with things that she needed to discuss with him. From that point on, it made it much easier because, as I said, they were able to address those very valid points at a business meeting once a week.

Pamela Kirkland: And finally, just reflecting on Jimmy Carter's presidency, post-presidency, what do you think his legacy will be?

Rick Hutto: When you look at his administration? You know, there was never a hint of scandal. You know, no-nobody in the cabinet was indicted. He was just a good, good man. And I'm glad that history has treated him much more kindly, although it bothers me a bit to say he's the best ex-president because I think he was one of the best presidents. But that's okay. That — that's a good way for him to be remembered because of all the things that he and Mrs. Carter have done. So that's the way that I would like for them to be remembered.

Pamela Kirkland: Rick Hutto is a writer and former Macon City councilman. Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me about former President Carter and the family.

Rick Hutto: Certainly. Thank you, Pamela.

Caption

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws in the first half of Georgia's spring NCAA college football game, Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Athens, Ga. Coach Kirby Smart has made it clear that Carson Beck is the quarterback to beat.

Credit: AP Photo/Brett Davis, File

Story 8:

Peter Biello: 247 Sports is reporting that UGA quarterback Carson Beck is expected to enter the transfer portal after previously declaring for the NFL Draft. Beck, who has one season of eligibility remaining, spent the past five seasons with the Bulldogs and will immediately become one of the headline players of the 2025 transfer class. Beck was a two-year starter for the program and entered the 2024 season regarded as a potential No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft. However, he struggled with turnovers during the 2024 season and then suffered an injury to his right elbow on the final play before halftime of the SEC Championship Game win over Texas. The news has little impact on Georgia, which was already preparing for life without Beck. Backup QB Gunner Stockton played well in the Sugar Bowl and is the frontrunner to be the starting QB next season.

Peter Biello: That's it for this edition of Georgia Today. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, visit GPB.org/news. And remember to subscribe to this podcast. We'll be back in your podcast feed tomorrow afternoon. And if you've got feedback, we would love to hear from you. Email us. The address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. Wherever you happen to be tomorrow, make sure you be safe, especially as the snow and ice fall. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow. 

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