Episode Details

On the Wednesday, Oct. 2nd episode of Georgia Today: Vice President Kamala Harris visited Augusta and promised Federal funds for hurricane clean-up; there is a new hotline for persons affected by the chemical fire in Conyers; the Atlanta Braves lost the first Wildcard playoff game

Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Wednesday, October 2nd. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode. Vice President Kamala Harris paid a visit to Augusta this afternoon. A new hotline helps provide answers to questions about the chemical fire in Conyers and the Braves dropped the first game of the Wild card series. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.

Story 1

Peter Biello: Vice President Kamala Harris visited Augusta this afternoon with promises of federal assistance in recovering from Hurricane Helene.

VP Kamala Harris: Today, I am also announcing that the president has approved the governor's request for 100% federal reimbursement of local costs. And Mayor, as you have pointed out, the burden to local governments, including state, the state government is is pretty immense. And so by announcing today and making the dedicated resources to cover 100% of local costs will have a huge impact on our ability to get relief to people as quickly as possible.

Peter Biello: The trip also serves as a political test. With Election Day just about a month away. Both the Harris and Trump campaigns have been making overtures to voters in Georgia, which is a crucial swing state. Former President Donald Trump recently visited storm damaged Valdosta.

Story 2

Peter Biello: Relief efforts continue in Georgia as power and water outages paralyze areas hardest hit by the hurricane. In Augusta, volunteer truck drivers rolled into town to prepare and serve thousands of hot meals at a Wal-Mart Supercenter. Walmart Disaster Response director Brooks Nelson.

Brooks Nelson: We know the community needs water and ice and other products, and so whether we can donate it alongside the Cook team that's there serving at that store or if we can donate it directly to the city, you know, we reach out to them to best understand the needs.

Peter Biello: Governor Brian Kemp is expected to update Georgians on the state's recovery tomorrow morning in the 10:00 hour. And you can hear those remarks live on GPB and at GPB.org.

Story 3

Peter Biello: A state judge says county election boards have no legal authority to do anything but certify election results by a state mandated deadline. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney made the comments during arguments yesterday over whether to new election certification rules approved by the state election board are legal. Members of the board's majority aligned with Donald Trump say the rules will help ensure the accuracy of vote totals. But critics worry the former president's supporters could use the rules to delay or deny certification if he loses. Although McBurney did not make a formal ruling, his message was clear.

Judge Robert McBurney: The deadline is the deadline. Get done what you can and what is reasonable to one person might be not reasonable to another, but you're making your inquiry and then it's wheels up at 5 p.m. on the 12th of November.

Peter Biello: The new rules have drawn multiple lawsuits. McBurney said he would make his rulings on them soon.

Story 4

Peter Biello: Last night, presidential running mates Ohio Senator J.D. Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim