Special legislative session; Private security at airport; Social media affecting kids

This episode of Georgia Today covers a range of critical state and national issues. Lawmakers concluded the 2026 legislative session but may face a special session to resolve the unresolved QR-coded ballot issue, which could lead to legal challenges or reliance on hand-marked paper ballots. Atlanta City Councilmember Byron Amos advocates for privatizing security screening at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to avoid shutdown-related delays, citing the success of similar programs elsewhere. Meanwhile, new University of Georgia research reveals a strong link between early social media use and slower vocabulary development in adolescents, raising concerns about long-term cognitive and communication impacts. The episode also highlights a $4 million settlement in the case of David Hennigar, a man who died in prison after a brutal beating, and ongoing environmental opposition to a proposed 200-mile natural gas pipeline. Senator Raphael Warnock condemned a controversial tweet from President Trump during his Easter sermon, calling it a 'war crime,' while soccer fans voice outrage over exorbitant World Cup ticket prices, with legal experts suggesting FIFA’s pricing practices amount to price gouging and monopoly abuse. In sports, the Braves, Dream, and Hawks all made notable moves ahead of their seasons. Key takeaways include: 1) The QR ballot issue may force a special legislative session and risk election integrity; 2) Privatizing airport security could prevent shutdown disruptions but raises labor and oversight concerns; 3) Early social media use correlates with stunted vocabulary growth in teens, urging parental and policy attention; 4) FIFA’s World Cup ticket pricing is under scrutiny for being exploitative and anti-competitive; 5) Cities and states are financially burdened by major events like the World Cup, with limited legal recourse; 6) The Hennigar settlement underscores systemic failures in prison safety. The overall tone is cautiously urgent, blending civic concern with investigative depth.