May 28, 2026

In this episode of The Morning Drip on WRTO.fm (Radio Free Georgia), host Donovan slices through the noise to bring you the unfiltered truths hitting our state. Broadcasting from the Tifton Media Work Studios on Thursday, May 28, 2026, Donovan sounds the alarm on a historic South Georgia drought, exposes a corporate push for mass school bus surveillance, and warns listeners about Georgia's annual "everything wants to bite you" summer phase. Plus, we take a critical look at Georgia's new public nuisance law, House Bill 295, and its potential impact on local communities.

Key Talking Points

The South Georgia Drought & Lawn Maintenance Diatribe

•         Historic Dry Spell: Despite welcome rain over the last few weeks easing a severe burn ban that covered thousands of fire-ravaged acres, South Georgia is entering the summer season facing a level of drought not witnessed since record-keeping began in the 1800s.

•         Prioritizing Water Consumption: Donovan sounds off on neighborhood property owners who prioritize lush, green lawns over communal water safety, arguing that individual health and family hydration must always come before a manicured yard.

School Bus Cameras: Safety Tool or Mass Surveillance?

•         The "Bus Patrol" Expansion: Tech company Bus Patrol, known for supplying cameras that log stop-arm violations, is planning to expand its tech into a roaming automated license plate reader (ALPR) network.

•         Tracking Every Driver: Instead of only capturing vehicles that illegally pass stopped buses, the new AI-equipped setup will actively scan and log the license plates and geographical locations of every single vehicle the bus passes. This creates a massive tracking network accessible to agencies like the police or ICE without a warrant.

•         The Financial Incentive: Pushed by investors to generate new revenue streams, the company is testing these systems and exploring partnerships with law enforcement tech giants like Axon.

•         Selling the Narrative: Internal documents show the company is fully aware of public backlash regarding data misuse and immigration enforcement but plans to use a "protecting children" message to sell the surveillance program politically. Donovan vows to investigate whether Tiff County schools utilize this vendor.

Summer Pests: The Mosquito and Tick Boom

•         The Breeding Ground: While the recent rainy weather helps ease the drought, health experts warn it has created pristine breeding grounds for ticks and mosquitoes, with mosquito eggs hatching all at once.

•         Invasive Species: The aggressive, day-biting Asian tiger mosquito—distinguished by its small black-and-white striped body—is now officially established in every single county in Georgia and can transmit multiple viral and parasitic diseases.

•         Tick-Borne ER Visits Surge: The CDC reports that emergency room visits for tick bites in the Southeast have reached their highest levels since 2017.

•         Alpha-Gal Syndrome Awareness: Residents are reminded to check themselves and their pets to avoid Lone Star ticks (widely found in Georgia's coastal plains and Piedmont regions), which can transfer a sugar molecule triggering Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS)—a severe, life-altering allergy to red meat and mammal-derived products.

House Bill 295: Policing Public Spaces

•         Holding Cities Accountable: Signed into law on May 12th and taking effect July 1st, HB 295 allows property and business owners to sue local governments if officials willfully fail to enforce existing laws regarding crime and public nuisances.

•         The Homelessness Debate: While supporters like Jesse Petria state the law is meant to protect property values and prevent commercial losses due to encampment disorder, critics like Savannah Mayor Van Johnson advocate for compassion, warning the measure will disproportionately criminalize people experiencing homelessness.

•         A High Legal Standard: To win a lawsuit, property owners must meet a strict legal standard proving they suffered direct financial harm and that local officials intentionally turned a blind eye to the illegal activity.

Station & Contact Information

Donovan reminds the audience that The Morning Drip proudly stands as a beacon of independent thought in South Georgia, completely rejecting the current presidential administration and the MAGA political faction.

•         Text Line (Open 24/7): 229-520-5957.

•         Call-In Studio Line: 229-520-5957 (Active only during live on-air broadcasts).

•         Email the Show: morningdrip@wrto.fm.

•         Have a Great Weekend: Enjoy the break, eat good food, and the show will see you all next week!