Squawkbox – August 2, 2025

How many of these back-to-school supply giveaways are taxpayer-funded? One is enough.

I’m glad to see The Herald printing stories about Luke Flatt — and glad to see Brad McEwen writing the stories. Mr. Flatt is an excellent businessman, but more than that he’s devoted to this community. There aren’t many like him left.

How can Albany have an affordable housing problem? Ride down Nottingham, Whispering Pines and Dawson Road, and in front of all of those huge apartment complexes they have “for lease” or “now renting” signs up everywhere. And, yes, they are all Section 8 housing. What was that squawk last week about preachers and politicians making a living on poverty?

I read with interest the story about Mary Carter’s efforts to bring businesses to Albany. These clowns in city government should be working with people like her, not paying some worthless bureaucrat way more money than they’re worth to do absolutely nothing.

SMRs, Trump’s Tariffs go in play on Aug. 1. You better get another part-time job because inflation will be going up.

So Trump’s approval rating has slumped to 37% in the wake of the Epstein scandal? I learned a long time ago that conservatives have short memories and tend to forget when it comes to their idols, so he’ll distract them with something else, like a sleep-deprived parent singing “Rock-a-bye baby, in the treetop” while swinging a shiny object over the head of a crying baby. That Man Without a Family

When the season is (mercifully) over and “experts” look back on it, they’ll have a very difficult time trying to explain how a team with the Atlanta Braves’ talent turned out to be one of the worst teams in all of baseball. A real shame.

I’ve seen reports that Mars aims to grow U.S. production. Why is it that our commissions and our mayor can’t collaborate with valuable employers like Mars, P&G and Miller to help bring more jobs and actual economic growth? Albanians are tired of this unprofessionally dressed and behaved group of cronies bickering over endless handouts and free housing.

Squawker, you are so right. Seeing Fletcher’s byline on stories in The Herald always brightens my day.

What’s this thing our newspaper’s editor has for Milan Patel? It seems like every time he does a story about a new development in Albany, it’s about Patel. Give others some ink, too

I just had a conversation with a friend of more than 30 years about life in general. The conversation progressed to the current news  of the day. My friend said, “Trump has made some really grievous errors, but how are you doing in the stock market?” My response, “OK, but I’m sure I won’t be able to buy my way out of an interment camp.” I’m sure we both had raised eyebrows when we hung up.

I can’t believe high school-age kids are preparing for the coming football and softball seasons in this heat. Starting school in late July and early August is ludicrous.

Country music artist Mark Chesnutt’s interview in the Herald was revealing. He credits Garth Brooks and Shania Twain with sending country music “to hell.” So it’s probably not a stretch to conclude he’s not a fan of Taylor Swift or Beyoncé’s recent dabbling in the genre. It’s Chesnutt’s prerogative to continue to make his brand of country. Just as it is for other artists to record their non-traditional brand.

Anybody else notice that when they ask you to press 1 for English, they transfer you to someone who barely speaks English..

Can’t make this #%!@ up: Hatchet-wielding cigarette price protester fished from pond after threatening to shoot someone … Writer’s silent commentary on Herald award photo … WALB’s pic of twerker’s down-blouse triple F’s in facial recognition identity case … WALB airport reported turtle in smuggler’s bra (what do you expect if “he” had no luggage).

The True President is hoping another convicted felon will bail him out of this current mess. So sad. 

Millionaire college football players? May the game dry up and blow away.

Do not let anyone deceive you. Orange boy sent his toughest, meanest attorney to let Ghiselle know that if she denies Trump was a client she will get a pardon, and if she does not, things will go poorly for her. Like something out of “The Godfather.”

If we were able to read Carlton’s mind, we would back away slowly and run 

Maybe you couldn’t care less that CBS has caved to Donald Trump, or perhaps you’re even celebrating, but consider this: He is also suing Rupert Murdoch, the owner of the conservative “Wall Street Journal,” and Fox News. If these people do not report exactly what he wants, no matter how they have kowtowed to him in the past, he will go after them, too. Think about that. That Man Without a Family

I just ordered something online, and it requested a tip with suggested amounts. This is getting ridiculous.

Considering the city’s July 26 list of “cooling stations,” the only use of the $12M, closed, unoccupied and non-functional Albany Transportation Center. The facility should be named “Albany Heating and Cooling.” Running the AC, security, supervision, cleaning … It would be cheaper to rent everyone rooms at the Hilton. 

SMRs, looks like at least 37 nursing homes in Georgia will close after Trump’s bill takes effect and cuts Medicaid. You better start making plans for grandma. 

Trump was asked about the ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip by Israel. His reply: “Based on TV, those children look very hungry.” Oh, so presidential.

To That Man Without A Family: Biden had four years to release the Epstein files and chose not to. Now you are shocked that Trump hasn’t released them either after six months in office. You are a typical two-faced, far-left, liberal Democrat.

In less than 35 days, the college football season starts. Can Georgia be competitive after losing so many starters on offense and defense? 2025 will be “The Year of the Gator.”