Closer Look with Rose Scott

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is blocking development of the Atlanta Medical Center after it closes in November. It’s located in Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari’s district. She joins Closer Look to discuss what’s next for the hospital. Also, the state has $350 million to help Georgia homeowners hard hit by the Covid pandemic. We’ll hear how it works. And an update on what impact hurricane Ian could have on coastal Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: prominent voting rights activist Greg Moore shares insights from his new book about the struggle to reform America's voter registration laws.And some thoughts on when the housing bubble may burst with an expert from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: Four days of violence by white mobs in September of 1906, left dozens of Black Georgians dead and scores more wounded. Georgia State University historian Maurice Hobson and Morehouse College professor Illya Davis reflect on the state of race in America and how important it is to know our past. And, Atlanta Dream Head Coach, Tanisha Wright is excited about the team’s potential and plans for rebuilding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: Martin Luther King, III and his wife, Arndrea Waters King talk about helping fund, The Drum Major Coalition. The goal is to support Black and Brown organizers across the country, that promote freedom, justice, and equality. Dr. Robert Franklin explains “Moral Leadership”, and how he was inspired to become a leader after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. And, American bassist, Billy Cox relives his time performing with legendary musician, Jimi Hendrix. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: Republicans and Democrats both see strengths and challenges for their candidates in a new general election poll focusing on Georgia. And Libertarians may hold sway as well. Political strategist, Fred Hicks joins the conversation to explain the numbers. Plus, Georgia State University Urban Studies professor, Dan Immergluck traces the history of Atlanta’s housing issues in his new book, “Red Hot City: Housing, Race and Exclusion in Twenty-First Century Atlanta”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Closer Look with Rose Scott: Frustration over long response times for medical emergencies is only expected to grow with the announced closing of the Atlanta Medical Center. But Atlanta is preparing to launch its own ambulance service to help. City councilmember Dustin Hills shares details.And Clark Atlanta University has a long-standing commitment to prostate cancer research. Now the school is teaming up with the Cancer Treatment Centers of America to bring greater awareness and education to the issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Biden administration avoided what could have been a disastrous strike by railroad labor unions last week, reaching a tentative deal in the hours before the strike deadline. We’ll revisit a recent conversation with Erika Smiley, the co-author of a new book about the future of organizing in the 21st century. And author Bill Browder returns to talk about his new book, “Freezing Order”, which reveals how he went from being Russia’s largest foreign investor to advocating for sanctions against human rights violators. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a special edition of Closer Look, we remember long time legal analyst and Atlanta-based attorney Page Pate. A kind spirit with a great legal mind, Page provided clarity and analysis for WABE’s stories and features. He was respected by his peers and his competitors alike and admired for his legal prowess, his generosity, his love of family and his commitment to seeking justice for those without a voice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can’t judge a book by its cover. And, that’s true when it comes to a “human” library book as well. As part of a unique community project, The Gwinnett County Public Library System is rolling out a project called, “Unjudge Someone: A Human Library Program.” It features dialogues with people discussing their experiences of being stereotyped.Also, we revisit our 2019 conversation with the incomparable and newly minted Emmy Award winner Sheryl Lee Ralph.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look:Are artist’s lyrics fair game for use as evidence against them in court? Georgia’s Congressman Hank Johnson doesn’t believe so. He explains why he considers this a First Amendment issue. Also, the cost of mental health inequities is staggering. A groundbreaking new study finds nearly 117,000 lives were lost at a cost of about $278 billion dollars between 2016 and 2020 due to a lack of equitable mental health care. Study author, Professor Daniel Dawes, Executive Director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine discusses the numbers and offers solutions.And a celebration of the legacy of Macon, Georgia native, Otis Redding. The R&B legend, who died in a plane crash at the age of 26, would have turned 81 today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: Making sense of “Fed-Speak”. Emory Professor and economist, Tom Smith returns to help decipher the latest economic forecast from the Federal Reserve and to help figure out if a recession is imminent. Plus, Fulton County Commissioner, Khadijah Abdur-Rahman is questioning whether a recent vote by the Commission to leave the current millage rate where it is, will have a negative impact on Grady Memorial Hospital.  Grady is already under pressure following news that Wellstar Health System will be closing Atlanta Medical Center in November. It’s the only other level 1 trauma center in operation in metro Atlanta. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Closer Look with Rose Scott, Net Worth Poverty. It’s the other half of the income story that gets overlooked when talking about poverty. Researchers found that family wealth, the value of a family’s assets, such as savings and property, minus debt, is linked to lower cognitive scores and increases in problem and behavior scores in children. Researcher, Christina Gibson-Davis is part of a team that investigated how children are affected by net worth poverty. She says policymakers should think about policies that focus on building wealth.Also, a Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta study found that school-aged children can accurately self-swab for COVID-19 tests as compared to tests conducted by health care professionals.Dr. Wilbur Lam, a pediatric hematologist and oncologist at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and Professor at the Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Tech, says kids as young as four, were able to perform their own swabs for COVID-19 tests. Plus, it was September 4, 1998 when 8-year-old Shy’Kemmia Pate, nicknamed, Shy Shy, went missing in Unadilla, Georgia, a small town about two hours south of Atlanta. Closer Look spoke with her mother and other family members in 2017. We’ll get an update on the decades-old cold case and the investigation into Shy Shy’s disappearance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look:Labor Day weekend in Atlanta is always bustling with national events taking place.DragonCon, Black Pride and the football Kickoff Classic are expected to bring thousands of people to the city.Rose speaks with Bishop Oliver Allen about the annual Atlanta Black Pride which has a focus that goes being entertainment, but a focus on health and wellness.Plus how the success of managing this weekend's crowds will influence those upcoming fall festivals and outdoor events. Jamie Ferguson with Atlanta Pride talks about the October festival.Also, longtime Atlanta journalist Portia Bruner is leaving the anchor desk and headed to a talk show host seat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, political strategist and demographer Fred Hicks and Republican political strategist and President of Main Street Network Strategies Julieanne Thompson discuss their outlook on the political climate ahead of the November election. Urban League President and CEO Nancy Flake Johnson discusses its partnership with the city to create a new Youth Development Program. Also, politics reporter Sam Greenglas discusses community fallout surrounding the closure of the Atlanta Medical Center.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special edition of Closer Look, a holistic approach to minimizing systemic barriers promoting youth violence, with Joshua Byrd, anti-gun violence program chairman of The 100 Black Men of Atlanta; CJ & Kelli Stewart, founders of L.E.A.D. Center For Youth and Charles Barlow, Sr. CEO of the Pan African American Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of Saving Our Sons & Sisters International. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, politics reporter Rahul Bali discusses the investigation tied to recent celebrity home invasions and the continued investigation of alleged election interference in the 2020 presidential election by former president Donald Trump. Also, attorney James Radford and client Ebony Boswell discuss a federal sexual harassment lawsuit against the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Melody Maddox alleging the department ignored reports of sexual harassment of female staff by inmates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, Darl Champion, personal injury and wrongful death attorney at The Champion Firm, rebuts recent claims against the personal injury industry by startup Mighty Law. Also, journalist George Chidi discusses the continued investigation surrounding the indictment of rappers Young Thug and Gunna for gang affiliation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, we’ll get more reaction to the decision by a Georgia special prosecutor to dismiss murder and assault charges against two Atlanta police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks two years ago. Also, first impressions from the new British Consul General for the Southeastern U.S., including her first taste of southern barbeque. Rachel Galloway also talks about keeping global trade relationships healthy despite the pandemic and supply chain challenges.And we’ll hear about a first of its kind initiative that helps neighborhood libraries address climate change. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, the special prosecutor who investigated the 2020 police-related shooting of Rayshard Brooks will not pursue charges against the two police officers involved in the shooting. The prosecutor says the investigation found the officers did not act with criminal intent. WABE legal analyst Page Pate will break down the decision. More than a million Georgia residents don’t have access to reliable high-speed internet. That means they can’t take part in the digital economy which can have lasting effects across generations. We’ll hear about some solutions to the “digital divide”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, sex trafficking and the FBI’s Operation Cross Country, which helped locate more than two hundred victims over the past two weeks, including nineteen missing children in the Atlanta area. The organization Youth Spark explains why sex trafficking is still a problem and offers strategies to help combat it. Also, the latest news about the special grand jury in Atlanta investigating the conduct of Donald Trump and his allies after the 2020 election. And playwright, author and actor Trey Anthony talks about her one-woman show focusing on mental health and embracing self-care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, Joshua Schwadron, CEO and founder of legal startup Mighty, discusses the group's initiative to expose misaligned attorney-client incentives among large personal injury law firms and continued backlash from within the industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, President and CEO of Wellroot Family Services Allison Ashe apologizes for the dispute surrounding the organizations Dekalb apartment complex purchase. Also, Executive Director of Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative Moki Macias discusses the Atlanta City Council vote to house up to 700 Fulton County inmates in the Atlanta City Jail and the role of diversion tactics in minimizing jailing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, Decaturish.com reporter Zoe Seiler discusses the plight of tenants residing in a city of Decatur apartment complex now seeking alternative affordable housing after initially given short notice to leave. WABE reporter Molly Samuel explores the dangers of high heat for football players on this edition of The Heat Effect.Also, Dr. Andi Shane, Emory University chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and medical director of infectious diseases at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta discusses new data that reveals Georgia is among states with low covid-19 vaccination rates among kids and teens.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, Chair of the Fulton County Board of Registration & Elections Cathy Woolard discusses the county’s early voting procedures and poll-worker staffing ahead of midterms. Co-founders of technology company Iterate.ai Jon Nordmark and Brian Sathianathan discuss the development of threat awareness technology in schools and public spaces. Also, Dr. Rick Kittles discusses Morehouse School of Medicine’s steps toward expanded health equity in clinical trials.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, Dr. Jodie Guest, Vice Chair of the Department of Epidemiology Rollins School of Public Health and School of Medicine at Emory University, discusses the importance of managing stigma and vaccine availability amid the monkeypox viral outbreak. Also, C.J. Hunt, director and writer of the The Neutral Ground, examines the nation’s relationship with the confederacy and racism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, Fulton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney discusses the district’s employment contingency plan and security measures in the wake of nationwide mass shootings and teacher shortages. Also, Georgia Justice Project Executive Director Doug Ammar discusses the state’s felony conviction voter eligibility laws.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, WABE education reporter Martha Dalton discusses how some area school districts are being creative to address teacher shortages, continue to help identify and assist students experiencing loss of learning due to the pandemic and dealing with GA’s new divisive concepts law the prohibits how and what to teach content centered on racism. Also, WABE legal analyst Page Pate discusses the recent federal hate crime sentences for three men already convicted for the February 2020 murder of Ahmaud Arbery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, Ytasha Womack, critically acclaimed author, filmmaker and afro-futurist scholar discusses the legacy of trailblazing actress Nichelle Nichols. Deke Cateau, CEO of A.G. Rhodes nonprofit nursing home provider, discusses the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing home occupancy, safety and employee shortages. Mercy Care CEO Kathryn Lawler discusses the health center’s new affordable housing development. Ron Thomas, chair of the Journalism in Sports, Culture and Social Justice Department, reflects on the life of NBA Hall of Fame and civil rights activist Bill Russell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring discusses the district’s COVID-19 precautions and security measures for its upcoming academic year. WABE Environment Editor Molly Samuel and Climate Reporter Emily Jones discuss WABE’s ongoing The Heat Effect series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mekela Panditharatne, counsel for the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program, discusses election denialism and voter interference by The Conservative Partnership Institute. Carl Charles, Senior Attorney in the Southern Regional Office of Lambda Legal, discusses Georgia’s new Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming surgery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia State University Professor Anthony Michael Kreis discusses a lawsuit against Georgia’s recent abortion ban enactment. Andrew Hunt and Vicky Zeng, co-authors of a Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins and University of Washington study discuss an AI system’s racial and gender biases. Also, Silvernest President Riley Gibson discusses the company’s senior housing service amid inflationary pressures as part of Closer Look's ongoing Paycheck to Paycheck series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren Chapman, digital editor at Indiana Public Broadcasting, discusses Indiana lawmakers’ special session coverage of total abortion ban in the state. President and CEO Kuku Richards and Chairman and CEO Troy Richards of the Museum of Diversity discuss the organization’s immersive virtual reality experience and African diaspora educational initiatives to help build excitement for a planned brick and mortar museum of diversity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Azadeh N. Shahshahani, human rights lawyer and legal and advocacy director of Project South, discusses allegations of assault and mistreatment at Georgia’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Stewart Detention Center. Cameron Clay, national director of curriculum and training at SMASH, discusses the nonprofit's partnership and outreach efforts amid widened disparities among students of color and low-income households.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feminist Women’s Health Center Executive Director Kwajelyn J. Jackson discusses how the organization’s services will move forward in response to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling the “Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act” into effect. Chief strategy Officer for Transportation Insight Holding Company John Haber discusses stress ongoing stress on the supply chain and how the Savannah port is benefiting from the West coast gridlock. Also, Agnes Scott President Leocadia I. Zak and Rose Porcena, the College's vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, discuss the“Acknowledging our Past: Acting Now for A Transformed Future” project.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special edition of Closer Look, Rose speaks with Republican Rep. Ed Setzler, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia Andrea Young, and Georgia State University Law Professor Tanya Washington. This conversation follows the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling the “Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act” into effect, which bans all Georgia abortions after detection of cardiac activity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charles Taylor, co-owner of the Mall West End, breaks down its redevelopment plans with New York City-based Prusik Group.Jamie Porges, co-founder and CEO of Radiance Solar, discusses the acute shortage of solar panels and its impact on the industry’s growing demand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Co-author Erica Smiley discusses her recent release, “The Future We Need: Organizing for A Better Democracy in the Twenty-First Century,” alongside labor movement activist Sanchioni Butler, a subject of the novel. Also, self-defense firearms instructor Marchelle Davis explores the rise in gun ownership among Black women and her mission to empower women through self-defense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashely Lyerly, the American Lung Association's senior director of advocacy for Georgia, breaks down Atlanta’s “F” grade in the organization’s “State of the Air” assessment.Also, Rose Scott revisits her conversation with Gwinnett Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Calvin Watts on the future of Georgia’s largest school district.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Tom Smith, professor of finance at Emory University's Goizueta Business School discusses the impacts of inflation on price stability, consumer spending habits and the plausibility of recession.In light of recent drownings at Lake Lanier, Dive Team Commander Sgt. Chris Tempel breaks down drowning prevention, water safety, and safe water-vehicle operation.Also, award-winning comics writer, editor, and publisher Jamila Rowser discusses her new graphic novel, “Wash Day Diaries,” which highlights LGBTQ+ and POC experiences, mental health and the vitality of female friendship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rose Scott talks with Adon Clark, the dean of the School of Aviation at Middle Georgia State University and Captain Theresa Claiborne, a veteran pilot and president emeritus of Sisters of the Skies about America's pilot shortage.Plus, a brief look at the life of civil rights leader and pioneering educator Mary McLeod Bethune. Bethune is the first Black American to receive a state statue in the "National Statuary Hall" collection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This fall, Georgia state is launching its new Access to Careers in Research Admin (ACRA) program. The first of its kind, Tim Denning, vice president for research and economic development at and Candice Ferguson, associate director of research training, discuss the programs mission, curriculum, and recruitment process.As tick season continues, effective prevention is essential in deterring spread of disease. Dr. Duffy Jones DVM, founder of Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital and Dr. Gweneth Francis DO, infectious disease physician with Piedmont, break down the best preventative measures for tick prevention in pets and humans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the Hall county GOP held a BBQ in a public park where Walker and other candidates were speaking a WABE reporter was asked to leave. On Twitter, the Hall county GOP made it clear that is was not their decision, but that they'd been asked by the Walker campaign to exclude Media. WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali talks about getting booted from the BBQ and gives an update on other Georgia political news.Nearly 20 years after it closed, a former public housing high-rise in East Point is being renovated to meet affordable housing needs. What took so long to make this happen. They're everywhere, as to be expected. Campaign ads. Now add in all the money that's pouring into Georgia's elections. But just how much? A break down of the latest campaign finance reports and more with Atlanta based campaign strategist, demographer & political analyst Fred Hicks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Energy reporter Kristi Swartz discusses several topics, including the role of the Georgia Public Service Commission and the latest climate and environment news.Dr. Chantale Branson, an assistant professor of Neurology in the Department of Internal Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine, discusses the "Parkinson's in the African American Community" forum that’s being held this weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sonam Vashi, the co-founder and co-director of the independent local news outlet Canopy Atlanta, and Max Resnik, the Documenters Network Manager at City Bureau, discuss bringing the Documenters Network to Atlanta. Plus, Dr. Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, the president of the American Medical Women's Association and professor of medicine at the Augusta University and University of Georgia medical partnership, discusses the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Criminal Defense Attorney and WABE Legal Analyst Page Pate discusses a Fulton County grand jury’s decision to issue new subpoenas as it investigates former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Gwinnett Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Calvin Watts discusses leading the largest school district in Georgia.Lastly, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston recently announced that no criminal charges will be filed against any of the officers involved in the police shooting death of Matthew Zadok Williams. The Williams family and their attorney Mawuli Davis discuss the DA's decisionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, the president of the American Medical Women's Association and professor of medicine at the Augusta University and University of Georgia medical partnership, discusses the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the restriction of access to reproductive healthcare. Plus, The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently authorized the first COVID-19 vaccines for children under the age of five. Dr. Andi Shane and Dr. Jacob Eichenberger return to the program to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about vaccines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Debra Houry, who serves as the acting principal deputy director and the head of the National Center for Injury Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses the state of gun violence in Georgia and across the nation and how the CDC is working to combat the issue through research and education.It’s been more than one year since the police shooting death of Matthew Zadok Williams. Rose talks with DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston about her office’s recent decision not to file criminal charges against the officers who shot Williams inside of his DeKalb home. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brenau University expands its school of psychology and adolescent counseling; Local nonprofits work to combat homeless in metro Atlanta amid pandemicBrenau University President Anne Skleder discusses the state of mental health access and care in Georgia and how her university is working to close the gap through several new initiatives.Plus, Raphael Holloway, the CEO of Gateway Center, and Barry Dupree, a formerly homeless client of the Gateway Center, who is now living independently, Mellony Gaston, the social services director at the Atlanta Children's Shelter discuss the recent drop in Atlanta's homeless population and the ongoing efforts to find permanent housing for those in need.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is National HIV Testing Day. This year’s theme is “HIV Testing is self-care.” Tammy Kinney, an HIV/AIDS activist and the founder of Rural Women in Action, and Jenetter Richburg, the director of client services at AID Atlanta, discuss several topics, including prevention, testing and treatment.We then revisit Rose’s 2017 conversation with Billy Howard. The famed Atlanta photographer recounts stories from some of the dying AIDS patients he photographed in the 1980s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade.  On a special edition of “Closer Look” Rose talks with several guests about the overturning of the monumental case, which granted women the federal right to an abortion. Guest include Georgia State University law professors Tanya Washington and Anthony Michael Kreis, WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas, Kwajelyn Jackson, the executive director of the Feminist Women’s Health Center (FWHC), Andrea Young, the executive director of the ACLU of Georgia, and State Senator Rev. Kim Jackson, and State Senator Jen Jordon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.