Closer Look with Rose Scott

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has plans for a new center dedicated to pediatric behavioral and mental health. CEO Donna Hyland, shares that a multimillion-dollar donation is making it possible. And WABE’s political reporters, Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas update the latest on the campaign trail, including a second woman to accuse Republican U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker of paying for an abortion, other statewide races, and the latest from the Fulton County special grand jury and its probe of 2020 election meddling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: Housing affordability is a national crisis. And, whether you are renting or buying, affordability can be a challenge in the city of Atlanta. Mayor Andre Dickens talks about the city’s plans to meet that challenge, equitably. And, the CEO and president of the Historic Development District Corporation, Chenee’ Joseph shares how her foundation is working to keep Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn district alive and thriving. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Good Charcoal Company is taking on food insecurity and connecting with the African nation of Namibia in the process. CEO Ben Jablonski joins Closer Look to talk about how his company is striving to be part of the solution.And, from the Closer Look vault, actor, writer, and political activist Erika Alexander, who got her big break on The Cosby Show, talks about her other passion besides acting: political activism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Closer Look: The upcoming holiday season could usher in another spike in Covid-19. While booster shots are recommended, a vaccine expert helps clear up confusion over mixed messages about the updated vaccines and who should get them. And from the Closer Look archives, a conversation with R&B and Jazz vocalist, Lalah Hathaway about her musical journey and the legacy of her late father, the amazing Donny Hathaway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s edition of Closer Look: Georgia voters are going to the polls in record numbers for the upcoming midterm elections. Common Cause looks at what’s behind the turnout and what measures are in place to ensure election integrity.Also, we dip into the Closer Look archives with actor Simon Helberg, the geeky but lovable aerospace engineer Howard Wolowitz, from The Big Bang Theory.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: Georgia State University has a grant to support intersectional studies. An upcoming forum will focus on the American South and Black feminism. And we revisit a conversation with record executive, music producer and artist, Jermaine Dupri.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: The ACLU says there’s a simple solution to end overcrowding at Fulton County jails, but the Atlanta City Council isn’t convinced. And we revisit a conversation with Peggy Wallace Kennedy, daughter of segregationist, and former Alabama Governor, George Wallace, about her book, “The Broken Road: George Wallace and a Daughter’s Journey to Reconciliation”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look, we revisit a conversation with former CIA Director John Brennan. He resigned his post as head of the CIA the day Donald Trump was sworn into office as president on January 20, 2017. Brennan talks about his memoir Undaunted: My Fight Against America’s Enemies, At Home and Abroad. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did Senator Raphael Warnock or his Republican challenger, Herschel Walker make any inroads with undecided voters in their only debate? Emory College of Arts and Science Professor, Ed Lee III weighs in. Plus, we will hear how a local foundation is working on community preservation for the historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood. And the Atlanta Medical Center was the local facility for incarcerated women to give birth. Now that it’s closing, what’s the new plan for those women. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: It is the first and only debate between Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock and his Republican challenger, Herschel Walker. The WABE politics team checks in from the debate site in Savannah. The Atlanta Jewish Foundation gave away nearly $55 million in grants to local organizations this year. Chief Foundation Officer, Jori Mendel explains who received them and why. And, the new documentary, “Rising Against Asian Hate” looks at the exponential increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the Covid pandemic and how it fueled the March 2021 mass shootings at three spas in Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: Communities in Schools works to empower students to stay in school. CEO Frank Brown shares that a major focus now is to help students with learning loss due to the pandemic, stay on the academic track. And the November election is just weeks away. Campaign strategists,Fred Hicks and JulieAnne Thompson weigh in on how the candidates are making their final push to win over voters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: The ACLU of Georgia is calling on the city to reverse its decision to lease detention center space to Fulton County. Atlanta is waiting on a review before the lease takes effect.Achieve Atlanta received an $8 million donation from philanthropist, MacKenzie Scott for its work with Atlanta Public Schools students. And the Atlanta Citizen Review Board launches a new online portal for police accountability.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: Political scientist Yascha Mounk shares thoughts from his new book, "The Great Experiment: Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure." Leading Inclusively is the theme of Agnes Scott College’s Third Annual Women’s Global Leadership Conference. And historian Peniel Joseph explains why he believes the U.S. is bound for a Third Reconstruction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: Cities in Fulton County are fighting to keep their share of local option sales tax revenue. Fulton County Commissioner Bob Ellis says compromise is the only way forward. Patients in Georgia and Florida were excluded when health insurance giant Aetna said it would no longer require pre-approval for cataract surgeries. Georgia eye doctors say the requirement is delaying necessary treatment for millions. And, Impact, a new online network is helping connect local crews to film productions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The history of racial violence against Black citizens and ties to last year’s January 6th Capital attack are explored in a new documentary, I,Too. NY Times best-selling author and Emory University professor of African American Studies, Carol Anderson joins Closer Look at the Atlanta-based Carter Center for a community discussion about racial violence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special edition of Closer Look: Working to gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of the various Latino communities in Georgia with the founder of the Latino Community Fund, Gigi Pedraza, and Dr. Roxana Chicas from Emory University.Also, hip-hop artist Victor Mariachi whose song Estamos Aqui (We’re here) was the theme for this year’s #EstamosAqui Fiesta. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mayors of 15 cities in Fulton County are working together to keep their share of $3 billion in local option sales tax revenue, but the county is seeking a larger piece of the pie.And The U.S. Supreme Court’s new term will include arguments against Affirmative Action at two universities. Georgia State law professor Tanya Washington-Hicks dissects arguments on both sides.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: There’s more to consider with the closing of the Atlanta Medical Center than just the influx of additional patients for Grady Hospital. Dr. Anwar Osborne says it will impact disaster preparedness, major events in the city and the wellbeing of already strained medical professionals. And Atlanta City Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari talks about what might be next for the Atlanta Medical Center property, which is in her district. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: The connection between Atlanta’s past housing challenges and its current housing crisis explained by GSU urban studies professor Dan Immergluck.And homeowners and home buyers both want to know where home prices are headed. We'll get answers from an expert with Atlanta’s Federal Reserve Bank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Closer Look: Voting rights advocate, Gregory Moore explains how the nation’s past is tied to modern day challenges to voter suppression laws. Sustainable landscaping is on the rise. Jaime Rosenthal of Roots Down talks about how Dekalb libraries are modeling the practice. And a deep dive into the numbers in Georgia’s latest elections poll with demographer, Fred Hicks.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.