Closer Look with Rose Scott

WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali discusses the latest on House Bill 1013.Plus, Sonja R. West, the Otis Brumby Distinguished Professor in First Amendment Law at the University of Georgia School of Law, and Tanya Washington, a professor of law at Georgia State University College of Law, discuss Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic nomination to the Supreme Court. Author and motivational speaker Candace Doby then discusses her journaling quote book, "A Cool Girls Guide to Courage." Lastly, Rose remembers Dr. Doris Derby. The civil rights activist, documentary photographer, professor and former director of Georgia State University's Office of African American Student Services and Programs, died Tuesday at the age of 83. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The University of Georgia is receiving $5 million in federal funding for Parkinson’s research. Anumantha Kanthasamy, a professor, researcher, and the John H. “Johnny” Isakson Chair for Parkinson’s Research and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar at UGA, discusses how the funding will be used.Plus, Adriel Thornton, the executive director of MoGo, a Detroit-based nonprofit bike share system, talks with Rose about transportation models and best practices that have worked in the Motor City that could work in metro Atlanta.Lastly, in honor of Women’s History Month, we revisit Rose’s conversation with Mary Frances Early, the first African American student to earn a degree from the University of Georgia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amanda Rhein, the executive director of the Atlanta Land Trust, Inc., and Catherine Woodling, the deputy executive director of the East Lake Foundation, discuss a new land donation aimed at creating more affordable housing in the East Lake community.For “Closer Look’s” Paycheck to Paycheck series, Rose talks with Aisha Nyandoro, the founding CEO of Springboard to Opportunities about Magnolia Mother’s Trust, the longest-running guaranteed income program in the U.S. for Black mothers.Rose then talks with Paedia Mixon, the CEO of New American Pathways, and Maura Walters, a resettlement and placement coordinator at New American Pathways, about the many financial challenges people face as they resettle in Georgia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Jennifer Olsen, an epidemiologist and executive director of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI), Eric Barnett, a Virginia-based caregiver, discuss a new RCI report that highlights the challenges facing those who care for family members. Plus, playwright Llyod Suh, and Chris Moses, the Alliance Theater's director of education, discuss ‘BINA’s SIX APPLES,’ a play that follows a family that’s displaced during the Korean War.Lastly, for “Closer Look’s” Paycheck to Paycheck series, Rose talks with Jesús Gerena, the CEO of UpTogether, and Alisha Roe, an Oakland Resilient Families program participant, talks about the challenges and successes of the guaranteed income program.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren McCullough, an associate professor of epidemiology at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, and Leah Moubadder, a second-year doctoral student at Rollins, discuss research that sheds light on the connection between redlining in Atlanta and air pollution.Plus, Cynthia Tucker, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and resident at the University of South Alabama, and Frye Gaillard, a historian and resident at the University of South Alabama, discuss their new book, “The Southernization of America," which examines the role of the South in shaping culture and politics in the United States.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congresswoman Nikema Williams joins “Closer Look” to discuss several topics, including the role of women in U.S. democracy.Since the start of the pandemic, a group of senior women in southwest Atlanta has prioritized their physical and mental health by gathering daily to exercise. “Closer Look” producer LaShawn Hudson talks with the Nature Gurlz about their special bond and their unique wellness journey.Lastly, Dr. Natalie D. Hernandez, an assistant professor at Community Health & Preventive Medicine and the executive director at the Center for Maternal Health Equity at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), discusses new funding that will help with MSM’s efforts to narrow the maternal health equity gap for Black women.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss the latest news from the Georgia General Assembly's 2022 legislative session.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State Senator Kim Jackson discusses Senate Bill 377, a controversial bill that aims to regulate conversations about race in schools and was recently passed by the Georgia Senate.Plus, for “Closer Look’s” Paycheck to Paycheck series, Sudheer Chava, the Alton M. Costley Chair and the director of the Quantitative & Computational Finance Program at Georgia Tech, and the director of the school’s Financial Services Innovation Lab, discusses the focus of the new fintech lab and his research to understand responsible and sustainable finance.Lynette Bell, the president of the Truist Foundation, discusses the "Inspire Awards Challenge,” a pitch competition open to nonprofits supporting Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and women-owned small businesses to plan, market, and grow their businesses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday marks two years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 crisis a global health pandemic. Dr. Lynn Paxton, the district health director at the Fulton Board of Health, Dr.Carlos del Rio, a distinguished professor of medicine and the executive associate dean of Emory University School of Medicine at Grady Health System, and Dr. Jacob Eichenberger, a pediatrician at Augusta University Medical Center, talk with “Closer Look” program host Rose Scott about the past, present and future of combating the coronavirus.Lastly, Leslie Murphy, a local artist who is giving back by creating COVID memorial portraits, and Caitlin Doyle, a woman who received one of those portraits after her father died of COVID-19 in early 2021. They reflect on the importance of remembering and honoring COVID victims.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Justin Toscano, a Braves beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, talks with Rose about the current MLB lockout that began on Dec. 2. MLB has now postponed Opening Day until at least April 14. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss the latest news from the Georgia General Assembly's 2022 legislative session.Joli Cooper, the founding executive director of GreenLight Fund Atlanta, and Julius Cave, a veteran educator and the program manager for the Atlanta Leading Men Fellowship program, discuss The Literacy Lab’s Leading Men Fellowship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jasmine Crowe, the CEO of Goodr, talks about her company’s ongoing response to combat hunger amid the pandemic.Each year, the Old Farmer's Almanac makes predictions for the coming 12 months. Janice Stillman, the editor of the Old Farmer's Almanac, discusses this year’s outlook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of International Women’s Day, Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur, an Atlanta-based global activist, the communications division director and chief of staff in the Office of the CCO at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Michelle Nunn, the president and CEO of CARE USA, and Paige Alexander, the CEO of The Carter Center, join “Closer Look” for a roundtable group discussion about several women-related topics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Wilbur Lam, one of the three principal investigators for the Atlanta Center for Microsystems Engineered Point-of-Care Technologies, discusses several topics about the effectiveness of rapid COVID at-home tests.Camden County is holding a special election to allow residents to decide on whether the county can purchase land for Georgia’s first-ever spaceport. Mary Landers, a reporter for The Current, discusses what she’s hearing from supporters and opponents.Reporters at The Intercept have tracked how people incarcerated in the U.S. are exposed to heat, floods, wildfires and extreme weather events related to climate change. Alleen Brown, a reporter at The Intercept, discusses what this means for people behind bars in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gary Black, the 16th commissioner of Agriculture in Georgia, discusses his top priorities for 2022.Plus, Georgia lawmakers are considering several bills that would limit conversations about race in public school classrooms. What do students think? Lastly, WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss the latest news from the Georgia General Assembly's 2022 legislative session.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Candice Broce, the commissioner for Georgia's Department of Human Services and the director of the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS), joins “Closer Look” for its Paycheck to Paycheck series. She discusses her top priorities for 2022 in regards to social and financial services.Plus, Jessica McQuain joins the program. McQuain is a millennial living in Milledgeville, Georgia. She talks with Rose about her financial situation amid the pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As “Closer Look’s” Paycheck to Paycheck series continues, Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JP Morgan Chase, joins the program to share details about how one of the largest banks in the U.S. wants to boost minority homeownership and what this effort could mean for Atlanta.Plus, Mike Alexander, the senior director of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Center for Livable Communities, discusses the major economic issues facing people in metro Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) affects approximately 100,000 people in the United States and is one of the most common inherited blood disorders. On Tuesday’s special edition of “Closer Look,” Rose first talks with NPR health reporter Rob Stein about profiling patients who have undergone cutting-edge treatments.We then hear from India Hardy, a woman from Athens living with SCD, Ife Oyeleye, an Atlanta-based mother of two children living with SCD, and Dr. Clark Brown, an SCD researcher and a pediatric hematologist and director of sickle cell clinical research at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. They SCD diagnosis, treatment and efforts to find a cure.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Robert Lerman, an Institute fellow in the Center on Labor, Human Services and Population at the Urban Institute, discusses his research that focuses on how employment issues, low wages, income inequality and family structure impact low-income populations. Plus, Dr. Saloni Firasta Vastani, an associate professor in the Practice of Marketing at Emory University, discusses how buyers consciously and subconsciously process price information, remember it, and use it to make purchase decisions.Lastly, Nataliia Onyskiv, the president of the Georgia chapter of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, and Liliya Makhlaychuk Sharma, a partner at Bair Wilson Sharma, discuss the latest details about the crisis unfolding in Ukraine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The crisis unfolding in Ukraine is rapidly changing. Laurie R. Blank, a clinical professor of law and the director of the International Humanitarian Law Clinic at Emory University School of Law, discusses the very latest. Plus, WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss the latest news from the Georgia General Assembly's 2022 legislative session.Patrick Rodriguez, a campaign manager for Beyond the Box Georgia and Abagail Cook, the director of Beyond the Box Georgia, discuss a proposed bill that, if passed, would remove felony conviction checkboxes from higher education applications.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Atlanta City council member and former U.S. Congressman Kwanza Hall announces his campaign to be Georgia’s next lieutenant governor.Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, discusses the foundation’s ongoing response amid the COVID -19 pandemic, including efforts to combat vaccine hesitancy.Michael Mitchell, the senior director of Brand and Studios at Mailchimp, and Aaron Fender, a co-founder and the CEO of Portrait Coffee, discuss “Bloom Season," Mailchimp's new digital guide for entrepreneurs of color. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been nearly two years since the coronavirus crisis was declared a pandemic. Rose talks with a group of doctors and health care officials from around the state to discuss the past, present and future of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Andrew Kim, a physician at Ethne Health, Dr. Jayne Morgan, a cardiologist and the clinical director for Piedmont Healthcare’s COVID-19 Task Force, Dr. John Delzell, the vice president for Medical Education at Northeast Georgia Health System, and Dr. Jean Sumner, the dean of Mercer School of Medicine, join “Closer Look” to participate in a roundtable discussion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A jury found the three men convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery guilty on all counts in a federal hate crimes trial. Criminal Defense Attorney and WABE Legal Analyst Page Pate and Hank Klibanoff, an Emory University professor, veteran journalist, and the host of the o return to “Closer Look” to discuss the trial, the verdict and the upcoming sentencing. Plus, Professor Darren Hutchinson is the inaugural chair of Emory Law’s Center for Civil Rights and Social Justice. Hutchinson talks with Rose about several topics, including the focus of the new center, his upcoming lecture titled "Anti-Anti-Racism: Fighting Backlash, Building Justice” and the guilty verdicts in the Arbery hate crimes trial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gun violence and gun safety are huge topics of discussion during the Georgia General Assembly’s legislative session. Rose talks with Georgia Sen. Sally Harrell, who recently introduced Senate Bill 344. Plus, Mark L. Rosenberg, a physician and public health researcher, discusses how gun violence is a public health issue and the importance of using research to combat gun violence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger talks with Rose about why he wants Georgia State Troopers and Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents to monitor activity at polling places.U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack discusses the lack of access to healthy food in Georgia and across the country and his agency's efforts to increase food benefits for those in need. Plus, Billy Knight, a veteran professional sports executive and the former general manager for the Atlanta Hawks, and CJ Stewart, a former professional baseball player and the co-founder of the nonprofit L.E.A.D., discuss several sports-related topics that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bettina L. Love, an award-winning author and the Athletic Association Endowed Professor at the University of Georgia, and Dr. Ivory A. Toldson, the national director of Education Innovation and Research for the NAACP, professor of counseling psychology at Howard University and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Negro Education, discuss several educational-related topics, including the current state of K-12 public education and the systemic gaps that exist between Black and white students.Dr. Derrick Bryan, the associate director of the Black Men's Research Institute, and Dr. Clarissa Myrick-Harris, the chair of the Humanities Division and a professor of Africana Studies at Morehouse College, discuss the creation and focus of the Black Men’s Research Institute. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tanya Washington, a professor of law at Georgia State University College of Law, discusses the function of affirmative action, a set of policies and practices within a government or organization designed to eliminate unlawful discrimination among applicants.Plus, Barbara Pace Hunt was one of the three Black students who sued for their right to attend Georgia State University more than 60 years ago. Crystal Freeman, the daughter of Barbara Pace Hunt, reflects on the case and the ruling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta professors Illya Davis, Maurice Hobson and Nsenga Burton, return to "Closer Look." The professors discuss the one-drop rule that’s been used for centuries to define who is Black in America.Plus, Harvard University dean Tomiko Brown-Nagin discusses her latest book, “Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and the Struggle for Equality.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Attorney General Chris Carr discusses his top legislative priorities and outlook.Plus, WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss the latest news from the Georgia General Assembly's 2022 legislative session.Lastly, Super Bowl LVI is just days away. Sports marketing analyst Marcelle English shares her predictions about the upcoming championship game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Azadeh N. Shahshahani, the legal and advocacy director for Project South, discusses an agreement between The GEO Group and Charlton County to expand a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE ) facility in Folkston.Plus, Ashley Finch, the shared micromobility coordinator for the Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT), talks about what’s next for micromobility in Atlanta.Lastly, Adam Weiss, the director of the Guinea Worm Eradication Program at the Carter Center, discusses a recent drop in Guinea worm disease cases in humans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republican House Speaker David Ralston discusses the “Mental Health Parity Act,” a proposed bill that aims to expand mental health services and resources in the state of Georgia. Plus, Kim Jones, the executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Georgia, Roland Behm, the co-chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Georgia, and Darryl Russ, an Atlanta-based licensed counselor, take part in a roundtable discussion. They talk with Rose about the current state of mental health services in Georgia and the Mental Health Parity Act.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vic Reynolds, the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, discusses ongoing efforts to combat crime and his top priorities and outlook for 2022.Mark Greenblatt, the senior national investigative correspondent for the Scripps Washington Bureau and Heidi Beirich, the chief strategy officer of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, discuss “Verified: The Next Threat,” a new podcast series that explains how extremists are recruiting people globally to advocate for white power. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Dana Rickman, the president of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, discusses several education-related topics, including the Georgia Partnership's Top Ten Issues to Watch report for 2022.Plus, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is seeking public feedback about possible changes to its Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Samyukth Shenbaga, the managing director of the Community Development Group at ARC, talks more about TIP and efforts to improve transit throughout metro Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, local eateries are still adapting. Rose Scott talks with Beth McKibben, the editor of Eater Atlanta, Deborah VanTrece, the owner of Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, Lis Hernandez, the owner of Arepa Mia, and Jamie Russell, the co-owner of Poor Hendrix, about the past, present and future of Atlanta’s dining scene.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judy Fitzgerald, the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, discusses her top priorities for 2022, behavioral health reform and crisis prevention.Plus, the American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Dr. Baia Lasky, the medical director of the American Red Cross of Georgia, discusses how the omicron surge has exacerbated the shortage.Nancy Flake Johnson, the president of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, discusses the goals of a new guaranteed income pilot program.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political strategists Fred Hicks and Julianne Thompson discuss the findings of a recent poll conducted by the School of Public and International Affairs Survey Research Center at the University of Georgia that reveals data about how Georgians feel about the state of politics and President Joe Biden.Plus, Karen Manning, the president of the Georgia Library Association, discusses the recent rise of conservative groups launching campaigns to ban books from school libraries that often explore the topics of race, gender, and sexuality. She also discusses what the association is doing in response. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The father and son convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery are entering a plea on federal hate crime charges. Criminal Defense Attorney and WABE Legal Analyst Page Pate discusses the latest.Plus, Joseph Tyndall, the executive vice president for Health Affairs and the dean of Morehouse School of Medicine, and Kelly Ball, the associate dean for Graduate Studies at Agnes Scott College, discuss a new linkage program between both schools that was created to attract more people into the medical field.Che Watkins, the executive director of Braven Atlanta, discusses a new partnership between Spelman College and Braven that will afford Spelman students a two-part career-accelerating experience. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brett Theodos, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, discusses the findings of a new study on the East Lake Initiative, one of the nation’s first efforts to convert public housing into a mixed-income community. Plus, the third week of the Georgia General Assembly's 2022 legislative session has concluded. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss the latest news from the session.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jodie Guest, a professor and vice-chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health, discusses some of the most burning questions about face masks.Plus, Tara Roberts, a National Geographic Explorer and storyteller, discusses her new six-part podcast series, “Into the Depths,” which follows a team of Black divers on a quest to explore the complex history of the global slave trade.Lastly, Indie music artist Chelsea Shag returns to “Closer Look” to discuss navigating and reinventing her career amid the COVID-19 pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melanie McNeil, Georgia’s long-term care ombudsman, discusses the ongoing challenges that long-term care facilities are facing due to the spread of the omicron variant and what’s being done to combat the spread of the virus.Plus, State Senator Lester Jackson discusses SB3, a proposed bill that aims to raise the minimum dropout age from 16 to 17 in the state of Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Lary recently resigned from his position as the mayor of Stonecrest and plead guilty to fraud charges. Janice Allen Jackson, the acting city manager for Stonecrest and chief operating officer of city government, discusses what’s next for Stonecrest.Plus, the Georgia Department of Transportation may soon install roundabouts at two locations on Ponce de Leon. Dr. Michael O. Rodgers, the director of the Georgia Tech Air Quality Laboratory, discusses the ways roundabouts improve road safety.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eugene Jones, the president and CEO of Atlanta Housing, discusses several topics including, the agency's role in providing affordable housing for low-income residents amid the pandemic and its top priorities for 2022.Plus, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, the deputy executive director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, discusses a new report that reveals anti-Muslim organizations are being funded by private foundations to spread misinformation about Muslims and Islam.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several cityhood movements are happening across metro Atlanta. Peter Bluestone, a senior research associate at the Center for State and Local Finance at Georgia State University, discusses how cityhood feasibility studies are conducted.Plus, the second week of the Georgia General Assembly's 2022 legislative session wrapped up on Friday. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss the latest.Lastly, Cobb County is experiencing an increase in COVID cases. David Chastain, the chair of the Cobb County Board of Education, discusses what the school board is doing to keep educators, students and staff safe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Criminal Defense Attorney and WABE Legal Analyst Page Pate discusses Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ latest move to have a special grand jury help investigate former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn election results in 2020.Plus, former state senator Vincent Fort discusses why he’s running to unseat Democratic Congressman David Scott, who represents Georgia’s 13 Congressional District.Lastly, Angelique Kidjo, a four-time Grammy-winner singer, activist, and ambassador for UNICEF Goodwill, discusses several topics including, music, activism and her upcoming performance at the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia State Senator Greg Dolezal, the chair of the New Georgia Freedom Caucus, discusses the mission of the New Georgia Freedom Caucus. Kat Doyle, with the office of Life, Dignity, and Justice at Archdiocese of Atlanta, discusses how the Archdiocese of Atlanta plans to address climate change.Plus, ESPN host Jay Williams discusses the launch of his new NPR podcast “The Limits with Jay Williams.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Zanthia Wiley, an Emory University infectious disease expert, who led planning for the new COVID therapeutics, discusses the science behind new antiviral drugs used to treat COVID-19.Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan discusses several topics including, the Buckhead City Movement and his top priorities this legislative session.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josh Rowan, the commissioner for the Atlanta Department of Transportation, discusses how ATLDOT is preparing for a possible winter storm. Pediatric infectious diseases expert Dr. Andi Shane then discusses the recent rise in COVID-19 Omicron variant cases in children.Plus, WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss several legislative topics as the first week of Georgia General Assembly's 2022 legislative comes to an end.Lastly, “Closer Look” turned 7 this week. Rose and senior producer Sam Whitehead reflect on how the program has continued to evolve while bringing the most important news stories to metro Atlanta listeners. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kyle Wingfield, the president of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, discusses the foundation’s top priorities for the 2022 legislative session.Plus, Congresswoman Lucy Macbeth, representing Georgia’s 6th Congressional District, discusses several topics including, voting and gun rights. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State Representative Jasmine Clark discusses House Bill 857. The proposed legislation focuses on requiring Georgia school districts to teach about consent in their sex education curriculum to prevent sexual assault. Democrats, Republicans and independents are now entering into statewide races. Fred Hicks, an Atlanta-based political strategist and analyst, discusses primary races in state politics and political trends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Danny Kanso, the senior policy analyst for budget and tax and the governor relations coordinator for the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute, discusses GBPI’s 2022 People-First Policy Priorities.State Rep.Gregg Kennard discusses House Bill 855. The proposed legislation aims to address mental and behavioral health needs of first responders in Georgia.Plus, the Georgia Bulldogs are national champions. Brian Jones, a sports and entertainment reporter with popculture.com, returns to “Closer Look” for a recap of the College Football Playoff National Championship game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lakeisha Samuels, an Affordable Care Act enrollment navigator with the Georgia Primary Care Association, discusses the Affordable Care Act signup deadline and what Georgians should know before selecting a coverage plan.Plus, the Georgia Bulldogs will take on the Alabama Crimson Tide Monday night in Indianapolis. Brian Jones, a sports and entertainment reporter with popculture.com, joins “Closer Look” for a preview of the College Football Playoff National Championship game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.