Closer Look with Rose Scott

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.

The Georgia General Assembly's 2022 legislative session starts next week. WABE political reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas discuss several topics, including pre-filed bills and Governor Kemp's top priorities this session. Plus, the three men convicted of chasing and killing Ahmaud Arbery in Glynn County nearly two years ago were sentenced Friday. Gregory McMichael and his son, Travis McMichael, were sentenced to life in prison without parole. Their neighbor, William "Roddie" Bryan, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Rose talks with Hank Klibanoff, an Emory University professor, veteran journalist, and the host of the WABE podcast “Buried Truths,” which investigates the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, and Dr. Carol Anderson, an Emory University professor and author about the Arbery case and sentencing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newly-elected South Fulton Mayor khalid kamau talks about his overall vision for the city and his first 100 days in office. Chris Joyner, an investigative reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Illya Davis, a Morehouse professor of philosophy and African American studies, discuss the state of democracy in the U.S. one year after the insurrection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

LaVita Tuff, the policy director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, discusses several voter-related topics, including why Gwinnett County did not make the Census Bureau’s new list of jurisdictions that are now covered under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act.Claudette Leak, the spokesperson for Concerned Citizens in Opposition to Greenhaven, discusses why her group is in opposition to the DeKalb Cityhood Movement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta City Councilor Amir Farokhi and Hope Wollensack, the executive director of the Georgia Resiliency and Opportunity (GRO) Fund, discuss “In Her Hands.”Plus, Dr. Robert Jansen, chief medical officer at Grady Memorial Hospital, discusses how the hospital is coping with the current surge of the omicron coronavirus variant happening across metro Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Zsakeba Henderson, the senior vice president and deputy chief medical and health officer for March Of Dimes, leading the Office of Maternal and Child Health Impact, discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has made the vaccine gap wider for children.Plus, Kristal Dixon, an award-winning journalist and co-author of the Axios Atlanta newsletter, and Dan Whisenhunt, the founder, publisher and editor of Decaturish.com, reflect on the top news stories that they covered in 2021.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham discusses a  new $111 million development project coming to downtown East Point.Plus, Andy Miller, a veteran health care journalist and the interim southern bureau editor for Kaiser Health News, discusses why Gov. Brian Kemp is in support of doing away with the Affordable Healthcare Act’s enrollment platform, Healthcare.gov, and what this could mean for Georgians.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People from across the nation are mourning the passing of former Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson. Rose talks with DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and longtime politics reporter and WABE host Denis O’Hayer about Isakson’s career in public service and his ongoing legacy.Plus, Dr. Rochelle Paula Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, discusses several coronavirus-related topics, including leading the nation’s top public health agency amid a global health crisis.Lastly, April Kuehnhoff, a staff attorney at National Consumer Law Center, discusses new changes to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) that allows debt collectors to contact consumers on social media.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soli Mercado-Spencer, a senior staff attorney for the Georgia Legal Services Program, discusses Operation Blooming Onion, a multi-year investigation into fraud, human smuggling and labor trafficking that took place at several farms across southern Georgia.National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888Georgia Legal Services Program: 1-800-537-7496, https://www.glsp.org/Plus, Atlanta City Planning Commissioner Tim Keane discusses the Love Our Places program and efforts to establish creative bike parking options for Atlanta cyclists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clyde Higgs, the president and CEO of the Atlanta BeltLine, discusses an affordable housing project that will establish more than 100 apartment units along the Atlanta BeltLine in Reynoldstown.Plus, Jennifer Ball, the vice president of the economic development and Planning at Central Atlanta Progress, discusses new funding that will be used toward ‘The Stitch.' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emory University infectious disease expert Dr. Carlos Del Rio shares what scientists know—and are still learning—about the latest variant of the coronavirus and what it could mean for the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in the months to come.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mindy Seger, with the East Cobb Alliance, argues creating the new city of East Cobb will be bad for the community, creating a new level of government that won’t be able to preserve the same level of services without higher costs to residents.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Eloisa Klementich, the president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, discusses a $72.6 million project that will allow Invest Atlanta to establish 600 new affordable housing units in several Atlanta neighborhoods.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Corcoran, the president of the Housing Development Corporation, discusses the critical need for affordable housing options for seniors in Georgia and Starnes Senior Residences, the city of Clarkston's very first affordable housing community for seniors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Smith, a professor in the practice of Finance at the Goizueta Business School, joins “Closer Look” to discuss the many factors that have contributed to rising prices in Atlanta and what’s to be expected in the new year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julianne Thompson, a Republican strategist and the president of Main Street Network Strategies, discusses the implications of former Senator David Perdue entering the race to become Georgia’s next governor.Plus, Rose talks with Mark C. McDonald, the president and CEO of The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, discusses the 2022 "Places In Peril" list.Lastly, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston discusses her request to create the Firearm Violence Prevention Unit and a Digital Forensics Unit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta Mayor-elect Andre Dickens reflects on his journey to victory, shares his vision for the city and discusses plans for his first 100 days in office.Plus, Hank Klibanoff, the host of the WABE podcast “Buried Truths,” reacts to the Justice Department's latest move to close its investigation into the killing of Emmett Till.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Kathryn Rice with the DeKalb Cityhood Movement talks about efforts to create the city of DeKalb and the ongoing challenges the cityhood movement has faced.Plus, Christmas is just weeks away. Rose checks in with Santa Dee to see how he’s fairing this holiday season amid the pandemic.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just days after her big announcement, Stacey Abrams talks with Rose about why she’s running to be Georgia’s next governor.Plus, Emory’s Dr. Andi Shane discusses COVID vaccination for children ages 5 and older.Lastly, Tammy Greer, an assistant professor of political science at Clark Atlanta University, shares her thoughts about third-party candidates now being allowed to collect fewer signatures to run for elected offices in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stacey Abrams announced Wednesday that she’s running to be the next governor of Georgia. Fred Hicks, an Atlanta-based political strategist and analyst, discusses what a possible rematch between Abrams and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp could look like. Plus, Rose talks with Craig Chapin about the East Cobb Cityhood and Matt Bowman, the owner of Tradition Trees in Little Five Points, about this year’s Christmas tree shortage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The results from Atlanta’s runoff elections are in. On Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” program host Rose Scott talks with Fred Hicks, an Atlanta-based political strategist and analyst, Doug Shipman, Atlanta City Council president-elect, and Jason Dozier, Atlanta City Councilmember-elect, about the runoff races and what’s next for the city.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ian M. Schmutte, an associate professor in the department of Economics Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, discusses the Great Resignation and what it means for the economy and employers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shelby Buso, the chief sustainability officer for the city of Atlanta, discusses the Solar Atlanta Program and how the new initiative will help the city combat climate change. Plus, Major Jake King of the Marietta Police Department talks about launching the Jiu-Jitsu training program at the department and how the martial arts training is expected to help reduce use-of-force injuries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday afternoon, on the second day of deliberations, a Glynn County jury found all three men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery guilty of murder. Travis McMichael, who shot Arbery on Feb.23,220, was found guilty on all nine counts. His father, Gregory McMichael, was found guilty on eight counts. The McMichael’s neighbor, William "Roddie" Bryan, who captured Arbery murder on video, was found guilty on 6 counts. All three men face minimum sentences of life in prison.On Wednesday’s edition of the “Closer Look,” program host Rose Scott has reaction from the courthouse and state and local leaders. Scott also talks with Hank Klibanoff, an Emory University professor, veteran journalist, and the host of the WABE podcast “Buried Truths,” which investigates the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, about the verdict.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Dwight "Ike" Reighard, the president and CEO of MUST Ministries, discusses the nonprofits’ response amid the pandemic and how MUST is helping individuals and families this holiday season. Fred Hicks, an Atlanta-based political strategist and analyst, discusses Atlanta’s upcoming mayoral runoff, election polls and a new congressional map recently approved by the Georgia General Assembly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Gobeil, the director of communications and public affairs for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, talks about the airport’s ongoing response amid the pandemic and how the airport is gearing up for holiday travel. Kaitlin Goode, the urban wildlife program manager for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, talks about the increase of coyote sightings in multiple Atlanta neighborhoods and what residents should do if they spot one in their community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Carol Collard, the CEO of Caring Works, discusses how her organization is working to combat homelessness for veterans in metro Atlanta. Plus, Navy veteran Dr. Amy Stevens talks about the goals of the Facebook group Georgia Military Women.Lastly, Vietnam veteran Clarence “Clyde” Romero Jr. and Colin P. Cahoon, the author of “Mended Wings: The Vietnam War Experience Through the Eyes of Ten American Purple Heart Helicopter Pilots,” talk about what Veterans Day means to them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dani Ayers, the CEO of me too. International, discusses the progress of the #MeToo movement since it went viral in October of 2017 and what’s next for the movement going forward. Plus, Killer Mike, a Grammy Award-winning rapper, actor, activist and entrepreneur, is now hosting a television show series that’s airing on ATL PBA. Mike talks with Rose about several topics, including his latest endeavor as the host of “Love & Respect with Killer Mike.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WABE host Denis O’Hayer and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond reflect on the life and legacy of former U.S. senator and VA leader Max Cleland.Plus, Sonja R. West, a law professor at the University of Georgia, discusses high-profile cases that the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear this term. Lastly, Dr. Calinda Lee, the head of programs and exhibitions at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, talks about the Center’s work to educate others about the history of prison labor through a planned memorial at the Bellwood Quarry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congressman Hank Johnson discusses Biden’s infrastructure bill and the Build Back Better framework will expand public transportation in South DeKalb. Plus, Michael Eric Dyson dives into a candid conversation about race, racism and his latest book, “ENTERTAINING RACE: Performing Blackness in America.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data that reveals people with compromised immune systems benefit from getting COVID-19 booster shots. Sam Whitehead, a WABE health reporter and host of the podcast "Did You Wash Your Hands?,” discusses the latest report. Whitehead also shares his thoughts about covering the pandemic for the last 20 months and his new career chapter with “Closer Look.” Plus, officials say at least 1 million people are expected to line the streets of metro Atlanta on Friday to honor the 2021 World Series champions. Rose checks with Craig Cohen, the executive producer and host of “Houston Matters.” Cohen shares a congratulatory message for WABE and Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.