Closer Look with Rose Scott

Norma Hernandez, the leader of a local task force working to address the spread of COVID-19 in Gainesville’s Latino community, Northeast Georgia Health System clinician Dr. Antonio Rios and Vanesa Sarazua, Founder and Executive Director of the Gainesville-based Hispanic Alliance of Georgia, discuss their efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in their community. Also, at 16-years-old David Gaines is the youngest graduate in Georgia State University Perimeter College’s Class of 2020. He shares his story. And finally, how the nonprofit Soccer In The Streets is supporting the organization’s youth soccer players during the pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National civil rights and personal injury attorney Benjamin Crump, one of the lawyers representing Ahmaud Arbery's family, provides an update on the case. Plus, Becky Monroe, Fighting Hate and Bias Program Director of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, shares why a collective of organizations is asking the United State Department of Justice to pursue federal hate crime charges in the Arbery murder case. And, finally, in other news, Lynette Bell, president of the Truist Foundation, discusses the bank’s COVID-19 relief efforts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fulton County Board of Elections Director Richard Barron addresses concerns surrounding the safety of poll workers and long wait times at polling locations, and other issues as Georgia begins in-person early voting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, Atlanta City Councilmember Antonio Brown discuss the council's new 60-day plan to support those seeking shelter at Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Morehouse School of Medicine President and Dean Dr. Valerie Montgomery-Rice talks about making the decision to hold this year’s commencement ceremony online and how the institution plans to phase-in on-site instruction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Domenico Piccininni, an Atlanta resident and COVID-19 survivor shares his journey to recovery. Then, Dr. Kent Holland, medical director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Northside Hospital, shares how Mr. Piccininni’s plasma could help other COVID-19 patients. Plus, Morehouse School of Medicine graduates will attend commencement online this weekend. Today, we hear a preview of Monday’s conversation with Morehouse School of Medicine President and Dean Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice. Also, we hear an update on this week’s coronavirus-related news from Sam Whitehead, WABE health reporter and host of the podcast, “Did You Wash Your Hands?”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Goodwill of North Georgia President and CEO Keith Parker shares how the non-profit plans to protect staff and customers as stores and donation centers re-open. Plus, another round of funding is coming from Congress, but will minority owned small businesses fare better this time than last? Yasmin Farahi, senior policy counsel for the Center for Responsible Lending, discusses why her organization believes more transparency and guidance is needed for lenders to prioritize borrowers in underserved and rural marketsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, Gwinnett County Schools released a plan to end the school year that included bringing teachers and support staff back to their worksites starting May 18. That policy was met with criticism from parents and teachers alike -- so, now, there's a new plan. Steve Flynt, Gwinnett Associate Superintendent for School Improvement and Operations, shares what the revised policy entails. Then, Georgia Association of Educator's Chief Lobbyist Joe Fleming, discusses what school systems across the state should consider as school systems potentially re-open in the fall. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's attorney general, Chris Carr recently appointed Cobb County District Attorney Joyette Holmes as lead prosecutor in the Ahmaud Arbery fatal shooting case. WABE legal analyst Page Pate weighs in on this decision. Plus, a new video series from Emory Healthcare provides an inside look into the lives of front line workers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery has prompted yet another debate regarding whether or not Georgia should have a state hate crime law. But, this time, the legislation may have bipartisan support. Georgia Republican Representative Chuck Efstration shares why he supports the creation of a new hate crime law. Plus, we'll hear how President Trump's recent executive order temporarily banning green card immigration into the United States is affecting the work of Atlanta's Tahirih Justice Center. And finally, a tribute to the life of a rock-and-roll legend, Little Richard.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hear the latest from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation regarding the arrest of  Gregory and Travis McMichael in connection to the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. Then, WABE health reporter and host of the podcast “Did You Wash Your Hands?” Sam Whitehead recaps this week in coronavirus-related news. Plus, Atlanta-based British Consul General of the Southeast Andrew Staunton talks trade in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, Atticus LeBlanc, founder of a co-living start-up called PadSplit, discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting his business model and the demand for affordable housing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we examine the many layers to the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery – from a conversation with one of the attorneys for Ahmaud Arbery's family, Benjamin Crump, to legal analysis from a local attorney based in Brunswick, Page Pate. Plus, former Georgia Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears discusses whether or not hate crime charges could be filed against the suspects in Arbery’s death. And finally, Yusef Salaam, a member of the exonerated Central Park Five, reflects on the case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neil Campbell, the executive director of the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse and Beverly Ragland, Manager of the CARES Warm Line, discuss the challenges and resources for those in recovery and coping with substance use disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, a conversation with DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond about the county’s plans to distribute COVID-19 protective care kits to specific neighborhoods. And, Cole Thaler, co-founder of Paws Between Homes, shares how his organization is helping renters facing eviction with temporary pet care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's economy is now open for business. But, what rights do employees have, as some return back to work? A local employment attorney weighs in. Then, two local small business owners share how the COVID-19 pandemic is hurting the state’s horse industry. And, we hear how Georgia 4-H continues to serve students through online activities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Copy: Public radio stations across the country recently teamed up to launch a new, live two-hour Saturday broadcast that invites listeners to share their experiences during the coronavirus crisis. The first program of the series, “America Amplified: Life, Community, and COVID-19,” launched last month with Rose Scott of Atlanta's WABE and Mina Kim of San Francisco's KQED, who hosted conversations examining how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the remote learning gap for the nation's K-12 students and how essential workers are managing. Today, we revisit excerpts from that inaugural broadcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s decision to allow the state’s stay-at-home order expire last night, WABE health reporter and host of the podcast “Did You Wash Your Hands?” Sam Whitehead joins us to discuss what’s next for Georgia. Plus, we hear how Tybee Island Mayor Shirley Sessions shares how her community is preparing for an increase in crowds. Also, a local developer shares why he is no longer collecting rent from his commercial tenants. And finally, we hear how the East Lake Foundation is helping local residents during the pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rose Scott hosts a roundtable conversation on the challenges and solutions to addressing food security during COVID-19. Guests include: Jasmine Crowe, founder and CEO of Goodr Inc.Sagdrina Jalal, Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships at the Center for Civic Innovation and former founding Executive Director and current board member at the Georgia Farmer’s Market Association Lauren Cox, Georgia Organics’ Organic Procurement Coordinator Will Sellers, executive director of Wholesome Wave GeorgiaPlus, how the advocacy group MARTA Army is providing meals for transit operators.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s program is part of an ongoing series of conversations examining the future effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on education in Georgia. We begin with a two-part conversation with Spelman College President Mary Schmidt Campbell and Oglethorpe University President Larry Schall, who will discuss how small, liberal arts colleges and historically black colleges have adapted with social distancing requirements. Then, Dr. Bronwyn Ragan-Martin, superintendent of the Early County Board of Education in Southwest Georgia and Dr. Dana Rickman, vice president at the Georgia Partnership For Excellence In Education share how the pandemic has exacerbated already existing challenges for rural school districts, from a lack of funding to a lack of broadband access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To open or not to open? That’s the question many business owners are facing in Georgia this week. We hear from two local business owners grappling with this question. First, Jamie and Aaron Russell, the owners of Poor Hendrix, share how their restaurant has adapted to a take-out only business model. Then, a conversation with Morris Smith, a local barber, on his decision to re-open his businesses. Plus a conversation with Grey Cohen, a local teen and co-founder of the Meal Bridge, an organization that delivers meals to local hospital staff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia is now officially – partially – open for businesses. Still, some Georgians have questions about navigating the state’s jobless benefits. Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler joins “Closer Look” host Rose Scott to answer listeners’ questions on applying for and receiving unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, journalist and author Sylvia A. Harvey talks about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prisoners and their families as well as her new book, “The Shadow System: Mass Incarceration and the American Family.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.