The Brief from WABE

The U.S. Sec. of Energy touts "Bidenomics" and EVs in Atlanta; brace yourselves for a 'Grade-A' heat wave; and the only thing cool right now is Atlanta's housing market. But just kind of. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The highest profile conviction related to Atlanta City Hall corruption sees a rare happening--prosecutors move to dismiss a charge they used to win a conviction; Because I made a sacred vow never to combine the adjective for the word 'heat' with the name of our lovely city, I won't. (And I hope you never do, either. But, if you do and then follow said unsaid word with a small chuckle, smitten by your own sense of humor, then I'm sorry. We cannot be friends.) That said, there's a reason it's not called "Coldlanta," and we'll understand that reason later this week very, very intently; and Washington funds a BeltLine connection that, for the first time, connects part of the trail directly to transit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State election officials stop threatening Fulton County they're gonna turn this car around and go right back home;  The "Stop Cop City" folks can't get a referendum on the ballot if they can't get the city clerk to approve their application. Guess who's not approving their application?;  And I'll tell you what I want, what I really--really--want. I want it not to be 28 years ago this week that the Spice Girls debuted with the catchy tune, because that makes me REALLY old. But. I also really, really want you to consider the points Aisha Harris makes as she explores her identity through a pop culture lens in her new book, Wannabe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Antisemitic demonstrations have led to renewed calls for a controversial piece of state legislation; Fulton County has new plans to reduce its long-overcrowded jail; and the U.S. Army Field Band tries its hand at hip-hop.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DeKalb DA Sherry Boston announced her office will not work with the Georgia's attorney general to prosecute protestors of the proposed public safety training center; Effingham County school district is facing a lawsuit over claims of racial discrimination; and a look at abortion restrictions in Georgia one year after the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An update to Georgia's voting machines is coming.... after 2024; more EV comes to GA; and a smidge of How Do You Atlanta? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The stop "Cop CIty" folks can now start collecting signatures to put the project's future on the ballot; Fulton County's Sheriff threatens to sue the Fulton County Commission; and it's been a year since MPox made its rounds. Now what?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A petition to put the proposed training facility known as "Cop City" on the ballot has temporarily stalled; representatives for the Atlanta Beltline say 2024 will see a boom in affordable housing along the trail; and where to find Juneteenth celebrations in and around Atlanta. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's jobless numbers trend upward for the first time in a long time; a 'fix' to a vulnerability to Georgia's new voting system is out--but it won't be in place for the next presidential contest; and take a ride on Marta's bus rapid transit line, coming to a dedicated highway lane near you soon! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new notification system for victims, a new deal for UPS drivers, and a new anti-discrimination ordinance for a Georgia city. All of this and more on the Brief from WABE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stacey Abrams, Covid-19, and the bi-weekly installment of the On Leadership with Atlanta Business Chronicle podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some Georgians are losing insurance, and more Georgians are getting wifi. Also, Trump ... Yes, the former President spoke at the Georgia GOP conference this weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Georgia GOP Convention kicks off in Columbus; The Georgia department of natural resources warns harmful air quality is forecasted to continue into the weekend; and there are only a few weeks left for many transgender kids to access gender-affirming care before a new law takes effect in Georgia July 1st. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down Alabama’s Congressional maps, which could have some bearing on Georgia; The state is continuing to reevaluate all Georgians with Medicaid for continued health coverage this year; and “Food that Rocks” in Sandy Springs plus 50 years of kids' hip-hop and films on the latest How Do You Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fulton County commissioners say yes to one GOPer and no to the other and after Monday's 16-hour city council meeting, we learn what passed while many of us were asleep.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It took a minute, but Atlanta's City Council voted to fund the controversial police and fire training center; Well, not ALL representatives. We hear from one who didn't; and pinch yourself. No, reallly. Go ahead. I'll wait. ...its' not THAT hard, but okay. See! Okay.... now that you've been adequately pinched, get this--one of Plant Vogtle's new nuclear reactors is close to going fully online. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opponents of Atlanta’s proposed public safety training center filled City Hall today; A number of Republican presidential candidates are making their way to Georgia this week; Emory University researchers are collaborating on a potential HIV vaccine based on the same technology as the COVID vaccine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three people who were arrested for their involvement in helping protesters of Atlanta’s proposed public safety training facility will be released on bond; Fulton County prosecutors are reportedly expanding their 2020 election investigation into Trump; The Board of the Atlanta Public School District will not renew its superintendent's contract. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a reason HBCU donations have gone up recently; as "Cop City" moves forward, more, dirtier accusations fly; and why you used to be able to enjoy 16,000 acres of pure natural bliss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GBI charges Cop City detractors with financial fraud; A Delta customer charges the airline with being less than carbon neutral; and area parents of Asian heritage charge their district to teach more AAPI history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rosalynn Carter is diagnosed with dimentia; A Georgia GOP official could complicate the debt ceiling deal; and as power bills go up, the scammers come out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apparently, one of the quickest ways to get on the fed's terrorist watch list is to protest Atlanta's "Cop CIty"; This Memorial Day weekend for the nation's airlines is forecast to be even busier than pre-pandemic; and Fayette County isn't so keen on a car show put on by Rick Ross. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cobb County's DA declines to re-try Ross Harris on murder and chlid cruelty charges; more pharmacies across Georgia could sell medical cannabis under a proposal from state pharmacists; and how the City of Atlanta's spending of more than a million dollars might help some residents find affordable housing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Georgia family makes an emotional case for their lawsuit against officers who failed to buckle in their loved one before driving off, ejecting and killing her; "Cop City" gets the Atlanta City Council's green light and greenbacks; and the wheels on the bus might still go 'round and 'round, but that's about the only thing it has in common with your mama's school bus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Medicaid unwinds; the exchange formerly known as the Obamacare marketplace expands; and striking bus drivers in North Georgia chill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The family of a man found dead at the Fulton County Jail, his body riddled with bed bugs, releases the results of an independent autopsy; Business in Georgia, so far, is responsible for reductions in greenhouse gasses; and PETA's focus on primates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is hinting at a possible time frame for charging former President Trump; Fulton County officials say they're making progress on reducing its massive backlog of cases; and how communities in Georgia are competing for grants to protect against climate change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and Congresswoman Lucy McBath were again calling for stricter gun control laws in Washington D.C.; Drivers should expect major delays if traveling between 285 and 400 northbound this weekend; and the weekly segment of How Do You Atlanta for the latest events around the metro. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Republican nominated to chair Fulton County’s election board has withdrawn following backlash from Democrats; School buses in Metro Atlanta are getting cleaner; and Atlanta has a lot of vacant office space.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How high can they go? Georgia's Public Service Commission gives Georgia Power the greenlight to find out (read: your light bill is going up); Atlanta's City Council votes to fund the next step in creating "Cop City."; and tuition is staying flat at just about all of the state's public colleges/universities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Cop City" opponents flood Atlanta City Council meeting; More Georgians plan to hit the road this summer; and UGA lands the number one recruit in the nation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vice President Kamala Harris is in Atlanta to kick off her circuit of events leading up to President Biden's reelection; workers at Georgia school bus-maker Bluebird are some of the few in the South to successfully unionize; and a Georgia blood bank president will have his first chance to donate blood following new guidance from the FDA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Diversity" becomes a four letter word when it comes to teacher training in Georgia; Bluebird bus makers consider unionizing; and how technology could improve inmate safety in Fulton County. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of South Fulton residents want to de-annex; State tax revenue is down hundreds of millions of dollars from the same period a year ago; and it's the second part of WABE's investigation into how Fulton County collects property taxes (and why that's a threat to many Black families.) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Fake" or "Contigent"? Depends on whom you ask... and when; Why you don't have to move over but sometimes on Georgia's roadways; and that whole COVID emergency thinggy is over.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blinken visits; Walensky is out; and Shaky Knees is firm on arms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The suspect in Wednesday's mass casualty shooting in Midtown is charged with murder; Georgia municipal officials could become felons for accepting outside money to conduct elections; and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Nathalie Stutzmann's tour calendar fills up.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta takes the stage for the day as home to the latest mass shooting; A month after another immigrant detained at Stewart Detention Center in Southwest Georgia dies, calls resurface for its closure; and how high can they go? Georgia Power's latest request to hike power bills is in the hands of state regulators. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hospitals can now field their own police forces in Georgia; "You [give] a Raise!" and "YOU [give] a raise!" and "YOU [give] A RAISE" to Georgia Power. Again. Why? ...uh, because they wanted another one?; and why DeKalb County's hotspot for hotspots turns out to be the library.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting legal medical cannibis no longer involves acting like its illegal in Georgia; the state's abortion law pust a dent in the number of OBGYNs, and the connection between MARTA rail stations and autism awareness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where Wellstar goeth dark, Grady expandeth; Medical cannabis makes a way in Georgia after years and years of struggle; and "Cop City" gets an opening day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia lawmakers are pushing legislation to increase oversight for federal prisons; Georgia is toughening some mandatory minimum sentences; and the owners of adult-store Tokyo Valentino are facing pushback over plans to open a nearby spa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Joe Biden is officially running for a second term... how will Georgia factor into his 20-24 White House bid?; Governor Brian Kemp says he will not attend the Georgia GOP Convention in June; and DeKalb District Attorney Sherry Boston talks about co-hosting an event to share stories from the formerly incarcerated.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Students at Atlanta's colleges and universities are protesting the so-called "Cop City"; Coca-Cola posted strong first quarter gains despite raising prices; Georgia producers of medical cannabis oil are expected to finally get it to the shelves by this summer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Brian Kemp is again criticizing federal tax credits that exclude Georgia automakers; Georgia small business owners testified during a congressional field hearing in Peachtree City; and Tafeni English-Relf of the Southern Poverty Law Center talks about their efforts to remove symbols of the Confederacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlantans are remembering the first Black woman to serve on the city council; Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is doubling down on plans to build the controversial Public Safety Training Center in South Dekalb County; WABE and Rough Draft's weekly How Do You Atlanta? segment highlights exciting events happening this week, including something special for all Lego fans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia’s Secretary of State says the recent settlement between Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems validates Georgia's 2020 election; The University System of Georgia is delaying a decision on tuition rates until next month; and renewed calls for major reform at the Fulton jail following the death of Lashawn Thompson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fulton County Prosecutors offered immunity deals to some of Georgia's Republican fake electors from 2020; the federal government is stepping in to make sure military families have safe housing; the unexpected pairing of the U.S. military and conservation groups could bring Georgia its first national park.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.