The Brief from WABE

Anti-Semitic flyers in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody raise concern among the area's Jewish community; The parents of the "Cop City" demonstrator killed in a police shoot-out want more answers; and Georgia's Sec. of State is all about moving up Georgia's presidential primary. In 2028. Problem is the Dems had an earlier date in mind. Like four years earlier.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Microsoft pumps the brakes on its major tech hub in Atlanta's Westside; Georgia sniffs out what it might be like to run its own health insurance marketplace; and 1,791 reasons to bring back profanity to Forsyth County's school board meetings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Picture it. The calendar says you're more than half-way through your current pay period, but your bank account is still full. Like, absurdly full. You're rolling in the green. Drippin', even. What do you do? [I have absolutely no idea. Nary a clue. It's never happened to me, and it's safe to say it likely never will. But.] If you need some advice, the state of Georgia can offer a few ideas, apparently. Because that's EXACTLY the case lawmakers find us in right now. Awash with cash. Also, GOP leaders want bail to get more prohibitive, not less. And a bill unlikely to go anywhere would up the state's cigarette tax by 20-cents. Sure, that would still put it under a fraction of the U.S. average, generate a ton of cash to fund any number of programs, and save a good number of lives. But naah. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More trimming at Rivian, even before it begins construction on a multi-billion-dollar factory just east of Atlanta; You'll need four minimum-wage jobs to afford the rent for an average one-bedroom apartment in Atlanta; and safe, for now: dogs scheduled for euthanasia in DeKalb County make it to forever homes, just in time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Kemp rolls out the red carpet for EV manufacturers, even if the state hasn't quite figured out how to regulate them; the public safety training facility dubbed "Cop City" by its detractors is one step closer to being constructed; and fond of the South? So are a lot of Yankees--a million of 'em last year alone. Bless their hearts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Imminent." That's what describes the poo that's about to hit the proverbial air rotator related to Fulton County's indictment of those accused of attempting to undo Georgia's 2020 election results [not to name any names, but Donald Trump]; Former Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, now a CNN political commentator, says he thinks the aforementioned person is going down in the aforementioned sweep; and dogs. Canines. Pups. They're not just man's best friends. That's an understatement. They're kind of the best creatures on Earth, for one thing, and if humans were as forgiving and loyal as dogs are, we'd all be in a better.... I digress. Y'all. DeKalb County's animal shelter is about to euthanize dozens and dozens of pups because of overcrowding. Picture that. How can you not go save one? PLEASE go adopt one and love it half as much as it will love you, and you'll feel good about what you've done. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is again catching heat; A majority of Georgians now support legalizing medical and recreational marijuana; and a fond farewell to WABE Deputy Managing Editor Susanna Capelouto.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the violence at the future site of a police training facility, Gov. Brian Kemp declares Georgia is in a state of emergency; Dems push for Georgia to move up its presidential primary; and maybe next year, Mr. Jones. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The GBI decides on a special prosecutor to investigate an officer-involved fatal shooting involving a state trooper; the state's public colleges and universtities hope to get a reshaken (never stirred) state funding model; and the state of the state through the eyes of Gov. Brian Kemp.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guinea worm disease declines thanks to help from the Carter Center; Smyrna-based Glock guns are found at more crime scenes nationwide than any other gun manufacturer; and will the report from the special grand jury investigating Trump's 2020 claims of election fraud in Georgia be released? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A judge is preparing to hear arguments on whether to release a special grand jury report on the investigation into efforts to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results; Georgia Department of Corrections plans to downsize the state’s largest women’s prison; and we hear from a residential housing expert with the Federal Reserve about Atlanta's housing market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GBI says there's no body camera footage from the shooting of a state trooper and shooting and killing of a protestor near the proposed site for Atlanta's Public Safety Training Facility. Both pro and anti abortion groups rally at the Gold Dome. And a look at Lunar New Year celebrations in the perimeter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GBI charged 7 people with domestic terrorism a day after an officer was shot and a protestor was killed at the proposed police training facility site. Governor Brian Kemp is giving more HOPE to college kids. And a look at people who are navigating GA's restrictive abortion laws in the wake of losing Roe protections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Authorities are responding to a shootout at the hotly contested proposed training facility known as "Cop City"; changes to the state budget could affect how much money Georgia schools get; and while it might be "Dry January" for some, the latest episode of How Do You Atlanta has events for drinkers and teetolars alike.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electric vehicles are getting special attention in the state budget; Georgia now has one of the largest Asian-American legislative delegations; and an annual teacher survey reveals educators' priorities for the coming year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several events took place around Atlanta in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 2023, including an address by President Joe Biden at the civil rights leader's former church; Dr. King's daughter, Bernice, also spoke at Ebenezer Baptist Church about how well our current leaders are living up to her father's vision; and Morning Edition host Lisa Rayam speaks with King's niece, Alveda King, about her own father's legacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia public school teachers are set for another salary increase; DeKalb's already backed up court docket will be on hold until April; and the Gold Dome Scramble team breaks down the start of the legislative session.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New manufacturing jobs coming to Georgia will help boost domestic solar panel production; some Atlanta police will be allowed to take their patrol cars home; and Brian Kemp begins his second term as Georgia's 83rd governor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp previewed his priorities for this year's legislative session at the annual Eggs and Issues Breakfast; Republican Congressman Buddy Carter of Georgia has introduced a bill to overhaul the tax system; and find out about upcoming cultural events around Atlanta with the latest episode of WABE and Rough Draft's How Do You Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UGA is number one for the number two time in a row; Why college football is a lot more lucrative than it used to be; and is UGA's outgoing team the best ever? [And there are lots of non-football-y things to hear, too. Promise.]See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fulton County's special purpose grand jury looking into whether Donald Trump illegally attempted to interfere in Georgia's election in 2020 wraps its inquiry; Day one is done under the Gold Dome; and it's a lot of work being number one in college football. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Ga GOP Congressman has a change of heart in his choice for Speaker of the U.S. House; Chick-Fil-A customers cry foul over their fowl app; and the magic that makes the Clarkston Community Health Center special. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will the Georgia primary be early? Both parties have different answers, but GA's Secretary of State seems to say...no. The death penalty trial for a man who shot people at spas across metro Atlanta is being postponed because the judge is busy presiding over the criminal trial of Young Thug. And while access to abortion-inducing medication is about to grow, but state law will likely stymie that for Georgians. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republican leader Kevin McCarthy keeps failing to secure the votes to become Speaker of the House... Athens Congressman Andrew Clyde is one Republican who is making McCarthy a loser. And for the first time, there's a price cap on insulin for Medicare beneficiaries. That goes into effect with help from Georgia Democratic U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock. And a look at post-new year events in Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know how MTG had like no, as in zero, power in the last House session? Yeah. Probably not the cast this time; Speaking of the powerful, that Brian Kemp. He's #winning in a big way; and what a difference a half-page ad will make in the AJC when you're president of the Atlanta City Council. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The FBI asks for help in ID'ing a group they say is responsible for vandalizing Ebeneezer Baptist Church this summer; Clayton County's had a week of it in terms of getting the water flowing again; and the 'Dugdown Corridor' sounds like Paulding County's got itself a pretty swell secret. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clayton County says it's restored water to almost all residents; A case of NIMBI-ism (Not in my back island!) comes to the Georgia coast; and why watching UGA in the flesh in the Peach Bowl will cost you the prettiest penny of all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal Bureau of Prisons will have to tighten up following a Georgia Senator's investigation; Georgia puts its EV cart before its battery-operated horse, so to speak; and we revisit a February conversation with one of Delta Air Lines' first Black flight attendants, Casey Grant, about her efforts to establish "IBAD."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Christmas snow and ice melt, everything from pipes to airlines melt down; the North Atlantic Right Whale is anything but alright; and we revisit a conversation with former Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) about Russia as a nuclear threat. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Brian Kemp is issuing a state of emergency as Georgia prepares for freezing weather; Georgia congress members have mixed feelings as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits the U.S. Capitol; Dr. Sandy Magnus is among three whom NASA inducted this year into the Astronaut Hall of Fame.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Power gets permission to hike your power bill (and its shareholders' ROI); Clayton County pumps the brakes on pandemic relief funds because of overwhelming demand; and we revisit a conversation with Ambassador Andrew Young as he turned 90. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia is at the center of the final Congressional committee hearing on the January 6th insurrection; The body that governs what Georgia Power can charge customers is set to vote on a rate hike (one of many to come); and state education officials ask state lawmakers for more cash, saying it's necessary to catch Georgia's students up post-covid. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is pushing for better protections for people who send remittances abroad; The Grady Health Foundation board has named Shan Cooper as its new chairperson; and Georgia State University will confer honorary degrees to three women who helped desegregate higher education in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No time for TikTok if you're a state employee; Georgia Power dramatically drops its rate hike ask of the PSC; and G-DOT's gift to motorists this holiday season. fSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta-based Rapper Gunna has pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge; Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is calling for an end to General Election Runoffs; and Mark Meadows’ texts reveal new details about alleged 2020 election interference.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The late Georgia congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis is set to get his own stamp; A U.S. Senate investigation led by Georgia's Jon Ossoff has found widespread sexual abuse in prisons; and longtime WSB-TV journalist Richard Belcher recently spoke to All Things Considered host Jim Burress about his decision to call it quits after 50 years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emory University Hospital in Midtown has fired several nurses who went viral on social media for making fun of their patients; Georgia's Secretary of State has been subpoenaed in the federal investigation into former President Trump; Emory Business School Professor Dan McCarthy talks about how companies are still feeling the effects of the pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How will the balance of power look in the U.S. Senate now that Raphael Warnock has won reelection and Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema has declared as independent; a man who killed two Cobb County sheriffs earlier this year is set to spend the rest of life in prison; the Georgia Votes 2022 team reflects on what the most recent election results mean for about Georgia's political makeup.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn arrived in Atlanta today to testify for the Fulton County special grand jury; The city of Atlanta is developing its first labor department in an effort to boost the city's economic capacity; and Governor Brian Kemp announced he is extending the state gas tax suspension one last time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voting in Georgia's senate runoff election went smoothly despite record turnout numbers and results are expected by Tuesday night; WABE politics reporter Sam Gringlas reports live from Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock's campaign event; and UGA's Stetson Bennett is up for the top trophy in college football.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A racial discrimination complaint leads to a federal investigation at an APS elementary; Why Election Day's weather is such a focus of academic scholars; and why monkeypox wasn't as bad as it could've been. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Houston Police have arrested and charged a suspect in the shooting death of Migos member Takeoff; the federal government has opened a civil rights investigation into allegations of racial discrimination at an Atlanta elementary school; and the Georgia Votes 2022 Podcast team looks into U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker's refusal to speak with the media.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voters continue to brave long lines to cast a ballot in Georgia's U.S. Senate runoff; Former President Barack Obama continues to energize Georgia Dems in that race; and on this World AIDS Day, HIV continues to threaten Georgia, already one of the epidemic's hardest-hit states.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A second juvenile dies following a weekend shootout near Atlantic Station, and APD wants the public's help in IDing those they suspect are responsible; Early voting continues to set records in the U.S. Senate runoff in Georgia; and if Georgia Power gets all its asking the sate Public Service Commission for in terms of rate increases, the average customer will hand over an extra $45-ish a month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Power, in making its case why regulators should allow a bump on your power bill--about $14 a month--to better please shareholders; The head of Georgia's election board opens an investigation into Herschel Walker after he reportedly took a homestead exemption in Texas, but voted in Georgia (that's a no-no, apparently); and the flu, man. That flu. It's like really, really bad this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jail inmates, eligible to vote as long as they're not actively under a conviction, face roadblocks to absentee ballots; the face of this year's General Assembly looks different as parties elect their leaders; and Georgia expands Medicaid a smidge, but if you qualify, be ready to work for it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SCOGA was smokin' (or smokin' something, depending on your politics) this day before Thanksgiving. Quick recap: Georgia's abortion law stands, but no, now it doesn't. Oh wait. Yeah, I suppose it does; Not as controversial is whether you can vote early this Saturday. The answer is, yes. Yes, you can!; and finally, that annual travel/turkey/scam story because, Thanksgiving. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three South Georgia jail guards are arrested and charged with beating a detainee after video of the incident goes viral; A woman Herschel Walker says he doesn't know and didn't pay for her abortion comes forward with letters and phone messages that indicate otherwise; and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) sure didn't want to, but today he sure did appear before a special purpose grand jury in Fulton County looking into whether efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia violated state law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.