The Brief from WABE

A daily news podcast from WABE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A daily news podcast from WABE in Atlanta. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s behind a significant drop in the number of voters registering at Georgia’s Department of Driver Services offices? Voting rights advocates want state officials to investigate. Victims of forced labor at the Chattahoochee Brick Company were remembered at a memorial over the weekend as the city of Atlanta mulls plans to purchase the land. New car prices in Atlanta are among the highest in the nation; and students at a Cobb County high school want the name of a Confederate general taken off their school building. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta’s police chief Rodney Bryant says he’ll retire June 1st and the city has announced how it plans to go about picking his replacement; Southern Company touts a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, but a new report says the Atlanta-based company has been working against public policy meant to address climate change. Guns take center stage on the campaign trail this week in Georgia; and a look ahead to a full weekend for Atlanta sports fans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CIA director Bill Burns spoke about Russia, China and other geopolitical issues during a talk in front of hundreds of Atlanta college students at Georgia Tech Thursday; former President Donald Trump is helping to pay for ads bashing Gov. Brian Kemp, while another series of ads celebrates the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Plus, how Georgia residents are coping with skyrocketing insulin prices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In John Deere Green*, Gov. Brian Kemp inks three ag-related measures into law; state elected officials say they'll inquire into the meteoric rise in housing prices across Georgia; and the not-so-distinct fine line between problematic inflation and just a long-term market adjustment. *Note: it's unclear (but highly unlikely) whether Gov. Kemp actually signed the farm bills with a dark green ink pen; however, that doesn't take away from the fact that it's a good visual, a great early '90s country music hit, or that Billy Bob loves Charlene. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy Georgia no longer requires a concealed carry permit?; Dickens First 100 Days; and WABE mourns the loss of a decades-long voice, Atlanta music scene fixture, and friend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arguments begin in a long-anticipated trial about voting rights in Georgia, and whether the state violated the voting rights of Georgians by making it harder to vote in 2018 and 2020. Scottie Scheffler is the new Masters Champion. And the Atlanta Hawks have secured a spot for the play-in tournament and set a few season records. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Georgia Supreme Court trailblazer reacts to the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to a spot on the U.S. Supreme Court. Child care centers in Metro Atlanta have added inflation to their list of ongoing pandemic worries; WABE launches its Georgia Votes 2022 podcast to track this year’s races, plus the Braves and the Masters make for a big sports weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Code Blue for East Point's only inpatient hospital/ER--pulling the plug (mostly) on Wellstar Medical Center-South; Is it just us, or do twisters seem to hate the South more than they used to?; and the Braves ride the wave of a World Series victory for this season's opening day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reworking Georgia's election laws until officials solve what was never a problem before; a house for the first time in the city proper is almost out of the realm of possibility; luckily, buying a gallon of gasoline no longer is; plus, the ever-expanding realm of NFTs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sine Die. Sine Die. Sine Die. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After fighting for more than a decade for higher wages, the unionized group who cleans Atlanta's airport secured a major wage increase; Employers in Georgia's ag industry owe farm workers a few million dollars in underpaid wages; and, "This sneeze brought to you by climate change. Climate change. Causing you to sneeze your head off earlier--and longer--than ever before. Climate change."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mental health parity gets its day in Georgia, as sweeping, bipartisan changes to the state's mental health laws pass the General Assembly; Fulton County has a new tool to keep its eye on those who do bad things most often; and the Hawks dip their talons into NFTs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catching some 1,600 ballots marked with questions about citizenship status means Georgia's voting verification system works, says Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger; Is a mandate with a way out still a mandate?; and Rivian won't only build its EV trucks in Georgia, it will service them here, too. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The priciest zip codes in Atlanta now feature average home sales in the seven-figure range; Hartsfield-Jackson will spend eight-figures to modernize its security screening machines; and Donald Trump was in Georgia this weekend, but fewer Republicans turned out compared to past events to see him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mask without a mandate smells just as sweet says the Georgia House; Atlanta's housing prices are officially 'unaffordable'; and Trump's stump fuels fight within Ga's GOP.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

COVID-19 cases are on the decline and employment is up. So why are Georgians so down? Could be 'cause we don't have enough mental health providers; One permit could soon get you 159 options for parking your food truck; And pick your poision, because clean air don't care. Vapers (as in those who vape) and smokers (as in those who...well, smoke) are about to get a lot more intimate all huddled together outside of Georgia's restaurants and bars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first person to go to trial for corruption at Atlanta City Hall is the first person convicted at trial for corruption at Atlanta City Hall; How about a state tax refund? Yeah? ...one Georgia tax refund coming up!; and she's got lots of crops despite not lots of years. Meet Georgia's youngest certified farmer, who's 'this many' years old. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite fervent objection, a ban that prevents state government agencies from mandating COVID vaccines moves closer to becoming law; this, as a new variant threatens to become the next, new outbreak; and coming to a grocery store shelf near you: water spinach. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Falcons bid adeu to Matt Ryan; the push for mental health parity reaches a critical point under the Gold Dome as health insurance companies add their concerns; and Atlanta homeowners got 17% richer (on average)(on paper) in the last 12 months, while prospective homebuyers... didn't.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Environmental Protection Agency is prioritizing lead cleanup in two neighborhoods on Atlanta’s westside; a bill making its way through the Georgia General Assembly could reward prospective homebuyers who are saving up for a purchase; and a national non-profit group hopes to shed light on the disproportionate impact violence has on Black women and girls in the U.S.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It could take a few days, but relief could be on the way for drivers after the Georgia legislature passed a state gas tax suspension; with travel demand expected to be good in the spring and summer, Delta is giving most of its employees at 4% pay raise; and an artist and scientist discuss creativity in a conversation from the Atlanta Science Festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One year after eight people, including six Asian women were shot and killed at Atlanta-area spas, the community remembers their lives and calls for continued change. A suspension of Georgia’s gas tax could be imminent after a bill moves swiftly through the capitol. Republicans trying to re-make Georgia’s election laws appear not to be done after a sweeping overhaul in 2021; and Georgia State’s men’s basketball team preps for a big matchup Thursday with top-ranked Gonzaga. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a key day for the Georgia General Assembly some bills advance, others fail, while another, dealing with homeless encampments, heads to a study committee; Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams returns to the campaign trail; MARTA’s leader heads to Capitol Hill, plus, a look at how global factors could affect how fast electric vehicles catch on in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 12 years, The Braves bid farewell to star first baseman Freddie Freeman; Sam Massell would give you a buck's head lapel pin if you fell into his trap. The former mayor of Atlanta and lifetime unofficial mayor of Buckhead died at age 94; and a U.S. Astronout Hall of Fame inductee in our own back yard reflects on her three missions to space. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bundle up, as the coldest weather of the season is knocking on our door; A ban on Critical Rac... um, Divisive Concepts gets closer to becoming law in Georgia; and even if the state suspends the gas tax, it'll take minute to trickle down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's newly-redone election rules need just a little more re-doing, state Republicans say; If it seems you're hearing lawmakers talk ad nauseam about what can and can't be taught in Georgia's classrooms, there's a reason; and, "Play Ball!" Major League Baseball and its players come to a tentative agreement and end a nearly 100-day lockout. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wealthy Georgians would pay significantly less in state taxes--and low earners could pay more--under a proposed change to current tax law; Another bill stipulates all that saved cash must be accepted at any outlet doing business in Georgia, AND be able to make exact change; And temperance and temprement are what keep former UN Ambassador Andy Young sharp, he says. The Civil Rights icon turns 90 on Saturday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coca-Cola's relationship with Russia falls flat; Georgia lawmakers try to uphold free speech by telling social media companies they can't censor posts from politicians, even those with a propensity for lying; and a former aide to Atlanta Mayor Emeritus Kasim Reed takes her corruption charges before a federal jury. She's the first to go to trial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Efforts to ban 'divisive concepts' from Georgia classrooms narrows a bit as it goes through the Gold Dome; The US has a lot more control over the near-term future of oil than you might think, says one local expert; and a 19-year-old from Talking Rock, Ga. is tearing up the Nascar Truck Series Championship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

COVID cases drop dramatically across (most of) the state, prompting municipalities to drop their mask mandates; Divisive concepts is an awful way to promote democracy one state lawmaker argues as bills move forward to ban certain conversations about race in Georgia's classrooms [Divisive Concepts would be a great name for a mediocre cover band though, wouldn't it?]; And because Ms. Gloria Jenkins says so. At age 80, she's among the first to volunteer for a joint Fulton County/AmeriCorps partnership matching seniors in need with folks who can help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia joins other states trying to figure out whether and how TikTok is having a negative influence on our childrens' mentail wellbeing; DeKalb County has a truckin' school that might be the perfect fit for a future long-hauler who just doesn't know it yet; and EV-manufacturer Rivian has to do something to pay for that $5-billion new facility in the works for the east Metro. Adding $12k to the sticker price for all the trucks folks have already put deposits on? Proabably not the best way to do it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Metro Atlanta's COVID infection rates get the CDC's green light; Billion-dollar income tax cut, anyone?; and a high-profile Georgia lawmaker bets on beagles [and no, we're not talking about dog fighting].See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A federal judge in Atlanta finds Georgia might have voilated the Voting Rights Act in the way it redrew voting districts, but he let them stand anyway; Starting April 1st, Dr. Secretary Governor Chancellor Sonny Perdue is officially the head of Georgia's public institutions of higher education; and "Say it ain't so, Joe!" Opening day for the Braves (and all of Major League Baseball) is canceled after players and owners failed to come to a labor agreement today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In addition to moving forward on legislation that relaxes Georgia's current gun laws, state lawmakers took multiple opportunities to denounce Russia's invasion of Ukraine; Many Georgia GOP members are angry that Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Green (R-Rome) spoke at an event hosted by a known white nationalist, but not so angry they'll publically denounce the congresswoman; And why the reporting on Reality Winner--the former NSA contractor who spent four years in a federal prison for leaking a five-page document to the media--might not paint a full picture of the person or of the crime. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"People are ready to die," says a metro Atlanta Ukrainian pastor about his peoples' resistance to Russia's invasion; Under a bill Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA 6) has introduced, out-of-pocket costs for insulin will cap at $35; and Atlanta needs more hotels. Again. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"More than anything" the people of Ukraine need from us, according to one state Republican Senator, is prayer; Speaking of the Georgia Senate, it voted today to ban transgender girls from playing on public or private school sports teams to maintain 'fairness'; And on this episode of, "Housing Used to be Affordable in Atlanta," prices... (wait for it).... spike again! Compared to two years ago, the average selling price for a chunk of the American Dream is up a full $100k. [Side note: in January of 2011, the average selling price was just a smidge shy of $145,000. Now, it's $438,500.] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia GOP lawmakers move closer to banning bans [at least some, anyway]; This date marks two years since three white men murdered Ahmaud Arbery, who was jogging through a Brunswick neighborhood when they rolled up on him, blocked him in, and shot him to death; and a $1.5-million grant to 15 Atlanta churches aims to help slow the city's out-of-control housing price increases. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The three men convicted in November of murdering Ahmaud Arbery have also been found guilty on federal hate crimes charges; the city of Atlanta announces more details on its plan to relocate residents of the long-neglected Forest Cove apartments; and amid strong backlash from neighbors, the state of Georgia says it’s been asked to directly oversee the development of the $5 billion dollar Rivian electric truck factory east of Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal hate crimes trial of the three white men who murdered Ahmaud Arbery goes to a Brunswick jury; State lawmakers focus on bans and blocks as Georgia's GOP looks to outline what to keep out of public education. (That's not going over so well with a slew of education advocates and teachers); and Atlanta United will take the city's noted tree canopy on the road this season in the form of a green uniform. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Closing arguments are set in the federal hate crimes trial of the three white men found guilty of killing Ahmaud Arbery; The State of Georgia is getting a multi-million dollar check to settle with a consulting company accused of profiting from the opioid crisis; and why your local gas station says Georgia Power shouldn't profit twice from the EV explosion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stop me if you've heard this before: Nuclear expansion at Plant Vogtle is delayed. Stop, you say? Okay; The all-GOP elected body that oversees Vogtle's expansion and other utility issues in Georgia saw Republican state lawmakers redraw its districts. Coincidently, that eliminated the one Democrat who'd gained enough momentum to be a serious contender. Oh, you've heard that one too, eh?; Well, in completely related news, Gwinnett County's next school board race will be non-partisan. The move comes after Democrats swept the previous contest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Racist text messages are at the heart of a federal hate crimes trial in Brunswick of the three white men convicted of murdering Amaud Arbery; Coastal Georgia knows sea level rise is coming, so they're preparing; and with all the talk about how not to talk about race and racism with students, especially as it relates to Critical Race Theory, one noted author on the topic offers a framework for just such a conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the heels of a report showing schools and daycare centers account for the majority of new COVID-19 cases in Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp wants to ban districts from requiring students wear masks; Racist, hateful language punctuated opening statements in the federal hate crimes trial of the three white men found guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery; and WABE's year-long investigation into the conditions at Forest Cove Apartments gets the attention of--and promise from--Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resident of Atlanta's Buckhead community won't be voting on whether to become a separate city, at least not this year; After a year as the top legal voice in Georgia, SCOGA Chief Justice David Nahmias says he's done effective this July ; And Atlanta might not have a team playing for this year's Super Bowl title. But don't let that stop you from boasting. After all, Cincinnati doesn't have an exclusive on the venue's straws, now does it? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's #2 becomes the #1 most powerful opponent to Buckhead cityhood; whether Camden County must abdandon its aim to land a spaceport is up to voters ; and can Coke keep prices low enough that people affected by inflation and the pandemic afford to consume its products. It's the new Coke Challenge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.