The Brief from WABE

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.

A US Senator from Georgia is worried elected officials have too much insider access to play the stock market game with any fairness; Georgia's top doc is worried lawmakers might go too far in opposing vaccinations; and members of the state's GOP fear regulation of free speech on college campuses is silencing conservative voices. But don't you worry. Instead, get caught up with a quick listen to The Brief from WABE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the third time this year, Spelman College receives a bomb threat; there's been a sharp drop in new COVID infections reported in Georgia, but the numbers of folks who must be hospitalized remains high; and guilt and distress are two things most would agree have no place in public school classrooms. Georgia's GOP says the fear of that possibility alone is enough to pass a law that would prevent certain topics related to race from being taught in schools. [So sorry, kids--you can't blanketly claim guilt or distress as a way to get out of third period.] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Metro Atlanta sees Covid-19 cases falling or remaining steady during the first week of February; immigrants seeking asylum in Georgia courts are finding more success under the current administration; lawmakers debate changes to the state's hands-free driving laws and a conversation with U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock on what more federal funding for tech education could mean for Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The three white men guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery, who was Black, rescind their guilty pleas on federal hate crimes charges; Years after parts of their back yards were taken for the BeltLine, and some 30 Decatur homeowners are finally going to see a check in the mail; And how do you get elementary school kids to come back to school on a Saturday to get a shot? Throw a big superhero-themed party. Oh, and give 'em $100. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mea Culpa, power grab, or simply because they can? State House Republicans have the backs of Gwinnett County's GOP minority, who are using that power to counter Democratic gains at the county level; Fixing a problem that doesn't exist is how the head of Georgia Equality, Jeff Graham, describes an effort by the Georgia Senate to prevent trans students from joining sports teams aligned with their gender identity; and Cobb County is set to vote on limits for short-term rentals, like AirBnB. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Democrats swept elections for Georgia's largest school district, senate Republicans feel it's time to make those seats non-partisan; Kind of like Y2K, only this time for real, one state official urges Georgians to look beyond their cell phones as telecom shutters 3G service; And the power of a refrigerator to help provide those with food insecurity more healthful food. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gwinnett County Republicans have a redistricting map that looks... different...than the one the current all-Democratic county commission drew up. That's not going over so well; state GOPers want to put $6,000 vouchers into parents' hands so they can choose where to send their kids to school--public or private; and a second day of bomb threats against HBCUs has the FBI and APD combing Spelman's West Atlanta campus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A federal judge strikes down plea agreements in the hate crimes trial for the men convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery; Gov. Kemp tours a metro school to tout his education agenda (but says nary a word about proposed state laws banning Critical Race Theory and some books); and Georgia Power sunsets all of its remaining coal fired powerplants. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Baby, it's cold outside--the coldest weather metro Atlanta's seen in at least four years is upon us; Turns out that tossing an old M-60 battle tank followed by parts of a defunct bridge into the ocean can really help the underwater ecosystem off Georgia's coast; and a local coalition says the best way to cut down on former inmates returning to prison is to remove questions about convictions from college admissions forms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teachers aren't happy about two bills from the Ga State Senate that would ban "divisive concepts" from their classrooms. The head of Georgia's largest educator organization says they plan to let lawmakers know it; East Cobb gets the greenlight to cityhood--why one official is asking to pump the breaks; and housing appreciated in value a staggering 20% in metro Atlanta last year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Banning Critical Race Theory in Georgia becomes an official Senate proposal. And while it's top-of-mind for many state lawmakers, it's not tip-of-tongue, as the bill never mentions CRT specifically; mental health improvements get wide support; and the pandemic's effect on Georgia restaurants. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calling it illegal governmental overreach, Georgia's Attorney General celebrates victory after the Biden administration withdraws its OSHA-enforced vaccine mandate; the GOP-controlled Georgia Senate says banning critical race theory, stipulating conditions for when and how social media companies ban politicians, and preventing women from having abortion pills mailed to them are top of their legislative agenda this session; and neighbors of the newly-announced Rivian EV factory east of Atlanta serve up a big helping of NIMBY. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fulton's DA gets her wish for a special grand jury to dig deeper into Pres. Donald Trump's alleged election metaling efforts; A potential state constitutional amendment sees a majority of Senators support it. It died anyway. And how do you overcome the 90-foot elephant in the room when discussing the future of Stone Mountain Park? Point a finger and plan anyway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Years into a public health crisis and state health officials still have to bargain hard to get an adequate cut of the budget pie; Fulton County writes a seven-figure check to study building a new jail; and a conversation with researchers who say Black women in rural Georgia are dying unnecessarily and disproportionately from cervical cancer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's Sec. of State said it would take a subpoena before he'd cooperate with Fulton County's investigation into whether former President Donald Trump broke Georgia election law. Mr. SOS, your wish might just be a Special Grand Jury's command; Georgia sets a new record for the number of residents with a job; and AirBnB says Midtown, Atlanta is where it's gonna set up shop for its big, corporate tech hub. Those are just a smattering of the stories you'll hear on today's version of The Brief from WABE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stacey Abrams stumps for the first time since launching her gubernatorial re-bid; Behind on your mortgage or utilities because of the pandemic? Georgia has $350-million for folks in that position; and a conversation with the head of Georgia's AME Church, whose op-ed in the New York Times questions whether Democrats have abandoned the Black community because of their softness on voting rights legislation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

COVID's Omicron variant shows an initial decline; Georgia's University System treats every employee like smokers; and a look at trends emerging this week at the Gold Dome as Georgia's focus turns to paying the bills. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s family says don't poach his words if you're not going to embody his beliefs; State agencies are fixin' to come to the governor with hands extended; and remembering MARTA CEO Jeff Parker, who died by suicide on Friday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The COVID-19 numbers are out, and Georgia is seeing an exponential number of new cases; What's good on the environment front as we kick off 2022; and COVID pills? What COVID Pills? Georgia's largest hospital system hasn't seen a single pill yet. But, hey--they're comin'. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.