The Brief from WABE

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is set to testify Wednesday before a State Senate committee investigating her; The city of Atlanta says it's dropping its traditional 'Peach Drop' this New Year's Eve at Underground Atlanta and doing a fireworks and drone countdown instead; and Actor and comedian Marlon Wayans speaks with WABE Arts about the filming the upcoming Scary Movie 6 in Atlanta and the city's role in his long-term career and personal plans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing Atlanta-based UPS for allegedly stealing tens of millions of dollars in pay from seasonal workers; Georgia’s newly-elected public service commissioners are calling on the current commission to delay a vote on Georgia Power’s expansion plans; and WABE hears from the founders of Pro-Civica, a Georgia-based company that partners with state and local corrections agencies to offer a rehabilitative curriculum emphasizing civic-minded behavior.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Fulton County to get ahold of its 2020 general election ballots; The Federal Emergency Management Agency is announcing more than 1 billion dollars in funding for Georgia; and WABE's Medical Wealth Gap series wraps up with a profile of Clarkston's Mosaic Health Center, a medical clinic for serving the community's refugee, immigrant and migrant population without insurance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta is ranked among the top 10 worst traffic cities in the country, according to a recent analysis by a transportation research firm; Democratic U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock says America is in a 'spiritual crisis' saying part of the solution is making the American dream attainable for all; and WABE Arts looks at a new PBS documentary following a youth orchestra highlighting the Buford highway corridor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Power says it's reached an agreement with state regulators on a massive expansion plan; A leading statewide elected official says Georgia Republicans need to sound the alarm after Democrats flip another office in a special election; New Year’s Eve is a key deadline for the roughly 1.5 million Georgians with Affordable Care Act coverage, unless Congress reaches an agreement to extend "enhanced tax credits."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hearings that had been scheduled for this week involving the accused Atlanta spa shooter are now postponed; Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is expected to appear next week before a Georgia State Senate Committee investigating her for alleged misconduct connected to the now-dismissed 2020 election interference case; and an Atlanta filmmaker premieres a new AI-enhanced version of his documentary chronicling a decades-old arts and culture festival in the city.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Defiant, Fani Willis continues to push for separation of power between the legislative and judicial branches of government; a Democratic state representative from Covington pleads not guilty to federal fraud charges; and why Georgia's Medicaid work requirement might not set the best example for other states about to roll it out.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CDC committee votes to end decades-long recommendation to vaccinate at birth for Hepatitis-B; Insurance company sues BioLab, parent company, after massive warehouse fire; and the future of safety net healthcare in Georgia amid planned federal cuts, short-term funding.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new shelter for women in DeKalb County will provide housing and wraparound services to those experiencing homelessness; more people in Metro Atlanta were killed in traffic crashes than because of homicides in 2024; and how people with disabilities and their families are bracing for financial hardship in the face of the Trump Administration's cut to health fundingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta has vacated a ruling by a lower court that stopped a portion of a controversial law barring giving any food or water to voters waiting at the ballot box; A group of Georgia state lawmakers are recommending measures to compel chronically absent students to come to school; WABE health reporter Jess Mador speaks to a health insurance marketplace navigator about the state's changing healthcare landscape. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bipartisan State Senate study committee looking at the issue of college affordability is recommending the state create a comprehensive need-based aid program; According to a new analysis of Trump administration health care cuts, Georgia is facing steep job and tax-revenue losses as well as more people without health insurance over the next decade; And on WABE Arts, Revolt TV's 'Bet on Black' show highlights HBCU students and alumni who are entrepreneurs in a pitch style competition of their companies and products.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fulton County taxpayers might see the bill for the now-dismissed Trump election interference case; Grady is opening new medical centers in Dekalb County; and a new North Atlantic Right Whale calf was spotted off the coast of GeorgiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's federal election interference case dropped; how Atlanta small businesses are preparing for holiday sales amid economic uncertainty; and reparations for Black Americans in Fulton CountySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia immigration judges granted only four percent of asylum cases in fiscal year 2025; Dekalb County is heading toward mediation in a federal Clean Water Act lawsuit; on WABE Arts Atlanta’s holiday stages are alive, from the Alliance Theater's "A Christmas Carol" to Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre’s “Nutcracker Suite.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Potential candidates to succeed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene consider their runs; Ft. Benning in Georgia on short list for Army nuclear power plant; and the year's busiest travel week at the world's busiest airport--what you can expect if you're flying this Thanksgiving.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is anticipating millions of passengers over the Thanksgiving holiday, just over a week after the government shutdown ended; Employees at the Centers for Disease Control say the Trump administration is ignoring the federal government’s own scientists; and the Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance fund is pushing for more support for Black farmers and landowners after they stepped up to provide food during the government shutdown.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After numerous roadblocks, Atlanta's interim inspector general is set to release dozens of investigations involving city officials accused of wrongdoing; Georgia Power warns of new scams targeting customers; and Cobb County to expand driverless shuttles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salesforce ups its presence in Atlanta; Georgia's ports are feeling the tariff squeeze; and what the state's doing to improve chronic absenteeism at Georgia's public schools. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get ready for the busy Thanksgiving travel season, especially on Georgia's Interstate highways; Home Depot primes investors that full-year returns will likely be worse than expected; and a local police department gets more powerful Tasers at a cost of $7.8-million. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Head of public education in Georgia calls for teacher, support staff raises; FAA lifts flight restrictions on Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson; and MTG's MAGA mea culpa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FAA eases, but doesn't eliminate, flight restrictions at Hartsfield-Jackson; Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia head Pete Skandalakis agrees to take on 2020 election interference case against Trump and his allies; and detaining immigrants is a big business in one of Georgia's smallest towns, even if most of the cash goes elsewhere. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines says it's ready to get back to full capacity, as the longest federal government shutdown in history ends; Environmental groups are calling on the Georgia Public Service Commission to put off a decision on expanding power plants until newly-elected commissioners take office; and immigrants detained in Georgia are not guaranteed legal representation, unlike in criminal court, but immigration law is notoriously complex so some attorneys are providing free services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta Fed president announces retirement; Atlanta becomes the 17th market for a National Women's Soccer League team; and why some SNAP recipients are surprised to learn of new work requirement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta's congressional delegation unlikely to vote for GOP funding plan to reopen the government; Atlanta's public defender's office prepares for doubling of its caseload; and Lois Reitzes speaks with ASO's Norman Mackenzie about what makes Beethoven's Ninth, returning to Atlanta Symphony Hall this week, the enduring work it is.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank says the federal government shutdown--which may be coming to an end--has put a strain on resources as it prepares for the holiday season; Caregivers in Georgia face increasing challenges ... especially with more than 60-percent also having another job; Atlanta rap duo Outkast have joined the ranks of music legends honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Solar panel maker QCells says it’s cutting hours and contractors at its Georgia factories because of supply chain issues; Almost 90 flights are canceled so far today at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport according to FlightAware as the government shutdown continues; and the federally appointed receiver of a failed Newnan lending firm says only a quarter of more than a million dollars in political donations has been returned.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UPS crash death toll rises to 13; A chunk of Atlanta flights among those FAA mandated canceled as government shutdown continues; and why autumn brings out the worst in Atlanta drivers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The death toll from Tuesday's UPS Airlines crash in Louisville grows; the FAA says it will trim flights in 40 corridors due to the government shutdown; and Georgia's film industry finds itself at a crossroads. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A UPS Airlines MD-11 crashes at Kentucky Worldport facility; it's Election Day in Georgia; and some Delta flight attendants take union call to flying public. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A judge says she will allow the City of Atlanta's 81 polling locations in Fulton and DeKalb Counties to remain open until 8 p.m. Tuesday; A Georgia-based disability group says it received an overwhelming number of requests for assistance from those facing the loss or delay of federal food aid; The only statewide races on Georgia ballots Tuesday are for two seats on the Public Service Commission. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgians can continue accessing federal food assistance for women and children as two federal judges ruled Friday the Trump administration must continue to fund SNAP during the government shutdown; U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is raising concerns about medical neglect and the lack of adequate food and water at immigration detention centers across the U.S., including in Georgia; Local elections are right around the corner, and in South Fulton, residents are looking to elect their next mayor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Brian Kemp is pointing the finger back at Democrats after calling on him to help backfill funding for programs affected by the federal government shutdown; The former mayor of the city of Stonecrest has been indicted for lying about his criminal history so he could register to vote and qualify to run for office again; Immigration can be an isolating experience, but one Atlanta-based artist is using video games to translate the emotions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Members of Georgia's Legislative Black Caucus say the ongoing federal government shutdown will continue to impact some of Georgia's most vulnerable residents heading into November; Some Georgia Head Start centers are at risk of closing at the end of the week as the government shutdown continues; Atlanta Public Schools just released another draft of plans to restructure the district by 2040, which includes clustering some under-enrolled schools together. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air Traffic Controllers in Atlanta have missed their first full paycheck as the government shutdown continues; Atlanta-based delivery giant UPS says it has cut around 48,000 jobs this year, which is significantly more than initially announced in April; A long-time Atlanta city council member says advocates are repeatedly sounding the alarm over conditions at the Fulton County Jail, while standing in the way of any possible solutions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MARTA has started installing its new $317 million dollar fare system, including new station fare gate; Air traffic controllers in Atlanta and across the country are set to miss their first full paychecks Tuesday as the government shutdown continues in its fourth week; and Former CDC director and Dr. Tom Frieden speaks with WABE’s Jess Mador about his new book and challenges facing public health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new poll of more than 4,000 people puts housing affordability ahead of traffic as the biggest problem facing metro Atlanta; Around 6,000 children enrolled in Head Start programs in the metro Atlanta area could be affected if the government shutdown continues into November; WABE's Emily Wu Pearson speaks with the new head of a school for refugee girls in Decatur about plans to grow the school.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hawks fans are optimistic despite a shaky start to the season; an iconic Atlanta strip club will be demolished for student housing; and advocates ask lawmakers to protect the Okefenokee Swamp See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A critic of the committee in charge of setting Georgia's power rates is arrested for allegedly stealing trade secrets, Governor Brian Kemp visits South Korea on economic business, and victims of violent crimes in Georgia band together to figure out how to access resourcesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man accused of threatening a mass shooting at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport is facing additional charges for having AR-15 assault rifle and ammunition at the airport; Georgia’s largest electricity provider is making the case this week for building more natural gas turbines and storage batteries to meet rising energy demand – mostly from data centers; and Georgia's highest court is giving a Gwinnett County man who's already spent decades in prison another chance to prove he did not kill his two-month-old son.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nevada could soon rival Georgia for film production if the state passes a tax incentive similar to what we have in the Peach State; Atlanta is home to multiple interfaith organizations, but after the October 7th attack in Israel two years ago, some of those connections have fractured; and WABE's Marlon Hyde speaks with Dorian DeBarr, the President of Decide DeKalb, about steps the county is taking to help small businesses at a time of economic uncertainty.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Officials from Grady Memorial Hospital and other Atlanta health advocates are preparing for expected financial losses as a result of President Donald Trump’s Medicaid-funding cuts; Organizers have obtained all the permits needed to hold a second "No Kings" protest in Atlanta tomorrow Saturday, despite a brief setback at city hall; The State of Georgia has amassed nearly 15 billion surplus dollars, carrying over year over year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group founded by Stacey Abrams to register more young voters and voters of color is shutting down; President Donald Trump says he has not made a decision on backing a candidate in next year’s Georgia Republican primary for U.S. Senate; DeKalb County residents gathered to learn more about data centers during a town hall with CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson as three facilities could potentially come to the area. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Workers who recently lost their job at the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease control are now in a sort of limbo; DeKalb County School's Superintendent Devon Horton has resigned; and AJC restaurant critic Henri Hollis joins All Things Considered to go over the AJC's recently released Atlanta's 50 Best Restaurants list.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Union petitions for continued workplace flexibility for Georgia campus employees; Poll finds low affinity for Atlanta-based CDC; and nary a drop of rain recently could lead to a troubling fire season.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democrat-turned-MAGA Republican (and election denier) Vernon Jones wants to head Georgia's elections; Atlanta's HBCUs get $50-million for small grants that make big impacts; and after three decades, time for one last meal at Eat's on Ponce. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The company that makes Georgia’s voting machines has a new owner; Three of four candidates for the Georgia Public Service Commission declined to participate in a debate this week; and WABE's Emily Wu Pearson speaks with Lorraine Fontana, a longtime lesbian activist in the Atlanta community for our Beyond Pride series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DeKalb Co. Schools Superintendent indicted on federal fraud charges; Delta Air Lines beats expectations for Q3; and as Cobb County's public library encourages reading books on 'banned book lists,' its public schools lead the state in removing titles from library shelves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The council hunting for 2020 election interference prosecutor given until Nov. 14th to find one; Ossoff raises $12-million in the last three months for re-election bid; and as Atlanta Pride nears, a conversation about what you can expect from WABE's "Beyond Pride" series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cost for College Park Botanical Garden nearly doubles in seven months; the government shutdown could complicate situation for those who rely on the food program WIC; and relatively speaking, housing is more affordable now than it's been in three years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local elected officials try to ease burden of shutdown on TSA workers; agency charged with finding a prosecutor for 2020 Georgia election interference case requests more time; and Atlanta's West End promised $5-billion to help it turn around blight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.