The Brief from WABE

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Party leaders court Gov. Kemp to make a U.S. Senate run in 2026; President Donald Trump's first signed bill of his second administration bears the name of a murdered Georgian, Laken Riley; and bringing back Atlanta's south downtown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A warning from SCOGA's Chief Justice; Norfolk-Southern settles for $22-million over 2023 train derailment; and why saffron could be the equivalent of gold to Georgia's farmers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A weekend of round-ups of suspected undocumented immigrants ensues across Georgia; Reaction to the roughly 40 Georgians charged and pardoned in the January 6th insurrection on the U.S. Capitol; and the City of Atlanta looks to pass a 30-day moratorium on encampment clearings following the death of Cornelius Taylor.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A federal appeals court hears arguments challenging Georgia's Congressional districts; State lawmakers pivot to accommodate Trump order on taxing tips; and Atlanta sees a handful of finalists for coveted James Beard award.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency says communities impacted by a second winter snow storm are now recovering... including parts of the state that almost never see any snow  – like South Georgia and the coast; and Georgians could start seeing new options for where to give birth and get maternity care after a recent change to longstanding state rules over where certain health facilities can operate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jury selection begins in trial of DA charged with obstructing investigation into Ahmaud Arbery murder; Senators vet Doug Collins for Sec. of Veterans Affairs appointment; and why data centers might not be the type of development Atlanta really wants to attract.                                                         See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bird flu disrupts Georgia's poultry sector; Reaction to Pres. Trump's second innauguration; and reflecting on the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on this national day of remembrance.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fallout continues after a GOP Senator is arrested before Gov. Kemp's State of the State address; DeKalb Police hear from residents who feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods; and the argument for better resources for those without housing in rural areas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Brian Kemp makes it clear he expects state lawmakers to pass tort reform this session; A GOP state lawmaker finds himself in handcuffs after a scuffle at the Gold Dome; and as Atlanta's population continues to expand, look for more and more storage units to pack the landscape.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Kemp looks to expand Medicaid to low income parents with children under the age of six, despite remaining firmly against fully expanding Medicaid; the top federal prosecutor in Atlanta is set to resign for Donald Trump's pick to take over; and how a Ukrainian-American in Atlanta feels about the incoming administration and its potential to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major gas pipeline between the Gulf and the East Coast is shut down because of a leak in Paulding County; Tort reform tops Gov. Brian Kemp's legislative focus; and what does the automotive market look like in 2025? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day one of the 2025 legislative session concludes under the Gold Dome; local non-profits look to turn the fundraising heat up after a challenging 2024; and the Atlanta Police Department gets bigger even as crimes decrease.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Metro Atlanta braces for a rare winter storm; a state GOP official says he'll support protecting IVF; and former president Jimmy Carter is laid to rest at his lifelong home in Plains, Ga.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A winter storm is all but guaranteed for Friday into Saturday, although what that will look like is up in the air; Georgia's GOP House Speaker is concerned too many students might be eligible for the state's new education vouchers; and Plains, Ga readies to welcome its most famous resident--former president Jimmy Carter--for the final time.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rare winter storm threatens to hit metro Atlanta; Georiga's GOP outsts former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan; and former President Jimmy Carter's body arrives in Washington.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suspect in killing of MARTA bus driver still on the run; Judge holds Guiliani in contempt of court for failing to turn over assets to two Fulton County election workers he defamed; and thousands pay respects to former president Jimmy Carter in the first 24 hours. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plans are in place for Atlantans to pay respects to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter; Vincent Fort, the longtime state senator, is remembered as a tireless advocate for those government had left behind; and the Fulton County Jail enters a consent decree with the feds to improve conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia issues guidelines for Kratom; a local homeslss non-profit sees its relationship with city government get even frostier; and despite frigid weather on its way, Atlanta last year saw its hottest on record (but still not nearly hot enough to call this place "Hotlanta." Please, don't do that.) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta celebrates the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100; and the Peach Drop is back at Underground Atlanta.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Virginia-based homebuilder says it is set to build hundreds of houses in Gwinnett County; Georgia Tech Football makes its second-straight bowl appearance, as they take on Vanderbilt in the Birmingham Bowl Friday; and the agency that regulates the certification process to become a police officer in Georgia will see several changes in the new year, starting with its leader.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Brian Kemp urges GOP lawmakers in DC to pass spending bill with disaster relief funds attached; The 176 people who died this year unhoused are remembered; and why it matters to Atlanta's elder population to see lowered feelings of loneliness and isolation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fulton Co. DA Fani Willis is disqualified from prosecuting former President Donald Trump; Some gasoline (figurative--not literally) is poured on Georgia's decades-long water war; and for our series, "Six Million and Lonely," we hear from a young Atlantan who turned the social isolation of his disability into an entrepreneurial opportunity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unionized Amazon workers at a north metro Atlanta warehouse have voted to authorize a strike; President-elect Donald Trump says he will nominate Georgia football great Herschel Walker to be Ambassador to The Bahamas; In Part Two of our series, Six Million and Lonely, we look at efforts to better understand and alleviate the loneliness struggle for Atlanta's refugee and immigrant communities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The family of the environmental activist shot and killed by Georgia state troopers is filing a lawsuit against three law enforcement officers; Republicans met at the Capitol Tuesday to cast 16 electoral votes for Trump; WABE's series "Six Million and Lonely" begins by asking Atlantans how they define isolation and why public health officials are so concerned.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asylum seekers in Georgia are having less success in their cases this year than in the year before; The Georgia Department of Corrections is receiving yet another slate of recommendations to improve its ability to operate secure and safe facilities; WABE health reporter Jess Mador speaks with former CDC Director Tom Frieden about potential changes under Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chemical manufacturer BioLab has set a deadline of New Year's Eve for Georgians affected by a large chemical fire to submit their claims for reimbursement; A Georgia Senate committee wants the legislature to prohibit public high schools, colleges and universities from allowing transgender athletes to play on girls or women's sports teams; A Georgia senate committee is recommending the state increase funding for its child care program for working families.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fulton County is looking for volunteers to help conduct its annual snapshot of people currently experiencing homelessness; A much larger pool of Georgia's students could be eligible for a new school voucher program than originally planned; Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is joining Republican governors across the country in expressing support for President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Brunswick district attorney charged with interfering in the police investigation of the 2020 killing of Ahmaud Arbery has made her first court appearance; The Chancellor of the University System of Georgia says schools are receiving an influx of out-of-state applicants because of how administrators handled campus protests over the war in Gaza; and meteorologists, emergency managers, and other leaders in Georgia are gearing up for another round of severe weather in 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A "swatting" incident in North Georgia leaves one woman dead; DeKalb residents' relative silence over proposed hike to water and sewer bills leads officials to table vote; and Fulton Sheriff pushes again for a new jail after stepping back just weeks ago.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suspect in UHC CEO's murder boarded a bus that originated in Atlanta; how a strong GOP presence in Congress is shaping the politics of Georgia's delegation; and Atlanta Fed Chair Raphael Bostic keeping a close eye on the employment market for upcoming interest rate vote. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A trio of Georgia Republicans who left or lost their seats in Congress are set to return to government service, this time as members of the second Trump Administratiom; New housing assistance is available for young people aging out of foster care in Atlanta; Today in Atlanta, UGA Terry College of Business Dean Benjamin Ayers and other economists presented their annual economic forecast for the state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time is ticking for hurricane assistance funds; the USPS isn't getting your mail to you on time yet; and as Georgia chases the EV sector, more consumers than ever buy one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump asks for state charges against him to be dismissed; Man who murdered UGA nursing student asks for a new trial; and the first right whale of the birthing season seen off Georgia coast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

YSL trial ends in not guilty verdicts; Morehouse looks to a campus overhaul to the tune of $500-million, and what to do now to prevent a housing meltdown when the weather gets really cold (as in like right now). [Also, it's Giving Tuesday. Why not throw in a few bucks to support The Brief and all the quality, local and independent journalism you find on WABE?. Wabe.org/]See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The feds agree to loan EV maker Rivian $6.6-billion to keep Georgia project afloat; A combination of factors leads to fewer cops leaving APD; and Black entrepreneurship in Atlanta 20 years later. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BioLab employee tried to intervene before major fire broke out at Conyers facility; Etihad brings UAE flights to Hartsfield-Jackson; and Jonesboro High School band finds a savior, way to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's Secretary of State has certified the 2024 election results, including President-Elect Donald Trump’s win; A group of Georgia lawmakers is recommending a study on the use of psychedelic therapies to treat mental health conditions among veterans; and recent reporting by Atlanta Civic Circle shows Atlanta lost out on significant affordable housing funding as part of the Gulch deal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's AG officially files to run for governor in 2026; a not guilty plea from the father of the accused Apalachee High shooter; and MARTA wants riders to chime in on a bus route overhaul. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Man found guilty of murdering Laken Riley to spend the rest of his life in prison; Middle income Georgians benefit the most in metro Atlanta's latest housing numbers; and the Atlanta Dream get a new head coach. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A key step in Conyers residents' class action against BioLab moves forward; the Supreme Court of Georgia cancels scheduled hearing in Trump vote interference case; and national park for Georgia's Ocmulgee Mounds clears Congressional hurdle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Ga U.S. Senator asks DEA, U.S. Attorney General, for explaination related to possible targeting of Black men; Atlanta eyes first ever LGBTQ Center; and why some state lawmakers want your vote to be public record. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first day of trial has concluded for the man accused of murdering Georgia nursing student Laken Riley; Georgia-based health agencies could see impacts if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services; and Georgia's Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff has introduced legislation intended to help more veterans buy homes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dept. of Justice finds Fulton County Jail voilates inmates civil rights; two energy efficiency rebates could save Georgians a good amount of money; and if you're looking for some good ideas for clean, wholesome fun this weekend, our How Do You Atlanta? segment has your hookup. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calls for Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA) to step down from leading the state Dems grow; DeKalb County looks to charge more to pay for water system upgrades; and winter is about to get started--what will this one feel like for Atlanta? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All 159 Georgia counties certify the vote; The Home Depot sees an unexpected bounce in profits; and a conversation with Sen. Harold Jones, II (D-22), who was just elected Senate Minority Leader. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warnock feels "betrayed" by recent election results; lawmakers consider the role of AI in medicine; and Atlanta United's improbable comeback. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia State Senate Democrats today elected two new leaders going into next year's legislative session; Georgia Power’s first battery storage system is now online at a facility near Columbus; and whether you know it by its official name, "The Municipal Market," or by what many Atlantans refer to as "the Sweet Auburn Curb Market," the city treasure downtown on Edgewood has weathered a century of ups and downs.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More Georgia counties can receive relief related to Hurricane Helene; scooter riders can now roll down Atlanta streets for 22 out of every 24 hours; and how Trump won Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A complete roundup of Election Day, 2024; Georgia's drought picture worsens; and when it comes to EVs' place in the state, it's complicated. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.