WABE politics reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali return to “Closer Look,” to discuss whether President-elect Donald Trump's staunch supporters from the Peach State will have a role in his new administration and review how Trump’s reelection could impact Fulton County’s election interference case. The reporters also preview the 2025 legislative s…

Studies have dubbed Atlanta the most overvalued housing market, with homes priced 50% higher than where they should be. Georgia voters say the housing crisis is among their top issues, and there’s mostly bipartisan agreement from voters about how federal authorities should address the problem. That’s according to new research from Dr. Steven Kull, …

Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative (PAD) offers wraparound services to people experiencing extreme poverty, substance use and mental health disorders. The nonprofit organization also responds to non-emergency calls. PAD was expecting to renew a contract with the City of Atlanta. However, the city is pulling back. Moki Macias, who serves a…

President-elect Donald Trump is now preparing to take office for his second term in office. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris has conceded the 2024 presidential race but is encouraging voters to stay engaged and to continue fighting for a better America. Emory professors Dr. Pearl Dowe and Andra Gillespie return to “Closer Look,” for analysis…

Votes are still being counted, but former President Donald Trump is the projected winner of the 2024 presidential election, defeating Democratic opponent Vice President Kamala Harris. On today's special edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott," we open the phone lines to hear from Georgia voters. Rose is joined by GSU politics and policy professor …

The 2024 presidential election is just one day away. What role is Georgia playing in this election? How did we get into the national spotlight? WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali returns to “Closer Look,” to talk about Georgia’s growing influence on the presidential race since 2020 and what he saw on the campaign trail during this election cycle. We…

Since July, according to an Associated Press report, more than 63,000 voter registrations have been challenged in Georgia, and roughly 1% of the people called into question have been removed from the state's voting rolls. Despite the low percentage of questionable enrollees, lawsuits are reportedly still being filed to order counties to do more. As…

Georgians are voting on three statewide ballot measures - all related to taxes. But the language can be confusing for many voters. Daniel Kanso, the director of legislative strategy and senior fiscal analyst at Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, returns to “Closer Look,” to explain what each of the measures mean and the potential implications of …

Emory University is among a short list of higher education institutions in the U.S. offering a doctoral program in African American Studies. The program accepted its first cohort of students in the fall of 2023. Dr. Kali Nicole Gross, the National Endowment for the Humanities Professor of African American Studies and the chair of African American S…

According to a new report from the American Institute for Boys and Men, there are now 50,000 fewer Black men enrolled in college as compared to pre-pandemic levels. Black men currently make up 26% of the population at HBCUs, but in the 1970s they made up 38% of the population. Dr. Darryl Holloman, the vice president for student affairs at Spelman C…

America’s housing crisis is rapidly getting worse. Across the U.S., it’s estimated there’s a shortage of 4 to 7 million affordable housing units. Both renters and buyers are faced with uncertainty while navigating the unbalanced market. Renters typically need to meet stringent requirements, including making at least three times the monthly rent. Me…

In the final days of the campaign, both Democrats and Republicans have put a heavy focus on Black male voters. The Pew Research Center reports, 47% of Black men are eligible to vote in the 2024 Election. Since 1994, Black men have voted at least 80% in favor of the Democratic presidential candidate. But a new NAACP Poll finds support among Black me…

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we continue our series on different voter blocs. Over the past 20 years, Asian Americans have been the fastest-growing group of eligible voters in the United States. In the past four years alone, they’ve added 2 million eligible voters. Among this diverse group are diverse political opinions. Show host Rose S…

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, WABE’s Rahul Bali discusses the massive voter turnout for the first week of early voting. He also highlighted the changing demographics the campaigns are considering as they court voters across the battleground state of Georgia. Then, Atlanta Inspector General Shannon Manigault returns to Closer Look to share…

Jessica Pishko is a journalist and lawyer. She joins “Closer Look,” to discuss her new book, "The Highest Law in the Land: How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy." Plus, the United Negro College Fund awards more than $ 1 million in scholarships to students of color every year. This year marks the organization’s 80th anniversary. It…

Early voting is now underway in Georgia and the 2024 presidential election is just weeks away. Tuesday, which marked the first day of early voting in the Peach State, reached record-setting voter turnout. For the October installment of “Coffee Conversations,” the “ Closer Look,” team heads to Black Coffee Atlanta in Lakewood Heights. Rose talks wit…

Early voting begins today in Georgia and runs through Nov.1. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger returns to “Closer Look,” to talk about several election-related topics, including how the state has prepared for this election cycle amid ongoing battles over state election rules, combating political misinformation and the creation of the ne…

Attorney General Chris Carr's office is appealing Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney’s ruling on Sept. 30, which found Georgia’s six-week ban on abortions unconstitutional. The Georgia Supreme Court recently reinstated Georgia’s abortion ban while it considers the state’s appeal. A.C. Coquillas, the communications manager at Feminis…

According to the National Institutes of Health, at least 26 million women and girls between the ages of 15 and 50 are living with uterine fibroids in the United States. Linda Goler Blount, an epidemiologist and the president and CEO of Black Women's Health Imperative, and Tanika Gray Valbrun, the founder of The White Dress Project, discuss symptoms…

As recovery and cleanup continues in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Georgia, Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm. Chris Stallings, the director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, joins “Closer Look” for an update on recovery efforts and preparations as evac…

Oct. 7 marks 1 year since Hamas attacked Israel. As the devastation and displacement continues there have been ongoing calls for a ceasefire. More than 41,000 people have died in the humanitarian crisis. Show host Rose Scott talks with three guests about the last 12 months. Guest include: Dr. Shariq Sayeed, a Cobb County-based surgeon who recently …

Amanda Jones is an award-winning librarian and an anti-censorship advocate. She’s expected to speak at the Decatur Book Festival on Saturday. Ahead of her visit, we revisit Rose’s conversation with Jones. During the conversation, Jones talks about her new book, "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America." The part memoir, part manif…

Helping Mamas is working to deliver 200,000 diapers, wipes and feminine hygiene products to help families in South Georgia communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Jamie Lackey, the founder of the nonprofit baby supply bank, discusses details about a diaper drive drop-off event that’s happening on Saturday, October 5, from 9 a.m. to noon at Pace A…

The United States Department of Justice released a new report after a years-long investigation into Georgia’s state prison system. State Senator Randy Robertson, a retired law enforcement officer who chaired the Senate Public Safety Subcommittee on Fulton County Jail, responds to the report findings. Also, Vice presidential candidates JD Vance and …

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney struck down Georgia’s six-week abortion ban. The ban took effect nearly two years ago after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Following McBurney’s ruling, abortions are now legal in the state of Georgia up until 22 weeks of pregnancy. Andrea Young, who serves as the executive director …

“Closer Look’s” second national PRX show examines Atlanta’s income inequality gap. While Georgia’s capital city is rooted in civil rights and it’s bustling with entertainment, sports, technology and culture, data reveals Atlanta is stalled when it comes to economic mobility. In fact, within the last decade, Atlanta has consistently remained atop or…

Governor Brian Kemp expects Helene will be hurricane-strength once it reaches the Atlanta-area. It’s expected to reach Georgia in the overnight hours with the potential to cause flooding and spin off tornadoes. Authorities expect widespread power outages, quick and intense wind and heavy rain. The governors of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas ha…

The debate over reproductive rights continues to intensify this election season. A ProPublica investigation recently revealed two Black mothers, Amber Nicole Thurman and Candi Miller, died under Georgia’s restriction on abortion care. Now, we’ll hear from two OB-GYNs with opposing views on Georgia’s law. Rose is joined by Dr. Sharon Thompson of Cen…

For Tuesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” we revisit Rose’s conversations with Duke University professor of law and philosophy Nita Farahany and NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday host Ayesha Rascoe. First, Farahany discusses her book, “The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology.” The book explores neurotec…

Ann Hill Bond, an Atlanta-based journalist and chair of the Fulton County Remembrance Coalition, discusses how misinformation and the press played a role in the events leading up to the Atlanta Race Massacre. She also discusses some of the events happening this week in commemoration of the massacre. Plus, WABE’s “(re)Defining History: Uncovering Th…

A ProPublica investigative report about two Black mothers is intensifying the debate over reproductive rights this election season. It focuses on two Georgia women whose deaths could have been prevented, according to maternal health experts. That’s if they had received a procedure that is now restricted under Georgia’s abortion laws. Earlier this w…

Edwin Moses is recognized as one of the greatest athletes in the world. The Olympic champion used science and math calculations to dominate track and field. He went undefeated in the 400-meter hurdles for 122 consecutive races, for nine years, nine months, and nine days, between 1977 to 1987. But his life’s legacy reaches beyond sports and is now b…

As the second-largest voting bloc in the U.S., Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump both need to appeal to Latino voters to win the November election. According to data gathered by the Pew Research Center, it's estimated 36.2 million Hispanics are eligible to vote in the 2024 presidential election. While data suggests Lati…

Gov. Brian Kemp has pledged to make Georgia the e-mobility capital of the world. In recent years, Kemp provided billions of dollars in incentives to lure automakers Hyundai, Kia and the startup Rivian to the state. However, a new report from Politico shows some Georgians are excited about the well-paying EV jobs, but they’re suspicious of electric …

Book bans are happening in Georgia and across the nation. According to PEN America, more than 10,000 book bans have been counted in public schools since 2021. Amanda Jones is an educator, an award-winning librarian, and an anti-censorship advocate. She talks with Rose about her new book, "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America." …

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump took center stage in their first presidential debate Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Reproductive rights, immigration, the Israel-Hamas war, and the economy were among some of the top issues discussed during the debate. Both sides are claiming victory, but “Closer Look,” show host Rose S…

Roger Tutterow, a professor of economics at Kennesaw State University, joins “Closer Look,” to discuss the latest economic forecast and its impact on the 2024 presidential election. Laura Judge, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action and Monisha Henley, the senior vice president of government affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety, discuss gun violence p…

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson made history in June 2022, when she was sworn in as the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s high court. Now, the 116th Supreme Court justice is telling her story in a new memoir, “Lovely One.” Justice Jackson’s book tour recently stopped in Atlanta at the Atlanta Symphony Hall. That’s where “Closer Look,” show h…

Former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn is being honored by the Fulton County Democratic Party with the Saving Democracy Award. While in Atlanta, he talks with show host Rose Scott about his experience responding to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, the upcoming election, and the current state of democracy. Plus, for “Closer …

Four people are dead—two teachers and two students—and nine others were transported to local hospitals following a mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia on Wednesday. Authorities say the 14-year-old suspect, who is in custody, will be charged with murder as an adult. Rose talks with WABE criminal justice reporter Chamian …

Michelle Nunn, the president and CEO of CARE USA, returns to “Closer Look” to discuss how CARE teams and its partners are responding to the crises happening in Sudan, Gaza, Haiti, and Ukraine. Nunn also highlights how climate change is impacting their efforts and why it’s important to empower women and local groups in the humanitarian response. Plu…

Today, we begin a two-day series on third-party candidates in the 2024 presidential race and other local and state elections. First, we hear from Gerald Lee Green II. He joined the Party for Socialism and Liberation in 2022 after he says he was disillusioned with the Democratic Party. Green talks with Rose about PSL’s candidates, Claudia De la Cruz…

For a special edition of “Closer Look,” Rose Scott and the team head to downtown Atlanta for #Dragon Con 2024. The annual five-day event kicks off Thursday. It’s one of the largest multi-media gatherings focusing on pop culture, gaming, comics, fantasy and more. Rose speaks with panelists about the ongoing debate: Star Wars vs Star Trek. We hear fr…

The Fulton County Jail opened in 1989. Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat says since the facility’s opening it’s been overcrowded, which over time has led to the current poor condition of the building’s infrastructure. For PART 1 of Rose’s conversation with Sheriff Labat, at the county jail, Labat reflects on his career in public safety and talks …

What are the top concerns for Black voters this election cycle? The Black Futures Lab surveyed Black folks across the country for its Black Census Project, which included election-related questions. Alexsis Rodgers, the political director at the Black Futures Lab, and the Black to the Future Action Fund, discusses the findings of the census, which …

Immigration, border security, gun safety, crime, reproductive rights, jobs, and the Israeli-Hamas War were among the top issues addressed during the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Alan Abramowitz, a professor emeritus of political science at Emory University, returns to “Closer Look” for a recap of the convention. Plus, the Georgia State Elec…

The Little 5 Points Alliance is honoring individuals and organizations who have made Little 5 Points unique, including the late Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, at its third annual “People Make the Place” event this weekend. We hear from Lauren Welsh, the executive director of Little 5 Points Alliance. Dr. Charles Steele Jr., the president and CEO of…

Earlier this year, Terri Lee was named the president and CEO of Atlanta Housing. Lee talks with Rose about the agency’s critical role in helping the City Of Atlanta reach its affordable housing goals. She also talks about her top priorities as the new leader of the agency and provides updates on several major developments, including the Civic Cente…

Rose talks with Micah Herskind, an Atlanta-based writer and organizer, and Ann Hill Bond, an Atlanta-based journalist and chair of Fulton County Remembrance Coalition. The two were mentioned in a new report from The Brennan Center For Justice. Micah was listed several times in the report for his association with anti-'Cop City' movements. Bond, who…

The Democratic National Convention is underway this week in Chicago. Atlanta-based political strategist Fred Hicks returns to “Closer Look” to provide an analysis of the convention’s opening night and what to expect in the coming days of the event. Plus, Briana B. Franklin, the president and CEO of The Prosp(a)rity Project, talks about how the nonp…