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 Tim Walz took center stage Tuesday for a 90-minute debate. Domestic issues such as reproductive rights, immigration and the economy were some...

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 of the ACLU of Georgia, shares her reaction to McBurney’s ruling. Plus, tributes are pouring for former Pres. and Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter. The...

“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 near the top for U.S. cities with the worst income inequality. On average, Atlanta’s poorest residents earn around $11,221 per year, while its...

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 have all declared a state of emergency, and President Biden has approved Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's request for a Federal Emergency Declaration. It...

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 Central Phoenix Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Dr. Christina Francis, the CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life OB-GYNs.   Plus, Gov. Brian...

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 neurotechnology and how its continuous evolution could potentially threaten your rights to privacy, freedom of thought, and self-determination if companies...

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 The 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre” documentary will re-air Monday on WABETV. The half-hour documentary narrated by Georgia State University...

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 week, Kavitha Surana, a reporter at ProPublica, spoke with Rose Scott about the passing of Amber Nicole Thurman, now we’ll hear about the loss of...

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 being told in a documentary, “MOSES-13 Steps.”  Moses talks with show host Rose Scott about the film that will debut at the 6th Annual Morehouse...

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 Latino voters across the country voted for President Joe Biden by very wide margins in 2020, Trump gained support among Latino voters in 2020, earning...

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 vehicles. Reporter David Ferris from Politico's Energy and Environment News discusses the report and explains Georgians’ conflicted relationship...

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." The part memoir, part manifesto maps the book-banning crisis happening across the U.S. and chronicles Jones’ efforts to combat it. Plus, the...

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 Scott gets debate analysis from Andra Gillespie, a political scientist at Emory University. Then, for more reaction to the debate, we hear...

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 prevention following shooting at Apalachee High School.   Last year, Communities In Schools of Atlanta and Sandy Hook Promise partnered...

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 host Rose Scott and the Justice had a one-on-one conversation in front of a live audience. Justice Jackson reflected on her journey from Miami,...

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 Look’s,” series focusing on the work of independent and third-party groups amid the 2024 presidential election cycle, Scott talked with members...

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 Cruz about the latest details in the ongoing investigation.   Plus, we revisit our series focusing on the work of independent and third-party...

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.   Plus, we continue our series that focuses on the work of third parties amid the 2024 election. We now hear from Britney Whaley, the southeast...

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 President and her running mate, Karina Garcia, plus the socialist platform they’re bringing to Georgia voters.   Plus, for more than 30...

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 from fans and creators from both major franchises. We also discuss how comics and film reflect modern society and politics. Plus, Rose gives prizes...

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 about why he’s pushing for a new jail to be built instead of renovating the facility. PART 2 of Rose’s conversation with Sheriff Labat continues...

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 was used to inform the Black Economic Agenda.   Plus, podcast creator Jeff Keating and consulting historian GSU Professor Maurice Hobson...

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 Election Board is facing criticism along with calls for some board members to be removed for changing rules, specifically one rule that involves...

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 the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, is stepping down. He talks with Rose about his decades-long career and what’s next for him and the...

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 Center and Summerhill Hotel.   Plus, Grant Wallace, the owner of Peace of Mind Glass Recycling, returns to “Closer Look,” to provide an update on how...