Mary Mac's Tea Room celebrates 80 years

The operators of Mary Mac's Tea Room can’t imagine Atlanta without the iconic eatery. The Midtown Atlanta staple is known for its origin story, as well as its classic Southern dishes, like fried chicken and collard greens. It’s a sought-after gathering place for Georgians as well as tourists, celeb…

Recap & analysis of politics in 2025

It’s been quite a year in politics. President Donald Trump began his second term in the White House with a flurry of executive orders. These actions included efforts to shrink several federal agencies, resulting in funding cuts and massive layoffs. The year was plagued by ongoing political conflict…

New study finds Metro Atlanta traffic deaths exceeded homicides in 2024; Music journalist details top albums of 2025

The transportation advocates with Propel ATL return to “Closer Look” with their latest report, which reveals deaths from vehicular crashes outpaced homicides in metro Atlanta in 2024. Propel ATL Executive Director Rebecca Serna joins the program to detail the data in "The Human Cost of Mobility". W…

Atlanta-area rapper’s family self-deported due to political climate; Atlanta Journal-Constitution modernizes and prepares final print edition

Amid the national immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, family members of an Atlanta-area rapper have decided to self-deport. We hear from Victor Marachi. He shares how the unfolding situation is affecting his artistic work and upcoming album.   Plus, a history-making move is comi…

Coffee & Cocoa Conversations: Ending the Year with Holiday Cheer

The “Closer Look” team closes out 2025’s series of live coffee shop broadcasts with Coffee & Cocoa Conversations at Sidecar Coffee in Chamblee, Georgia. In a year that saw hardships for many communities, program host Rose Scott focuses on the people who make it their job to bring joy - Santa Rick &…

King Center and Oglethorpe University partner for King Scholars Internships; Atlanta Attorney authors devotional for fellow caregivers

Oglethorpe University and The King Center are partnering to teach Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s way of leadership – centering nonviolence, civic responsibility, courage and compassion. Under their new partnership agreement, four selected Oglethorpe students will participate in The King Center Schola…

Feedback Friday: ‘Closer Look’ listeners tighten their spending for the new year

Inflation, high costs, and economic uncertainty have Georgians rethinking how far they plan to spend and stretch their dollar in 2026. For Feedback Friday for a special edition of “Closer Look,” program host Rose Scott opened the phone lines to hear from callers. They discussed their spending habit…

Rapper Killer Mike, Real Estate Developer team up to improve housing opportunities for Black community; Mākhers Studio creates affordable housing from shipping containers

Real Estate Developer Booker T. Washington is teaming up with Rapper Killer Mike to bring affordable housing to their hometown of Atlanta. There remains a wide gap between the number of Black and White homeowners in the U.S., and the pair are working to make homeownership more attainable for the Bl…

CARE USA’s leader reveals impact of drastic international aid cuts by Trump Administration

December 10th marks the 77th Anniversary of World Human Rights Day. CARE USA President and CEO Michelle Nunn says 91,000,000 lives have been saved internationally in the last 20 years as a result of U.S. humanitarian aid. She added that less than a fraction of a penny is invested from every U.S. ta…

Credit Unions concerned for access to federal funds to aid communities; Play Fair ATL calls for human rights protections during World Cup

Since 1994, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund has distributed nearly $93 billion to individuals, organizations, and businesses in under-resourced communities through credit unions. However, the fund has faced growing uncertainty under the Trump administration, including layoffs …