It’s back to the drawing board for Atlanta City Council. Atlanta's latest draft of ATL Zoning 2.0. is undergoing a rewrite following an unfavorable review by an outside expert, who warned the proposal was inadequate in addressing the city's housing crisis and could even make problems worse. “Closer Look” host Rose Scott talks with councilmembers Dustin Hillis and Wayne Martin about the ongoing process and what the changes could mean for their districts.

 

Plus, starting next year, the College Football Playoff (CFP) is doubling in size from 12 to 24. This change comes under a new broadcast agreement between CFP and ESPN. Under the new format, there will no longer be four powerhouse conference championship games from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC. We hear from David Epps, the CEO and president Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. He talks with Scott about the expansion, the economic impact of college football in Atlanta and more.

It&rsquo;s back to the drawing board for Atlanta City Council. Atlanta's latest draft of <a href="https://atlzoning.com/">ATL Zoning 2.0.</a> is undergoing a rewrite following an unfavorable review by an outside expert, who warned the proposal was inadequate in addressing the city's housing crisis and could even make problems worse. <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/?live__podcastepisode_by_date%5Bquery%5D=">&ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo;</a> host Rose Scott talks with councilmembers <a href="https://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/council-members/dustin-hillis">Dustin Hillis</a> and <a href="https://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/council-members/wayne-martin">Wayne Martin</a> about the ongoing process and what the changes could mean for their districts.
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Plus, starting next year, the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=%2Fm%2F0r8q6c3&amp;q=College+Football+Playoff+%28CFP%29">College Football Playoff (CFP)</a> is doubling in size from 12 to 24. This change comes under a new broadcast agreement between CFP and ESPN. Under the new format, there will no longer be four powerhouse conference championship games from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC. We hear from <a href="https://chick-fil-apeachbowl.com/staff-directory/david-epps/3">David Epps</a>, the CEO and president Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. He talks with Scott about the expansion, the economic impact of college football in Atlanta and more.

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

Closer Look with Rose Scott

🔊 WABE Podcasts > News, Politics, Health

ATL Zoning 2.0. undergoes a rewrite: Atlanta still in the mix for College Football Playoff expansion  

The Carter Center has finished its first phase of observing Georgia's 2026 midterm elections, covering more than 64% of registered voters across 31 county election offices. The center says "no significant issues" were noted. Avery Davis-Roberts, the democracy program director at the Carter Center, talks with “Closer Look” host Rose Scott about why the center is still encouraging Georgia lawmakers to consider reforms to improve transparency around election observing.

 

Plus, The Atlantic Across America tour is stopping in Georgia this week. Adam Harris, the co-host of the podcast Radio Atlantic, will be in conversation with U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock at the live event that is expected to examine a range of issues and ideas including democracy, the current political climate, and more. Harris talks with Rose Scott about the vision behind the tour and common themes he’s hearing from participants.

 

The Carter Center has finished its first phase of observing <a href="https://www.cartercenter.org/news/carter-center-observes-well-conducted-results-tabulation-processes-in-georgias-2026-general-election/">Georgia's 2026 midterm elections</a>, covering more than 64% of registered voters across 31 county election offices. The center says "no significant issues" were noted. <a href="https://www.cartercenter.org/people/avery-davis-roberts/">Avery Davis-Roberts</a>, the democracy program director at the Carter Center, talks with <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/?live__podcastepisode_by_date%5Bquery%5D=">&ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo;</a> host Rose Scott about why the center is still encouraging Georgia lawmakers to consider reforms to improve transparency around election observing.
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Plus, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/atlantic-across-america/">The Atlantic Across America</a> tour is stopping in <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/atlantic-across-america/georgia/">Georgia</a> this week. <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/author/adam-harris/">Adam Harris</a>, the co-host of the podcast Radio Atlantic, will be in conversation with U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock at the live event that is expected to examine a range of issues and ideas including democracy, the current political climate, and more. Harris talks with Rose Scott about the vision behind the tour and common themes he&rsquo;s hearing from participants.
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Carter Center analysis after election observing; The Atlantic Across America tour to stop in Georgia this week

It's the only program presented by an HBCU in Georgia and among a few in the nation.The Morehouse Higher Ed in Prisons program offers classes in three metro Atlanta prisons, where incarcerated men can earn Morehouse credits towards a degree.

The historically all male college views liberation at the core of the program. Dr. Shari C. Mackinson, director of Morehouse Higher Education in Prisons Program talks about the program and how it's transformational not only for the students who are incarcerated but for the communities they return to as productive members of society. 

Also, Closer Look takes a deep dive into the 2026 Child Well-Being Index® presented by United Way of Greater Atlanta.It uses socioeconomic indicators of child, family, and community to understand where support is needed most.

Malika Anderson, Chief Community Impact Officer, United Way of Greater Atlanta talks about the progresses and systemic challenges revealed by the Index as it takes a comprehensive look at children's well-being in a 13-county radius.

It's the only program presented by an HBCU in Georgia and among a few in the nation.The Morehouse Higher Ed in Prisons program offers classes in three metro Atlanta prisons, where incarcerated men can earn Morehouse credits towards a degree.
The historically all male college views liberation at the core of the program. Dr. Shari C. Mackinson, director of Morehouse Higher Education in Prisons Program talks about the program and how it's transformational not only for the students who are incarcerated but for the communities they return to as productive members of society.&nbsp;
Also, Closer Look takes a deep dive into the 2026 Child Well-Being Index&reg; presented by United Way of Greater Atlanta.It uses socioeconomic indicators of child, family, and community to understand where support is needed most.
Malika Anderson, Chief Community Impact Officer, United Way of Greater Atlanta talks about the progresses and systemic challenges revealed by the Index as it takes a comprehensive look at children's well-being in a 13-county radius.

 Morehouse College's Prison Education, Atlanta's Child Well Being Index

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we continue our post-election analysis. Citizen University CEO Eric Liu is the author of Live Like A Citizen: 8 Ways to Change Your Mindset and Our Country. In his new book, Liu “argues that the real repair work in a divided country happens in neighborhoods, not on cable news, and that voting can feel like joy rather than dread.”

 

Then, the results of this year's midterm election came with history making wins across the South, mostly for Democrats. What does this mean for political power among southern states as voters and potential candidates start to set their sights on the 2028 Presidential Race? We discuss with Emory University Political Scientist Andra Gillespie and Anthony Michael Kreis, Associate Professor of Law at Georgia State University College of Law.

On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>, we continue our post-election analysis. Citizen University CEO <a href="https://citizenuniversity.us/about/staff-board/eric-liu/">Eric Liu</a> is the author of Live Like A Citizen: 8 Ways to Change Your Mindset and Our Country. In his new book, Liu &ldquo;argues that the real repair work in a divided country happens in neighborhoods, not on cable news, and that voting can feel like joy rather than dread.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Then, the results of this year's midterm election came with history making wins across the South, mostly for Democrats. What does this mean for <a href="https://www.wabe.org/the-south-flexes-political-power-in-midterms/">political power among southern states</a> as voters and potential candidates start to set their sights on the 2028 Presidential Race? We discuss with Emory University Political Scientist <a href="https://polisci.emory.edu/people/biography/gillespie-andra.html">Andra Gillespie</a> and <a href="https://law.gsu.edu/profile/anthony-kreis/">Anthony Michael Kreis</a>, Associate Professor of Law at Georgia State University College of Law.

ATL Zoning 2.0. undergoes a rewrite: Atlanta still in the mix for College Football Playoff expansion

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