The Atlanta Civil Service Board ruled that Garrett Rolfe, the former Atlanta police officer who shot and killed Rayshard Brooks last summer, was wrongfully terminated. Criminal Defense Attorney and WABE Legal Analyst Page Pate joins “Closer Look” to discuss the board’s decision to reverse Rolfe’s termination. Smyrna Mayor Derek Norton talks with show host Rose Scott about why he lifted mask restrictions and the city’s ongoing response to combat COVID-19. Plus, State Representative Bee Nguyen, who represents District 89, shares why she’s jumping in the race to be Georgia’s next secretary of state. Lastly, Rose talks with Clayton State University student André Lagoueyte to kick off this year's “Road To Graduation” series.

The Atlanta Civil Service Board ruled that Garrett Rolfe, the former Atlanta police officer who shot and killed Rayshard Brooks last summer, was wrongfully terminated. Criminal Defense Attorney and WABE Legal Analyst Page Pate joins “Closer Look” to discuss the board’s decision to reverse Rolfe’s termination. Smyrna Mayor Derek Norton talks with show host Rose Scott about why he lifted mask restrictions and the city’s ongoing response to combat COVID-19. Plus, State&nbsp;Representative&nbsp;Bee Nguyen, who represents District 89, shares why she’s jumping in the race to be Georgia’s next secretary of state. Lastly, Rose talks with Clayton State University student André Lagoueyte to kick off this year's “Road To Graduation” series.

"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

Atlanta Civil Service Board Reverses Former APD Officer’s Termination; Smyrna Lifts Mask Restrictions; Local Lawmaker Joins Race To Become Georgia’s Next Secretary of State; Clayton State University Student Gears Up For Graduation

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we speak to ProPublica Investigative Reporter Max Blau. His lawsuit forced state officials to release records on Georgia’s lethal injection process. Among Blau’s discoveries: Georgia has spent over a million dollars on a contractor since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and since that time, the contractor has carried out only one execution. Blau provides more in-depth information from his report and how a law attempted to keep the details secret.

 

The need for better maternal care remains an ongoing issue across the nation, especially in Georgia. A 2026 report by the March of Dimes updates how dire the situation is. Scott speaks with Tamara Mason, Georgia’s March of Dimes maternal child health director. She discusses “Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S.,” what’s concerning within the report from a Georgia perspective, as well as the good work that is being done to help Georgia families.

On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>, we speak to ProPublica Investigative Reporter <a href="https://www.propublica.org/people/max-blau">Max Blau</a>. His lawsuit forced state officials to release records on Georgia&rsquo;s lethal injection process. Among Blau&rsquo;s discoveries: Georgia has spent over a million dollars on a contractor since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and since that time, the contractor has carried out only one execution. Blau provides more in-depth information from <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/georgia-lethal-injections-costs-secrecy">his report</a> and how a law attempted to keep the details secret.
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The need for better maternal care remains an ongoing issue across the nation, especially in Georgia. A 2026 report by the March of Dimes updates how dire the situation is. Scott speaks with <a href="https://www.hopeforgeorgiamoms.org/team/tamara-mason/">Tamara Mason</a>, Georgia&rsquo;s March of Dimes maternal child health director. She discusses &ldquo;<a href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/maternity-care-deserts-report">Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S.</a>,&rdquo; what&rsquo;s concerning within the report from a Georgia perspective, as well as the good work that is being done to help Georgia families.

ProPublica investigates spending on lethal injection process; March of Dimes on state of GA maternal health

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, as Georgia leads most states in development and operation of data centers, a report from Greenlink Analytics and Science for Georgia is skeptical of their expected growth beyond 2030. It claims the industry is planning massive infrastructure expansions that has “about a 0.2% chance of actually materializing.” We discuss the potential future of data centers in Georgia, and what it means for resource consumption in the state with Etan Gumerman, Director of Analytics at Greenlink Analytics, and Amy Sharma, Executive Director of Science for Georgia.

 

Then, former chief classical music critic for The New York Times Anthony Tommasini believes the cultural impact of Marian Anderson has been lost over the generations. In Tommasini’s new book, “Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson,” he shines a light on the operatic talent and the civil rights fight of the singer. It shares how Anderson broke racial barriers in opera, while holding the same crowds and stages as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., including her historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial where she performed for 75,000 people.

On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>, as Georgia leads most states in development and operation of data centers, a <a href="https://www.greenlinkanalytics.org/post/data-center-growth-in-the-southeast-impacts-for-the-region">report from Greenlink Analytics and Science for Georgia</a> is skeptical of their expected growth beyond 2030. It claims the industry is planning massive infrastructure expansions that has &ldquo;about a 0.2% chance of actually materializing.&rdquo; We discuss the potential future of data centers in Georgia, and what it means for resource consumption in the state with <a href="https://www.greenlinkanalytics.org/team/etan-gumerman">Etan Gumerman</a>, Director of Analytics at Greenlink Analytics, and Amy Sharma, Executive Director of <a href="http://www.scienceforgeorgia.org/">Science for Georgia</a>.
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Then, former chief classical music critic for The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/anthony-tommasini?eafs_enabled=false">Anthony Tommasini</a> believes the cultural impact of Marian Anderson has been lost over the generations. In Tommasini&rsquo;s new book, &ldquo;Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson,&rdquo; he shines a light on the operatic talent and the civil rights fight of the singer. It shares how Anderson broke racial barriers in opera, while holding the same crowds and stages as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., including her historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial where she performed for 75,000 people.

Report shows overestimated data center growth; Bio reintroduces civil rights legacy of opera singer Marian Anderson

Andra Hall went from selling a few cupcake orders while earning $9 an hour at a hotel to building Cami Cakes Cupcakes, a thriving bakery brand that eventually expanded to nine locations. After more than a decade of growth and success, her life took a sharp turn as she navigated a series of major challenges; the COVID‑19 pandemic, a divorce, and a diagnosis of triple‑negative breast cancer. In this episode of Closer Look,  Andra talks about navigating through all of these challenges and how joy has been redefined. 

Andra Hall went from selling a few cupcake orders while earning $9 an hour at a hotel to building Cami Cakes Cupcakes, a thriving bakery brand that eventually expanded to nine locations. After more than a decade of growth and success, her life took a sharp turn as she navigated a series of major challenges; the COVID‑19 pandemic, a divorce, and a diagnosis of triple‑negative breast cancer. In this episode of Closer Look,&nbsp; Andra talks about navigating through all of these challenges and how joy has been redefined.&nbsp;

Atlanta Civil Service Board Reverses Former APD Officer’s Termination; Smyrna Lifts Mask Restrictions; Local Lawmaker Joins Race To Become Georgia’s Next Secretary of State; Clayton State University Student Gears Up For Graduation

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