Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens recently appointed Judge LaDawn Blackett to be Atlanta's interim inspector general. Her appointment comes in the aftermath of Shannon Manigault’s resignation over alleged interference and harassment. Interim IG Blackett joins “Closer Look” to discuss leading the OIG and her top priorities while assigned to lead the office.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens <a href="https://www.atlantaga.gov/Home/Components/News/News/15379/1338#:~:text=ATLANTA%E2%80%94%20Mayor%20Andre%20Dickens%20has,and%20Dekalb%20County%20State%20Court.">recently appointed Judge LaDawn Blackett</a> to be Atlanta's interim inspector general. Her appointment comes in the aftermath of <a href="https://www.wabe.org/atlanta-oig-on-resignation-the-city-wasnt-really-interested-in-rooting-out-fraud-waste-abuse-and-corruption/">Shannon Manigault&rsquo;s resignation</a> over alleged interference and harassment. Interim IG Blackett joins &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; to discuss leading the OIG and her top priorities while assigned to lead the office.

"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

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Atlanta’s new interim inspector general talks top priorities 

Food prices are up. Energy costs are rising. The most recent labor market report revealed that employers cut 92,000 jobs in February, and the unemployment rate climbed to 4.4%. Tom Smith, professor in the Practice of Finance and academic director of the Master of Finance program at Emory University, and Karen Leff, an Atlanta-based founder of Leff Organizing—Financial and Residential, joined Closer Look with Rose Scott to discuss how inflation is affecting consumers and influencing spending habits. Listeners also shared how inflation is affecting their everyday lives, which bills or expenses have been hardest to cover this year, and how they are stretching their dollars.

Food prices are up. Energy costs are rising. The most recent labor market report revealed that employers cut 92,000 jobs in February, and the unemployment rate climbed to 4.4%. Tom Smith, professor in the Practice of Finance and academic director of the Master of Finance program at Emory University, and Karen Leff, an Atlanta-based founder of Leff Organizing&mdash;Financial and Residential, joined Closer Look with Rose Scott to discuss how inflation is affecting consumers and influencing spending habits. Listeners also shared how inflation is affecting their everyday lives, which bills or expenses have been hardest to cover this year, and how they are stretching their dollars.

Feedback Friday: Bracing for the impact of rising prices 

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 6 children in the U.S. between the ages of 3 and 17 have been diagnosed with a developmental disability. Data also shows more than 226,000 families in Georgia are caring for a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability. For decades, the nonprofit Parent to Parent of Georgia has provided statewide resources, free one-on-one support and training to families through its free Supporting Parent Program. Latoya Palmer-Addy, the CEO of Parent to Parent of Georgia, and Marshall Seal, a Supporting Parent volunteer, talked more about the services, trainings and impact of the program in Georgia. 


With two weeks left in the current Georgia Legislative Session, WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali says this is often when tensions can rise. He joined Closer Look with Rose Scott to provide an update on legislation already advancing to Governor Brian Kemp, as well as bills being reshaped as they move between chambers.

 

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 6 children in the U.S. between the ages of 3 and 17 have been diagnosed with a developmental disability. Data also shows more than 226,000 families in Georgia are caring for a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability. For decades, the nonprofit <a href="https://www.p2pga.org/">Parent to Parent of Georgia</a> has provided statewide resources, free one-on-one support and training to families through its free <a href="https://www.p2pga.org/support/supporting-parent/">Supporting Parent Program</a>. Latoya Palmer-Addy, the CEO of Parent to Parent of Georgia, and Marshall Seal, a Supporting Parent volunteer, talked more about the services, trainings and impact of the program in Georgia.&nbsp;
 With two weeks left in the current Georgia Legislative Session, WABE politics reporter <a href="https://www.wabe.org/people/rahul-bali/">Rahul Bali</a> says this is often when tensions can rise. He joined <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a> to provide an update on legislation already advancing to Governor Brian Kemp, as well as bills being reshaped as they move between chambers.
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Organization supports families impacted by healthcare needs of developmental disabilities;  Final Weeks Under the Gold Dome: What’s Moving and What’s Not

Since October 2024, people in South Cobb have been able to reserve on-demand transit through the CobbLinc Go pilot program. The public transit, two-year program, provides "curb to curb" service for passengers over 26 square miles across Austell, Powder Springs, and southwestern Marietta. It’s similar to requesting an Uber or Lyft, but at a cost of $2.50 per ride. Drew Raessler, who serves as the director of the Cobb County Department of Transportation, joins "Closer Look" to discuss the success and challenges of the program and to provide an update about the possibility of expanding the program to other cities in Cobb County.


Also on today’s “Closer Look,” The performances of Echoes of the Storm: 20 Years After Katrina recalls the tragedy and resilience of those impacted by the massive Category 5 hurricane. The Apollo Theater, the National Black Arts Festival, and Spelman College collaborated to produce the six 10-minute plays. Leatrice Ellzy, president and CEO of the National Black Arts Festival, and Aku Kadogo, a senior instructor in Spelman’s theater department, spoke with “Closer Look” host Rose Scott about the production.

Since October 2024, people in South Cobb have been able to reserve on-demand transit through the<a href="https://www.cobbcounty.gov/transportation/cobb-transit-service-cobblinc/routes-schedules/cobblinc-go"> CobbLinc Go pilot program.</a> The public transit, two-year program, provides "curb to curb" service for passengers over 26 square miles across Austell, Powder Springs, and southwestern Marietta. It&rsquo;s similar to requesting an Uber or Lyft, but at a cost of $2.50 per ride. Drew Raessler, who serves as the director of the Cobb County Department of Transportation, joins "<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>" to discuss the success and challenges of the program and to provide an update about the possibility of expanding the program to other cities in Cobb County.
 Also on today&rsquo;s &ldquo;Closer Look,&rdquo; The performances of <a href="https://www.spelman.edu/events/recurring/echoes-of-the-storm.html">Echoes of the Storm: 20 Years After Katrina</a> recalls the tragedy and resilience of those impacted by the massive Category 5 hurricane. The <a href="https://www.apollotheater.org/">Apollo Theater</a>, the <a href="https://nbaf.org/">National Black Arts Festival</a>, and <a href="https://www.spelman.edu/">Spelman College</a> collaborated to produce the six 10-minute plays. <a href="https://nbaf.org/staff/">Leatrice Ellzy</a>, president and CEO of the National Black Arts Festival, and <a href="https://www.spelman.edu/staff/profiles/aku-kadogo.html">Aku Kadogo</a>, a senior instructor in Spelman&rsquo;s theater department, spoke with &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>&rdquo; host Rose Scott about the production.

Atlanta’s new interim inspector general talks top priorities

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