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

🔊 WABE Podcasts > News, Politics, Health

Atlanta’s new interim inspector general talks top priorities 

January 20th will mark President Donald Trump’s first full year back in office. So far, Trump’s second term has been marked by the dismantling of several federal agencies, spending cuts, layoffs and an aggressive crackdown carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Just days ago, under the direction of President Trump, the U.S. military carried out a series of air strikes in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. For Feedback Friday on “Closer Look,” program host Rose Scott asked listeners to share their thoughts about the direction of the nation following Trump’s return to the White House. For the discussion, Scott was joined by WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali, Tammy Greer, a politics and policy clinical assistant professor at Georgia State University, and Cathy Woolard, a longtime Democratic leader, former Atlanta City Council president and former board chair of the Fulton County Elections.

January 20th will mark President Donald Trump&rsquo;s first full year back in office. So far, Trump&rsquo;s second term has been marked by the dismantling of several federal agencies, spending cuts, layoffs and an aggressive crackdown carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Just days ago, under the direction of President Trump, the U.S. military carried out a series of air strikes in Venezuela and captured President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. For Feedback Friday on &ldquo;Closer Look,&rdquo; program host Rose Scott asked listeners to share their thoughts about the direction of the nation following Trump&rsquo;s return to the White House. For the discussion, Scott was joined by WABE politics reporter<a href="https://www.wabe.org/people/rahul-bali/"> Rahul Bali</a>, <a href="https://aysps.gsu.edu/profile/tammy-greer/">Tammy Greer,</a> a politics and policy clinical assistant professor at Georgia State University, and <a href="https://www.wabe.org/cathy-woolard/">Cathy Woolard,</a> a longtime Democratic leader, former Atlanta City Council president and former board chair of the Fulton County Elections.

Feedback Friday: Listeners react to state of the nation following a year of Trump’s second presidential term

The FBI is now investigating the shooting death of a woman in South Minneapolis. On Wednesday, following an immigration enforcement operation, an ICE officer shot and killed 37-year-old mother Renee Good while she was in her car. The situation has sparked national outrage and ongoing protests in Minnesota's Twin Cities. MPR News correspondent Matt Sepic joins “Closer Look” to discuss the latest in the ongoing investigation.

Plus, fallout continues over President Donald Trump’s military action over Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela and current President of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta.

 

 Charles Shapiro shares his thoughts on the unfolding situation and questions the Trump Administration’s motives for taking military action against Venezuela. He also shares his thoughts about the next era of leadership in the country. 

 

Lastly, Michael J. Moore, a former United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia and former member of the Georgia State Senate, talks about the deadly Minnesota shooting, the duties and responsibilities of ICE agents and possible legal consequences for the ICE agent.

The<a href="https://dps.mn.gov/news/bca/bca-statement-regarding-investigation-ice-fatal-shooting-minneapolis"> FBI is now investigating</a> the shooting death of a<a href="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/08/questions-follow-after-ice-agent-kills-renee-good-in-minneapolis"> woman in South Minneapolis</a>. On Wednesday, following an immigration enforcement operation, an ICE officer shot and killed 37-year-old mother Renee Good while she was in her car. The situation has sparked national outrage and ongoing protests in Minnesota's Twin Cities. MPR News correspondent<a href="https://www.mprnews.org/people/matt-sepic"> Matt Sepic</a> joins &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; to discuss the latest in the ongoing investigation.
Plus, fallout continues over President Donald Trump&rsquo;s military action over Venezuela and the capture of President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela and current President of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/shapiro_WAC">Charles Shapiro</a> shares his thoughts on the unfolding situation and questions the Trump Administration&rsquo;s motives for taking military action against Venezuela. He also shares his thoughts about the next era of leadership in the country.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Lastly, <a href="https://moorehall.com/attorneys/michael-j-moore/">Michael J. Moore</a>, a former United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia and former member of the Georgia State Senate, talks about the deadly Minnesota shooting, the duties and responsibilities of ICE agents and possible legal consequences for the ICE agent.

Minneapolis ICE shooting sparks outrage and protests; Former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela sees many challenges for the country following U.S. military action

Research shows coordinated efforts and collective action—among school systems, child welfare agencies, policymakers, and community partners—can significantly improve outcomes for children and youth in foster care. In Georgia, as of May 2025, more than 11,300 children were in foster care, according to the Georgia Department of Human Services.

The work of the nonprofit Court Appointed Special Advocates, also known as Atlanta CASA, centers on helping children and young people in need. The organization supports abused and neglected children involved in the juvenile court system in Fulton County by recruiting and training volunteers to be advocates for them.

On Wednesday’s edition of  “Closer Look,” program host Rose Scott talked with Atlanta CASA's chief executive officer, Domonique Cooper, and Angela Owens, a recruiter and community engagement specialist for the organization. They talked more about CASA’s mission, its impact, and the urgent need for more volunteer advocates.

Research shows coordinated efforts and collective action&mdash;among school systems, child welfare agencies, policymakers, and community partners&mdash;can significantly improve outcomes for children and youth in foster care. In Georgia, as of May 2025, more than 11,300 children were in foster care, according to the Georgia Department of Human Services.
The work of the nonprofit Court Appointed Special Advocates, also known as<a href="https://atlantacasa.org/"> Atlanta CASA</a>, centers on helping children and young people in need. The organization supports abused and neglected children involved in the juvenile court system in Fulton County by recruiting and training volunteers to be advocates for them.
On Wednesday&rsquo;s edition of&nbsp; &ldquo;Closer Look,&rdquo; program host Rose Scott talked with Atlanta CASA's chief executive officer,<a href="https://atlantacasa.org/about/our-team/"> Domonique Cooper,</a> and<a href="https://atlantacasa.org/about/our-team/"> Angela Owens</a>, a recruiter and community engagement specialist for the organization. They talked more about CASA&rsquo;s mission, its impact, and the urgent need for more volunteer advocates.

Atlanta’s new interim inspector general talks top priorities

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