Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention returns to “Closer Look” to discuss several topics, including the COVID pandemic and how racism is a serious public health threat and what her agency is doing to combat it. 

Plus, Clinton Vicks, an Albany-based farmer and operator of The Vicks Estate, discusses the goals of the Southwest Georgia Agri-Tourism Trail initiative, a collection of Airbnb stays throughout southwest Georgia hosted by Black farmers. 

<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/about/leadership/director.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr. Rochelle Walensky</a>, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention returns to “Closer Look” to discuss several topics, including the COVID pandemic and how racism is a serious public health threat and what her agency is doing to combat it. Plus, Clinton Vicks, an Albany-based farmer and operator of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheVicksEstate/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Vicks Estate</a>, discusses the goals of <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/shirley-sherrod-opens-southwest-georgia-agri-tourism-trail-on-airbnb/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the Southwest Georgia Agri-Tourism Trail initiative</a>, a collection of Airbnb stays throughout southwest Georgia hosted by Black farmers.&nbsp;

"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

CDC leader discusses health equity and the impact of racism on public health; Southwest Georgia Agri-Tourism Trail initiative aims to attract visitors to Black-owned farms

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we discuss a new website that breaks down how the trade war is costing each state and each household. According to Tariffs.org, Georgia ranks fourth among the hardest hit states by the tariffs, at a cost of $20 Billion or $4,771 per household. Bryan Riley is the Director of the Free Trade Initiative for the National Taxpayers Union Foundation. He joins the conversation to explain which Georgia industries are paying the highest price.

 

Then, Atlanta is known for its pop and hip hop fingerprint on the music industry. But a new series is letting music fans experience another Atlanta connection and that's to electronic music. WABE’s Sawyer Vanderwerff explores WetWare, an immersive, live audiovisual concert series that’s taking place in the Little Five Points neighborhood.

 

On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>, we discuss a new website that breaks down how the trade war is costing each state and each household. According to <a href="https://tariffs.org/georgia">Tariffs.org</a>, Georgia ranks fourth among the hardest hit states by the tariffs, at a cost of $20 Billion or $4,771 per household. <a href="https://www.ntu.org/foundation/about/staff/bryan-riley-2">Bryan Riley</a> is the Director of the Free Trade Initiative for the National Taxpayers Union Foundation. He joins the conversation to explain which Georgia industries are paying the highest price.
&nbsp;
Then, Atlanta is known for its pop and hip hop fingerprint on the music industry. But a new series is letting music fans experience another Atlanta connection and that's to electronic music. WABE&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/people/sawyer-vanderwerff/">Sawyer Vanderwerff</a> explores <a href="http://www.wetwareatl.com/">WetWare</a>, an immersive, live audiovisual concert series that&rsquo;s taking place in the Little Five Points neighborhood.
&nbsp;

Georgia among hardest hit states by tariffs; WetWare highlights Atlanta’s electronic music scene; Westside Future Fund’s ongoing efforts for Atlanta neighborhoods

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.
&nbsp;
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>.
&nbsp;
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.

CDC leader discusses health equity and the impact of racism on public health; Southwest Georgia Agri-Tourism Trail initiative aims to attract visitors to Black-owned farms

In 1 playlist(s)

Closer Look with Rose Scott

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips