President Donald Trump’s 100-day mark for his second term is fast approaching. Since taking office, the Trump administration has already taken several executive actions on education, immigration and more. Today’s special edition of “Closer Look” focused on the potential economic and social challenges the Atlanta region could face within the next four years. The conversation allowed guests to share their concerns and thoughts about the local response and mobilization to federal actions.

 

Guests include:

 

Staci Fox, the president and CEO of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute

 

Fallon McClure, the deputy southeast regional director for Working Families Power

 

Fred A. Jones,  the senior director of public policy and advocacy at the Southern Education Foundation

 

Nathaniel Smith, the founder and chief equity officer of the Atlanta-based Partnership for Southern Equity

President Donald Trump&rsquo;s 100-day mark for his second term is fast approaching. Since taking office, the Trump administration has already taken several executive actions on education, immigration and more. Today&rsquo;s special edition of &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; focused on the potential&nbsp;economic and social challenges the Atlanta region could face within the next four years. The conversation allowed guests to share their concerns and thoughts about the local response and mobilization to federal actions.
&nbsp;
Guests include:
&nbsp;
<a href="https://gbpi.org/about-us/staff-and-board/staci-fox/">Staci Fox</a>, the president and CEO of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute
&nbsp;
Fallon McClure, the deputy southeast regional director for <a href="https://workingfamilies.org/state/georgia/">Working Families Power</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://southerneducation.org/people/fred-a-jones-jr/">Fred A. Jones</a>, &nbsp;the senior director of public policy and advocacy at the Southern Education Foundation
&nbsp;
<a href="https://psequity.org/nathaniel-smith/">Nathaniel Smith</a>, the founder and chief equity officer of the Atlanta-based Partnership for Southern Equity

"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

“Closer Look” roundtable: How should Atlanta respond to this social & economic moment?

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.

CobbLinc Go averaging 3,000 rides per month; “Echoes of the Storm” performances reflect on aftermath of Hurricane Katrina 

On today’s Closer Look, host Rose Scott speaks to Atlanta-based immigration attorney Sarah Owings and Mildred Pierre, the fiancé of Rodney Taylor, a Gwinnett County barber and double amputee. Taylor has remained in a Georgia immigration detention center since January 2025. Pierre and Owings say authorities have made it difficult for Taylor to access necessary medical care while detained in what they describe as unsanitary conditions at Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin. They share the latest news about Taylor facing deportation. 


Plus, for "Closer Look's" Women's History Month series, "Piloting the Journey,"Dr. Kitty Carter-Wicker reflects on the profound impact that her family continues to have on her life and career. The Morehouse School of Medicine alum currently serves as professor of family medicine at her alma mater and the medical director of the Atlanta University Center Consortium's Student Health and Wellness Center. She shares details about navigating the ups and downs of her more than three-decade career in the medical field. Carter-Wicker also explains why one of the greatest life lessons she learned over the course of her career is empathy.

On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>, host Rose Scott speaks to Atlanta-based immigration attorney <a href="https://omimm.com/our-team/sarah-owings-2-2/">Sarah Owings</a> and Mildred Pierre, the fianc&eacute; of <a href="https://www.wabe.org/immigration-attorney-and-fiancee-advocate-for-the-release-of-georgia-barber-detained-by-ice/">Rodney Taylor</a>, a Gwinnett County barber and double amputee. Taylor has remained in a Georgia immigration detention center since January 2025. Pierre and Owings say authorities have made it difficult for Taylor to access necessary medical care while detained in what they describe as unsanitary conditions at Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin. They share the latest news about Taylor facing deportation.&nbsp;
 Plus, for "Closer Look's" Women's History Month series, <a href="https://www.wabe.org/piloting-the-journey/">"Piloting the Journey,"</a> <a href="https://www.msm.edu/Current_Students/student-health/meetthestaff.php">Dr. Kitty Carter-Wicker</a> reflects on the profound impact that her family continues to have on her life and career. The <a href="https://www.wabe.org/morehouse-school-of-medicine/">Morehouse School of Medicine</a> alum currently serves as professor of family medicine at her alma mater and the medical director of the Atlanta University Center Consortium's Student Health and Wellness Center. She shares details about navigating the ups and downs of her more than three-decade career in the medical field. Carter-Wicker also explains why one of the greatest life lessons she learned over the course of her career is empathy.

Double amputee faces deportation while in unsanitary Georgia detention center; 'Piloting the Journey': Dr. Kitty Carter-Wicker

A map created by Science for Georgia, a science advocacy nonprofit, conservatively estimates around 100 data centers in Georgia. But the exact number is difficult to pin down because the state government doesn’t maintain its own public database, which also makes it hard to track any economic impacts. The organization’s executive director, Dr. Amy Sharma also joins Closer Lookto warn about SB 410, a bill being considered by the Georgia Legislature that she says does not do enough to protect consumers from the costs of data centers.

 

Atlanta-based campaign strategist and demographer Fred Hicks joins Closer Look host Rose Scott for a post-qualifying update on the Georgia governor’s race. Sixteen candidates qualified for the May 19th primary to represent the Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian Parties in the November election. Hicks shares how money, advertisements and endorsements are showing the strength of the campaigns.

A map created by <a href="https://scienceforgeorgia.org/about/">Science for Georgia</a>, a science advocacy nonprofit, <a href="https://scienceforgeorgia.org/knowledge-base1/data-centers-big-power-small-jobs/">conservatively estimates around 100 data centers</a> in Georgia. But the exact number is difficult to pin down because the state government doesn&rsquo;t maintain its own public database, which also makes it hard to track any economic impacts. The organization&rsquo;s executive director, Dr. Amy Sharma also joins <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a> to warn about SB 410, a bill being considered by the Georgia Legislature that she says does not do enough to protect consumers from the costs of data centers.
&nbsp;
Atlanta-based campaign strategist and demographer <a href="https://fredhicks.com/">Fred Hicks</a> joins <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a> host Rose Scott for a post-qualifying update on the <a href="https://www.wabe.org/georgia-governor-race/">Georgia governor&rsquo;s race</a>. Sixteen candidates qualified for the May 19th primary to represent the Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian Parties in the November election. Hicks shares how money, advertisements and endorsements are showing the strength of the campaigns.

“Closer Look” roundtable: How should Atlanta respond to this social & economic moment?

Closer Look with Rose Scott

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