Congresswoman Nikema Williams, who represents Georgia's 5th Congressional District, joins “Closer Look” to discuss a new proposed bill that aims to restore neighborhoods damaged by highway construction projects in the 1950s. Plus,Bala Ganesh, the vice president of engineering at UPS, discusses his company’s recent purchase of ten electric airplanes from Beta Technologies.

Congresswoman Nikema Williams, who represents Georgia's 5th Congressional District, joins “Closer Look” to discuss a new <a href="https://nikemawilliams.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-nikema-williams-introduces-bill-undo-generational-damage-highway" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">proposed bill</a> that aims to restore neighborhoods damaged by highway construction projects in the 1950s. Plus,Bala Ganesh, the vice president of engineering at UPS, discusses his company’s recent purchase of ten electric airplanes from Beta Technologies.

"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

Congresswoman Nikema Williams Proposes Bill That Aims To Restore Communities Disrupted By Highway Construction; UPS Purchases New Electric Aircraft 

With historic wins for the Democratic Party, the 2026 midterm elections are being cited as a "blue wave" or "tsunami." Leadership in statewide seats – including the governor’s office – exchanged parties. So, should Georgia now be considered a blue state? On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, our political panel discusses the outcome of Tuesday’s election.  

 

GUESTS INCLUDE:

WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali

Veteran politics reporter and WABE host emeritus Denis O'Hayer

Fallon McClure, Director to Deputy Southeast Regional Director, Working Families Party

Fred Hicks, Atlanta based campaign strategist and demographer

Devin Barrington Ward, progressive community organizer and the managing director of the Black Futurists Group

Saba Long, political communications strategist

GSU politics and policy professor Tammy Greer

With historic wins for the Democratic Party, the 2026 midterm elections are being cited as a "blue wave" or "tsunami." Leadership in statewide seats &ndash; including the <a href="https://www.wabe.org/bottoms-beats-jackson-in-georgia-governors-race/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="">governor&rsquo;s office</a> &ndash; exchanged parties. So, should Georgia now be considered a blue state? On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1" data-ogsc="">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>, our political panel discusses the outcome of Tuesday&rsquo;s election. &nbsp;
&nbsp;
GUESTS INCLUDE:
WABE politics reporter <a href="https://www.wabe.org/people/rahul-bali/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">Rahul Bali</a>
Veteran politics reporter and WABE host emeritus Denis O'Hayer
Fallon McClure, Director to Deputy Southeast Regional Director, <a href="https://workingfamilies.org/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3" data-ogsc="">Working Families Party</a>
<a href="https://fredhicks.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4" data-ogsc="">Fred Hicks</a>, Atlanta based campaign strategist and demographer
<a href="https://www.blackfuturistsgroup.com/staff" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="5" data-ogsc="">Devin Barrington Ward</a>, progressive community organizer and the managing director of the Black Futurists Group
Saba Long, political communications strategist
GSU politics and policy professor <a href="https://ays.gsu.edu/profile/tammy-greer/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="6" data-ogsc="">Tammy Greer</a>

Reviews and reactions to historic 2026 midterm elections

It’s Halloween weekend, what better time to celebrate cosplay, pop culture, comics and art? On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we speak to Greg Burnham, comic creator and event organizer for the Black Atlanta Comic Expo. The inaugural event is happening Saturday and Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Northeast in Norcross. Burnham shares what makes this event unique and what guests can expect.

 

Then, we get political analysis on the final day of early voting ahead of Tuesday’s midterm election. What chances do the candidates have? How have their strategies played out on the campaign trail? And what does voter turnout tell us about the strengths of the campaigns? We hear from:

 

Fred Hicks, an Atlanta-based campaign strategist and demographer

Devin Barrington Ward, a progressive community organizer and managing director of the Black Futurists Group

Saba Long, political communications strategist

Rahul Bali, WABE politics reporter

Julianne Thompson, a Republican strategist and the president of Main Street Network Strategies

Cory J. Ruth, the founder and CEO of the political consultant and strategy firm Mergence Global

It&rsquo;s Halloween weekend, what better time to celebrate cosplay, pop culture, comics and art? On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>, we speak to Greg Burnham, comic creator and event organizer for the <a href="https://www.blackatlantacomicexpo.com/">Black Atlanta Comic Expo</a>. The inaugural event is happening Saturday and Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Northeast in Norcross. Burnham shares what makes this event unique and what guests can expect.
&nbsp;
Then, we get political analysis on the final day of early voting ahead of Tuesday&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/election/">midterm election</a>. What chances do the candidates have? How have their strategies played out on the campaign trail? And what does voter turnout tell us about the strengths of the campaigns? We hear from:
&nbsp;
<a href="https://fredhicks.com/">Fred Hicks</a>, an Atlanta-based campaign strategist and demographer
<a href="https://www.blackfuturistsgroup.com/staff">Devin Barrington Ward</a>, a progressive community organizer and managing director of the Black Futurists Group
Saba Long, political communications strategist
<a href="https://www.wabe.org/people/rahul-bali/">Rahul Bali</a>, WABE politics reporter
<a href="https://msnstrategies.com/index.php/our-team/">Julianne Thompson</a>, a Republican strategist and the president of Main Street Network Strategies
<a href="https://intch.org/12580965">Cory J. Ruth</a>, the founder and CEO of the political consultant and strategy firm Mergence Global

Inaugural Black Atlanta Comic Expo this weekend; Political temperature check as midterm election nears

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we examine the findings of the 2026 Black Census. The survey of 6,000 participants found only 3% trust the federal government, while 95% plan to vote. Kristin Powell, Executive Director of Black Futures Lab, discusses what their report shows about economic, political and social conditions within the Black Community as the midterm election approaches.

 

Then, it’s almost Halloween – in the mood for a scary story? We speak to Georgia native Katherine Daniel about her debut novel, When the Night Comes Knocking. In this Appalachian horror novel, two estranged siblings become trapped in a convenience store under attack by a monster from the mountains who feasts on guilty hearts. Daniel also shares her writing journey and what continues to inspire her writing career.  

On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>, we examine the findings of the <a href="https://blackfutureslab.org/black-census-project/">2026 Black Census</a>. The survey of 6,000 participants found only 3% trust the federal government, while 95% plan to vote. Kristin Powell, Executive Director of <a href="https://blackfutureslab.org/">Black Futures Lab</a>, discusses what their report shows about economic, political and social conditions within the Black Community as the midterm election approaches.
&nbsp;
Then, it&rsquo;s almost Halloween &ndash; in the mood for a scary story? We speak to Georgia native <a href="https://kdanielwrites.com/about/">Katherine Daniel</a> about her debut novel, When the Night Comes Knocking. In this Appalachian horror novel, two estranged siblings become trapped in a convenience store under attack by a monster from the mountains who feasts on guilty hearts. Daniel also shares her writing journey and what continues to inspire her writing career. &nbsp;

Congresswoman Nikema Williams Proposes Bill That Aims To Restore Communities Disrupted By Highway Construction; UPS Purchases New Electric Aircraft

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