The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching. Mayor Patti Garrett discusses how the City of Decatur is preparing fans. They’re hosting Decatur WatchFest26, a 34-day festival.

Plus, Dennis Velez is a 2025 graduate of Georgia Tech. While working toward his degree in mechanical engineering, the theme park enthusiast earned the nickname 'safety guy.' For “Closer Look’s” 2025 graduation series, Velez talks more about his academic journey, his experiences at Georgia Tech, and his aspirations for the future.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup&nbsp;is fast approaching. Mayor Patti Garrett discusses how the City of Decatur is preparing fans. They&rsquo;re hosting <a href="https://decaturwatchfest26.com/">Decatur WatchFest26</a>, a 34-day festival.
Plus, <a href="https://www.gatech.edu/news/2025/04/25/engineering-day-theme-park">Dennis Velez</a>&nbsp;is a 2025 graduate of Georgia Tech. While working toward his degree in mechanical engineering, the theme park enthusiast earned the nickname 'safety guy.' For &ldquo;Closer Look&rsquo;s&rdquo; 2025 graduation series, Velez talks more about his academic journey, his experiences at Georgia Tech, and his aspirations for the future.

"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

Decatur to host a multi-day festival for World Cup fans; Georgia Tech grads on a mission to make theme parks more safe

WABE continues to follow the latest involving a controversial land swap between DeKalb County and a movie studio company that has yet to meet any of the promises made in an agreement. WABE environment reporter Marisa Mecke shares her reporting and what’s next for the site.


“Closer Look” host Rose Scott also speaks with PALS Atlanta Executive Director Thomas Lázaro and Jim Marks, who goes by the stage name, Bubba D. Licious. They discuss two major milestones for the local nonprofit which puts its efforts towards helping pet owners in need.

WABE continues to follow the latest involving a <a href="https://www.wabe.org/we-told-you-it-was-coming-developer-never-fulfilled-its-promises-to-dekalb-for-land-swap-now-it-wants-to-sell/">controversial land swap</a> between DeKalb County and a movie studio company that has yet to meet any of the promises made in an agreement. WABE environment reporter Marisa Mecke shares her reporting and what&rsquo;s next for the site.
 <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">&ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo;</a> host Rose Scott also speaks with <a href="https://www.palsatlanta.org/">PALS Atlanta</a> Executive Director Thomas L&aacute;zaro and Jim Marks, who goes by the stage name, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bubbadlicious/">Bubba D. Licious</a>. They discuss two major milestones for the local nonprofit which puts its efforts towards helping pet owners in need.

WABE follows the latest on controversial DeKalb County land swap; PALS Atlanta marks more than 30 years of aiding pet owners

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is defending the joint military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, saying, “We are punching them while they're down, which is exactly how it should be.” Since the first strikes in late February, Operation Epic Fury has expanded into a regional war, resulting in multiple fatalities, including Iranian schoolgirls and six U.S. Troops. On Thursday’s “Closer Look,” Rose Scott hosts a conversation about the conflict with Georgia State University political science professors Dan Altman and Jelena Subotic, and hears reaction from Atlanta-area listeners. 

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is defending the <a href="https://www.wabe.org/iran-is-pummeled-by-airstrikes-as-it-launches-a-new-wave-of-attacks-against-israel-and-us-bases/">joint military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran</a>, saying, &ldquo;We are punching them while they're down, which is exactly how it should be.&rdquo; Since the first strikes in late February, Operation Epic Fury has expanded into a regional war, resulting in <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/03/04/nx-s1-5735801/satellite-imagery-shows-strike-that-destroyed-iranian-school-was-more-extensive-than-first-reported">multiple fatalities, including Iranian schoolgirls</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-soldiers-who-died-iran-war-46f54df716fe1c5290363da0a15f99f3">six U.S. Troops</a>. On Thursday&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>,&rdquo; Rose Scott hosts a conversation about the conflict with Georgia State University political science professors <a href="https://cas.gsu.edu/profile/daniel-altman/">Dan Altman</a> and <a href="https://chrd.gsu.edu/profile/jelena-subotic-2/">Jelena Subotic</a>, and hears reaction from Atlanta-area listeners.&nbsp;

GSU Experts share insights and “Closer Look” listeners react to U.S.–Israeli military strike on Iran

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and other state leaders have touted the Peach State as one of the best places to do business. However, some lawmakers and advocacy groups say in order for that to be fully true, Georgia must do right by its workforce. As Georgia lawmakers are convening at the state capitol for the 2026 legislative session, State Representative Dewey McClain of Lawrenceville and Ogechi Oparah, the organizing manager representing 9to5 Georgia, are among those prioritizing several labor-related proposed bills: HB1318, HB394, HB395 and HB 1118.

 

Also on today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” the Atlanta People's Campaign will host its third assembly on Saturday, March 14. The aim is to have neighbors meet neighbors, discuss problems in their communities, and invoke change. Organizer Mshairi Siyanda joined Host Rose Scott on Wednesday's "Closer Look" to discuss the upcoming gathering and her hope for community-focused solutions. Movements like this became important to Siyanda after growing up in an Atlanta neighborhood that struggled economically, and after experiencing uncomfortable and changing local attitudes about Black wealth after the 1996 Olympics. 

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and other state leaders have touted the Peach State as one of the best places to do business. However, some lawmakers and advocacy groups say in order for that to be fully true, Georgia must do right by its workforce. As Georgia lawmakers are convening at the state capitol for the 2026 legislative session,<a href="https://www.house.ga.gov/Representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=845&amp;amp;Session=25&amp;Membe"> State Representative Dewey McClain</a> of Lawrenceville and<a href="https://9to5.org/staff/ogechi-oparah/"> Ogechi Oparah</a>, the organizing manager representing 9to5 Georgia, are among those prioritizing several labor-related proposed bills:<a href="https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73247"> HB1318</a>,<a href="https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70195"> HB394</a>,<a href="https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70196"> HB395</a> and<a href="https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72672"> HB 1118</a>.
&nbsp;
Also on today&rsquo;s &ldquo;Closer Look with Rose Scott,&rdquo; the Atlanta People's Campaign will host its third <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/events/atlanta-peoples-movement-assembly-3">assembly on Saturday, March 14</a>. The aim is to have neighbors meet neighbors, discuss problems in their communities, and invoke change. Organizer Mshairi Siyanda joined Host Rose Scott on Wednesday's "<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>" to discuss the upcoming gathering and her hope for community-focused solutions. Movements like this became important to Siyanda after growing up in an Atlanta neighborhood that struggled economically, and after experiencing uncomfortable and changing local attitudes about Black wealth after the 1996 Olympics.&nbsp;

Decatur to host a multi-day festival for World Cup fans; Georgia Tech grads on a mission to make theme parks more safe

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