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

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 6 children in the U.S. between the ages of 3 and 17 have been diagnosed with a developmental disability. Data also shows more than 226,000 families in Georgia are caring for a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability. For decades, the nonprofit Parent to Parent of Georgia has provided statewide resources, free one-on-one support and training to families through its free Supporting Parent Program. Latoya Palmer-Addy, the CEO of Parent to Parent of Georgia, and Marshall Seal, a Supporting Parent volunteer, talked more about the services, trainings and impact of the program in Georgia. 


With two weeks left in the current Georgia Legislative Session, WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali says this is often when tensions can rise. He joined Closer Look with Rose Scott to provide an update on legislation already advancing to Governor Brian Kemp, as well as bills being reshaped as they move between chambers.

 

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 6 children in the U.S. between the ages of 3 and 17 have been diagnosed with a developmental disability. Data also shows more than 226,000 families in Georgia are caring for a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability. For decades, the nonprofit <a href="https://www.p2pga.org/">Parent to Parent of Georgia</a> has provided statewide resources, free one-on-one support and training to families through its free <a href="https://www.p2pga.org/support/supporting-parent/">Supporting Parent Program</a>. Latoya Palmer-Addy, the CEO of Parent to Parent of Georgia, and Marshall Seal, a Supporting Parent volunteer, talked more about the services, trainings and impact of the program in Georgia.&nbsp;
 With two weeks left in the current Georgia Legislative Session, WABE politics reporter <a href="https://www.wabe.org/people/rahul-bali/">Rahul Bali</a> says this is often when tensions can rise. He joined <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a> to provide an update on legislation already advancing to Governor Brian Kemp, as well as bills being reshaped as they move between chambers.
&nbsp;

Organization supports families impacted by healthcare needs of developmental disabilities;  Final Weeks Under the Gold Dome: What’s Moving and What’s Not

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.

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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