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

We revisit “Closer Look” host Rose Scott’s conversation with Dr. Louis W. Sullivan. His dedication to medicine and public health includes serving as the 17th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services and the founding president and dean of the Morehouse School of Medicine. He discusses his journey which put him alongside global leaders like Nelson Mandela, President George H. W. Bush, and several other notables. 

After an eight-year hiatus, Grammy-winning artist Miguel is bringing a myriad of life experiences to his new music and multi-city tour, which recently kicked off at the Coca-Cola Roxy. During his stop in Atlanta, the singer, songwriter and producer spoke with “Closer Look” producer LaShawn Hudson about his bilingual album, “CAOS,” and how he put to music his experience with divorce, a new partner, becoming a father, his Black and Latino culture, as well as current tension in the U.S. surrounding immigration.  

We revisit &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; host Rose Scott&rsquo;s conversation with <a href="https://www.wabe.org/dr-louis-sullivan-a-servant-life-in-medicine-and-public-health/">Dr. Louis W. Sullivan</a>. His dedication to medicine and public health includes serving as the 17th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services and the founding president and dean of the Morehouse School of Medicine. He discusses his journey which put him alongside global leaders like Nelson Mandela, President George H. W. Bush, and several other notables.&nbsp;
After an eight-year hiatus, Grammy-winning artist <a href="https://www.officialmiguel.com/">Miguel</a> is bringing a myriad of life experiences to his new music and multi-city tour, which recently kicked off at the Coca-Cola Roxy. During his stop in Atlanta, the singer, songwriter and producer spoke with &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>&rdquo; producer LaShawn Hudson about his bilingual album, &ldquo;CAOS,&rdquo; and how he put to music his experience with divorce, a new partner, becoming a father, his Black and Latino culture, as well as current tension in the U.S. surrounding immigration. &nbsp;

Dr. Louis Sullivan’s dedication to medicine, public health; Miguel begins CAOS tour in Atlanta, with bilingual songs of personal growth and social awareness 

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;

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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