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

Black mothers and other women of color continue to face serious health disparities during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. Georgia has one of the highest Black maternal mortality rates in the nation. To bring awareness and work towards solutions, Black Mamas Matter Alliance is hosting the 9th annual Black Maternal Health Week. The event runs through April 11–17, and this year’s theme is "Rooted in Joy & Justice." On today’s “Closer Look,” we hear from Angela Aina, the co-founder and executive director of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance. 

 

Then, Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based surveillance company, is facing increasing community pushback as it secures contracts with law enforcement agencies across the country. Flock cameras can be found across metro Atlanta – including in Chamblee, where the police department recently opened its Real-Time Crime Center. Among Flock’s loudest critics is Benn Jordan, who worked with technology experts and journalists to expose security vulnerabilities. 


Plus, Kathleen Bertrand, a celebrated Atlanta jazz vocalist and writer, recently became the focus of study for a group of Clark Atlanta University music students. Alongside her longtime musical director, Phil Davis—who also chairs the university’s music department—Bertrand will be featured in CAU’s Artist Showcase. On this edition of “Closer Look,” listen as they discuss this special event and their love of music. The CAU Jazztet Artist Showcase is free and will take place on April 16 at 7 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church.

Black mothers and other women of color continue to face serious health disparities during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. Georgia has one of the highest Black maternal mortality rates in the nation. To bring awareness and work towards solutions, <a href="https://blackmamasmatter.org/about/">Black Mamas Matter Alliance</a> is hosting the<a href="https://blackmamasmatter.org/"> 9th annual Black Maternal Health Week</a>. The event runs through April 11&ndash;17, and this year&rsquo;s theme is "Rooted in Joy &amp; Justice." On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>,&rdquo; we hear from Angela Aina, the co-founder and executive director of the<a href="https://blackmamasmatter.org/about/"> Black Mamas Matter Alliance</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Then, <a href="https://www.flocksafety.com/">Flock Safety</a>, an Atlanta-based surveillance company, is facing increasing community pushback as it secures contracts with law enforcement agencies across the country. Flock cameras can be found across metro Atlanta &ndash; including in Chamblee, where the police department <a href="https://www.wabe.org/chamblee-police-chief-committed-to-privacy-rights-public-safety-with-real-time-crime-center/">recently opened its Real-Time Crime Center</a>. Among Flock&rsquo;s loudest critics is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@BennJordan">Benn Jordan</a>, who worked with technology experts and journalists to expose security vulnerabilities.&nbsp;
 Plus, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6PmFyvJI0cXPQnbCqlhiv9?si=cnQtGvKqQEia6qr8qEnzzw">Kathleen Bertrand</a>, a celebrated Atlanta jazz vocalist and writer, recently became the focus of study for a group of <a href="https://www.cau.edu/academics/schools-departments/school-arts-sciences/arts-sciences-undergraduate-programs/music">Clark Atlanta University</a> music students. Alongside her longtime musical director, <a href="https://www.cau.edu/directory/phillip-davis">Phil Davis</a>&mdash;who also chairs the university&rsquo;s music department&mdash;Bertrand will be featured in CAU&rsquo;s Artist Showcase. On this edition of &ldquo;Closer Look,&rdquo; listen as they discuss this special event and their love of music. The CAU Jazztet Artist Showcase is free and will take place on April 16 at 7 p.m. at <a href="https://www.centralumcatl.org/">Central United Methodist Church</a>.

Black Maternal Health Week; YouTuber finds security flaws in Flock cameras; Jazz Artist Kathleen Bertrand collaborates with CAU Jazztet

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we walkthrough Chamblee Police Department’s new $2 Million, state-of-the-art facility Real-Time Crime Center. Police Chief Michael Dieppa explains how officers and investigators will utilize dozens of cameras throughout the city as a crime solving, crime prevention, and public safety tool, while protecting citizens’ privacy rights.


Also, reports have tied Christian nationalists to the January 6th insurrection, attempts to turn over the 2020 election and the aggressive immigration tactics currently taking place in the U.S. Scott speaks with Joy Johnson, the lead organizer for the Georgia group of Christians Against Christian Nationalism. The organization is among the evangelicals who are becoming more outspoken and denouncing those beliefs, which often include underlying racism.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; we walkthrough <a href="https://www.chambleega.com/police_department/">Chamblee Police Department</a>&rsquo;s new $2 Million, state-of-the-art facility <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVAJtOZaAvE">Real-Time Crime Center</a>. Police Chief Michael Dieppa explains how officers and investigators will utilize dozens of cameras throughout the city as a crime solving, crime prevention, and public safety tool, while protecting citizens&rsquo; privacy rights.
 Also, reports have tied Christian nationalists to the January 6th insurrection, attempts to turn over the 2020 election and the aggressive immigration tactics currently taking place in the U.S. Scott speaks with <a href="https://www.wabe.org/new-chapter-of-christians-against-christian-nationalism-fighting-the-ideology-in-georgia/">Joy Johnson</a>, the lead organizer for the <a href="http://www.georgia-cacn.com/">Georgia group of Christians Against Christian Nationalism</a>. The organization is among the evangelicals who are becoming more outspoken and denouncing those beliefs, which often include underlying racism.

Touring Chamblee Police Department’s Real-Time Crime Center; Christians confronting Christian Nationalism

It’s been a year since the Trump Administration began mass layoffs at the Atlanta-based agency. Over the past year, about 3,000 workers either left or were laid off from the CDC. Add onto that, policies led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. either eliminated or disrupted the agency’s focus on violence prevention and HIV. Secretary Kennedy also made controversial claims about autism and vaccines, all while the nation experienced outbreaks of the measles. HHS has also paused several lab tests and altered dietary guidelines. On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we welcomed former CDC workers back to the program to discuss policy changes and how the laid off workers have coped over the past year.

It&rsquo;s been a year since the Trump Administration began <a href="https://www.wabe.org/georgia-cdc-jobs-slashed-amid-trump-administration-federal-workforce-cuts/">mass layoffs</a> at the Atlanta-based agency. Over the past year, about 3,000 workers either left or were laid off from the CDC. Add onto that, policies led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. either eliminated or disrupted the agency&rsquo;s focus on violence prevention and HIV. Secretary Kennedy also made controversial claims about <a href="https://www.wabe.org/georgia-doctors-debunk-misinformation-on-vaccines-medications-and-health-care/">autism and vaccines</a>, all while the nation experienced outbreaks of the measles. HHS has also <a href="https://www.wabe.org/atlanta-based-cdc-pauses-dozens-of-types-of-lab-testing-during-evaluation-and-in-wake-of-downsizing/">paused several lab tests</a> and altered dietary guidelines. On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; we welcomed former CDC workers back to the program to discuss policy changes and how the laid off workers have coped over the past year.

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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