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

A map created by Science for Georgia, a science advocacy nonprofit, conservatively estimates around 100 data centers in Georgia. But the exact number is difficult to pin down because the state government doesn’t maintain its own public database, which also makes it hard to track any economic impacts. The organization’s executive director, Dr. Amy Sharma also joins Closer Lookto warn about SB 410, a bill being considered by the Georgia Legislature that she says does not do enough to protect consumers from the costs of data centers.

 

Atlanta-based campaign strategist and demographer Fred Hicks joins Closer Look host Rose Scott for a post-qualifying update on the Georgia governor’s race. Sixteen candidates qualified for the May 19th primary to represent the Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian Parties in the November election. Hicks shares how money, advertisements and endorsements are showing the strength of the campaigns.

A map created by <a href="https://scienceforgeorgia.org/about/">Science for Georgia</a>, a science advocacy nonprofit, <a href="https://scienceforgeorgia.org/knowledge-base1/data-centers-big-power-small-jobs/">conservatively estimates around 100 data centers</a> in Georgia. But the exact number is difficult to pin down because the state government doesn&rsquo;t maintain its own public database, which also makes it hard to track any economic impacts. The organization&rsquo;s executive director, Dr. Amy Sharma also joins <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a> to warn about SB 410, a bill being considered by the Georgia Legislature that she says does not do enough to protect consumers from the costs of data centers.
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Atlanta-based campaign strategist and demographer <a href="https://fredhicks.com/">Fred Hicks</a> joins <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a> host Rose Scott for a post-qualifying update on the <a href="https://www.wabe.org/georgia-governor-race/">Georgia governor&rsquo;s race</a>. Sixteen candidates qualified for the May 19th primary to represent the Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian Parties in the November election. Hicks shares how money, advertisements and endorsements are showing the strength of the campaigns.

Nonprofit warns about data centers and SB 410; How money & strategy are driving GA Governor’s Race 

In recent years, a pair of deadly school shootings has led to landmark legal cases in America. The November 2021 shooting at a Michigan high school and the September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, placed the blame on the accused teenagers, as well as their parents. On today’s “Closer Look,” host Rose Scott is joined by Attorneys Gil Deitch and Andy Rogers. The law firm is representing the family of Christian Angulo, one of the fatal victims of the Apalachee High School shooting. They addressed listeners’ comments and questions about the extent of a parent’s responsibility for a child’s criminal behavior. 

In recent years, a pair of deadly school shootings has led to landmark legal cases in America. The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-michigan-4e1a14622ed8c5a6bcc7e8da88e3c33d">November 2021 shooting at a Michigan high school</a>&nbsp;and the <a href="https://apnews.com/video/school-shootings-schools-shootings-homicide-law-enforcement-7f23376c76a440b4855466f6a0ff385b">September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School</a>&nbsp;in Winder, Georgia, placed the blame on the accused teenagers, as well as their parents. On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>,&rdquo; host Rose Scott is joined by Attorneys&nbsp;<a href="https://victimattorneys.com/team/gilbert-deitch/">Gil Deitch</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://victimattorneys.com/team/andrew-rogers/">Andy Rogers</a>. The law firm is representing the family of Christian Angulo, one of the fatal victims of the Apalachee High School shooting. They addressed listeners&rsquo; comments and questions about the extent of a parent&rsquo;s responsibility for a child&rsquo;s criminal behavior.&nbsp;

How much responsibility do parents bear for their children's crimes?

There’s only three weeks left until state lawmakers shout, “Sine Die” to mark the end of the 2026 legislative session. On today’s “Closer Look,” host Rose Scott speaks with Georgia State Senator Kim Jackson and WABE Politics Reporter Rahul Bali about the bills that have the potential to become law this session. They also discuss the elections and most pressing issues that could have the greatest political impact on Georgia in 2026 and the years ahead.

There&rsquo;s only three weeks left until state lawmakers shout, &ldquo;Sine Die&rdquo; to mark the end of the 2026 legislative session. On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>,&rdquo; host Rose Scott speaks with <a href="https://www.senate.ga.gov/senators/en-us/member.aspx?Member=4981&amp;Session=">Georgia State Senator Kim Jackson</a> and WABE Politics Reporter <a href="https://www.wabe.org/people/rahul-bali/">Rahul Bali</a> about the bills that have the potential to become law this session. They also discuss the elections and most pressing issues that could have the greatest political impact on Georgia in 2026 and the years ahead.

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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