Federal safety officials say we're in the peak time of year for pediatric hot car deaths -- when fatalities usually climb sharply in July and August.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says as of the end of July, 17 children have died in the U.S. due to pediatric vehicular heat stroke. Among them is a tragedy that occurred outside Northside Gwinnett Hospital just last week. On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we speak to NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison. He explained the three common ways a child can be trapped and overheated in a car, and offers multiple ways for parents, guardians, and other caretakers to remind themselves and not forget about a child in the backseat.

 

We also welcome back to the show, Kristi Swartz, a contributing writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She recently published an article that discussed a nonbinding promise between the White House and several big tech companies. The agreement states the tech giants will pay electricity costs in areas where data centers are being built. With the agreement being largely symbolic, some Georgians are still concerned how they’ll be impacted, even with Georgia Power promising to freeze electricity rates through 2028. Swartz also shares the latest news on data centers coming to Georgia and residents’ efforts to attempt to stop them.

Federal safety officials say we're in the peak time of year for pediatric hot car deaths -- when fatalities usually climb sharply in July and August.&nbsp; The <a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/heatstroke">National Highway Traffic Safety Administration</a> says as of the end of July, 17 children have died in the U.S. due to pediatric vehicular heat stroke. Among them is a tragedy that occurred outside Northside Gwinnett Hospital just last week. On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>, we speak to NHTSA Administrator <a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-leadership/jonathan-morrison">Jonathan Morrison</a>. He explained the three common ways a child can be trapped and overheated in a car, and offers multiple ways for parents, guardians, and other caretakers to remind themselves and not forget about a child in the backseat.
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We also welcome back to the show, <a href="https://www.ajc.com/staff/kristi.swartz">Kristi Swartz</a>, a contributing writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She recently published an article that discussed a nonbinding promise between the White House and several big tech companies. The agreement states the <a href="https://www.ajc.com/business/2026/07/kemp-joins-trump-effort-to-shield-consumers-from-data-center-power-costs/">tech giants will pay electricity costs</a> in areas where <a href="https://www.wabe.org/data-centers/">data centers</a> are being built. With the agreement being largely symbolic, some Georgians are still concerned how they&rsquo;ll be impacted, even with Georgia Power promising to freeze electricity rates through 2028. Swartz also shares the latest news on data centers coming to Georgia and residents&rsquo; efforts to attempt to stop them.

"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.