A 2026 Deloitte summer travel survey reveals vacation plans are down across all income levels, and travel is at its lowest among consumers since at least 2022. In addition, a new report from Georgia Institute of Technology also suggests high gas prices aren't going away anytime soon amid the global energy crisis. For a call-in show on Thursday’s edition of “Closer Look,” host Rose Scott is joined by Georgia Tech professors Daniel Matisoff from the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy and Bobby Harris from the School of Economics. Callers shared how their summer plans have been affected by inflation and other everyday expenses.

<a href="https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/transportation/2026-summer-travel-trends-survey.html">A 2026 Deloitte summer travel survey</a> reveals vacation plans are down across all income levels, and travel is at its lowest among consumers since at least 2022. In addition, a<a href="https://www.gatech.edu/news/2026/05/18/how-global-energy-crisis-affecting-americans"> new report from Georgia Institute of Technology</a> also suggests<a href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=GA"> high gas prices</a> aren't going away anytime soon amid the global energy crisis. For a call-in show on Thursday&rsquo;s edition of<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/"> &ldquo;Closer Look,&rdquo;</a> host Rose Scott is joined by Georgia Tech professors<a href="https://iac.gatech.edu/people/person/daniel-matisoff"> Daniel Matisoff</a> from the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy and<a href="https://econ.gatech.edu/people/person/889222ee-d2fd-599b-9140-79d7dc30afeb"> Bobby Harris</a> from the School of Economics. Callers shared how their summer plans have been affected by inflation and other everyday expenses.

"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

From the gas pump to grocery checkout, Georgians express economic frustrations 

A newly published investigation by the Atlanta Community Press Collective reveals public funds were used to pay consultants promoting Mayor Andres Dickens’Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, including over $100,000 from the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. On Wednesday's edition of "Closer Look," Councilmember Matt Westmoreland, who chairs theCommunity Development and Human Services Committee, discusses how the situation raises concerns about ethics in transparency.

Plus, on the heels of Juneteenth and America's 250th mark, we hear fromDeborah Van Trece, an Atlanta-based chef and restaurateur,Tiffanie Barriere, an internationally acclaimed mixologist, andAdrian Miller, a James Beard Award-winning author. They discuss the intersection of history, food and Juneteenth.

<a href="https://atlpresscollective.com/2026/06/09/atlanta-nri-consultants-housing-trust-fund/">A newly published investigation</a>&nbsp;by the Atlanta Community Press Collective reveals public funds were used to pay consultants promoting Mayor Andres Dickens&rsquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/community-conversations-continue-on-atlantas-nri-tad-extensions/"> </a><a href="https://www.wabe.org/community-conversations-continue-on-atlantas-nri-tad-extensions/">Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative</a>, including over $100,000 from the city&rsquo;s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. On Wednesday's edition of <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">"Closer Look,"</a>&nbsp;Councilmember Matt Westmoreland, who chairs the<a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/GNvkOhrNLfw?si=RjPxRjYlRUnbTc8t&amp;t=8820"> </a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/GNvkOhrNLfw?si=RjPxRjYlRUnbTc8t&amp;t=8820">Community Development and Human Services Committee</a>,&nbsp;discusses how the situation raises concerns about ethics in transparency.
Plus, on the heels of Juneteenth and America's 250th mark, we hear from<a href="https://www.chefdeborahvantrece.com/"> </a><a href="https://www.chefdeborahvantrece.com/">Deborah Van Trece</a>, an Atlanta-based chef and restaurateur,<a href="https://www.thedrinkingcoach.com/about"> </a><a href="https://www.thedrinkingcoach.com/about">Tiffanie Barriere</a>, an internationally acclaimed mixologist, and<a href="https://adrianemiller.com/about/meet-adrian/"> </a><a href="https://adrianemiller.com/about/meet-adrian/">Adrian Miller</a>, a James Beard Award-winning author. They discuss the intersection of history, food and Juneteenth.

Atlanta City Councilman calls for stricter guardrails following housing trust fund ‘clerical error’; Connecting the history of food and Juneteenth 

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we start by speaking with Atlanta-based racial justice leader Dr. Catherine Meeks. In her new book, Bridging the Rivers of Difference: A Proclamation of Unity in Resistance, asks: Why do communities facing similar struggles remain divided, and what would it take to build true unity?


Then, we follow that discussion with author and former U.S. attorney Barbara McQuade. In The Fix: Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government, she compares actions under the Trump Administration to what she’s seen when prosecuting high-level criminals. She gives her view on threats to American democracy, and how it can be fixed.

On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>, we start by speaking with Atlanta-based racial justice leader <a href="https://www.turquoiseandlavender.com/about">Dr. Catherine Meeks</a>. In her new book, Bridging the Rivers of Difference: A Proclamation of Unity in Resistance, asks: Why do communities facing similar struggles remain divided, and what would it take to build true unity?
 Then, we follow that discussion with author and former U.S. attorney <a href="https://michigan.law.umich.edu/faculty-and-scholarship/our-faculty/barbara-l-mcquade">Barbara McQuade</a>. In <a href="https://www.barbaramcquade.com/">The Fix: Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government</a>, she compares actions under the Trump Administration to what she&rsquo;s seen when prosecuting high-level criminals. She gives her view on threats to American democracy, and how it can be fixed.

Dr. Catherine Meeks on building cross racial coalition; Former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade on protecting democracy in a turbulent era

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” with the Trump Administration cutting SNAP benefits, food pantries across the Atlanta metro area are preparing for growing demand on their donations. Santiago Marquez, who serves as the CEO of the Latin American Association, shares that a lot of Latino families are in need, but many don’t seek help due to fear or lack of information about available resources.


Then, we have an in-depth discussion about the impact of data centers on communities in the Atlanta metro area. We hear about their mass consumption of water, high energy usage, and concerns about how a data center will alter a normally quiet rural community.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; with the Trump Administration cutting SNAP benefits, food pantries across the Atlanta metro area are preparing for growing demand on their donations. <a href="https://thelaa.org/team/10294/">Santiago Marquez</a>, who serves as the CEO of the Latin American Association, shares that a lot of <a href="https://www.wabe.org/latin-american-association-experiencing-high-demand-for-food-donations-following-snap-cuts/">Latino families are in need</a>, but many don&rsquo;t seek help due to fear or lack of information about available resources.
 Then, we have an in-depth discussion about the <a href="https://www.wabe.org/data-centers-face-pushback-amid-utility-consumption-in-south-metro-atlanta/">impact of data centers</a> on communities in the Atlanta metro area. We hear about their mass consumption of water, high energy usage, and concerns about how a data center will alter a normally quiet rural community.

From the gas pump to grocery checkout, Georgians express economic frustrations

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