Soli Mercado-Spencer, a senior staff attorney for the Georgia Legal Services Program, discusses Operation Blooming Onion, a multi-year investigation into fraud, human smuggling and labor trafficking that took place at several farms across southern Georgia.

National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888

Georgia Legal Services Program: 1-800-537-7496, https://www.glsp.org/

Plus, Atlanta City Planning Commissioner Tim Keane discusses the Love Our Places program and efforts to establish creative bike parking options for Atlanta cyclists.

Soli Mercado-Spencer, a senior staff attorney for the Georgia Legal Services Program, discusses Operation Blooming Onion, a multi-year investigation into fraud, human smuggling and labor trafficking that took place at several farms across southern Georgia.National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888Georgia Legal Services Program: 1-800-537-7496, https://www.glsp.org/Plus, Atlanta City Planning Commissioner Tim Keane discusses the Love Our Places program and <a href="https://www.atlcitydesign.com/bike-parking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">efforts to establish creative bike parking options for Atlanta cyclists.</a>

"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

Georgia Attorney Discusses ‘Operation Blooming Onion’; Atlanta City Planning Seeks Bike Parking Ideas From Residents

Thursday marks what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 97th birthday. Ahead of the federal holiday, as various events get underway and people around the world are commemorating the life and legacy of the civil rights giant, President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota. This comes as ongoing protests continue after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good last week, and another federal agent shot a Venezuelan man in the leg on Wednesday. 

Today’s program connects King’s moral leadership ideology to the current state of American politics. First, we revisit “Closer Look” program host Rose Scott’s interview with Dr. Robert Michael Franklin Jr., an author, theologian and Emory University’s James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership. During the discussion, Professor Franklin reflects on the life and legacy of Dr. King, specifically his efforts to lead with courage, nonviolence and integrity. He also explains how King used his influence to inspire others to be moral leaders.

We then hear from Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock. He discusses the ongoing protests happening in Minneapolis. He also reflects on Dr. King’s life and legacy and the intersection of moral leadership and politics. Warnock then talked about the importance of combating the fear and despair that he says the Trump administration is intentionally trying to spread.

Thursday marks what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.&rsquo;s 97th birthday. Ahead of the federal holiday, as various events get underway and people around the world are commemorating the life and legacy of the civil rights giant, President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota. This comes as ongoing protests continue after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good last week, and another federal agent shot a Venezuelan man in the leg on Wednesday.&nbsp;
Today&rsquo;s program connects King&rsquo;s moral leadership ideology to the current state of American politics. First, we revisit &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; program host Rose Scott&rsquo;s interview with<a href="https://candler.emory.edu/faculty-profiles/robert-m-franklin-jr/"> Dr. Robert Michael Franklin Jr.,</a> an author, theologian and Emory University&rsquo;s James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership. During the discussion, Professor Franklin reflects on the life and legacy of Dr. King, specifically his efforts to lead with courage, nonviolence and integrity. He also explains how King used his influence to inspire others to be moral leaders.
We then hear from <a href="https://www.senate.gov/senators/117thCongress/warnock-raphael.htm">Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock</a>. He discusses the ongoing protests happening in Minneapolis. He also reflects on Dr. King&rsquo;s life and legacy and the intersection of moral leadership and politics. Warnock then talked about the importance of combating the fear and despair that he says the Trump administration is intentionally trying to spread.

Senator Warnock connects MLK’s moral leadership to current ongoing protests and politics

A new report from Georgia State University reveals more than 4,600 people, 1,635 children in DeKalb County are without stable housing—many living in extended-stay hotels and paying more than average rental costs. The release of the study comes as Governor Brian Kemp announced a $50 million initiative addressing homelessness in Georgia.

For a special themed show focusing on homelessness in DeKalb County, “Closer Look” program host Rose Scott talked with co-leaders from Georgia State University’s Center on Health and Homelessness, who co-authored the study. Scott then talked with leaders of two local organizations working to address homelessness in DeKalb County.

Guests included:

Shannon Self-Brown, a distinguished university professor in the School of Public Health

April Ballard, an assistant professor in the School of Public Health

Greg White, the executive director of A Home for Everyone in DeKalb

Andrea Brantley, the executive director of Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb

Wanda Hunter, the program manager for Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb

Lastly, civil rights activist Claudette Colvin has died. She died on Tuesday at the age of 86. At the age of 15, back on  March 2, 1955, Colvin was arrested and charged for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated public bus to a white person, despite already being seated in the back of the bus, in the area designated for Black people. Ashley Roseboro of the Claudette Colvin Foundation talks more about Colvin’s life and legacy.

<a href="https://news.gsu.edu/2026/01/07/a-hidden-housing-crisis-gsu-researchers-document-families-living-in-extended-stay-hotels/">A new report</a> from Georgia State University reveals more than 4,600 people, 1,635 children in DeKalb County are without stable housing&mdash;many living in extended-stay hotels and paying more than average rental costs. The release of the study comes as Governor Brian Kemp announced<a href="https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-01-14/gov-kemp-announces-affordability-infrastructure-workforce-priorities-eggs"> a $50 million initiative</a> addressing homelessness in Georgia.
For a special themed show focusing on homelessness in DeKalb County, &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; program host Rose Scott talked with co-leaders from Georgia State University&rsquo;s Center on Health and Homelessness, who co-authored the study. Scott then talked with leaders of two local organizations working to address homelessness in DeKalb County.
Guests included:
<a href="https://publichealth.gsu.edu/profile/shannon-self-brown/">Shannon Self-Brown</a>, a distinguished university professor in the School of Public Health
<a href="https://publichealth.gsu.edu/profile/april-ballard/">April Ballard</a>, an assistant professor in the School of Public Health
<a href="https://www.ahomeforeveryoneindekalb.org/post/a-home-for-everyone-in-dekalb-welcomes-gregory-white-as-executive-director">Greg White</a>, the executive director of A Home for Everyone in DeKalb
<a href="https://www.familypromisenfd.org/copy-of-staff">Andrea Brantley</a>, the executive director of Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb
<a href="https://www.familypromisenfd.org/copy-of-staff">Wanda Hunter</a>, the program manager for Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb
Lastly, civil rights activist Claudette Colvin has died. She died on Tuesday at the age of 86. At the age of 15, back on&nbsp; March 2, 1955, Colvin was arrested and charged for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated public bus to a white person, despite already being seated in the back of the bus, in the area designated for Black people. <a href="https://www.claudettecolvinfoundation.com/news/claudette-colvin-joins-cbs-morning-as-a-part-of-lead-national-correspondent-david-begnauds-how-are-you-now-series">Ashley Roseboro</a> of the <a href="https://www.claudettecolvinfoundation.com/about">Claudette Colvin Foundation</a> talks more about Colvin&rsquo;s life and legacy.

New GSU report reveals more than 4,600 people reside in extended-stay hotels in DeKalb County; Civil rights activist Claudette Colvin dies at 86

The Trump administration says it is actively working to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education. If passed by Congress, the measure would shrink federal oversight and give more control to the states. “Closer Look” program host Rose Scott talks with Erika Mitchell, the former board chair of the Atlanta Board of Education. Mitchell discusses the current state of K-12 public education in the U.S. and shares the achievements and remaining challenges for urban school districts.

Plus, it’s day two of the 2026 Georgia legislative session. State Senator Sonya Halpern joins the program to discuss the latest happenings at the state capitol, bills she's backing and those she's not. She also discusses some of the other legislative priorities for Georgia’s Senate Democrats.

President Trump signed the "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" executive order last year, calling for the removal of “improper," "divisive or anti-American ideology" from federally funded establishments, such as the Smithsonian Institution. Tuesday is the deadline for the museum to provide documents about current and upcoming exhibitions and events, which could put its $1 billion budget at risk. Karen Comer Lowe, a curator, cultural strategist, and art advisor, shares her thoughts about how this effort undermines scholarly independence, artistic and curatorial freedom.

The Trump administration says it is actively working to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education. If passed by Congress, the measure would shrink federal oversight and give more control to the states. &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; program host Rose Scott talks with Erika Mitchell, the former board chair of the Atlanta Board of Education. Mitchell discusses the current state of K-12 public education in the U.S. and shares the achievements and remaining challenges for urban school districts.
Plus, it&rsquo;s day two of the 2026 Georgia legislative session.<a href="https://www.senate.ga.gov/senators/en-US/member.aspx?Member=4985&amp;Session="> State Senator Sonya Halpern</a> joins the program to discuss the latest happenings at the state capitol, bills she's backing and those she's not. She also discusses some of the other legislative priorities for Georgia&rsquo;s Senate Democrats.
President Trump signed the<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/restoring-truth-and-sanity-to-american-history/"> "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History</a>" executive order last year, calling for the removal of &ldquo;improper," "divisive or anti-American ideology" from federally funded establishments, such as the Smithsonian Institution. Tuesday is the deadline for the museum to provide documents about current and upcoming exhibitions and events, which could put its $1 billion budget at risk. <a href="https://www.karencomerlowe.com/about">Karen Comer Lowe</a>, a curator, cultural strategist, and art advisor, shares her thoughts about how this effort undermines scholarly independence, artistic and curatorial freedom.

Former Atlanta Board of Education Chair on the current state of public education; Democratic State Senator shares top legislative priorities; Art curator responds to Trump administration’s mandates on museums

Georgia Attorney Discusses ‘Operation Blooming Onion’; Atlanta City Planning Seeks Bike Parking Ideas From Residents

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