A heat wave has swept across metro Atlanta this week, with temperatures hitting 100 degrees. “Closer Look” host Rose Scott talks with Rounaq Basu, an assistant professor in the School of City and Regional Planning at Georgia Tech. Climate scientists warn that extreme heat events like this are becoming more frequent due to human-caused climate change. Basu discusses Georgia Tech's NO-HEAT (Neutralizing Onerous Heat Effects on Active Transportation) initiative, which aims to develop data-driven tools to help communities adapt to dangerous urban heat.

 

Plus, we revisit Rose’s conversation with Adrienne Rice, the executive director of Sustainable Georgia Futures. During the discussion, Rice leads a climate gentrification tour through Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward and explains why she believes the neighborhood has been reshaped by climate-related development pressures. She also shares more about SGF’s mission to help historically marginalized communities grow and thrive in the green economy. Additional insight during the tour comes from Genesis Tilman, Drew Barnes, and Liyaah Rocha.

A heat wave has swept across metro Atlanta this week, with temperatures hitting 100 degrees. &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; host Rose Scott talks with <a href="https://planning.gatech.edu/people/rounaq-basu">Rounaq Basu</a>, an assistant professor in the School of City and Regional Planning at Georgia Tech. Climate scientists warn that extreme heat events like this are becoming more frequent due to human-caused climate change. Basu discusses Georgia Tech's <a href="https://resilience.research.gatech.edu/feature/no-heat-initiative-tackles-climate-inequity-one-street-time">NO-HEAT (Neutralizing Onerous Heat Effects on Active Transportation)</a> initiative, which aims to develop data-driven tools to help communities adapt to dangerous urban heat.
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Plus, we revisit Rose&rsquo;s conversation with <a href="https://sustainablegafutures.org/our-team/">Adrienne Rice</a>, the executive director of <a href="https://sustainablegafutures.org/">Sustainable Georgia Futures</a>. During the discussion, Rice leads a climate gentrification tour through Atlanta&rsquo;s Old Fourth Ward and explains why she believes the neighborhood has been reshaped by climate-related development pressures. She also shares more about SGF&rsquo;s mission to help historically marginalized communities grow and thrive in the green economy. Additional insight during the tour comes from Genesis Tilman, Drew Barnes, and Liyaah Rocha.

"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

Georgia Tech leads a multi-year initiative to help cities and communities adapt to urban heat

On Thursday’s edition of “Closer Look,” host Rose Scott welcomed Atlanta City Councilmember Kelsea Bond to the program. New to their office as the District 2 representative, Bond discussed how they want to push for the issues they campaigned on: addressing housing affordability, increasing taxes on the wealthy, police reform and public transit expansion.

 

Also on the show, the team behind the WABE-TV docuseries, (re)Defining History, which returns for its second season. Over four episodes, the program delves into the history of Atlanta, the South, and its forgotten figures, places and moments. “Closer Look” previews some of the topics, such as anecdotal stories about Atlanta’s own baseball great, Henry “Hank” Aaron and Atlanta’s first private black-owned hospital, the William A. Harris Memorial Hospital, which was built in 1928.

On Thursday&rsquo;s edition of <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">&ldquo;Closer Look,&rdquo;</a> host Rose Scott welcomed Atlanta City <a href="https://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/council-members/kelsea-bond">Councilmember Kelsea Bond</a> to the program. New to their office as the District 2 representative, Bond discussed how they want to push for the issues they <a href="https://kelseabond.com/platform/">campaigned on</a>: addressing housing affordability, increasing taxes on the wealthy, police reform and public transit expansion.
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Also on the show, the team behind the WABE-TV docuseries,<a href="https://www.wabe.org/wabe-launches-redefining-history-a-half-hour-docuseries-examining-atlantas-past-to-better-understand-the-present-with-an-exploration-of-hank-aarons-legacy/"> (re)Defining History</a>, which returns for its second season. Over four episodes, the program delves into the history of Atlanta, the South, and its forgotten figures, places and moments. &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; previews some of the topics, such as anecdotal stories about Atlanta&rsquo;s own baseball great,<a href="https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/aaron-hank"> Henry &ldquo;Hank&rdquo; Aaron</a> and Atlanta&rsquo;s first private black-owned hospital, the<a href="https://digilab.libs.uga.edu/scl/exhibits/show/washington-park-neighborhood/cultural-spaces/hospital#:~:text=Constructed%20in%201928%2C%20William%20A.,hospital%20available%20to%20Black%20Atlantans."> William A. Harris Memorial Hospital</a>, which was built in 1928.

Kelsea Bond on how they want to ‘change the culture of city council’; WABE docuseries to highlight lesser known stories of Hank Aaron, Atlanta and more

It’s been nearly 200 years since the founding of the first African Institute in the United States. Since that time, historically Black colleges and universities continue to influence society and impact diverse students of every race and cultural background. On Wednesday’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we spoke to Chicago PBS News AnchorBrandis Friedman about her new documentary, “Opportunity, Access & Uplift: The Evolving Legacy of HBCUs.”

Following the Trump Administration’srepeal of the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2009 Endangerment Finding, “Closer Look,” is joined by Diamond Spratling, the founder and executive director of Girl + Environment. Through her work, she raises awareness about what’s harming the environment, plus trains and teaches Black and Brown women to advocate for climate solutions. She shares how President Trump’s actions could harm vulnerable communities.

It&rsquo;s been nearly 200 years since the founding of the first African Institute in the United States. Since that time, historically Black colleges and universities continue to influence society and impact diverse students of every race and cultural background. On Wednesday&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; we spoke to Chicago PBS News Anchor<a href="https://news.wttw.com/about"> </a><a href="https://news.wttw.com/about">Brandis Friedman</a>&nbsp;about her new documentary, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/opportunity-access-uplift-the-evolving-legacy-of-hbcus/">Opportunity, Access &amp; Uplift: The Evolving Legacy of HBCUs</a>.&rdquo;
Following the Trump Administration&rsquo;s<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/02/president-trump-delivers-biggest-regulatory-relief-in-history/"> </a><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/02/president-trump-delivers-biggest-regulatory-relief-in-history/">repeal of the Environmental Protection Agency&rsquo;s 2009 Endangerment Finding</a>, <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">&ldquo;Closer Look,&rdquo;</a>&nbsp;is joined by <a href="https://www.girlplusenvironment.org/team">Diamond Spratling</a>, the founder and executive director of Girl + Environment. Through her work, she raises awareness about what&rsquo;s harming the environment, plus trains and teaches Black and Brown women to advocate for climate solutions. She shares how President Trump&rsquo;s actions could harm vulnerable communities.

Documentary shares historic & current influence of HBCUs; Environmental Advocate “disgusted” by Trump’s EPA rollbacks

On today’s “Closer Look,” we share tributes to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, and a prior interview host Rose Scott did with the civil rights champion from WABE’s ATL68 series. Jackson also dedicated his life to founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, working as a global humanitarian, running for president twice, and as part of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s inner circle. Jackson, known for his famous words, “Keep hope alive!” died Tuesday. He was 84. Scott also talks with Gerald Griggs, a civil rights attorney and past president of the Georgia NAACP, who shares his memories about Jackson.

 

Also, Atlanta’s Zoning Review Board recently overruled a vote by a Kirkwood area neighborhood planning unit. The NPU had voted against a proposal for a 47-unit apartment building for unhoused seniors, which would include mental health services. However, the Board chose to move forward with the project, which would be located in a currently vacant lot located at 88 Howard St. NE. The property is owned by Turner Monumental AME Church, who is pursuing the development. Sean Keenan has followed the project for Atlanta Civic Circle and shares the latest with “Closer Look.”

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>,&rdquo; we share tributes to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, and a prior interview host Rose Scott did with the civil rights champion <a href="https://mlk.wabe.org/influence-total-rev-jesse-jackson-remembers-mlk/">from WABE&rsquo;s ATL68</a> series. Jackson also dedicated his life to founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, working as a global humanitarian, running for president twice, and as part of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.&rsquo;s inner circle. Jackson, known for his famous words, &ldquo;Keep hope alive!&rdquo; died Tuesday. He was 84. Scott also talks with<a href="https://www.geraldagriggs.com/about"> Gerald Griggs</a>, a civil rights attorney and past president of the Georgia NAACP, who shares his memories about Jackson.
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Also, Atlanta&rsquo;s Zoning Review Board <a href="https://atlantaciviccircle.org/2026/02/13/atlanta-zoning-board-advances-kirkwood-homeless-housing/">recently overruled a vote</a> by a Kirkwood area neighborhood planning unit. The NPU had voted against a proposal for a 47-unit apartment building for unhoused seniors, which would include mental health services. However, the Board chose to move forward with the project, which would be located in a currently vacant lot located at 88 Howard St. NE. The property is owned by Turner Monumental AME Church, who is pursuing the development. <a href="https://atlantaciviccircle.org/author/seankeenan/">Sean Keenan</a> has followed the project for Atlanta Civic Circle and shares the latest with &ldquo;Closer Look.&rdquo;

Georgia Tech leads a multi-year initiative to help cities and communities adapt to urban heat

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