Since returning to the White House, President Trump has taken direct aim at credible national and local news outlets through executive orders, legal actions, and funding cuts. This all comes as a Gallup poll shows public trust in mass media has hit a record low, with only 28% of Americans expressing a "great deal" or "fair amount" of trust in it. For a special edition of “Closer Look”, host Rose Scott spoke with six journalists from local independent news organizations. They discussed how their outlets are working to stay relevant, build trust, and strengthen community connections. Guests included:

Donnell Suggs, editor-in-chief at The Atlanta Voice

Sophia Qureshi, founder and editor of 285 South 

Matt Scott, the editor of the Atlanta Community Press Collective

Saba Long, executive director of Atlanta Civic Circle

Dan Whisenhunt, founder and editor of Decaturish

Alex Ip, publisher and editor of The Xylom

Since returning to the White House, President Trump has taken direct aim at credible national and local news outlets through executive orders, legal actions, and funding cuts. This all comes as a<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/695762/trust-media-new-low.aspx"> Gallup poll shows</a> public trust in mass media has hit a record low, with only 28% of Americans expressing a "great deal" or "fair amount" of trust in it. For a special edition of &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo;, host Rose Scott spoke with six journalists from local independent news organizations. They discussed how their outlets are working to stay relevant, build trust, and strengthen community connections. Guests included:
<a href="https://theatlantavoice.com/author/donnell-suggs/">Donnell Suggs</a>, editor-in-chief at The Atlanta Voice
<a href="https://285south.com/author/sophia-qureshi/">Sophia Qureshi</a>, founder and editor of 285 South&nbsp;
<a href="https://atlpresscollective.com/author/matt-scott/">Matt Scott</a>, the editor of the Atlanta Community Press Collective
<a href="https://atlantaciviccircle.org/about/">Saba Long</a>, executive director of Atlanta Civic Circle
<a href="https://www.decaturish.com/users/profile/dan%20whisenhunt/">Dan Whisenhunt</a>, founder and editor of Decaturish
<a href="https://www.thexylom.com/about-us">Alex Ip</a>, publisher and editor of The Xylom

🔊 WABE Podcasts > News, Politics, Health

"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

Hyperlocal independent news outlets remain committed to community amid growing funding cuts and political attacks

On today’s "Closer Look," in the final hours of the Georgia Legislative Session, we hear about two pieces of legislation that could have a significant impact on the way consumers go through the referral process when choosing senior living communities (SB 439) and make elections nonpartisan in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, and Clayton counties beginning in 2028. We speak to DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston and Catie Ramp, the President and CEO of the Georgia Senior Living Association.

Plus, we hear from Peabody and Emmy Award-winning director, writer, and producer  Rita Coburn and Dr. Karida Brown, an American sociologist, author, professor, and public intellectual who serves as professor of Sociology at Emory. They discuss the new PBS documentary, "W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With A Cause."  The two-hour film, slated to air on WABE TV on May 28th at 9 pm, chronicles Du Bois' life of nearly 100 years from 1868 -1963.

On today&rsquo;s "<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>," in the final hours of the Georgia Legislative Session, we hear about two pieces of legislation that could have a significant impact on the way consumers go through the referral process when choosing senior living communities (SB 439) and make elections nonpartisan in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, and Clayton counties beginning in 2028. We speak to DeKalb County District Attorney <a href="https://www.dekalbda.org/about_us/sherry_boston_s_bio/index.php">Sherry Boston</a> and Catie Ramp, the President and CEO of the <a href="https://www.gasla.org/">Georgia Senior Living Association</a>.
Plus, we hear from Peabody and Emmy Award-winning director, writer, and producer <a href="https://www.ritacoburn.com/">&nbsp;Rita Coburn</a> and<a href="https://sociology.emory.edu/people/bios/Brown-Karida%20L..html"> Dr. Karida Brown</a>, an American sociologist, author, professor, and public intellectual who serves as professor of Sociology at Emory. They discuss the new PBS documentary,<a href="https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/w-e-b-du-bois-documentary/34807/#:~:text=Explore%20the%20life%20and%20legacy,activist%20continues%20to%20resonate%20today."> "W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With A Cause."</a>&nbsp; The two-hour film, slated to air on WABE TV on May 28th at 9 pm, chronicles Du Bois' life of nearly 100 years from 1868 -1963.

Legislation on assisted living community referrals, making Atlanta area ballots nonpartisan; New documentary on life of W.E.B. Du Bois

April is National Financial Literacy Month. The Share the Magic Foundation and the Alliance Group are partnering together to educate kids about financial literacy. They are launching a new 7-episode, YouTube-based edutainment series called “Money Buddies."  On Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” we hear from Malcolm Mitchell, a former New England Patriots wide receiver, a children’s book author and the founder of the Share the Magic Foundation, as well as the co-creators of "Money Buddies," Samuel Howe and Travis Grenier of the Alliance Group.

 

At 6:24pm Eastern tonight, history is expected to be made. For the first time since 1972, humans will surpass low-Earth orbit on a return journey around the moon. Artemis II is expected to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The lunar mission will take four astronauts — three Americans and one Canadian — on a ten-day mission. NASA Astronaut and Artemis II Pilot Victor Glover spoke to “Closer Look” in 2023. Jud Ready is the Executive Director of the Space Research Institute and the Principal Research Engineer at the Georgia Tech Research Institute. He shares the significance of the moon mission.

 

WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali joins “Closer Look” for an update on the final hours of the legislative session. He says several contentious measures are in play. One proposal would make certain local offices nonpartisan in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties — including the district attorney's office. Gov. Brian Kemp has not indicated whether he will sign some of the bills moving through the gold dome.

April is National Financial Literacy Month.<a href="https://readwithmalcolm.com/"> The Share the Magic Foundation</a> and the<a href="https://thealliancegroup.com/"> Alliance Group</a> are partnering together to educate kids about financial literacy. They are launching a new 7-episode, YouTube-based edutainment series called<a href="https://money-buddies.com/"> &ldquo;Money Buddies."</a>&nbsp; On Wednesday&rsquo;s edition of <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">&ldquo;Closer Look,&rdquo;</a> we hear from Malcolm Mitchell, a former New England Patriots wide receiver, a children&rsquo;s book author and the founder of the Share the Magic Foundation, as well as the co-creators of "Money Buddies," Samuel Howe and Travis Grenier of the Alliance Group.
&nbsp;
At 6:24pm Eastern tonight, history is expected to be made. For the first time since 1972, humans will surpass low-Earth orbit on a return journey around the moon. <a href="https://apnews.com/live/artemis-ii-launch-nasa-moon-rocket">Artemis II</a> is <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/03/31/nasa-teams-readying-artemis-ii-moon-rocket-for-launch/">expected to launch</a> from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The lunar mission will take four astronauts &mdash; three Americans and one Canadian &mdash; on a ten-day mission. NASA Astronaut and Artemis II Pilot Victor Glover <a href="https://www.wabe.org/nasas-victor-glover-on-his-love-for-space-preparing-the-generation-of-astronauts-and-upcoming-mission-to-the-moon/">spoke to &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; in 2023</a>. <a href="https://research.gatech.edu/people/w-jud-ready">Jud Ready</a> is the Executive Director of the Space Research Institute and the Principal Research Engineer at the Georgia Tech Research Institute. He shares the significance of the moon mission.
&nbsp;
WABE politics reporter <a href="https://www.wabe.org/people/rahul-bali/">Rahul Bali</a> joins <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">&ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo;</a> for an update on the final hours of the legislative session. He says several contentious measures are in play. One proposal would make certain local offices nonpartisan in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties &mdash; including the district attorney's office. Gov. Brian Kemp has not indicated whether he will sign some of the bills moving through the gold dome.

‘Money Buddies’ teaches kids basic money skills; Impact of Artemis II moon mission; Final hours of Georgia Legislative Session

On today’s Closer Look, host Rose Scott started the show speaking with DeKalb County Chief and Administrative Judge Shondeana C. Morris. She warned local residents about a scam involving someone impersonating a DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputy threatening to arrest people who don’t pay for not showing up for jury duty. 

 

Plus, we conclude our Women’s History Month series, "Piloting the Journey." This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Women’s Research and Resource Center at Spelman College. Founded in 1981 by scholar, activist, and alumna Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall, C’66, the Center has helped define the field of Black Women’s Studies and amplify the voices and scholarship of women of African descent.


Finally, we’re joined by State Rep. Eric Bell and Attorney Christopher Bruce, the executive producers of “Sine Die: The Last Day” - a documentary that features lawmakers explaining legislative processes and the chaos that comes with the end of another Georgia Legislative Session.

On today&rsquo;s Closer Look, host Rose Scott started the show speaking with DeKalb County Chief and Administrative Judge<a href="https://dekalbgasuperiorcourt.gov/home/judges/chief-judge-shondeana-c-morris/"> Shondeana C. Morris</a>. She warned local residents about a scam involving someone impersonating a DeKalb County Sheriff&rsquo;s deputy threatening to arrest people who don&rsquo;t pay for not showing up for jury duty.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Plus, we conclude our Women&rsquo;s History Month series,<a href="about:blank"> "Piloting the Journey.</a>" This year marks the 45th anniversary of the <a href="https://www.spelman.edu/academics/womens-research-resource-center.html">Women&rsquo;s Research and Resource Center</a> at Spelman College. Founded in 1981 by scholar, activist, and alumna<a href="https://www.spelman.edu/staff/profiles/beverly-guy-sheftall.html"> Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall</a>, C&rsquo;66, the Center has helped define the field of Black Women&rsquo;s Studies and amplify the voices and scholarship of women of African descent.
 Finally, we&rsquo;re joined by State <a href="https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/house/5061?session=1033">Rep. Eric Bell</a> and Attorney Christopher Bruce, the executive producers of <a href="https://youtu.be/B07Mk11i6Jo?si=-gqH2QfRnlxnXqfE">&ldquo;Sine Die: The Last Day&rdquo;</a> - a documentary that features lawmakers explaining legislative processes and the chaos that comes with the end of another Georgia Legislative Session.

Hyperlocal independent news outlets remain committed to community amid growing funding cuts and political attacks

Closer Look with Rose Scott

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips