"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

Latest on legislation session, election interference trial; NOAA updating community heat map; Report sheds light on DFCS foster care spending; Ava DuVernay's new film explores race, class & social structures

It’s a new chapter for Peter Hubbard, one of two Democrats elected to Georgia’s Public Service Commission, flipping long-held Republican seats. A longtime clean-energy advocate, Hubbard told “Closer Look” host Rose Scott he’s committed to working across political lines. He’s also closely watching the rapid growth of data centers in Georgia, questioning their true economic benefits, workforce impact, and tax incentives. He then raised concerns about their strain on energy infrastructure, noise pollution, e-waste, and the higher costs often passed on to residential customers.

For weeks, immigration agents with the Department of Homeland Security have confronted communities in Minnesota - resulting in arrests, school closures, injuries, and the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Good. The State of Minnesota, along with the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis recently announced a lawsuit against DHS for its actions. On today’s “Closer Look,” Anthony Michael Kreis, associate professor of law at Georgia State University, provides his legal analysis about what hurdles the lawsuit might face.

It&rsquo;s a new chapter for <a href="https://psc.ga.gov/about-the-psc/commissioners/peter-hubbard/">Peter Hubbard</a>, one of two Democrats elected to Georgia&rsquo;s <a href="https://psc.ga.gov/">Public Service Commission</a>, flipping long-held Republican seats. A longtime clean-energy advocate, Hubbard told &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; host Rose Scott he&rsquo;s committed to working across political lines. He&rsquo;s also closely watching the rapid growth of data centers in Georgia, questioning their true economic benefits, workforce impact, and tax incentives. He then raised concerns about their strain on <a href="https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/33298">energy infrastructure</a>, noise pollution, e-waste, and the higher costs often passed on to residential customers.
For weeks, immigration agents with the Department of Homeland Security have confronted communities in Minnesota - resulting in arrests, school closures, injuries, and the killing of <a href="https://www.mprnews.org/renee-macklin-good-shooting">Minneapolis resident Renee Good</a>. The State of Minnesota, along with the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/01/12/nx-s1-5675315/minnesota-sues-to-block-trump-immigration-crackdown">recently announced a lawsuit</a> against DHS for its actions. On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;Closer Look,&rdquo; <a href="https://law.gsu.edu/profile/anthony-kreis/">Anthony Michael Kreis</a>, associate professor of law at Georgia State University, provides his legal analysis about what hurdles the lawsuit might face.

Data Centers, energy rates key issues for new GA Public Service Commissioner; GSU Professor explains what Minnesota will have to prove in DHS lawsuit

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.

Latest on legislation session, election interference trial; NOAA updating community heat map; Report sheds light on DFCS foster care spending; Ava DuVernay's new film explores race, class & social structures

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