The “Closer Look” team closes out 2025’s series of live coffee shop broadcasts with Coffee & Cocoa Conversations at Sidecar Coffee in Chamblee, Georgia. In a year that saw hardships for many communities, program host Rose Scott focuses on the people who make it their job to bring joy - Santa Rick & Mrs. Claus, Santa D. Sinclair, and Santa Bradley with the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta. Hosting this festive event is Leigh Heymann, the co-owner of Sidecar Coffee. We also hear what the “Closer Look” crowd is asking Santa to bring them this holiday, and the Santas & Mrs. Claus rate some contestants’ best Ho-Ho-Ho!

The &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>&rdquo; team closes out 2025&rsquo;s series of live coffee shop broadcasts with <a href="https://www.wabe.org/coffeechat">Coffee &amp; Cocoa Conversations</a> at <a href="https://sidecarcoffeeshop.com/">Sidecar Coffee</a> in Chamblee, Georgia. In a year that saw hardships for many communities, program host Rose Scott focuses on the people who make it their job to bring joy - <a href="https://santarick.com/">Santa Rick</a> &amp; Mrs. Claus, <a href="https://therealblacksanta.com/">Santa D. Sinclair</a>, and <a href="https://www.wabe.org/first-santa-with-down-syndrome-continues-to-inspire-holiday-cheer-in-dunwoody/">Santa Bradley</a> with the <a href="https://www.dsaatl.org/">Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta</a>. Hosting this festive event is Leigh Heymann, the co-owner of Sidecar Coffee. We also hear what the &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; crowd is asking Santa to bring them this holiday, and the Santas &amp; Mrs. Claus rate some contestants&rsquo; best Ho-Ho-Ho!

"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

Coffee & Cocoa Conversations: Ending the Year with Holiday Cheer

On a special edition of “Closer Look,” host Rose Scott sits down for a one-on-one conversation with Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms. Bottoms addresses questions about her tenure as Atlanta mayor, including key decisions made under her leadership. She also reflects on how her four years in office along with her work in the Biden administration are guiding her approach to governing the state if elected as Georgia’s 84th governor.

 

The discussion covers several major issues: expanding resources for Georgia growers and producers, improving access to healthcare for rural communities, and tackling affordability challenges across the state. Bottoms also responds to campaign attacks from her opponent, Republican Rick Jackson, and outlines the communities she is continuing to engage as the midterm election approaches.

On a special edition of &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>,&rdquo; host Rose Scott sits down for a one-on-one conversation with Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate <a href="https://www.wabe.org/keisha-lance-bottoms/">Keisha Lance Bottoms</a>. Bottoms addresses questions about her tenure as Atlanta mayor, including key decisions made under her leadership. She also reflects on how her four years in office along with her work in the Biden administration are guiding her approach to governing the state if elected as <a href="https://www.wabe.org/georgia-governor-race/">Georgia&rsquo;s 84th governor</a>.
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The discussion covers several major issues: expanding resources for Georgia growers and producers, improving access to healthcare for rural communities, and tackling affordability challenges across the state. Bottoms also responds to campaign attacks from her opponent, Republican Rick Jackson, and outlines the communities she is continuing to engage as the midterm election approaches.

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms outlines vision in one-on-one interview

Both major political parties are pitching their platforms in the 63 days until the 2026 midterm elections. On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we speak with two people with insight on voters and the Republican Party. We ask whether the GOP will see any victories this November with limited support from Black voters. What does the party need to do to and what message do they need to send to convince Black voters to cast a ballot for conservatives? Guests: Cory Ruth, the founder and CEO of the political consultant and strategy firm Mergence Global and DeAnna Harris, a Black Republican political figure and activist in Georgia

 

Also on today’s program, learn about the unique and creative way the Ryan Seacrest Foundation is bringing joy to pediatric patients in Atlanta and across the country. Basing Seacrest Studios in more than a dozen children’s hospitals nationwide, kids have the opportunity to meet their favorite celebrities, host their own podcasts, game shows and dance parties, all while receiving medical care. We meet some of the people behind the operation at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital, including Meredith Seacrest Leach. Plus, a young patient shares his vocal talent.

Both major political parties are pitching their platforms in the 63 days until the 2026 midterm elections. On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; we speak with two people with insight on voters and the Republican Party. We ask whether the GOP will see any victories this November with limited support from Black voters. What does the party need to do to and what message do they need to send to convince Black voters to cast a ballot for conservatives? Guests: <a href="https://officialcoryruth.com/">Cory Ruth</a>, the founder and CEO of the political consultant and strategy firm Mergence Global and <a href="https://ballotpedia.org/Deanna_Harris">DeAnna Harris</a>, a Black Republican political figure and activist in Georgia
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Also on today&rsquo;s program, learn about the unique and creative way the <a href="https://www.ryanseacrestfoundation.org/">Ryan Seacrest Foundation</a> is bringing joy to pediatric patients in Atlanta and across the country. Basing Seacrest Studios in more than a dozen children&rsquo;s hospitals nationwide, kids have the opportunity to meet their favorite celebrities, host their own podcasts, game shows and dance parties, all while receiving medical care. We meet some of the people behind the operation at Children&rsquo;s Healthcare of Atlanta <a href="https://www.choa.org/locations/arthur-m-blank-hospital">Arthur M. Blank Hospital</a>, including <a href="https://www.ryanseacrestfoundation.org/team/meredith-seacrest-leach">Meredith Seacrest Leach</a>. Plus, a young patient shares his vocal talent.

The GOP Strategy to winning over Black Voters; Seacrest Studios bringing joy to pediatric patients

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” the city of Atlanta is investing $1 million into the second round of its e-bike rebate program. That funding will provide vouchers up to $1,600 for Atlanta residents to purchase their own e-bike from one of eleven local bike shops. It’s estimated this will put another 600 e-bikes on city streets to help alleviate local traffic and improve mobility options for residents. The city is accepting applications from September 8th through September 22nd. Atlanta City Councilmember Matt Westmoreland and Propel ATL advocacy manager Jeremiah Jones joined “Closer Look” to discuss the success the program is already seeing and how it will be operated for its second group of applicants.

 

Also on today’s show, we speak to Capitol Beat reporter Ty Tagami about his recent story, “New partisan-linked Georgia sites mix news with divergent political messages.” In his piece, Tagami focuses on two new Georgia websites, “Courier Georgia” and “Peach State Post,” which publish news from other outlets as well as their own articles. However, Tagami found both sites push partisan messaging that some find misleading or flat out wrong. Tagami discusses the influence of these websites and the challenges they create for credible and fair news outlets.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; the city of Atlanta is investing $1 million into the second round of its <a href="https://atlantaregional.org/what-we-do/mobility-services/2026-atlanta-e-bike-rebate-program/">e-bike rebate program</a>. That funding will provide vouchers up to $1,600 for Atlanta residents to purchase their own e-bike from one of eleven local bike shops. It&rsquo;s estimated this will put another 600 e-bikes on city streets to help alleviate local traffic and improve mobility options for residents. The city is accepting applications from September 8th through September 22nd. Atlanta City Councilmember <a href="https://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/council-members/matt-westmoreland">Matt Westmoreland</a> and <a href="https://www.letspropelatl.org/">Propel ATL</a> advocacy manager Jeremiah Jones joined &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; to discuss the success the program is already seeing and how it will be operated for its second group of applicants.
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Also on today&rsquo;s show, we speak to Capitol Beat reporter <a href="https://capitol-beat.org/author/ttagamicapitol-beat-org/">Ty Tagami</a> about his recent story, &ldquo;<a href="https://capitol-beat.org/2026/08/new-partisan-linked-georgia-sites-mix-news-with-divergent-political-messages/">New partisan-linked Georgia sites mix news with divergent political messages</a>.&rdquo; In his piece, Tagami focuses on two new Georgia websites, &ldquo;Courier Georgia&rdquo; and &ldquo;Peach State Post,&rdquo; which publish news from other outlets as well as their own articles. However, Tagami found both sites push partisan messaging that some find misleading or flat out wrong. Tagami discusses the influence of these websites and the challenges they create for credible and fair news outlets.

Coffee & Cocoa Conversations: Ending the Year with Holiday Cheer

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