National and local midterm election results are still coming in.  “Closer Look” show host Rose Scott talks with Julianne Thompson, a Republican strategist and the president of Main Street Network Strategies, and Fred Hicks, an Atlanta-based political strategist and analyst, about election results and what’s next for Georgia.

National and local midterm election results are still coming in. “Closer Look” show host Rose Scott talks with Julianne Thompson, a Republican strategist and the president of Main Street Network Strategies, and Fred Hicks, an Atlanta-based political strategist and analyst, about election results and what’s next for Georgia.

"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

Political strategists react to midterm election results

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.

Relaunching Atlanta’s E-Bike Rebate Program; Two Georgia news websites push partisan messaging

For five years, Georgia RSVP Clinic has provided critical care to people who have suffered spinal cord and brain injuries. Volunteers rehabilitate patients who are uninsured or underinsured, providing them care that would otherwise cost close to $1 million in some cases. Here in Georgia, more than 1.2 million people are without health insurance, leaving the state with one of the highest uninsured rates in the country. Georgia also has many people with brain and spinal cord injuries who are uninsured. On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we hear the personal story of Rahsaan Wise, who was left paralyzed by a gunshot wound. With the determination of his mother, they found the nonprofit and the treatment Wise needed without being prohibited by costs. We also learn of Georgia RSVP Clinic’s work, despite various challenges for the uninsured and underinsured.

For five years, <a href="https://www.garsvpclinic.org/">Georgia RSVP Clinic</a> has provided critical care to people who have suffered spinal cord and brain injuries. Volunteers rehabilitate patients who are uninsured or underinsured, providing them care that would otherwise cost close to $1 million in some cases. Here in Georgia, more than 1.2 million people are without health insurance, leaving the state with one of the highest uninsured rates in the country. Georgia also has many people with brain and spinal cord injuries who are uninsured. On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; we hear the personal story of Rahsaan Wise, who was left paralyzed by a gunshot wound. With the determination of his mother, they found the nonprofit and the treatment Wise needed without being prohibited by costs. We also learn of Georgia RSVP Clinic&rsquo;s work, despite various challenges for the uninsured and underinsured.

How Georgia RSVP Clinic provides necessary, life-changing care to uninsured and underinsured

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” Caribbean-American actor Juliette Jeffers shares her coming-of-age film, “Pan Gyul.” Featured at multiple film festivals, including Atlanta’s BronzeLens Film Festival, the movie takes viewers to the island of Nevis. Jeffers spoke with Scott about the 15-minute film that was shot within six days. She also discussed what else she hopes to achieve in the film industry – including more feature films, film festivals, and compete for more awards.

 

Also on today’s show, for the past seven years, Brad Raffensperger has served as Georgia’s 29th Secretary of State. It's a position that gained Raffensperger international attention -- as well as threats from some Trump supporters -- when he defended Georgia's 2020 election results. Now, Raffensperger is preparing Georgians for one last midterm election before he leaves office in January, before sharing what's next for him. He also reflects on the changes to the state’s voting system during his tenure and shares his confidence in the security of Georgia elections.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="e8b8a7cc-98ef-44ed-b9a6-929e1ef68ed7" data-linkindex="0">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; Caribbean-American actor <a href="https://www.juliettejeffers.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="c6a5d636-d908-49cd-9843-7d8ba10fe040" data-linkindex="1">Juliette Jeffers</a> shares her coming-of-age film, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.pangyulfilm.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="771b6912-35d0-4362-a8ff-105eb1585003" data-linkindex="2">Pan Gyul</a>.&rdquo; Featured at multiple film festivals, including Atlanta&rsquo;s <a href="https://bronzelens.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="69a5383d-89f4-4937-80f3-4a9f39653336" data-linkindex="3">BronzeLens Film Festival</a>, the movie takes viewers to the island of Nevis. Jeffers spoke with Scott about the 15-minute film that was shot within six days. She also discussed what else she hopes to achieve in the film industry &ndash; including more feature films, film festivals, and compete for more awards.
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Also on today&rsquo;s show, for the past seven years, <a href="https://sos.ga.gov/page/about-secretary-raffensperger" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="41eb2d15-3628-47ad-a962-b73866b0d6ef" data-linkindex="4">Brad Raffensperger</a> has served as Georgia&rsquo;s 29th Secretary of State. It's a position that gained Raffensperger international attention -- as well as threats from some Trump supporters -- when he defended Georgia's 2020 election results. Now, Raffensperger is <a href="https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-register-vote" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-outlook-id="efc3928c-da7e-4f52-a7cc-8f148e0ab8a7" data-linkindex="5">preparing Georgians for one last midterm election</a> before he leaves office in January, before sharing what's next for him. He also reflects on the changes to the state&rsquo;s voting system during his tenure and shares his confidence in the security of Georgia elections.

Political strategists react to midterm election results

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