WABE continues to follow the latest involving a controversial land swap between DeKalb County and a movie studio company that has yet to meet any of the promises made in an agreement. WABE environment reporter Marisa Mecke shares her reporting and what’s next for the site.


“Closer Look” host Rose Scott also speaks with PALS Atlanta Executive Director Thomas Lázaro and Jim Marks, who goes by the stage name, Bubba D. Licious. They discuss two major milestones for the local nonprofit which puts its efforts towards helping pet owners in need.

WABE continues to follow the latest involving a <a href="https://www.wabe.org/we-told-you-it-was-coming-developer-never-fulfilled-its-promises-to-dekalb-for-land-swap-now-it-wants-to-sell/">controversial land swap</a> between DeKalb County and a movie studio company that has yet to meet any of the promises made in an agreement. WABE environment reporter Marisa Mecke shares her reporting and what&rsquo;s next for the site.
 <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">&ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo;</a> host Rose Scott also speaks with <a href="https://www.palsatlanta.org/">PALS Atlanta</a> Executive Director Thomas L&aacute;zaro and Jim Marks, who goes by the stage name, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bubbadlicious/">Bubba D. Licious</a>. They discuss two major milestones for the local nonprofit which puts its efforts towards helping pet owners in need.

"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

WABE follows the latest on controversial DeKalb County land swap; PALS Atlanta marks more than 30 years of aiding pet owners

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” budding entrepreneurs in the food and drink industry can apply for the Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator program. Guests share how the program has empowered their businesses and the program co-director shares what they’re looking for in an applicant. The registration deadline is May 31. 


Also, college and high school students aren’t the only ones celebrating their graduation. Today we meet a group of five and six-year-olds who are excited to graduate from kindergarten. They talk about their hopes for the future, what they like about school, and share words of wisdom for the next class of kindergarteners.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; budding entrepreneurs in the food and drink industry can apply for the <a href="https://gtfba.innovate.gatech.edu/">Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator</a> program. Guests share how the program has empowered their businesses and the program co-director shares what they&rsquo;re looking for in an applicant. The <a href="https://gtfba.innovate.gatech.edu/accelerator-application/">registration deadline is May 31</a>.&nbsp;
 Also, college and high school students aren&rsquo;t the only ones celebrating their <a href="https://www.wabe.org/closer-look-graduation-series-2026/">graduation</a>. Today we meet a group of five and six-year-olds who are excited to graduate from kindergarten. They talk about their hopes for the future, what they like about school, and share words of wisdom for the next class of kindergarteners.

Registration open for food and drink entrepreneurship program; Class of 2026 Kindergarten graduates

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we have an in-depth discussion with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society about a study by Princeton University’s Eviction Lab. It shows Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Clayton Counties lead the nation in evictions. Those evictions overwhelmingly affected Black households -- more than white, Hispanic, and other racial groups combined.

We also speak to Dr. Jodie Guest, Professor and Senior Vice Chair in the Department of Epidemiology at Emory University. The Ebola Virus is spreading quickly through central Africa and has already taken hundreds of lives. We learn more about the nature of the deadly illness and what’s being done to stop it from infecting more people.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; we have an in-depth discussion with the <a href="https://atlantalegalaid.org/home/">Atlanta Legal Aid Society</a>&nbsp;about a study by Princeton University&rsquo;s Eviction Lab. It shows Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Clayton Counties <a href="https://evictionlab.org/in-atlanta-data-helps-reveal-the-true-face-of-the-eviction-crisis/">lead the nation in evictions</a>. Those evictions <a href="https://evictionlab.org/eviction-tracking/atlanta-ga/">overwhelmingly affected Black households</a>&nbsp;-- more than white, Hispanic, and other racial groups combined.
We also speak to <a href="https://sph.emory.edu/profile/faculty/jodie-guest">Dr. Jodie Guest</a>, Professor and Senior Vice Chair in the Department of Epidemiology at Emory University. The Ebola Virus is spreading quickly through central Africa and has already taken hundreds of lives. We learn more about the nature of the deadly illness and what&rsquo;s being done to stop it from infecting more people.

Atlanta rates the highest for eviction filings; Update on Ebola outbreak

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” we learn how Cake4Kids is making sure there’s still a reason to celebrate for kids in the foster care system and youth experiencing hardships. We learn the origin of the organization and how volunteers are brightening children’s day. The nationwide nonprofit also hit a major milestone – serving their 100,000th child. 

 

We also follow up on Rodney Taylor, the 47-year-old barber from Loganville in Gwinnett County and double amputee. He caught the attention of members of Congress when they flagged that Taylor was crawling across filthy bathroom floors to shower while incarcerated in an immigration detention center. We hear from Taylor and his family now that he’s been released.

 

Also, we meet the last of our students in “Closer Look’s” annual college graduate series. We meet Brenda Washington, a member of Georgia State University’s Class of 2026. She shares her journey as a military member, mother, real estate agent, and now, an aspiring law school student and future lawyer. 

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; we learn how <a href="https://www.cake4kids.org/">Cake4Kids</a> is making sure there&rsquo;s still a reason to celebrate for kids in the foster care system and youth experiencing hardships. We learn the origin of the organization and how volunteers are brightening children&rsquo;s day. The nationwide nonprofit also hit a major milestone &ndash; <a href="https://www.cake4kids.org/100000-moments">serving their 100,000th child</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
We also follow up on <a href="https://www.wabe.org/family-advocates-push-for-release-as-detained-double-amputee-faces-mounting-hardships/">Rodney Taylor</a>, the 47-year-old barber from Loganville in Gwinnett County and double amputee. He caught the attention of members of Congress when they flagged that Taylor was <a href="https://www.wabe.org/legless-georgia-detainee-featured-in-congressional-hearing-that-preceded-noems-ouster/">crawling across filthy bathroom floors</a> to shower while incarcerated in an immigration detention center. We hear from Taylor and his family now that he&rsquo;s been released.
&nbsp;
Also, we meet the last of our students in &ldquo;Closer Look&rsquo;s&rdquo; annual college graduate series. We meet <a href="https://news.gsu.edu/2026/04/21/former-combat-medic-pivots-to-new-career-in-law/">Brenda</a> Washington, a member of Georgia State University&rsquo;s Class of 2026. She shares her journey as a military member, mother, real estate agent, and now, an aspiring law school student and future lawyer.&nbsp;

WABE follows the latest on controversial DeKalb County land swap; PALS Atlanta marks more than 30 years of aiding pet owners

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