On this week's episode of "Plugged Into Politics”, the national spotlight continues to shine on Georgia as President Donald Trump makes two stops in two weeks.
More than one million Georgians have already cast ballots. 
And we also turn our attention toward races further down the ballot.

On this week's episode of "Plugged Into Politics&rdquo;, the national spotlight continues to shine on Georgia as President Donald Trump makes two stops in two weeks. More than one million Georgians have already cast ballots.&nbsp; And we also turn our attention toward races further down the ballot.

The national spotlight shines on Georgia

Georgians begin casting ballots as in-person early voting gets underway for the November midterms.
Candidates continue to make their case, along with pushing supporters to the polls.
President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance make their way to Georgia.

Georgians begin casting ballots as in-person early voting gets underway for the November midterms. Candidates continue to make their case, along with pushing supporters to the polls. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance make their way to Georgia.

Early Voting Begins as Trump and Vance Visit Georgia

Candidates for Georgia Governor and Senate faced off in debates this week ahead of the November election.

On Tuesday, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson met for what will likely be their only debate before Election Day on Nov. 3. The hourlong matchup between the gubernatorial candidates featured questions from voters on a wide range of issues, including Flock cameras, healthcare, public safety, and elections.

Things got heated on Thursday in the first Ga. Senate debate between incumbent Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff and his challenger, Republican Rep. Mike Collins. Both came out swinging as they answered Atlanta News First/Gray Media reporters' questions about the economy, tariffs, data centers, immigration and more.

On this episode of "Plugged Into Politics," host Rahul Bali is joined by WABE colleagues DorMiya Vance and Emily Wu Pearson to discuss the big takeaways from the week's debates.

Candidates for Georgia Governor and Senate faced off in debates this week ahead of the November election.
On Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/georgia-candidates-for-governor-trade-attacks-promise-solutions-in-debate/">Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson</a> met for what will likely be their only debate before Election Day on Nov. 3. The hourlong matchup between the gubernatorial candidates featured questions from voters on a wide range of issues, including Flock cameras, healthcare, public safety, and elections.
Things got heated on Thursday in the first Ga. Senate debate between incumbent Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff and his challenger, Republican Rep. Mike Collins. Both came out swinging as they answered Atlanta News First/Gray Media reporters' questions about the economy, tariffs, data centers, immigration and more.
On this episode of "Plugged Into Politics," host Rahul Bali is joined by WABE colleagues DorMiya Vance and Emily Wu Pearson to discuss the big takeaways from the week's debates.

Candidates for Ga. Governor, Senate face off in heated debates

Candidates for Governor talk about their plans after incumbent Brian Kemp suspends the gas tax.

The GOP faces questions about their candidate for U.S. Senate as Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff goes on the attack.

Plus, one of the most important organizations in the state is getting a new leader and why it matters in Georgia politics.

Hear these stories and more on this week's episode of "Plugged Into Politics."

Candidates for Governor talk about their plans after incumbent Brian Kemp suspends the gas tax.
The GOP faces questions about their candidate for U.S. Senate as Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff goes on the attack.
Plus, one of the most important organizations in the state is getting a new leader and why it matters in Georgia politics.
Hear these stories and more on this week's episode of "Plugged Into Politics."

Kemp suspends state gas tax

Subscribe now to catch the first episode, dropping November 8.

In These Times with Bill Nigut is a weekly podcast featuring thoughtful, in-depth conversations about the political, cultural, and social forces shaping Georgia and the wider world. This series brings together expert analysts to help listeners make sense of the biggest stories of the moment, offering clarity without the noise of partisanship. But politics is just part of the story — the show also highlights voices from the arts, music, theater, film, and literature, exploring how creativity and culture help us navigate and reflect on these complex times. Insightful, wide-ranging, and grounded in curiosity rather than division, In These Times with Bill Nigut is your guide to understanding where we are — and where we’re going.

Learn more: https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/in-these-times-with-bill-nigut/

<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/in-these-times-with-bill-nigut/">Subscribe now</a> to catch the first episode, dropping November 8.
In These Times with Bill Nigut is a weekly podcast featuring thoughtful, in-depth conversations about the political, cultural, and social forces shaping Georgia and the wider world. This series brings together expert analysts to help listeners make sense of the biggest stories of the moment, offering clarity without the noise of partisanship. But politics is just part of the story &mdash; the show also highlights voices from the arts, music, theater, film, and literature, exploring how creativity and culture help us navigate and reflect on these complex times. Insightful, wide-ranging, and grounded in curiosity rather than division, In These Times with Bill Nigut is your guide to understanding where we are &mdash; and where we&rsquo;re going.
Learn more: <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/in-these-times-with-bill-nigut/">https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/in-these-times-with-bill-nigut/</a>

Coming November 8: In These Times with Bill Nigut

In the final episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali, along with producer Brendan Rivers, discuss the last four unprecedented years in Georgia politics.

Plus, a preview of what the WABE newsroom will be keeping an eye on over the coming months.

In the final episode of &ldquo;Plugged In,&rdquo; hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali, along with producer Brendan Rivers, discuss the last four unprecedented years in Georgia politics.
Plus, a preview of what the WABE newsroom will be keeping an eye on over the coming months.

Farewell from 'Plugged In': A look back at 4 years in Georgia politics

Georgia Republicans spent years building ties with companies in South Korea, culminating with Hyundai building a multi-billion dollar electric vehicle plant outside of Savannah.

But last week, a battery factory at the site was raided by federal immigration agents, who detained more than 300 South Korean citizens.

On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali take a closer look at the ongoing fallout from the Hyundai raid.

Plus, WABE Immigration Reporter Emily Wu Pearson takes listeners to a federal immigration detention facility in Georgia.

Georgia Republicans spent years building ties with companies in South Korea, culminating with Hyundai building a multi-billion dollar electric vehicle plant outside of Savannah.
But last week, a battery factory at the site was raided by federal immigration agents, who detained more than 300 South Korean citizens.
On this week&rsquo;s episode of &ldquo;Plugged In,&rdquo; hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali take a closer look at the ongoing fallout from the Hyundai raid.
Plus, WABE Immigration Reporter Emily Wu Pearson takes listeners to a federal immigration detention facility in Georgia.

Battery plant raid tests Georgia’s ties with South Korea

Earlier this year, state lawmakers created a new process for compensating Georgians who have been wrongfully convicted and jailed.

On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali take listeners inside some of the first hearings, where judges and lawyers are trying to navigate a new process somewhat on the fly.

Plus, Governor Brian Kemp has officially endorsed his pick to take on U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff next year and lawmakers mark one year since the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School.

Earlier this year, state lawmakers created a new process for compensating Georgians who have been wrongfully convicted and jailed.
On this week&rsquo;s episode of &ldquo;Plugged In,&rdquo; hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali take listeners inside some of the first hearings, where judges and lawyers are trying to navigate a new process somewhat on the fly.
Plus, Governor Brian Kemp has officially endorsed his pick to take on U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff next year and lawmakers mark one year since the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School.

Inside Georgia's new system for compensating the wrongfully convicted

The Trump administration is looking to fire two top federal officials with Atlanta ties that would likely have national implications.

On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss moves to fire a Georgia-born Federal Reserve Governor and the director of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Plus, Governor Brian Kemp has dispatched the national guard to help with immigration enforcement as President Donald Trump deploys guardsmen on the streets of Washington, D.C. and we take a look at why a judge is holding the Fulton County Commission in contempt of court.

The Trump administration is looking to fire two top federal officials with Atlanta ties that would likely have national implications.
On this week&rsquo;s episode of &ldquo;Plugged In,&rdquo; hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss moves to fire a Georgia-born Federal Reserve Governor and the director of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Plus, Governor Brian Kemp has dispatched the national guard to help with immigration enforcement as President Donald Trump deploys guardsmen on the streets of Washington, D.C. and we take a look at why a judge is holding the Fulton County Commission in contempt of court.

White House looks to fire top federal officials with Atlanta ties

Two national figures made stops in Georgia this week to test out political messaging for the 2026 elections.

Meanwhile, four major U.S. Senate candidates all gathered in one room.

On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Rahul Bali and Brendan Rivers discuss the early start to the campaign season.

Plus, Fulton County Commissioners defy a judge’s order and could face jail time and a Georgian who rose to national prominence during the 2020 election considers running for Secretary of State.

Two national figures made stops in Georgia this week to test out political messaging for the 2026 elections.
Meanwhile, four major U.S. Senate candidates all gathered in one room.
On this week&rsquo;s episode of &ldquo;Plugged In,&rdquo; hosts Rahul Bali and Brendan Rivers discuss the early start to the campaign season.
Plus, Fulton County Commissioners defy a judge&rsquo;s order and could face jail time and a Georgian who rose to national prominence during the 2020 election considers running for Secretary of State.

Fulton County Commissioners could face jail time; 2026 campaigns ramp up

WABE’s Plugged Into Politics connects the latest headlines from the Georgia politics scene and how it matters in your daily life. Each week, Politics Reporter Rahul Bali talks with candidates, lawmakers, experts, voters and fellow reporters to bring you the information and context you need to better understand one of the most important states for politics in the country.

You can hear the show Friday mornings at 7:35am and 9:44am on Morning Edition and 5:44pm on All Things Considered or subscribe to the podcast with new episodes each Friday.

WABE&rsquo;s Plugged Into Politics connects the latest headlines from the Georgia politics scene and how it matters in your daily life. Each week, Politics Reporter Rahul Bali talks with candidates, lawmakers, experts, voters and fellow reporters to bring you the information and context you need to better understand one of the most important states for politics in the country.
You can hear the show Friday mornings at 7:35am and 9:44am on Morning Edition and 5:44pm on All Things Considered or subscribe to the podcast with new episodes each Friday.

Plugged Into Politics

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

116 clip(s)