Closer Look with Rose Scott

"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.

  1. 6d ago

    Follow the money to the midterm elections; Rediscovering “Riverbend”

    On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” with about two months until early voting begins, we update the latest on the race to the November midterm election. We examine how top-of-the-ticket races can help or hurt down-ballot candidates. And those down-ballot candidates are stretching their campaign funds to get as much attention as they can. We also learn how the summer months are for candidates to test their messaging, but after Labor Day, campaigns kick into high gear. WABE Politics Reporter Rahul Bali and Atlanta based campaign strategist and demographer Fred Hicks contribute to the conversation.   In the late 1980’s, after the Blaxploitation era had ended, “Riverbend” emerged briefly before being pulled from circulation for its perceived controversy. Shot in Georgia, and featuring Steve James and Margaret Avery, the film tells the story of three Vietnam soldiers after they escape a corrupt military prosecution and enter a small Georgia town, which is under the grip of a racist sheriff. They join Black residents in a fight for protection and self-determination. Today, the footage and sound have been digitally restored, and the film is receiving renewed interest. “Riverbend” will have its Atlanta premiere at the Plaza Theatre at 6pm EST on Saturday, August 15. To discuss the film’s revival, we’re joined by award-winning actress Margaret Avery and Michael Dennis, the founder or Reel Black Renaissance, and Restoration Executive Producer for "Riverbend." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. Aug 6

    Fulton Commissioner calls Atlanta Mayor’s letter “over the top”; Sur Legal on protecting immigrant workers; Chamblee’s proactive approach to data centers

    The very public disagreement between the Atlanta Mayor’s office and the Fulton County Commission continues. Last week Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sent the commission a letter regarding a recent majority vote to "commit approximately $1.3 billion" toward a new Fulton County Jail. The harshly worded letter to the board threatened to end an agreement in which 700 detainees were housed at the Atlanta City Detention Center and is also calling for the board to be more responsive and collaborative towards the city's Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative. On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we hear from Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett. She believes the county should find a way to work with Mayor Dickens but thinks his letter does not tell the full story.     Then, we meet a nonprofit that’s attempting to help immigrants amid the Trump Administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement. Of the 169 million people in the American workforce, more than 32 million are immigrants -- more than 8 million of which are undocumented. Many of those workers have become the target of the Trump Administration's aggressive immigration enforcement. Still, as the U.S. Constitution states, they have fundamental rights within the United States, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. The Sur Legal Collaborative has made it their mission to defend immigrant workers and make sure they know their rights.   Chamblee is the latest city in Georgia to pause new data center developments. The northern DeKalb County city has adopted a 180-day moratorium that halts the acceptance of any related applications. Jimmy Furst, Chamblee At-Large Councilmember, joins the show and shares the “major concerns” Chamblee residents have about data centers and the proactive approach city lawmakers are taking. He shares how their fast-growing urban community can’t afford the massive water consumption, heat, and noise that data centers produce and they need to further understand their impact before accepting any applications. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Aug 4

    Atlanta City Councilmember on the complexities of removing homeless encampments; New program helps with tree removal

    Finding a decent place to stay for Atlanta’s unhoused population is already a challenge with affordable housing shortages, poverty, and a lack of shelters. Without shelter, some of Atlanta’s unhoused population resides in a homeless encampment in a West End neighborhood that has raised some concern for other residents. But what makes this issue more complex is that the encampment is on private property. As Atlanta City Councilmember Jason Dozier explained on “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” the courts would have to get involved if they attempted to remove a homeless encampment from private property.   Also, Atlanta is often referred to as the city in a forest. Being surrounded by trees means it's important to be aware of how healthy they are and when they need to be removed. Decaying and dead trees can be a safety hazard or an environmental and climate issue, but they can also be very expensive to cut down. Some Georgia homeowners are increasingly given an ultimatum by their insurance company to remove trees deemed a risk or lose their homeowners’ insurance coverage. That's where a new program from the Georgia Arborist Association can provide assistance. We discuss the eligibility requirements and application process for the program with Georgia Arborist Association executive director Jessie McClellan. She also gives us a diagnosis on some of the trees outside the WABE Studios. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Aug 3

    Feds urge precautions amid peak time for child hot car deaths; Tech companies issue nonbinding promise to cover data center electricity costs

    Federal safety officials say we're in the peak time of year for pediatric hot car deaths -- when fatalities usually climb sharply in July and August.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says as of the end of July, 17 children have died in the U.S. due to pediatric vehicular heat stroke. Among them is a tragedy that occurred outside Northside Gwinnett Hospital just last week. On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we speak to NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison. He explained the three common ways a child can be trapped and overheated in a car, and offers multiple ways for parents, guardians, and other caretakers to remind themselves and not forget about a child in the backseat.   We also welcome back to the show, Kristi Swartz, a contributing writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She recently published an article that discussed a nonbinding promise between the White House and several big tech companies. The agreement states the tech giants will pay electricity costs in areas where data centers are being built. With the agreement being largely symbolic, some Georgians are still concerned how they’ll be impacted, even with Georgia Power promising to freeze electricity rates through 2028. Swartz also shares the latest news on data centers coming to Georgia and residents’ efforts to attempt to stop them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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"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.

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