Politically Georgia

Wall Street Journal reporter and bestselling author Josh Dawsey joins Greg Bluestein to unpack the twists of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. From the fiery feud with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to the Democrats’ missteps in 2024, Dawsey shares behind-the-scenes stories from his book 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America and explains why Georgia remains the nation’s ultimate political battleground. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Washington Wednesday edition of Politically Georgia, hosts Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy look at two national organizations aiming to leave their mark on Georgia politics ahead of the 2026 midterms. First, former Georgia state lawmaker Alisha Thomas Searcy joins the show to talk about leading the new Center for Strong Public Schools Action Fund and its mission to shape education policy across the South. Later, Katherine Pichardo, CEO of the Latino Victory Fund, discusses her group’s endorsement of Jason Esteves in the governor’s race and how Latino voters could influence the state’s political future. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell break down Derek Dooley’s high-profile entry into Georgia’s 2026 Senate race and what it means for Governor Brian Kemp, Donald Trump, and the GOP field. Later, Greg Bluestein sits down with AJC reporter Tamar Hallerman to preview the newest season of the award-winning Breakdown podcast, which dives into a gripping case that tested the limits of Georgia’s criminal justice system. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican candidate Kelvin King joins host Greg Bluestein to share why he’s running for Georgia Secretary of State and how lessons from his 2022 Senate campaign shape his vision for the office. Then, in our Monday Mailbag segment, Greg and AJC City Hall reporter Riley Bunch tackle listener questions on Atlanta’s budget, school vouchers, and the ripple effects of Mike Collins’ Senate run. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Greg Bluestein is joined by AJC City Hall reporter Riley Bunch to discuss Marjorie Taylor Greene’s announcement that she won’t run for governor, why her decision reshapes Georgia’s political landscape, and what it means for the 2026 races. Then, producers Natalie Mendenhall and Shane Backler wrap up our Back-to-School series with expert tips on supporting student mental health and how to navigate the return of heavy Atlanta traffic. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Washington Wednesday edition of Politically Georgia, host Tia Mitchell looks at how President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" could reshape education policy across Georgia. With major provisions now signed into law, AJC education reporter Cassidy Alexander explains what Georgia schools could face next. That includes changes to Medicaid and SNAP that may affect student meals and mental health care, as well as a new school voucher program that could divert funding from public schools. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell break down Governor Brian Kemp’s surprise decision to back Derek Dooley, setting off a cascade of political moves, including Mike Collins’ entry into the race and John King’s sudden exit. Then, Greg talks with AJC higher education reporter Jason Armesto about the sweeping changes Georgia colleges face under President Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” from new student loan caps to rising endowment taxes and growing fears among international students. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Patricia Murphy is joined by AJC education reporter Martha Dalton for a conversation with Atlanta Public Schools Police Chief Ron Applin on what families need to know about school safety this year, including cellphone bans, mental health funding, and new security mandates. Then, Tia Mitchell joins for the listener mailbag, where the team tackles questions on federal funding cuts, Medicaid paperwork, Georgia’s Secretary of State race, and the Epstein file release. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell take a high-level look at Georgia’s fast-forming 2026 political landscape. From open races for governor and lieutenant governor to Jon Ossoff’s growing war chest in the Senate race, the crew breaks down where the candidates stand, h ow the money’s shaping the matchups, and why this early stage matters more than ever. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Washington Wednesday edition of Politically Georgia, host Tia Mitchell is joined by Greg Bluestein to explore the fallout from deep cuts to public broadcasting championed by President Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. WABE CEO Jennifer Dorian explains how the funding loss will hit stations across Georgia, especially in rural communities. Then, we hear from a Georgia college student who was detained by ICE and invited to speak at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where her story underscores the real-world effects of immigration crackdowns. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices