Politically Georgia

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Lt. Governor Burt Jones joins the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about gun safety measures (including his own proposal to pay teachers to carry guns), the status of the presidential race in Georgia, the decision not to charge him in the Fulton County Trump election conspiracy case and more.Then, a look at the issues on the minds of Muslim voters as the presidential election approaches with Edward Ahmed Mitchel from the Council of Arab Islamic Relations.Plus, The Georgia Supreme Court reinstates the state’s six-week abortion ban, which had been blocked by a lower court judge while the constitutionality of the law makes its way through the courts.Links to today’s topics: Burt Jones backs paying teachers to carry guns, take gun training courseBurt Jones won't be charged in election conspiracy caseBurt Jones says he might run for governor in 2026Georgia Muslims oppose Trump & Harris over support for IsraelGeorgia supreme court reinstates "heartbeat" abortion ban Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. 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 the anniversary of the barbaric attacks on Israelis by Hamas, American Jewish Committee Regional director Dov Wilker discusses the challenges Israel faces continuing to fight a war to secure safety in its borders against growing criticism of Israel’s tactics.But first, former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, a longtime leading expert on the U.S. military and foreign affairs discusses his concerns about the importance of the next president surrounding him or herself with foreign policy experts who can offer sound counsel as the war between Israel and Arab terrorist groups continues to heat up and as the Russian war against Ukraine shows no signs of ending soon.Then, the hosts discuss the joint appearance of Governor Kemp and Donald Trump in hurricane-ravaged Evans, Georgia. It’s the first time they’ve shared a stage since Kemp angered Trump by not going sling with Trump’s efforts to overturn President Biden’s 2020 victory in Georgia.  Links to today’s topics:Countries around the world commemorate anniversary of Hamas attack on IsraelPro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups rally around the world on anniversary of attacksHere's why Governor Kemp and Donld Trump are meeting after Hurricane HeleneNuclear Threat Initiative working to build a safter world Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. 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 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, host Tia Mitchell and AJC Editor-in-Chief Leroy Chapman talk to U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Lithonia, about the lingering toxic plume from the BioLab fire in Conyers. Johnson believes that the plant shouldn’t reopen, and he says he’ll be meeting with BioLab leaders today.   Then, the pair talk to AJC staff writer Michelle Baruchman about down-ballot legislative races and what campaigns you need to watch.   Plus, it’s Friday, so we answer your questions from the listener mailbag and go through our picks of who’s up and who’s down.     Links to today’s topics: Federal investigators previously raised alarm about BioLab chemicals Conyers chemical plant fire: Winds to shift toward Atlanta through Sunday Gen Z candidates are looking to change Georgia’s political landscape AJC 2024 Voter Guide     Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   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

A federal judge in Washington released the most comprehensive narrative to date of the 2020 election conspiracy case against former President Donald Trump. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Georgia State University professor Anthony Michael Kreis joins us to break down the filing and what it means for Trump’s case in Georgia. But first, Georgia’s attorney general is appealing a judge’s ruling that struck down the state’sheartbeat abortion law. We’re joined by Georgia ACLU executive director Andrea Young who explains where things stand for women’s reproductive care in Georgia and what next steps are moving forward.Later, how the longshoremen strike affects Georgia’s busy ports and when we could start seeing shortages at the grocery store. AJC Savannah Bureau Chief Adam Van Brimmer joins us with updates.  Links to today’s topics:Georgia attorney general appeals a judge's rollback of abortion banNew court filing highlights Georgia’s role in case against Donald TrumpDockworkers go on strike at Georgia’s ports: What to know   Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at ApplePodcasts, 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

In what is likely to be the final debate between the campaigns this election season, Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz debated a wide range of issues Tuesday night in the CBS News vice presidential debate.  Though it was a largely civil debate, there were some false and misleading claims made by the candidates.  Politifact editor-in-chief Katie Sanders joins the podcast to fact check the claims made by Vance and Walz.Then,  AJC reporter Dave Wickert gibes us a look at the more than 22 lawsuits that have been filed challenging rules and procedures related to the state election board and other aspects of voting in Georgia this year.Later, a report on Kamala Harris’ plan to visit Hurricane Helene-ravaged Augusta today and Governor Kemp’s continuing tours of devastated areas of the state. The AJC’s Greg Bluestein has been traveling Helene-ravaged areas with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and joins us live from Augusta ahead of Vice President Harris’s visit.Links to today’s topics:5 takeaways from the vice presidential debateKamala Harris is traveling to Georgia to survey the state’s storm damageGeorgia finds itself in a courtroom blitz as another big election approaches Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. 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 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgiapodcast, we first mark President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday today - amilestone never before reached by a former president. AJC reporter Ernie Suggstalks about what life is like for the former president as he continues at age100 in his 19th month of home hospice in Plains.Bill Nigut interviews Chuck Leavell, who was a member of the Allman Brothers bandwhen they formed a lasting relationship with Jimmy Carter.Then, AJC legislative reporter Maya Prabhu joins the podcast for a discussion on howFulton County Judge Robert McBurney reached his stunning decision blockingGeorgia’s so-called heartbeat  abortion law from continuing ineffect. Plus,we preview tonight’s vice presidential debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance. Links to today’s topics:  At 100, Carter's lifeis quiet and routineOn his 100th birthdayrelive thee ten moments from Jimmy Carter's lifePhotos: Jimmy Carterthrough the yearsProud peanut farminglegacy of Jimmy Carter lives on with new generationJudge strikes downGeorgia's abortion ban Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour PoliticallyGeorgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question andanswer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at ApplePodcasts, 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

Hurricane Helene is already becoming a campaign issue.  On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Tia Mitchell and Greg Bluestein discuss Donald Trump’s planned visit to hurricane-ravaged Valdosta and look at other state elected officials who have been touring areas of the state that have been devastated by Hurricane Helene.Later, we talk to Georgia OB-GYN Dr. Nisha Verma who talks about what it's like to practice under Georgia's restrictive abortin law.Then, state Senator Ed Setzler, the author of the six-week state abortion ban joins the podcast to respond to Dr. Verma’s comments.Links to today’s topics:  Trump to tour storm-wracked ValdostaPresidential candidates spar over response to Hurricane Helene in GeorgiaFlooding, power outages continue after Helene devastationPatricia Murphy: Georgia abortion law left these women's lives in shambles Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. 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 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Governor Brian Kemp joins the podcast to talk about the widespread devastation that much of Georgia has experienced as Hurricane Helene roared through the state. Top political aide to Governor Kemp, Cody Hall, describes the importance of bipartisan cooperation between the GOP state government and the Democratic Biden Administration as the weather emergency unfolded.    Then, Harris campaign strategist Dan Kanninen looks at the sensitive question of how to promote the Harris campaign objectives in Georgia even as so many in the state are trying to recover from the storm, and then describes the Harris strategy for winning Georgia.    Finally, Georgia Department of Transportation spokesperson Natalie Dale gives us an update on road conditions across Georgia and offers safety tips for avoiding dangerous driving conditions.     Links to today’s topics:  Helene in Georgia: six dead, widespread flooding, one million without power Georgia statewide power outage map Helene's wrath tests Georgia's revamped emergency operations Weather photos: Hurricane Helene strikes Georgia        Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   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

Democrats announced that they have filed a lawsuit against Governor Brian Kemp in an effort to force the governor to act on an ethics complaint they filed earlier against three members of the State Election Board. On today’s episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Fulton County Election Board chair Cathy Woolard, who filed the complaint, joins us to talk about the suit.    Then, A.M.E. Bishop Reginald Jackson, who has overseen 500 A.M.E. churches in Georgia has been a leader in registering and turning out to the polls Black voters across the state. He’s now been assigned to a new A.M.E. district and joins the podcast to discuss how mobilization of Black voters in the state will move forward without his leadership.   And later, National Weather Service meteorologist David Nadler gives the latest updates on Hurricane Helene as it bears down on much of Georgia.     Links to today’s topics:  Democrats sue Governor Kemp demanding investigation of state election board Complaint asks Kemp to dismiss three election board members Patricia Murphy: Who's in charge of state election board? Nobody it seems AME Bishop Jackson looks back on years of service in Georgia Helene could bring "lfe threatening" floods to Atlanta, North Georgia Georgia closings, events cancellations due to Helene     Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   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

At a campaign stop in Savannah on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump touted his pledge to boost domestic manufacturing by luring foreign companies with tax cuts and the threat of tariffs. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Tia Mitchell and Greg Bluestein talk about Trump’s visit to Savannah yesterday and discusses what led to Trump’s high praise for Governor Brian Kemp. In a visit to the state just seven weeks ago, Trump had harsh words for Kemp, calling him a bad governor. Then, as election day approaches, dozens of polls will be released that will purport to give a snapshot of where the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump stands. Emory University professor of political science Andra Gillepsie and campaign advertising expert Rick Dent join the podcast to offer insights about how to determine which polls are offering the most accurate picture of where the contest stands.  Links to today’s topics: Trump reverses course, calls Gov. Kemp "fantastic"Kamala Harris to roll out economic plan in contrast to TrumpAJC poll finds Trump, Harris locked in tight raceRealClear politics poll compilation  Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. 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