Politically Georgia

It was two years ago today that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Rose vs. Wade. On today’s episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Micthell and Greg Bluestein explain how that decision changed the landscape of abortion access here in Georgia. State Senators Elena Parent, D-Atlanta, and Ed Setzler, R-Acworth, as well as the AJC’s Maya T. Prabhu join today’s podcast.  Plus, both former President Trump and President Biden have Georgia on their mind ahead of their first debate in four years. Hear how each campaign is turning up the heat here before their Thursday night showdown in Atlanta.    Links to today’s topics:  The state of abortion rights now in the U.S. Atlanta setting for Biden-Trump showdown is packed with political significance Grassroots organizing efforts ramp up    Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour PoliticallyGeorgia Podcast Hotline at770-810-5297.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.”      Credits  Executive Producer- Shane Backler  Producer- Natalie Mendenhall  Engineer- Shane Backler Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monday marks two years since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell are joined by Melita Easters, founding chair of the Georgia WIN List, to talk about the state of reproductive rights in Georgia.   Then, South Carolina’s U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn previews his visit to Georgia this weekend. He will campaign on behalf of fellow Congressman Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, and focus on outreach to Black voters.   Patricia and Tia also answer your questions from the listener mailbag and give their pick of the week’s winners and losers during Who’s Up and Who’s Down.      Links to today’s topics:  The state of abortion rights now in the US Georgia Supreme Court allows abortion law to stay on the books     Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour PoliticallyGeorgia Podcast Hotline at770-810-5297.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.”      Credits  Executive Producer- Shane Backler  Producer- Natalie Mendenhall  Engineer- Matt McWilliams  Editor- Devan Kortan   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Georgia’s primary runoff elections now behind us. Ontoday’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgiapodcast, hosts Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell look at the winners and losersof Georgia’s runoffs and talk about what it means as we head into the Novemberelections. Republican strategist Stephen Lawson joins the podcast to discuss theclosely watched GOP races in Georgia’s 2nd and 3rdcongressional districts.  State SenatorGloria Butler joins the program to talk about what it means that severalDemocratic candidates with support from some of the party’s top leaders losttheir local races. And later, our hosts discuss former special prosecutorNathan Wade’s recent media blitz. Some are speculating that Wade could beseeking a TV contract, but legal experts tell the AJC that Wade’s media tourcould put what’s left of the Trump election interference case in peril, sincethe Court of Appeals is scrutinizing whether his relationship with the DAshould disqualify her from the case.  Links to today’s topics:Election runoff resultsWinners and losers of Georgia’s runoff electionsDemocratic leaders go bust in key local Georgia runoffs  Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour PoliticallyGeorgiaPodcast Hotline at770-810-5297.We’ll play back your question and answer itduring the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. Listenand subscribe to our podcast for free at ApplePodcasts, Spotify, or whereveryou listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “playPolitically Georgia podcast.”  CreditsExecutive Producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie MendenhallEngineer- Matt McWilliamsEditor- Devan Kortan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Bill Nigut welcomes AJC senior editor Mike Jordan. Jordan is the senior editor for UATL, leading the Black culture team.The pair starts this conversation with preservationist Ann Hill Bond. Bond walks us through the history of slavery in Georgia. The trio reacts to recordings of a freed Georgia slave from the Library of Congress. Then, Bill and Mike welcome freelance journalist and filmmaker King Williams to the show. Williams talks about the political power of Atlanta and the Black electorate in Georgia. Finally, Tiffany Williams Roberts from the Southern Center for Human Rights joins the conversation. She talks about how Georgia can live up to the social justice promise of “Liberty and Justice for All.” Links to topicsIs Georgia living up to the Juneteenth promise of freedom? Voices Remembering Slavery: Freed People Tell Their StoriesKing Williams’ newsletter Capital B watch party Have a question 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.”  CreditsExecutive Producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie MendenhallEngineer- Shane BacklerEditor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s runoff election day here in Georgia and on today’s edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut are keeping close watch on some of the tightest races in the state. AJC election reporter Mark Niesse gives a rundown of the races on today’s primary runoff ballots. The showdown that’s grabbed headlines pits former Trump administration official Brian Jack, who has won the endorsement of Donald Trump and an array of MAGA luminaries, against state senator Mike Dugan for the open seat in the 3rd congressional district. There are also eight legislative races up for grabs today, plus the primary runoff race for DeKalb County CEO, which will most likely be decided in today’s vote.Later today Vice President Kamala Harris is back in Atlanta highlighting the Biden administration’s commitment to gun safety laws in a conversation with rapper Quavo, whose nephew was shot to death two years ago.  Former White House advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris, Jamal Simmons joins the podcast as the vice president returns to talk about the work to motivate Black voters to turn out at the polls for President Biden.Plus, a shocking gun murder at South Georgia’s Smith State prison adds to the number of violent incidents occurring at Georgia prisons. Now, Governor Kemp has called for an outside organization to do a complete study of the ongoing problems in state penal institutions.Links to today’s topics:Here are the races on today's runoff ballotsTrump-backed Brian Jack faces Senator Mike Dugan in GOP runoffHarris to headline Juneteenth block partyVP and Quavo meet for talk on ending gun violenceHow a murder/suicide at Smith State prison shocked state officialsHave a question 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.”  CreditsExecutive Producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie MendenhallEngineer- Matt McWilliamsEditor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden and Donald Trump had starkly contrasting campaign events this past weekend. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Host Bill Nigut and special co-host Tamar Hallerman look at the weekend campaign events of Joe Biden and Donald Trump. In Detroit, Trump courts Black voters by falsely accusing Biden of being the main force behind the 1994 crime bill and claimed Biden pushed the “super predator” measure aimed at Black crime. President Biden was in Los Angeles, where he attended a fundraiser where he was praised by some of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as former President Barack Obama. Meg Kinnard, national politics reporter, AP, Chuck Williams, WRBL Columbus, reporter, Georgia State University professor Tammy Greer join in on the conversation.   Then, a look at Georgia congressional GOP runoffs that will be decided in tomorrow’s election.  Former Trump administration official Brian Jack squares off against state senator Mike Dugan for the open seat in the 3rd congressional district; and Chuck Hand, convicted of a misdemeanor criminal action, is facing Wayne Johnson for the GOP nomination in the 2nd congressional district.   Plus, Tamar and Bill look at reaction from Georgia elected officials to the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning the trump-era ban on bump stocks for guns.     Links to today’s topics Trump courts Black voters in Detroit Biden raises millions in glittery Hollywood fundraiser Trump-backed Brian Jack faces Senator Mike Dugan in GOP runoff Jan.6 rioter in 2nd district GOP congressional runoff  SCOTUS overturns ban on bump stocks   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.”    Credits Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWilliams Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Speaker of the Georgia House Jon Burns has announced he’llsupport legislation protecting in vitro fertilization in Georgia. On today’sepisode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast,hosts Bill Nigut and Patricia Murphy discuss the speaker’s announcement and howa similar measure was blocked by Republicans in the U.S. Senate.But first, Lauren Groh-Wargo, CEO of Fair Fight Action, thevoting rights and grassroots activist organization founded by Stacey Abramsjoins the podcast to discuss a new initiative designed to recruit Georgians to- in their words - “empower everyday Americans to support voters and protectour democratic process from election deniers and conspiracy theorists trying totear our country apart.” Groh-Wargo told the podcast that Fair Fight will alsowork to build a grassroots army of volunteers to turn out voters for Joe Biden.Plus, Patricia reports on the controversy roiling aroundGeorgia House minority leader James Beverly, who has been accused by a staffmember of sexual harassment.Then, as we do every Friday, Bill and Patricia answerlistener questions from the Politically Georgia Mailbag and give you theirwinners and losers of the week during Who’s Up and Who’s Down.Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hourPolitically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll playback your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on nextFriday's episode. Links to today’s topicsGeorgiahouse speaker vows legislation to protect access to IVF treatmentsSupremeCourt preserves access to abortion pillFemalehouse Democrats incensed over accusations of sexual harassment against minorityleader  Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at ApplePodcasts, Spotify, orwherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “playPolitically Georgia podcast.”  CreditsExecutive Producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie MendenhallEngineer- Matt McWilliamsEditor- Devan Kortan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an exclusive interview on CNN’s “The Source”, formerFulton County special prosecutor Nathan Wade tells Kaitlan Collins that he isnot to blame for the delay of the Fulton County case against former PresidentDonald Trump. On today’s episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’sPolitically Georgia podcast, Kaitlan Collins joins hosts Bill Nigut and GregBluestein to discuss her exclusive interview with Nathan Wade.But first, Ari Berman joins the podcast to discuss his newbook “Minority Rule, the Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People and theFight to Resist It.” Berman describes the way in which the Founding Fathers, inan attempt to establish majority rule but at the same time protect the rightsof the minority of Americans, began a long road to today, as Republicans pushforward initiatives that he asserts thwart the rights of the majority of peoplein the country.Then, University of Georgia political science professorCharles Bullock expands on Ari Berman’s observations, citing gerrymandering andother mechanisms used to maintain single-party power in Georgia.Links to topicsGuardian review of "Minority Rule"Ari Berman booksKaitlan Collins interview with Nathan WadeHave a question for the show? Call the 24-hourPolitically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll playback your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on nextFriday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at ApplePodcasts, Spotify, orwherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “playPolitically Georgia podcast.”  CreditsExecutive Producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie MendenhallEngineer- Matt McWilliamsEditor- Devan Kortan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Supreme Court is about to roll on rulings on a number of cases that will be of historic significance. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, host Bill Nigut and special co-host Tamar Hallerman look at some of the historically significant cases: Is Donald Trump immune from criminal charges for alleged crimes committed while he was in office? Two of the top cases the court will act upon Ask consequential questions: Were January 6 rioters who have been charged and, in many cases, convicted of criminal actions wrongly prosecuted under a law that should not have been used against them? Emory University Professor of Constitutional Law Fred Smith and Georgia State University Professor of Political Science Amy Steigerwalt weigh in on these pending decisions.   AJC education columnist Maureen Downey also joins the podcast to look at a disturbing trend: Fewer college graduates are choosing to go into careers as teachers. Maureen cites numerous reasons for this and explains why a scarcity of teachers is harmful to student learning.   Plus, MAGA Republicans are continuing to claim the Justice Department has been weaponized to attack Donald Trump even as President Biden’s son Hunter has now been convicted of three felony offenses that could lead to significant prison sentences.   Links to today’s topics Major Supreme Court ruling soon to be announced Downey: We need teaching to be 'doable' What's next for Hunter Biden after conviction?   Have a question 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.”    Credits Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Micah Middleton Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut sit down with Brian Kemp political adviser Cody Hall to discuss how Kemp may be preparing for his next step in political life. The governor is holding national fundraisers, announces he’ll attend Republican National convention and looks for other opportunities to expand his national profile.   We also hear from former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin as she talks about the history of Atlanta’s troubled water system and how she raised $3 billion to make massive repairs to the sewage system during her tenure.   Plus, hear what Vice President Kamala Harris’ hopes to accomplish when she makes yet another visit to Atlanta this week. And they discuss the factors that are shaping the GOP runoff election for Georgia’s 3rd congressional district.   Links to today’s topics Brian Kemp plots steps that could shape his political future Shirley Franklin 'sewer mayor' Mayor Dickens calls water crisis a 'wake up call'   Have a question 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.”    Credits Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWilliams  Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices