Politically Georgia

Laken Riley’s father sits down for an interview with NBC about his daughter’s tragic killing. He is angry that her tragic death is being politicized. But first, lawmakers are still looking for answers after electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian paused construction indefinitely on a $5 billion plant planned for Georgia.  Rep. Tim Fleming, (R) Covington joins the ‘Politically Georgia’ podcast to discuss his disappointment over the news. He says that he’s looking for more transparency as the plant was being built in his district.  On the other side of the aisle, State Senator Derek Mallow, (D) Savannah, talks with the co-hosts about how Democratic legislators are playing hardball to force Republicans to back a measure for a full expansion of Medicaid.   LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS    Rivian suspends plans to build Georgia plant Some legislators frustrated by Rivian announcement Kemp, Rivian insist plant will be built Democrats playing hardball to get Medicaid expansion Laken Riley's father says he's angry his daughter's death is being politicized  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.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matthew McWilliams Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With just a handful of working days left, time is running out for bills to pass in the Legislature. The stakes are even higher as the biennial session wraps up.  Atlanta Journal-Constitution legislative reporters Maya T. Prabhu and James Salzer join the podcast to look at some of the major bills that are still being debated as the session winds down to a finish.  Emory University law professor Fred Smith discusses what is likely to happen next in the Fulton County election interference case against former President Donald Trump now that Judge Scott Mcfee has ruled District Attorney Fani Willis can remain on the case. McAfee’s condition for her continuing was that Nathan Wade no longer be on the prosecution’s team. He resigned from the case Friday.  Tia Mitchell shares insights from Capitol Hill as a government shutdown looms again.   And U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock is becoming a top surrogate for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign.  LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS    Georgia house and senate head into the homestretch What's next in Trump election case How the Fani Willis fight played out Congress scramble to avert shutdown  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.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matthew McWilliams Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just an hour before “Politically Georgia” aired, Judge Scott McAfee ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could continue prosecuting the election interference case against former President Donald Trump. But only if she drops her special prosecutor and former love interest Nathan Wade from the case.   Atlanta Journal-Constitution editor Shannon McCaffrey and Georgia State law professor Anthony Michael Kreis discuss the decision.    Then a pivot to Capitol Hill, where independent journalist Michael Jones, who is author of the ‘Once Upon A Hill’ newsletter, talks about what’s involved in the congressional effort that could ban TikTok.   And every Friday, the hosts respond to your questions, comments and even complaints from the listener mailbag. Then the duo offers their choices for who’s up and who’s down this week.   LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS    Judge Ellis to Willis: Dump Wade or lose case What's next in Trump election case House passes bill that could lead to ban on TikTok  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.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matthew McWilliams Editor- Devan Kortan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's new momentum building around a bill to provide school vouchers to Georgia families. Gov. Brian Kemp helped turn up the heat, posting on X: "When it comes to getting school choice done in Georgia, there are no more next years." The state House had a scheduled vote on the matter an hour after "Politically Georgia" aired.  But first, state House Minority Leader James Beverly joins the podcast to discuss why he's decided to retire from the Legislature after 13 years in the House and four years as the Democratic leader. He says it's time to return to Macon and find a different way to be of value to his community.   And, on the other side of the aisle, Josh McKoon tells the hosts that he has two goals as the new chair of the state GOP: to elect Donald Trump president and to continue using party funds to help pay the legal expenses of Georgia defendants in Fulton County's election interference case.   LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS    Democratic House leader to step down Josh McKoon is new GOP state chair Speaker Burns working to pass voucher bill  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.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matthew McWilliams Editor- Devan Kortan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Georgia gave President Biden the votes to make him the Democratic nominee, and the state joined three others that voted Tuesday to put former president Trump over the top. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell give a complete presidential primary night recap.    Then: AJC reporter Zach Hansen joins the podcast to discuss the consequences of the stunning announcement that Rivian is suspending indefinitely the construction of its $5 billion auto assembly plant in Georgia.  Plus: The hosts react to news that broke as the live radio show was on the air: Judge Scott McAfee has dismissed six of the charges Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has brought against former President Donald Trump and the remaining defendants in the Georgia election conspiracy case.  A state legislative committee will renew the debate over whether Georgia should issue vouchers to help families send their children to private schools.    LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   BREAKING: Fulton judge kills six counts in Trump indictment Biden and Trump win Georgia primaries and clinch nominations Before pausing Georgia factory, Rivian struggled to meet expectations Georgia legislative committee to review school voucher bill Wednesday  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.”   CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matthew McWilliams 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 Patricia Murphy, Bill Nigut and Greg Bluestein talk primary day. Democratic U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams joins the podcast to talk about President Joe Biden’s chances to win Georgia once again in November. Will turnout today give us clues?   Then: Democratic state Rep. Ruwa Romman tells the hosts why she’s urging fellow Democrats to leave the Biden ballot line blank today. Plus: Deputy Secretary of State Gabe Sterling joins the podcast to discuss how election officials have prepared for today’s primary election.  LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   Trump and Biden could lock up nominations today Progressives urge protest against Biden at polls  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.”  CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matthew McWilliams 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 Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell Georgia's presidential primary. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Mark Niesse and political science professors Charles Bullock and Karen Owen assess the low turnout and discuss what we may nevertheless learn about the state's voter preferences in a low-turnout primary Tuesday.  Then, the AJC reports that the No Labels Party may recruit former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan as their candidate for president.  Plus: Gov. Wes Moore, Maryland’s first African American governor, who campaigned for President Joe Biden in Atlanta and Columbus last weekend, joins Tia Mitchell and Bill Nigut. Wes Moore says he'll work tirelessly for Biden reelection          LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS    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.”  CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matthew McWilliams 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 Bill Nigut, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell discuss President Biden’s State of the Union speech with Republican Congressman Buddy Carter and Democratic state Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver. They ask whether Marjorie Taylor Greene’s disruption of the speech, which she’s done before, is adding to a growing lack of decorum in the halls of congress.   Plus, the shocking announcement that electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian is suspending indefinitely plans to build a $5 billion assembly plant in Northeast Georgia.   Finally, the hosts answer questions from the Politically Georgia listener mailbag, and give their choices for who’s up and who’s down this week.   LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   ‘It’s about Laken Riley,’ MTG shouts during Biden’s State of the Union   Rivian pauses plan to build $5B Georgia factory   Fulton DA Fani Willis faces two challengers in reelection bid  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.” CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matthew McWilliams Editor- Devan Kortan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia Podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Greg Bluestein are joined by AP politics reporter Meg Kinnard and top Georgia Nikki Haley supporter Eric Tanenblatt to discuss how Donald Trump President Biden will work to attract Haley supporters now that she’s dropped out of the race. Then, they look at what to expect when both Trump and Biden both go head-to-head in rallies in Georgia on Saturday.   Plus, AJC reporter Tamar Hallerman joins the podcast to discuss the latest developments in the effort to disqualify Fani Willis and Nathan Wade from prosecuting the Trump Georgia election conspiracy case. She and Greg Bluestein talk about their major scoop: Judge Scott McAfee has drawn a serious opponent in his bid for election to the Fulton County bench. They also discuss defense attorney Ashley Merchant’s testimony on her evidence for why Willis and Wade should be dismissed from prosecuting Trump case.    LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   Civil rights attorney to challenge Scott McAfee, judge in Fulton Trump case Opinion: The Biden-Trump rematch is officially here Georgia GOP leaders line up for Trump after Super Tuesday Senate committee hears testimony on DA Fani Willis  Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-810-5297. 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- Matthew McWilliams Editor- Devan Kortan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After being soundly defeated in the Super Tuesday primaries across the country, Nikki Haley has suspended her presidential campaign Wednesday morning. On today's episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy look at how the matchup between President Biden and Donald Trump will impact Georgia's primary as the general election essentially starts today.   LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   Nikki Haley suspends her campaign and leaves Donald Trump as the last major Republican candidate  Dueling visits: Biden and Trump are both set to campaign in Georgia on Saturday  Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. 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- Matthew McWilliams Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices