Politically Georgia

On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's "Politically Georgia" podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut the podcast welcome state Rep Michelle Au to discuss the bills that she’s watching closely as Crossover Day approaches on Thursday. Au believes there’s a slim hope a full expansion of Medicaid might still be in the works. And the hosts ask Au, an anesthesiologist, for her views on the Alabama Supreme Court decision ruling that in vitro embryos have the legal protections of children. Then, Stephen Stetson, director of the Alabama chapter of Planned Parenthood, joins the podcast with a close-up look at how the Alabama Supreme Court decision on in vitro embryos is influencing fertility clinics in the state and more. Finally, the killing of student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus – and the arrest of a man in her death who authorities allege entered the country illegally – is sparking a strong political response from Gov. Brian Kemp and Republican legislators. Murphy and Nigut discuss the measures that lawmakers are considering.  LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   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- Matthew 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 talk to their colleague Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Shannon McCaffery and Nikki Haley surrogate Eric Tanenblatt.  First up, McCaffrey joins the podcast to discuss a new motion from Donald Trump alleging that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Nathan Wade lied about aspects of their romantic relationship in an effort to combat an attempt to disqualify Willis from the election conspiracy case.  Then, the hosts welcome Tanenblatt, the national finance co-chair for Nikki Haley, to discuss the future of Haley’s campaign after losing to Trump by a wide margin in her home state of South Carolina.   Finally, the hosts discuss Republican reaction to the arrest of a man authorities allege was in the country illegally in the homicide of Athens student Laken Riley. Republican legislators are looking at measures to crack down on unauthorized immigrants in Georgia, and Gov. Brian Kemp is calling on President Joe Biden to shut down the border now.   LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   Cellphone data raises questions about when Willis-Wade relationship started Trump victory humbles Haley in her home state Legislators poised to crack down on undocumented immigrants after Athens killing  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- Matthew 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 Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein, and Bill Nigut talk to their boss, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Editor-in-Chief Leroy Chapman, and U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C.   First up, Congressman Clyburn discusses the presidential race in his home state on the eve of the GOP primary. Then, the hosts look at a breaking Atlanta Journal-Constitution story reporting that attorneys for Donald Trump in the Fulton County election conspiracy case have filed a motion claiming evidence that Fani Willis and Nathan Wade have lied about aspects of their relationship, including when it began.   Finally, the hosts answer questions from the listener mailbag, plus they give their choices for who’s up and who’s down this week     LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   Cellphone data raises questions about when Willis-Wade relationship started  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.”  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, Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell and Bill Nigut talk to Rep. Sanford Bishop and candidate Marcus Flowers. First up, the podcast starts with Patricia Murphy’s exclusive interview with Nikki Haley, who tells Patricia she hopes to stay in the race through the March 12 Georgia primary. Then, the hosts talk with U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, the longest-serving member of the Georgia congressional delegation. Bishop, who represents the 2nd Congressional District, berates GOP extremists in the House for refusing to take up important legislation. Finally, Marcus Flowers, who in 2022 lost the 14th Congressional District general election to Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, joins the podcast to explain why he is now preparing to run a primary campaign against a Democratic incumbent, U.S. Rep. David Scott. LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   Haley plots possible path to Georgia primary ‘Built for the fight.’ Marcus Flowers launches campaign against Rep. David Scott   Have a question 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.”  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 talk to The Associated Press’ Meg Kinnard, Georgia Equality’s Jeff Graham and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution colleague Maya Prabhu.  Kinnard joins from South Carolina where she is covering the run-up to that state's Republican presidential primary on Saturday.  Then, the hosts talk with Statehouse reporter Maya Prabhu and Jeff Graham, longtime director of Georgia Equality, about the many Senate bills targeting transgender individuals.   Finally, Tia Mitchell and Bill Nigut discuss the GOP decision not to take up a full expansion of Medicaid in this session of the Legislature.    LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   Nikki Haley says she won't drop out of race Senate committee passes bill to control how schools talk about gender identity House leaders signal Medicaid expansion is off the table this session  Have a question 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.”  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 and Bill Nigut talk to Insurance Commissioner John King and attorney Charlie Bailey. King is a native of Mexico with a background in the military and law enforcement, and so he has a unique perspective on the border security debate that has become a top issue in the 2024 election. Then, the hosts talk with Atlanta attorney Charlie Bailey. Bailey worked as a prosecutor in the Fulton County district attorney’s office and had a close working relationship with Fani Willis. He believes the motions to dismiss Willis from the election conspiracy case against former President Donald Trump are without merit and will be rejected by Judge Scott McAfee. Finally, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut discuss the latest polls of South Carolina voters as the GOP primary approaches this Saturday.  LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   ----- Have a question 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.”  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 talk to Georgia African Methodist Episcopal Bishop Reginald Jackson. Bishop Jackson talks about the coalition of churches that is coming together to encourage Black voters to reengage in politics in this election year.  Then, Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Nedra Rhone discusses her column in which she described how women, and Black women especially, may have viewed Fani Willis’ testimony in a different light in the hearing to dismiss her from the election conspiracy case against former President Donald Trump.   Finally, Nikki Haley has announced a slate of supporters in Georgia, suggesting that she plans to stay in the race until the state’s March 12 primary. But will she?   LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   Black Georgia churches form voter alliance NY Times: Black coaltion The aim isn't just to disqualify Willis. It's to discredit her Haley announces slate of Georgia backers Have a question 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.”  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, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell talk to Norm Eisen, who served as ethics czar in the Obama administration. Eisen discusses the implications of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ explosive testimony pushing back on defense lawyers who want her severed from the election conspiracy case against former President Donald Trump.  Then, the hosts discuss how the Willis hearing may affect the political futures of the participants: Willis is up for reelection in November, and so is Scott McAfee, the judge presiding over the hearing. And, of course, they look at how Willis’ testimony and the allegations against her might affect Trump’s election campaign. Finally, questions from the listener mailbag, and who’s up and who’s down for the week.  LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   In fiery testimony Willis confronts allegations of misconduct  Have a question 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.”  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, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut talk to former State Sen. Jen Jordan and colleague Mark Niesse. Jordan discusses the hearing that could determine whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade should be disqualified from the election conspiracy case against former President Donald Trump.  Then, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Mark Niesse joins the hosts to look at a decision by the State Election Board to reject a proposal to end no-excuse absentee voting.  Niesse also discusses his article reporting that the organization that alleged Georgia election fraud in the widely viewed film “2000 Mules” couldn’t provide evidence to back up its claims.  Finally, the hosts look at the status of several high-profile bills in the legislature as the second half of the session begins.  LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   Blockbuster hearing could make or break Trump case Election board rejects effort to end no excuse absentee voting True the Vote fails to show evidence for Georgia fraud claims  Have a question 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.”  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 welcome the dynamic duo of Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson.  First up, Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene pushed for months to have U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas impeached. Now, she’s succeeded with her goal. Georgia’s delegation was split along party lines with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed. The final vote was 214-213. Georgia Republicans in the U.S. House blame Mayorkas for a flood of immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. The matter now moves to the Senate, where Democrats hold control of the chamber. So how far can this matter go? Meanwhile, Gov. Brian Kemp pledged to send a small contingent of National Guard troops to the Texas border. Then, Democrats won a key special congressional election last night in New York. Democrat Tom Suozzi won the seat that had been held by George Santos, making the Republican majority in the House even more fragile. And, the State Election Board voted against ending no-excuses absentee voting.  LINKS TO TODAY'S TOPICS   Georgia Republicans celebrate Mayorkas impeachment, urge Senate to act Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp says he will aid Texas governor's border standoff with Biden Why AP declared Tom Suozzi the winner of the George Santos seat: Race call explained  Have a question 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.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices