Politically Georgia

The Republican battle is underway to elect a new speaker of the house. In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell discuss the apparent split in the Georgia delegation between casting their ballots for either Majority Leader Steve Scalise or Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan. But is Kevin McCarthy in the mix as well?Plus, As Israel prosecutes its punishing war against Hamas, as many as 4,000 people attended at a solidarity rally in Sandy Springs on Tuesday night. The horror of the Hamas Terror attacks continues to drive the news cycle and lend justification for Israel’s war. Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut look at the depth of support for the Israeli cause, especially as civilian casualties in Gaza begin to appear in the headlines. And the Fulton County district attorney’s office has revealed a new list of witnesses they plan to call in the October trial of Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell. Among them, conspiracy theorist and podcaster Alex Jones and Republican National Chair Ronna McDaniel.  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.  Links to today's topics: Fight to elect a new Speaker of the U.S. HousePatricia Murphy: House needs a leaderGeorgians show support for IsraelMassive Atlanta rally in support of IsraelNew witnesses in election conspiracy caseConspiracy theorist, RNC chair on list to testify  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. 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

Georgia elected officials say they stand in solidarity with Israel after the most devastating attack on Israel since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. On this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, hosts Greg Bluestein, Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell are joined by American Jewish Committee Southern director Dov Wilker to look at how political leaders and members of the Georgia Jewish community are responding to the Hamas terrorist attack which killed more than 900 Israelis.AJC Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell reports on how the Israeli war brings new urgency to the GOP effort to elect a speaker of the House. Two candidates are in the race right now – Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan. But could Kevin McCarthy make a comeback bid to regain the gavel?Plus, Greg Bluestein shares details of his exclusive reporting on how Republican state senate leaders are using a newly established district attorney oversight commission to reprimand Fulton County DA Fani Willis for her indictment of Donald Trump.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. Links to today's topics:Georgia Leaders React to Attacks on Israel Selecting GOP leader becomes urgent in shadow of war GOP senate leaders seek to punish Fani Willis The Atlantic: 'We're Going to Die Here'  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. 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

The AJC’s Patricia Murphy, Tia Mitchell, and Bill Nigut look at news stories that are in the headlines right now: Ten people – so far – have died this year while in custody in Fulton County in just the past nine months alone. The jail is drastically overcrowded and many areas of the building are actually crumbling. This week, Lt. Governor Burt Jones and state Senator John Albers announced that a senate subcommittee will begin an investigation of conditions at the jail with hopes of finding remedies to some of the problems. AJC reporter Maya Prabhu joins the conversation on the jail. Then: the panel looks at some of the witnesses Fani Willis plans to call when the trial of two defendants in the Georgia election interference case gets underway in just a few weeks. Plus, how will Georgia GOP House members cast their ballots for the next speaker of the U.S. House. Plus: questions from the listener mailbag that you can now call into at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. The panel also chooses who’s up and who’s down as the week comes to an end. Links to today’s topics: Investigation of Fulton County Jail won’t be ‘adversarial,’ LG Jones saysFulton DA previews witnesses for first Trump RICO trialGeorgians on Speaker VoteWashington Post column by Karen Tumilty Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. 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

After a revolt in the U.S. House, Speaker Kevin McCarthy loses the gavel. On today’s Politically Georgia podcast from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, hosts Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Bill Nigut and Patricia Murphy explain why McCarthy’s ouster leaves Georgia leaders in flux.Plus, one of the defendants in the Fulton County election interference case has accepted a deal to plead guilty. Learn what this means for the prosecution and other lower-level defendants in the case.And, you’ll hear what protections civil rights groups and others are calling for as prospective jurors in the Trump RICO case face potential threats from Trump supporters.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. Links to today's topics: The Jolt: With House speaker’s ouster, Georgia Republicans weigh what’s nextFulton prosecutors float plea deals to Trump defendantsGroups warn attacks on prospective jurors in Trump trial could escalateSubscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. 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

While many court observers believed that Donald Trump would file a motion to have his Georgia election conspiracy case moved to federal court, his lawyers have announced they want the case argued in Fulton County Superior Court. In this episode of Politically Georgia, Patricia Murphy, Bill Nigut, Tia Mitchell and Greg Bluestein look at why Trump has decided to accept the Fulton County venue. A major bonus of the decision: the trial will now be televised.Then, hardline Republicans in the U.S. House continue to block efforts to reach even a short-term spending deal. It now appears all but certain that the federal government will shut down starting on Sunday.Plus AJC reporter Ernie Suggs, who has covered the Carter family for decades, joins the panel to talk about the remarkable staying power of former president Jimmy Carter. He turns 99 on October 1, seven months after giving up life-sustaining hospital care to go into home hospice.And our panel will answer listener questions and share their picks for who’s up and who’s down for the week.Links to today's topics: Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California dies at age 90, sources tell the APBREAKING: Trump will not seek to move Fulton case to federal courtMcCarthy rejects Senate spending bill while scrambling for a House plan that averts a shutdownNinety-nine ways to celebrate Jimmy Carter   Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Senate reached an agreement on a bipartisan stopgap spending bill to keep the government open, but hard-line Republicans are unlikely to support the compromise. In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell break down the impasse in Washington and the impact a government shutdown could have on Georgians.Plus, Greg Bluestein joins us from California where he will be covering tonight’s second GOP primary debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. We’ll get a preview of the debate and hear Greg’s interview with Governor Brian Kemp during his one-on-one with the governor at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, Texas.And Patricia Murphy talks Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s rise from a political backbencher to a major power player in Washington, D.C. 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.    Links to today's topics:What a government shutdown could mean in GeorgiaCarter presidential library moves birthday plans amid shutdown threatGOP rivals seek a ‘breakout’ moment in another Trump-free debateOPINION: The Greene New Deal: She’s in chargeSubscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price.   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

In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut look at how Marjorie Taylor Greene – one of Speaker McCarthy’s strongest allies in the House – turned against him and joined hardliners in refusing to pass the rule to allow the Department of Defense budget bill to come to the floor for an official vote. Greene’s surprising defection from McCarthy’s side was triggered by her opposition to the new funding for Ukraine embedded in the DoD bill. Then, Tia Mitchell leads a discussion of an emotional appearance on the Hill by Atlanta rapper Quavo - a member of the popular rap group Migos – who is lobbying for new gun safety measures in the aftermath of the shooting death of his nephew, known as Takeoff, last year.Finally, the panel looks at how Georgia Republicans are rallying to support the building of the Atlanta police and fire training center as a necessary step toward making the city’s streets safer. Their strong support comes even as Mayor Andre Dickens continues to face concerns about the center from some prominent Democrats.Plus, questions from listeners called into the Politically Georgia podcast hotline at (404)526-AJCP…and the panel weighs in on who’s up and who’s down this week.   Links to today's topics:Marjorie Taylor Greene turns against House Speaker over UkraineRapper Quavo brings gun violence advocacy to Congress, White HouseOssoff backs new public safety training facilities in Atlanta  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is facing questions from some key Democrats about how the city will count signatures collected by those supporting a referendum on the city’s planned police training center. In this episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia, Patricia Murphy, Tia Mitchell, Greg Bluestein, and Bill Nigut ask whether Dickens is losing support from allies in his commitment to building the facility.Also, some Georgia Republican members of Congress say they’re fine with a government shutdown if they don’t get what they want included in the budget bill.Plus, a conservative organization begins running ads in Georgia to pressure GOP congress members to vote for continued aid to Ukraine – and Patricia Murphy talks to voters who say that despite their issues with President Biden, they’ll vote for him because they don’t want four more years of Donald Trump.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.      Links to today's topics:  Atlanta’s training center referendum becomes new political battlegroundGeorgia Republicans in Congress divided on consequences, benefits of federal shutdownTension over Ukrainian aid divides Georgia Republicans as fiscal deadline nearsThe Jolt: Georgia lawmakers get mixed marks on Ukraine by GOP groupOPINION: Biden’s 2020 voters still ridin’ with Biden in Georgia   Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Atlanta leaders said they were willing to go into ‘war mode’ against dangerous apartments. More than a year later, residents feel they’re on their own. In this special edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, host Bill Nigut sits down with AJC investigative reporter Willoughby Mariano, who follows up on the AJC’s 2022 special investigation Dangerous Dwellings. Hear how tenants of more than 250 apartment complexes identified in this special series continue to live in unsafe and unhealthy conditions that make their homes all but uninhabitable. And why the sense of urgency by local leaders to address the issue has faded.   Links to today's topics:AJC Dangerous Dwellings Series  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special edition of the Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, Bill Nigut and Riley Bunch sit down with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to discuss the continued controversy over the proposed Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.Hear why Mayor Dickens opposes an effort by a city council member to bypass an ongoing petition effort and place the public safety training center directly on the ballot.The mayor also shares his thoughts on a variety of topics from the city’s process for verifying petition signatures to the sweeping indictment of dozens of training center opponents charged with violating the state’s anti-racketeering act. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices