Politically Georgia

On today’s Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell dig into your Monday Mailbag questions. They cover crime statistics in Clarkston, the rise in student visa revocations linked to the Laken Riley Act, and confusion over Georgia’s new school cell phone policy. Plus, a a look at the final version of tort reform, and whether UGA will display the Confederate Constitution.Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.  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

Atlanta City Council is back from spring recess and staring down a $20 million budget shortfall. On today’s Politically Georgia, host Patricia Murphy talks with AJC City Hall reporter Riley Bunch about what’s driving the deficit and what comes next. Then, AJC business reporter Emma Hurt joins the show to break down the politics behind Hartsfield-Jackson’s 100-year legacy—and Mayor Andre Dickens’ pointed message amid renewed tensions over control of the airport.Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.   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 President Trump’s executive orders dismantling DEI programs, major companies like Target began scaling back their diversity efforts—sparking backlash from longtime advocates. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy speak with Pastor Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, who is leading a boycott against Target following its rollback of DEI policies.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democratic state Sen. Jason Esteves is officially running for Georgia governor, setting the stage for a high-profile showdown in 2026. Meanwhile, Gov. Brian Kemp notched a major legislative victory with the final approval of his long-sought legal overhaul. Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down both developments and talk with GOP strategist Stephen Lawson about what’s next for the governor.Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.   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

Hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell dig into your Monday Mailbag questions. From the fallout over the SAVE Act and voter ID confusion to Democratic candidates outside metro Atlanta and the future of ranked choice voting, listeners across the state sound off—and our hosts break it all down.Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.   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

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy unpack the chaos at U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s town hall in Acworth, where demonstrators repeatedly disrupted the event in protest of her support for President Trump’s budget-cutting agenda. Plus, we hear from Atlanta-based CDC workers affected by President Trump’s sweeping plan to downsize federal agencies—and what those layoffs mean for Georgia.Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.   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

Student loan payments are back—and not without major complications. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, host Tia Mitchell talks with AJC education reporter Jason Armesto about the rocky return to repayments and the potential fallout for Georgia borrowers and schools. Plus, she breaks down what’s in the next phase of President Trump’s sweeping budget bill, from border spending to deep federal cuts. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.   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 turbulent few months, Georgia Democrats are regrouping. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell speak with interim party chair Matthew Wilson about what’s next for the party after Nikema Williams’ resignation and a major candidate’s exit from the governor’s race. Then, former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan joins to discuss his latest AJC column, “Now What,” and what both parties need to do to shift from rhetoric to results.  Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.   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

President Trump’s escalating tariff war has Georgia businesses bracing for impact. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell talk with Georgia Chamber of Commerce President Chris Clark about how companies are navigating the uncertainty. Plus, it’s Monday—so we dig into the listener mailbag and answer your questions.Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. 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

Education took center stage as Georgia’s legislative session came to a close. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, host Patricia Murphy is joined by AJC education reporter Martha Dalton to break down two major bills parents need to know about: a school safety plan aimed at preventing violence and a ban on cellphones for K–8 students. Plus, Martha shares what she heard from Atlanta-based employees laid off after President Trump signed an executive order to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education.Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. 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