The Brief from WABE

A Georgia-based, Spanish-language journalist is back in an Immigration and Customs detention facility; A prominent Georgia Republican is being accused of running a 140-million-dollar Ponzi scheme; and we hear from the founder of Campus, an online two-year college founded by an Atlanta-native, whose backers include Shaquille O'Neal and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Delta Air Lines revises its financial outlook; Gov. Brian Kemp joins calls on Hamas to release hostage; and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones has a hefty coffer for his gubernatorial run, but mostly thanks to his personal bank account. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

East Point's mayor says no thanks to a third term; SCAD student identified as Texas flooding victim; and turnout for pivotal PSC primary is zero or near zero in several Georgia counties. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Lt. Gov. Bert Jones officially files to become governor; Despite high interest rates and increasing prices, Atlanta housing prices continue to grow; and a conversation with the first ever Chamblee Police Dept. LGBTQI+ liaison.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mistrial issued in long-standing "Stop Cop City" RICO trial; Interested in a green energy rebate? Act quickly; and Amir Farokhi's exit interview.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All nine Republicans in Georgia’s Congressional delegation voted today [THURS] to send the sweeping tax and spending bill to President Donald Trump’s desk ahead of the July 4th holiday; Atlanta after-school and summer program providers are sounding the alarm after the Trump administration abruptly paused their federal funding; A new report finds that for the first time in over a decade, Atlanta is losing more office space than it's adding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the massive tax and spending package backed by President Donald Trump and most Republicans heads for a vote in the U.S. House, there are concerns that federal funding cuts and policy changes will negatively affect Georgia's current state budget; Tens of thousands more people in Georgia could lose health insurance as a result of changes in the Republican-backed budget bill moving through Congress; A state law taking effect this week will require employers to pay people with disabilities minimum wage or higher.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tied U.S. Senate passes Trump's budget bill; Georgia Power agrees to maintain current rates for three years (kinda); and meet the person behind Atlanta's newest streaming radio, "Audio GayTL." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Group of North Koreans charged in identidy theft case;The Home Depot diversifies its spin-offs; and Panola Mountain State Park adds some girth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reworked vaccine advisory board gathers in Atlanta; A judge blocks Georgia's law aimed at limiting kids' access to social media; and Lois Reitzes signs off for the final time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump nominee to lead CDC faces Senate scrutiny; A runoff election where few voters cast a ballot could equate to $100 a vote; and better understanding of heat can lessen its detrimental effect on urban heat islands. [And a big thanks to the entire WABE news team for making the Brief possible 1,000 times over.]See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police seeking two more teens they say involved in pride flag vandalism; heat wave continues to blanket Atlanta; and seven miles of the Atlanta BeltLine go live.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of faith leaders, doctors and high school students form coalition to urge Georgia Public Service Commission to push Georgia Power toward cleaner power sources; Georgia GOP leaders split over decision to bomb Iran; and how the Atlanta Community Food Bank is navigating record demand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a long struggle, environmental non-profit buys land around Okenfenokee, saving it from development; AFLAC warns of major security breach; and why one GOP leader is telling those in his party to pay special attention to the PSC race. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Fulton County Jail guard faces federal civil rights charges for, what prosecutors say, is her use of a Taser on pre-trial detainees and subsequent lies to cover it up; Escalation in war between Iran and Israel divides Georgia Republicans; and paying honor to Juneteenth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SCOTUS decision on trans youth likely to have implications in Georgia; Pregnant person kept on life support to save baby removed from ventilator after her son delivered via C-section; and young people sue the Dept. of Labor over Trump mandate defunding federal Job Corps program. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trial in Apalachee High School shooting could be pushed to 2026; Atlanta has a new tree ordinance; and Georgia doctors express unease if Medicaid cuts go through. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Public Service Commission elections are Tuesday; the father of the accused Apalachee High School shooter is scheduled for a motions hearing Tuesday; and we go Beyond Pride with a look at what changed from 2016 when Gov. Nathan Deal--a Republican--vetoed a religious freedom bill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another man has died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody at southwest Georgia’s Stewart Detention Cente; Georgia politicians are reacting to this heated political moment, and they are bracing for a possibly intense weekend, with nationwide protests planned to coincide with President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, DC; Georgians are voting for Public Service Commissioners for the first time in years – after a voting rights lawsuit delayed two election cycles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. Supreme Court is reviving an Atlanta family's lawsuit over a botched FBI raid on its home in 2017; Georgia Republicans in Congress joined with nearly all of their GOP colleagues on Thursday in voting to claw back previously-appropriated federal funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting; Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is threatening domestic terrorism charges for anyone who incites violence during this weekend's planned protests against the Trump administration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(Asking for a friend: Can you be on probation and run for Congress?) Not one to be influenced by inconsequential formalities (including a person's civil or human rights, the U.S. Constitution, due process, or the remainder of his federal prison sentence), Victor Hill is all, 100%, and fully clear now about the wrongs we as society place on inmates. And it's not that he'd be a one-track-Congressman or anything. At all. Ya see, it's simply just early in the process. And all that other is so essential and massive, it'll take more than a few minutes to feel out his stance on other topics. This much he knows. Time for the Congressional seat now claimed by Nikema Wliliams to undergo an estrogen cleanse; darned right it's here. What the district is lacking isn't a robust federal funding support structure or affordable housing or racial harmony or economic opportunities. Hell. No. It's just not drippin' enough. No room for any 'Low T' up in D5! ...Time to give it the Big Hill MAMA treatment--as in, "Make Atlanta Masculine Again;" Gov. Kemp indicates openness to also use National Guard on those protesting Trump's immigration stance; and a conversation with the producers of NPR's latest Embedded podcast: The Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SCOGA finds the State Election Board went too far in implementing new rules for the 2024 election; RICO trail for Young Thug defendants cost a lot of cash, generated few high profile convictions; and remembering Atlanta's own beatbox legend, d.r.e.s. thabeatnik. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State GOP moves to keep Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger from running in future races as a Republican; CNN/Turner parent company makes a split, the impact of which is unclear; and the fight to preserve Head Start in Georgia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic State Representative Derrick Jackson joins the increasingly crowded race for Governor; Georgia Democrats are charting the path forward ahead of next year’s critical elections; Controversy is growing in Georgia over the case of a pregnant woman declared ‘brain dead’ who is being kept on life support in Atlanta. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State OB-GYNs say Georgia's abortion law getting in the way of ability to treat patients; Last defendant in Young Thug RICO case strikes deal, leaving DA Fani Willis with zero murder convictions after three years; and the list of names for Georgia's next governor keeps getting longer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Fulton asks Trump to restore Job Corps funds; Georgia Chamber CEO touts economic benefits of data centers; and meet the young people competing for top financial glory in Atlanta (and who could also balance your checkbook). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The City of Atlanta agrees on $3-billion to get through the next fiscal year; The Atlanta Spa Shooter has his day in court (again); and what will it take to build an LGBTQ community center? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judge gives "Stop Cop City" defendants a short window to file motions; More white refugees flee South Africa to the U.S., and Ga Tech needs a new athletic director, if you know of anyone looking. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two men who were being held at the troubled Fulton County Jail died this week; Wellstar Health System is proposing a new hospital in Acworth; Energy use by Georgia's growing data center sector has some experts concerned about demand on the power grid.... that discussion as part of WABE's series Server South.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Afternoon tornado hits Henry County, crosses I-75, and it's all caught on dashcam; Critics of Georgia Power say utility is crying wolf about future, massive electricity demand; and how do you spell Dunwoody's own orthographic superstar? S-A-R-V. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judge blasts "unorgainzed" prosecution in "Stop Cop City" RICO action; Georgia Power pitches plan for making enough electricity for future demand; and a big change is coming to Emory University's top leadership. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pardon me? Donald Trump pardons, frees from prison former Atlanta reality stars turned felons Todd and Julie Chrisley. Found guilty of securing $30-million in fraudulent bank loans and going to prison for it is, apparently, "harsh;" Whereas much of the nation shifted red in the last three Presidential elections, some bucked the trend and turned blue. Turns out most were in metro Atlanta; and federal cuts to grants for disadvantaged communities are leaving a mark on many Georgia towns. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this Memorial Day, we head to Gwinnett County where two names were added to its Fallen Heroes Memorial; State regulators consider Georgia Power's long-term energy plan, a plan that keeps coal power plants burning longer than previously expected; and federal cuts leave a hole in Atlanta's BeltLine project. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of a Norcross facility central to water pollution monitoring and flood management in metro Atlanta still appears to be up in the air; Fulton County officials say they are investigating why the Center for Diversion and Services that was set up to serve as an alternative to jail is being underutilized; One Metro Atlanta nonprofit is hoping to help refugees recreate a bit of home, through gardening and food.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SPLC finds hate and extremist groups' numbers are going down, but threat level is going up; Mercedes-Benz goes all in on Atlanta; and a preview of this week's PLUGGED IN podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just in time for the holiday weekend, federal budget cuts mean closure of 31 Georgia recreation sites; All those data centers popping up around Georgia are power hungry; and two controversial Republican nominees to Fulton County's election board get the 'thumbs down' vote.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From top to Bottoms: Atlanta's former mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, announces she's running for Georgia governor; Georgia's newest, more restrictive abortion law leaves a brain dead woman on life support as a hospital contemplates the potential legal fallout of pulling the plug; and College Park is in search of a new city manager after the last one didn't work out so well as evidenced by the city council ousting him not long after hiring him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The case of a Georgia woman who was declared brain dead and has been kept on life support because she's pregnant is raising legal questions about the state’s restrictive abortion law; In a surprise move, Georgia’s largest electric company is asking to temporarily freeze rates; Data centers are a booming industry in Georgia, but experts worry about the amount of water they require to keep cool.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A brain-dead pregnant woman on life support to keep the fetus alive although her family was not consulted, and how Georgia's data centers are creeping into people's neighborhoods.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's attempts to redraw districts get little love, lots of federal appeals court attention; Car booting gets a smidge less smarmy; and Decatur looks at reparations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Family of sexually assaulted teen files lawsuit against Atlanta Police; federal appeals court hears arguments that True the Vote illegally targeted and intimidated tens of thousands of voters; and the financial and emotional help for single parents that's helping them thrive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta's airport catches up from weekend weather delays, Georgia voting issues go to federal appeals court, and WABE's new series about the data centers you see popping up all around the state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin follows Georgia in charging parent for children's alleged shooting rampage; Coweta County says no more data centers, at least for now; and how it feels when your public service commitment project is pulled out from under you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

APD looks to beef up force in advance of major events coming to the city; Atlanta and Fulton County seek ideas for planned LGBTQ+ community center; and in an absence of federal relief funds, Georgia beefs up available relief for farmers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Republican Governor Brian Kemp says he will not run for U.S. Senate next year;Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock told voters at a South Fulton town hall that he's deeply disappointed in his Republican colleagues’ unwillingness to push back on President Donald Trump; University System of Georgia chancellor Sonny Perdue is urging the Trump Administration to pursue UNESCO world heritage site status for the Okefenokee Swamp.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brand new Georgia EV plant sees fines for its disposal of wastewater; Doug Collins, head of the VA, testifies 15% cut to the agency is a goal and not a plan; and Trump's CDC cuts prove a real downer for the agency's remaining Atlanta employees. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suspect in Apalachee High shooting indicates plea change could be coming; Georgia climate scientists sound alarm over federal changes they say put the public at risk; and Atlanta writer Josh Green's humorous take on Atlanta is front and center in his latest book, "Goodbye, Sweetberry Park: A Novel of City Life, Creeping Gentrification and Flesh Eating Snakes." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Democrats are looking for a new leader, Clayton County officials say they're ready for business, and Georgia Tech students who were designing an elementary school in Clarkston face uncertainty as that program is paused by the Trump Administration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IVF protections signed into Georgia law; Dems warn GOP cuts will target Medicaid; and a tax so nice EV owners might pay it twice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trial for the father of the teenager accused of carrying out the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School is set to begin this fall; The NFL has fined the Atlanta Falcons $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich another $100,000 after his son participated in a prank call to Shedeur Sanders during the NFL Draft; and WABE’s Marlon Hyde speaks with Randy Davidson, Georgia Entertainment CEO and Founder, about the current state of Georgia's film industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.