The Brief from WABE

Freight railroad giant Union Pacific announced Tuesday it is set to acquire Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern, another major rail operator in an 85 billion dollar deal; Senator Raphael Warnock is among the Democrats in Congress this week reintroducing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; For a decade, the Fulton County Public Defender's Office and non-profits have helped people recently released from jail find housing, but now the program faces a difficult path forward as federal funding dries up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of Georgia is under a heat advisory or extreme heat warning and climate change is fueling this kind of brutal heat; As temperatures soar, a nonprofit says it's deeply concerned about the people being held in Georgia prisons who have little to no access to air conditioning; Veterans who get health care at the VA say they’re worried federal cuts will erode working conditions and quality of care -- especially in Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia education officials are scrambling to disburse funds after they were held up by the Trump Administration; Another figure connected to a failed lending firm in Newnan has been subpoenaed; The city of South Fulton is placing its police chief Keith Meadows on-leave, as it plans to start an independent investigation into his department. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms began her statewide tour in DeKalb County as she campaigns for governor; Republican State Insurance Commissioner John King is ending his campaign for U.S. Senate; The search is on for millions of missing dollars from an alleged Ponzi scheme connected to the now-closed lending firm founded and run by a prominent Georgia Republican.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republican activist Kelvin King, the husband of a controversial State Election Board member, says he’s running for Secretary State of Georgia; The highly-anticipated trial of the father of the accused Apalachee High School shooter will be rescheduled; Unionized workers and labor advocates across the South are rallying for support. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advocates and lawyers for a Spanish-language journalist fighting deportation from Georgia aren't mincing words about what they believe is retaliation for his work; Atlanta beverage giant Coca-Cola says it will make a new product this fall that is made with U.S. cane sugar; MARTA is without a permanent leader after CEO Collie Greenwood announced he was stepping down, but some civic leaders and transit advocates had already soured on his leadership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns are growing over the prolonged detention of a Georgia-based, Spanish-language journalist by federal immigration authorities; Immigration and Customs Enforcement will use medicaid enrollment data to look for people without legal status; and a local scientist's analysis of the meteorite that streaked across the Atlanta sky last month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congress has agreed to President Donald Trump’s request to rescind more than 9 billion dollars in previously appropriated funding for international development and public broadcasting; The state of Georgia is fining BioLab for a chemical fire last September that caused evacuations in Conyers and several days of shelter in place orders; and WABE health reporter Jess Mador takes a look at how work requirements for Medicaid are going in Georgia, now that the policy is set to be expanded.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MARTA head abruptly resigns; A key weather office needs qualified people (if you know any); and a former Clayton County Sheriff's uphill climb. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Hubbard advances as Democratic nominee the state's PSC; Trump claims credit for cane sugar's return to Coca-Cola (unconfirmed); and Fulton Commission Chair Rob Pitts underscores the power of boycotts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Compromise has Ga Power extending renewables, prolonging coal fired plants; Trump loan provision for medical students likely to hurt Georgia; and the latest sex trafficking civil verdict has motel paying former victim $40-million. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia GOP leader accused of $140-million Ponzi scheme: "Sorry;" Low-Key COVID; and how much above the average income Atlantans will have to find in the couch seat cusions to afford an average house. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.