The Brief from WABE

Georgia becomes the first state to suspend its gas tax in response to the war in Iran, which has caused gas prices to spike; Governor Brian Kemp signed his fourth round of one-time state income tax rebates at the State Capitol Friday; The Princeton Eviction lab found that Atlanta had more than 144 thousand evictions last year, we hear from one of the researchers involved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State lawmakers pass bill to suspend Georgia's gas tax; homeowner's insurance is about to see another premium increase; and a conversation with the legendary Dionne Warwick. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State Senate looks to ban phones in Georgia high schools; Two decades past verdict, and father convicted of killing infant child wants a new trial; and the mystique that is the Georgia Guidestones. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World's busiest airport feeling pinch of partial government shutdown; a judge delivers a major blow to the Trump administration's anti-vaccine agenda; and the first installment in WABE's series, "Invisible Scars." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic state senator Nabilah Parkes of Duluth is resigning; charges have been dropped in the case of five teenagers involved in the death of Hall County teacher and coach Jason Hughes; a new report from Duluth-based Planned PEThood of Georgia outlines a framework for improving the delivery of animal welfare services in the state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACLU to Dept. of Homeland Security: Stop detaining immigrants in temporary holding cells in the basement of an Atlanta immigration office; Could professional hockey return to Atlanta?; and why this year's Dogwood Festival has an admission charge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With QR codes on ballots now unlawful in Georgia, another new voting system is on the horizon; gas prices sharply increase as war with Iran continues; and the significance of the Stitch project adding "Inc." to its name. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judge denies Laken Riley killer a new trial; state lawmakers pass 2027 budget; and Yamaha ditches California for Georgia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fulton DA says state GOP is targeting her for prosecuting Donald Trump; political shuffle on Fulton County Commission sets the stage for major shifts; and what a year into Trump's second term means for the Atlanta-based CDC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Candidates qualify for the commission that sets Georgia Power rates; and an investigation into a controversial land swap in DeKalb CountySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of the biggest names running for state office qualify under the Gold Dome; Fulton commissioners approve plan aimed at improving conditions at the Rice Street jail; and a conversation with Boris Kodjoe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite fellow GOP efforts to stop him, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger qualifies to run for governor; Atlanta Fed finds businesses are hesitant to expand because of current political climate; and what do you do when flames decimate your entire studio? For one Atlanta artist, you turn the ashes into inspiration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Father of suspected Apalachee School shooter found guilty on all charges; Sen. Warnock (D-Ga) tams with Social Circle to block ICE detention center; and putting the 'e' in AI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Closing arguments in the trial of a father whose son is accused of killing four at Apalachee High School in 2024; FCC green-lights merger of Atlanta-based Cox Communications and Connecticut-based Charter Communications; and: Want to run for office in 2026? You've got until Friday to get to the Gold Dome. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trial continues for the father of the boy accused of shooting and killing people at Apalachee High School; Georgia Power gets billions in federal dollars toward savings on residents bills; and College Park prepares for this summer's World Cup matches.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Supreme Court's presiding justice diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer; Georgia House lawmakers pass early education literacy bill; and APS teachers learn how to teach the game of soccer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Brian Kemp increased the 2026 state budget by nearly 1.4 billion dollars to help fund his priorities before it passed Wednesday; A new report from Emory University and reproductive-rights groups finds Georgia's abortion law continues to complicate health care for many pregnant and post-partum patients; A program from the Atlanta-based Southern Center for Human Rights trains volunteers to take notes in court and report back any misconduct.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anti-booting bill DOA, sponsor says; Georgia gets incremental victory in often-called "Water Wars" saga; and 'Figaro! Figaro! Fiiiiiigaro my!' $27.5-million gets the Atlanta Opera one fine future venue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marietta Police Department confirms its working with ICE; A new housing option for seniors is coming to the heart of downtown Atlanta; and what a million dollar grant can do to help Emory researchers better understand the long-term effects of data centers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several law enforcement leaders are backing a proposal to build a new state mental health hospital; City of Social Circle officials say they "continue to have more questions than answers" on how federal immigration officials plan to build a detention center there without infrastructure to support it; Democratic leaders are introducing legislation they say will safeguard against acts of voter suppression. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Power's parent company saw a good fourth quarter thanks largely to data centers; a high-ranking state senator won't seek re-election after more than two decades at the Gold Dome; and President Donald Trump holds his first event in Georgia since winning a second term.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State GOP holds on to Macon Senate seat; Georgia sees push to fully eliminate legal abortion; and the Atlanta start-up promising to ease your travel anxiety before you even check out of your hotel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several Apalachee High School students testify in day two of Colin Gray trial; Georgia lawmakers remember influence of Rev. Jesse Jackson; and the City of Atlanta honors a Black Little League team of yesteryear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A jury trial begins in the Apalachee High School shooting; Various groups file suit to protect ballots seized in FBI raid on Fulton election office; and an Atlantan brings home the Gold from the Winter Olympics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The State Senate has passed a Republican-backed package of bills to significantly cut state income taxes; The MARTA Board of Directors says they've done nothing wrong after a committee vote behind closed doors to halt work on the Eastside Beltline streetcar project; the National Center for Civil and Humand Rights in Atlanta is offering special programming every Saturday during Black History Month.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Environmental groups challenge state lawmakers to revisit Georgia Power's approved expansion; Can drones stop a school shooting in process?; and Broadway Sideways: a fresh take on show tunes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A jury is set in the trial of a father whose son is accused of fatal school shooting; Fulton County pressures feds to inventory, provide copies of documents seized in elections office raid; and a look at secrecy surrounding South Carolina's frightening measles outbreak.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Affidavit made public surrounding FBI raid on Fulton Elections office; More police are part of the reason violent crime has fallen, but it's not the only factor; and Atlanta's own Spike Lee turns back the clock to 1988. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DOJ given Tuesday deadline to unseal documents related to FBI raid of Fulton elections office; man falsely charged and detained for kidnapping sues police, prosecutors; and Southwest Atlanta Black bookstore to close after 35 years in business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annual 'Latino Day at the Legislature' takes serious tone amid ICE raids; City of Atlanta and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper settle Clean Water Act lawsuit; and the end of a 50-year era. Art Papers announces it will cease publication at the end of the year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten-thousand gallons of jet fuel leaked from Hartsfield-Jackson, EPA says; AJC to cut 15% of workforce, half from its newsroom; and a fourth GOP U.S. Representative from Georgia will not be running for re-election to the House. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Memorial details are released for slain Gwinnett County officer; a Georgia billionaire inspired by Donald Trump enters race for governor; and a push for metal detectors for all Georgia schools advances under the Gold Dome. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Gwinnett County police officer is dead, another seriously injured, after a shootout inside a local hotel room; the latest between President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney puts Savannah-based Gulfstream Aerospace at the center of the controversy; and who's at fault after decades of toxic PFAS releases directly into water sources for parts of North Georgia and Alabama? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Students at schools and colleges across Metro Atlanta are ‘walking out’ as part of a nationwide strike — which calls for a day of “no work, no school, no shopping”; The Venezuelan man convicted of killing a Georgia nursing student in 2024 is in court Friday requesting a new trial; the commissioner of Georgia's behavioral health agency talks about the state being released from a 2010 federal settlement agreement to improve treatment conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local lawmakers react to FBI raid of Fulton Co. election office; a judge rules against the federal government's stripping of EV charger funding from Georgia and half the other U.S. states; and WABE Arts asks, "What's feeding you?"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FBI raids Fulton Elections office over 2020 ballots; ICE quietly opens satellite office in College Park; and outgoing GOP Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols reflects on his 15 years in the job. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Court rules challengers to 2021 Georgia voting law lack standing; more Georgia schools to get funding to test for lead; and a candidate for Georgia Lt. Gov. pushes to change name of local mountain to honor Donald Trump. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta is among dozens of US cities that have seen homicides drop to levels not recorded since before the pandemic; public health giant Dr. William Foege died over the weekend in Atlanta at the age of 89; and a Georgia-based app helps people cut back on drinking, whether for "dry January" or beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service are expecting a major ice storm to hit the Atlanta area this weekend, potentially creating long lasting travel and power interruptions; Officials with Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport are incorporating some new equipment in preparation for this weekend’s winter storm; A group of 26-year-old Georgia Southern Graduates are helping Atlanta’s Unhoused express themselves — through music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dangerous ice storm setting up for North Georgia over the weekend and could linger into the workweek; Atlanta's airport bolsters efforts to combat human trafficking in advance of FIFA 2026 World Cup; and do you fancy a jennie? Here's a 'hen't: grab your gun. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forecasters say a winter storm is likely to hit North Georgia over the weekend and residents should prepare now; State lawmakers pump the brakes on new data centers; and how a Georgia college student's efforts are helping foster children across the U.S.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia opts-in to new federal tax credit for "school choice"; Students from a dozen metro high schools and colleges walk out of class in protest of ICE arrests; and UGA researchers uncover what's making monarch butterflies sick.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senator Jon Ossoff is calling again for the Trump Administration to change its tariff policies as a recent report found that it could push Georgia’s economy towards a recession; State lawmakers are reacting to Georgians' growing frustration with data centers with bipartisan legislation going after a major tax break; and federal policy changes have shifted the way ICE operates in Georgia. We hear from WABE immigration reporter Emily Wu Pearson about what she's focusing on in 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his final State of the State address, Gov. Brian Kemp proposes several new ways of spending the state's surplus; East Point temporarily pulls the plug on any potential new data centers; and Delta employees to get profit-sharing bonus equal to about one month of pay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twenty-two people qualified to be on the ballot to serve out Marjory Taylor Green's term; Georgia Power says customers could see their monthly bills go down; and extra toll lanes are top-of-mind for Gov. Brian Kemp, who offered up his legislative priorities this morning at the annual "Eggs and Issues" breakfast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From property taxes to birth control, state lawmakers are busy making the legislative sausage. We break down a few of the proposals; the head of an Atlanta HBCU says he was ousted without notice; and the skies were especially friendly for Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines in 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner fines companies for failing to cover mental health on par with other medical issues; a conversation with the new head of the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association; and WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali breaks down 'day one' of the 2026 legislative session.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fulton is looking for volunteers to help with its annual point in time count, to help track and respond to homelessness in the county; the city of Lovejoy is further enforcing a curfew for minors after increased criminal activity over the last year; and a chimpanzee sanctuary in North Georgia is looking for college volunteers to spend their spring break taking care of retired research primates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's Speaker of the House Jon Burns outlines his priorities for the upcoming legislative session; a New York man pleads guilty to threatening the wife of a Georgia immigration officer; and why 4,600 people in DeKalb County call an extended-stay motel "home." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's attorney general says he will charge for a second time 61 people arrested during protests of Atlanta's public safety training center; legalized sports betting is likely to make its annual appearance under the Gold Dome again this session; and Georgia's unemployment numbers better than U.S. average.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Kemp chooses date for special election to fill MTG's vacated Congressional seat; Rep. Doug Collins faces investigation for nepotism within his office; and Georgia GOP lawmakers expected to outline plans for eliminating state income tax. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.