The Ron Show

Plus, a former police instructore & Marine takes aim at Congress & MARTA looks to show off in 2026A day after an FBI raid on Fulton County's elections office, Ron spoke with State Sen. Josh McLaurin, who explained the legal implications of federal agents seizing 2020 election records and why the move raises alarms for Georgia voters. Fulton County leaders Robb Pitts, Mo Ivory, and Marvin Arrington Jr. respond forcefully, calling the raid a political scare tactic designed to undermine confidence in the voting process.Producer Brendan Rivers reported on the Trump administration's effort to roll back key climate protections. Environmental Defense Fund's Peter Zalzal joined Ron to explain how those changes could lead to higher costs, health risks, and job losses.Additional conversations cover policing, immigration enforcement, and accountability with congressional candidate Defonsio Daniels, plus a look at major MARTA upgrades planned for 2026 with Stephany Fisher.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #JoshMcLaurin #RobbPitts #MoIvory #MarvinArringtonJr #PeterZalzal #DefonsioDaniels #GeorgiaPolitics #FultonCounty #MARTA #Climate #EDF

Plus, insights into authoritarianism from Nora Borcea PullenThe Fulton County Elections office has been raided by the FBI. Marilyn Marks, executive director of the Coalition for Good Governance, joins Ron to distill the why and discuss what's to come.Then, Romanian-born American Nora Borcea Pullen, president of Fayette Democratic Women and a columnist for The Citizen, shares her childhood memories of living under authoritarian rule, how the re-election of President Donald Trump and the events that followed have affected her, and how she's trying to stay grounded and hopeful for the future.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #MarilynMarks #CoalitionForGoodGovernance #NoraBorchapulin #GeorgiaPolitics #ElectionIntegrity #FultonCounty #Democracy

Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are moving to block funding for ICE and DHS, even if it risks a government shutdown. New polling shows public support for ICE sinking fast as the White House reshuffles leadership.Immigration attorney and Texas House candidate Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch explains what the data actually shows about migrants and crime, while CNN analyst Harry Enten lays out the political fallout of Noem-led ICE tactics in cities like Chicago, Portland and, mortally in Minneapolis.Ron's guest at 21:00 is former Republican lieutenant governor now "proud Democrat" Geoff Duncan - candidate for governor. They discuss enthusiasm gaps, abortion rights and Duncan's regrets on the state's six-week abortion ban ushered in while he presided over the state Senate when it was passed and signed into law. Ron also got Geoff on the record on respecting trans rights LGBTQ protections, and Geoff made the case for why he believes he's uniquely most qualified to deliver the office to Democrats in November. Before he wins the state, though, he has to win over a majority of the party. Does he make a solid case, yet? Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #JeffDuncan #JonOssoff #RaphaelWarnock #KateLincolnGoldfinch #HarryEnten #GeorgiaPolitics #ICE #Immigration

A deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis sets off a sobering conversation about the direction of the nation. Ron speaks with Mark Becker, Wisconsin radio host at The Rational Revolution. Becker, also a childhood friend of Alex Pretti, providing some background on who Pretti was, from childhood til death, and speaks to his transformation from conservative to moderate Democrat. Next comes Ron's sobering conversation with Steven Cash, executive director of The Steady State, a group of former intelligence and defense officials warning about rising authoritarianism and weakened democratic guardrails.Later, immigration attorney and Texas House candidate Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch joins Ron to explain how ICE enforcement, sanctuary city debates, and administrative warrants are affecting public safety, immigrants, and local law enforcement across the country.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #MarkBecker #StephenCash #TheSteadyState #KateLincolnGoldfinch #ImmigrationPolicy #Democracy #ICE #GeorgiaNOW

PLUS: Sterling Thrill's Friday check-in & Matt Rinker pivots from an ATL campaign to a State House raceShortly before the show, a federal judge shut down the DOJ's push for sensitive Georgia voter data, adding another chapter to the soap opera that is and has been unfolding under Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's tenure. Meanwhile, Ron popped in to former state Sen. Jason Estevez campaign kickoff Thursday night as his run for governor began before a packed crowd and with some legislative allies joining him to make the case that he's best-equipped to win the governor's desk in 2026. Hear what Esteves and surrogates were saying to make that case and note the jabs coming at former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms & former Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan. Because it's Friday, comedian and political satirist Sterling Thrill joined in to unpack the week's chaos— and find the humor wherever it was. Good news: he and Ron found some funny!But wait - there's more!Forget the dramatic Jack Smith testimony - how about Michael Fanone staring down MAGA instigator Ivan Raiklin - whom Rep. Jim Jordan allowed to sit directly behind Fanone in the first place? Hear Fanone's account of those near-blow moments. Checking in on Sen. Jon Ossoff's critical re-election year, he's seen doing what's needed for constituents by speaking up for tiny Social Circle's municipal pleas for a planned ICE detention facility to not be jammed into their community. As we'd discussed with their city manager before, the community's resources would be overwhelmed. Ossoff is also assailing DHS / ICE for failing to pay medical bills since last fall, leaving some third party providers to wait until late April, and with some denying medical care for those being detained. Ron checks in with Matt Rinker, pivoting from an Atlanta city council bid to running for Tanya Miller's House seat while she focuses on her run for Attorney General. On a last look at headlines of the day:Fulton DA's office opts not to prosecute Patti DurandTune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #JasonEstevez #SterlingThrill #GeorgiaPolitics #GeorgiaElections #ICE #VotingRights #JonOssoff #ProgressiveTalk

Georgia-based political & policy consultant Andrew Heaton joined for a thorough conversation on everything from campaign fundraising figures (and they say about campaign health), Democratic gubernatorial candidates starting to rough each other up a little and what to make of Brian Kemp throwing Democrats a bone with needs-based tuition funding.+Ron also looks ahead, discussing Senator Mark Kelly's growing national profile (and interest in the Presidency?) and what a potential 2028 Democratic option of candidates may look like. +When the conservative-leaning WSJ editorial board is chilly to the idea of a rapid elimination of Georgia's income tax, you know you've lost the plot (Burt). +Trump can't "pardon" one Georgia attorney out of potentially being disbarred after his foray into the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The Georgia Supreme Court is making that recommendation. +Kudzu Vine co-host David McLaughlin joined Ron today, too, with what he knows of the two newest "Democratic" candidates to qualify for the special election to fill Marjorie Taylor Greene's vacated Congressional seat. Shawn Harris we know; who's Jim Davis and Jonathan Hobbs? Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #AndrewHeaton #GeorgiaPolitics #GASenate #GAGovernor #MarkKelly #StatePolitics #PoliticalAnalysis

PLUS: Meet coastal Georgia's Patti Hewitt and Cobb-based candidates Danielle Bell (GA-44) and Michael Garza (Cobb School Board)+Georgia's election system is back under the microscope as Ron asks why the renewed push for hand-marked paper ballots doesn't include anyone on the left, plus examines (ho hum) the latest drama from the Georgia's State Election Board. The Trumpists on that board insist on making a nothing-burger out of Fulton County's unsigned tabulation tapes, but will they be the ones to force a final (?) recount of the 2020 presidential election? +Later, Ron is joined by Patti Hewitt, executive director of the Coastal Georgia People's PAC, who explains her grassroots strategy to rebuild Democratic infrastructure in rural Georgia—from protecting the Okefenokee to tackling rising energy costs and health care access.+I can't decide, sometimes, if I can agreeably disagree with Erick Erickson or not, because - at his core - he's a right wing disinformation conduit. Make no mistake - he's no fan of Donald Trump (though he's glad Trump won) - but for someone who proclaims to be driven by his faith, he A) calls a progressive podcaster (Jennifer Welch) "horse face" and B)sort of loses sight of the apt analogy presented when protestors confronted a purported (DHS doesn't reveal agents' identities) ICE agent who ministers in the Minneapolis area. It also begs the question: why does Erick think a church isn't the place to make people a little uncomfortable when that's exactly what a minister's supposed to do with his congregation? Also, why didn't think ordained minister use the opportunity bring people together? Lastly, how can I loathe Erick when he occasionally "broke clocks" his way into being (somewhat) right about young male isolationism? Again, though, when your base sneers at people who put "COEXIST" decals on their cars and is the party of "white flight," home schooling and/or private schooling, aren't you contributing to this sociological epidemic?+Ron spotlights collaboration on the ground with Danielle Bell, a candidate for State House District 44, and Micheal Garza, running for Cobb County School Board, as they team up to connect policy, schools, and families and even campaign events.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #GeorgiaPolitics #PattyHewitt #DanielleBell #MichaelGarza #PaperBallots #GAPolitics #ElectionIntegrity #GeorgiaElections

Whew; a wide-ranging Ron Show from Tuesday:+ an AJC bombshell: we knew all along the Mayor wanted to shelve Beltline rail on the east side, but no one had the authority to just halt work being done in preparation for it, and yet work was, indeed halted, without MARTA board authority. Matthew Rao with Beltline Rail Now joined Ron to figure out who's responsible (guilty) and who can be held accountable. + Georgia Power and its parent Southern Company is doubling down on dirty energy options to prepare for speculative data center needs, according to the Southern Environmental Law Center, and SELC staff attorney Bob Sherrier joined Ron to discuss the irresponsibility of it all. + Anne Applebaum excoriates Donald Trump's latest public embarrassment - his letter to Norway whining about the Nobel Prize committee (not a government entity) as rationale for sabre-rattling in Denmark's direction (another nation altogether) to snag Greenland. Anne seeks GOP courage to wrest this madman's power - something we've yet to see from feckless Republicans doubtlessly never will until he's gone. + But hey, remember when Ted Cruz - aka "Nostra-dumb ass" correctly predicted in 2016 there'd be an era where a President Trump would threaten to bomb Denmark? Of course, he's tucked tail and course-corrected back in Dear Leader's graces since, but .. + There's hope for a youth movement with young elected leaders popping up in the Georgia legislature. The latest being 21-year old Rep. Akbar Ali, who joined Ron to let him take "young people" quips ("old people interacting with young people" quips, too) but also to learn what motivated Akbar's engagement in politics and the issues that drive him to serve. No big deal, dude; get acclimated to a heady gig while having to also run for re-election immediately. Good luck!

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Ron takes a hard but hopeful look at the state of civil rights in America with Alicia Thomas Searcy, former Georgia state representative, CEO of Morgan Enterprises, and founder of the Center for Strong Public Schools.The conversation explores how Dr. King's vision holds up amid rising white nationalist rancor directly from The White House, attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and growing concerns about accountability in government. Alicia breaks down what DEI really means, why silence in the face of extremism is dangerous, and how economic pressures like affordability and healthcare are shaping today's political landscape.A well-written response to JD Vance's "hall pass" to white people was also worthy of a share today, from Columbus Dispatch op/ed writer Amelia Robinson, too. The hour also examines the fallout from Georgia's election interference case and what it could cost Fulton County taxpayers.The second half of the show, Ron reviews statements from today's MLK Day events at the new Ebenezer Baptist Church - from Governor Brian Kemp (virtually), along with Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens and the Reverend Senator Raphael Warnock. Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #AliciaThomasSearcy #MLKDay #CivilRights #DEI #GeorgiaPolitics #VotingRights #ProgressiveVoices

Ron welcomes comedy icon Margaret Cho for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about her Choligarchy tour, the risks of political comedy, and why speaking out feels more urgent than ever. Cho opens up about confronting threats, free speech, and using humor as resistance in anxious times. She also shares her emotions in seeing fellow comedians (Roseanna Barr, Bill Maher, Dave Chappelle) either going "full MAGA" or anti-trans / anti-woke."Later, comedian Sterling Thrill joins Ron for their weekly Friday segment, digging into headlines, late-night comedy, and how comedians try to make sense of a political moment that often feels stranger than satire.The show also features investigative reporter Laura Jedeed of Slate, discussing her firsthand experience applying for an ICE job and what it revealed about the system.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#MargaretCho #SterlingThrill #LauraJadid #ComedyAndPolitics #ProgressiveVoices #ICE #PoliticalComedy #GeorgiaNOW #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

Georgia Recorder columnist Jay Bookman digs into troubling signals from Trump (now and 2021) with a dystopian nightmare: the President sending the "National Guard or ICE agents to Fulton County, DeKalb County and other blue-trending areas, claiming massive fraud, seizing voting machines and voiding the election."I mean he's only openly ask/telling reporters that "we shouldn't even have an election." Meanwhile, with Brad Raffensperger (and Gabriel Sterling) aiming for higher office, the Secretary of State's office will have no bosses, and Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett aims to be in charge. Dana joined the show to explain why she's running for that role and shares plans to protect election security, voter access, and provide transparency.Plus, Democratic congressional candidate Chris Harden (Georgia 11th) talks about his bid for a GOP-heavy lean district and why his poverty-to-law school-to-courtroom story makes him an ideal Democratic candidate for such a district.Ron also unpacks Governor Brian Kemp's State of the State address and the Democratic response, from tax cuts to education and infrastructure.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#DanaBarrett #JayBookman #ChrisHarden #GeorgiaPolitics #ElectionIntegrity #VoterRights #GeorgiaElections #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

PLUS: Trump on Greenland, new racist/classist immigration policy, & Brian Kemp's "bold plan" that isn'tYesterday, Georgia Senate Democrats rolled out legislation aimed at restraining ICE operations, so Ron had a conversation with Democratic whip, State Senator Kim Jackson on accountability, fear in immigrant communities, and the moral stakes of enforcement tactics.Ron also speaks with Eric Taylor, city manager of Social Circle, about why his small town says it simply cannot support a massive ICE detention facility.Oh, and there's new racist/classist Trump visa processing ban, bu t honestly, "what took 'em so long?" is my first response. Like, who's not surprised this wasn't a "day one" thing for these white nationalists? Mango Madman really wants Greenland, too, and now Denmark's military is ramping up "exercises" on the territory. Great. We're going to war with Danish people. The episode expands to Governor Brian Kemp's "big reveal," which was - ho hum - more interstate lanes and not even a public-private rail concept like Air Canada and the Ontario government as working on. Sad.On to Savannah, where a local gun storage ordinance is being overridden by state lawmakers, and goes into a deep dive of newly released grand jury testimony revealing what top Georgia Republicans privately said about Trump's 2020 election claims.Oh, and back to ICE ... it's bad enough ICE is using Nazi and white nationalist symbolism to lure in that mindset, but get this: a liberal blogger with an easy-to-Google disdain for ICE applied to work for ICE without a background check and was offered a job by ICE. That's how thorough the vetting is for these masked goons getting $50,000 sign-on (taxpayer-funded) sign-on bonuses who wander the streets to rough up protestors and hunt down immigrants. Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #KimJackson #EricTaylor #GeorgiaPolitics #ICE #GunSafety #Trump #ElectionInterference

With a new lieutenant governor candidate in the Democratic primary in Macon-Bibb official Seth Clark, Ron caught up with Georgia NOW reporter Jenna Eason to get the scoop. Jenna covered the region before at the Macon Telegraph and had interviewed Clark early in her career and offered her insights. Later, Ron connected with 25-year-old Adrian Consonery Jr., a first-time candidate running for Georgia Secretary of State, to talk voting access, election integrity, and why younger voters are stepping into the political arena earlier than ever.Second half of the show, Ron turns his focus back to the scene in Minneapolis that continues to divide the nation - though polling suggests the majority of us do see things similarly. While reading the AJC's Bill Torpy op/ed, Ron stopped midway to point out something crucial: watch Jonathan Ross' own video HERE. Notice as Ross' fingers appear as Renee Good's spouse, Becca encourages him to "go get yourself some lunch?" He's moving the phone he's using to record the video from his right hand to his left. He was freeing up his right hand to access his weapon then, and not while in harm's way in or near the front of the vehicle. Why? Even Atlanta-based right wing radio host Shelley Wynter found a vastly more reasoned voice than Kristi Noem or Donald Trump; the kind of voice needed in this fracas. Lastly, what if Democrats put together a 'shadow cabinet?' You know, like an "alternate universe" version of what the executive branch would look like were Democrats in control? Emory professor Rick Doner opines that's what's needed right now. Ron shares & chimes in, too. Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #GeorgiaPolitics #SethClark #JennaEason #AdrianConsoneri #GALtGov #GASecretaryOfState #ElectionIntegrity

In Georgia, attention turns to the start of the legislative session, the state's massive budget surplus, transit and infrastructure debates, and what lawmakers may — or may not — accomplish in an election year. With activists there to "pack the capitol," Ron hung out at the capitol and caught up with Georgia 50501 vice-chair Briana Boyd about events they participated in with other organizations throughout metro Atlanta - from protests to vigils - in the aftermath of the deadly ICE encounter in Minnesota last week.On that, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem - who needs to be impeached - was taken apart by CNN's Jake Tapper over her outright lies in the minutes following Renee Good's killing, along with the Trump administration's hypocrisy on treatment of interaction with law enforcement from January 6, 2021 to now with masked ICE agents. Then there's the Trump DOJ carrying out "lawfare" against Fed Chair Jerome Powell, and Powell's predictably classy stiff-spined response (on Federal Reserve social media, no less), as meanwhile, the Comey prosecutor who apparently seemed too timid to re-litigate James Comey's case, was let go.Oh and the Trump EPA putting more priority on cost to businesses to handle pollution vs. the lives stemming pollutants would save. Just more outright comic book villainy. Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #RonRoberts #ThayneRosenbaum #Venezuela #ICE #GeorgiaPolitics #USPolitics #ForeignPolicy #ProgressiveNews

Georgia's 2026 governor's race is starting to take shape, and the first televised Democratic gubernatorial forum offered an early look at what's ahead. Ron breaks down the biggest moments from the Savannah event as seven Democratic candidates tackled health care, Medicaid expansion, housing affordability, and how Georgia should respond to another Trump presidency.There's more from the Minnesota ICE killing of Renee Good, including the gunman's cellphone video (bonus: retired ICE agent breaks down the shooting, and it ain't good for the gunman or Noem's DHS) and - get this - Ron credits Donald Trump for at least wanting to do something good for homebuyers in tackling private equity home ownership - but is what he wants to do even legal? Also the 50-year mortgage is dead. Good. There's also Ron's weekly candid, lighter convo covering the week's news with comedian Sterling Thrill.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com. #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #GeorgiaPolitics #GAGov2026 #KeishaLanceBottoms #JasonEstevez #MikeThurmond #JeffDuncan #SterlingThrill

A deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis ignites a political firestorm, and Ron isn't buying the official spin. As DHS Secretary Kristi ("Cosplay Barbie") Noem rushed to label the incident “domestic terrorism,” video evidence and expert voices raise serious questions about what really happened and whether facts were sacrificed for politics. Even worse, former (and current) DHS officials are stunned by her rush to speak on the situation.Later in the show, newly elected Georgia Public Service Commissioners Dr. Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard join Ron to discuss skyrocketing utility rates, Georgia Power's profits, and what consumers can expect next as Democrats finally gain seats on the PSC.Also, Stacey Abrams officially says "no" to a gubernatorial run in 2026, but progressives should fear not: you have a candidate on the ballot in May if you can get past her being Muslim. Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #RonRoberts #AliciaJohnson #PeterHubbard #GeorgiaPolitics #ICE #PublicServiceCommission #UtilityRates #ProgressiveNews

A deadly encounter involving ICE agents and a protesting motorist in Minneapolis is just another episode of 'binary reactions' from a nation all watching the same social media videos. Ron is joined by Jordan from the Off_jaWaggon TikTok account, reporting directly from the scene as conflicting stories emerge from federal officials and eyewitnesses. Back to Georgia, Republicans are pushing to eliminate the state income tax— sparking concerns about who really benefits and how working families could end up paying more. With insight from policy expert Dr. Daniel Kanso from the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute having weighed in, it seemed like an appropriate day to revisit that conversation from this show last November.In Georgia House District 68, there'll be an open seat on the November ballot, and Quentin Pullen is one of two filed Democrats running in the primary to be on it. He joined Ron for a prolonged conversation on the issues central to his campaign. Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #ICE #Minneapolis #JordanOffToWagon #ImmigrationNews #CivilRights #GeorgiaPolitics #TaxPolicy #ProgressiveVoices

On the fifth anniversary of January 6, with more than 30 pardoned J6 rioters arrested for crimes afterward, Ron took a hard look at how the insurrection is being rewritten—and what that means for accountability and public safety. From emotional testimony by Capitol Police officers to the rare voice of a rioter who rejected a presidential pardon, this episode cuts through the spin surrounding the attack and its aftermath. Ron also examined the sweeping pardons granted to January 6 defendants, including dozens from Georgia, how it may have covered the recently arrested pipe bomber, and the troubling pattern of re-offenses that followed.A couple weeks back, Ron stumbled upon professor and author Andrew DeCort's Facebook post examining JD Vance's obvious "white fragility" at the latest TPUSA rally. He joined the show to unpack how white grievance politics, religion, and power collide in today's culture wars—and why truth, accountability, and neighborly love still matter. Incidentally, his book, "The Golden Rule: How The Ancient Ethic of Neighbor Love Can Heal The World" is out.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #January6 #CapitolRiot #AndrewDeCourt #J6Pardons #RuleOfLaw #PoliticalAccountability #GeorgiaPolitics #Democracy

The U.S. operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ignited fierce legal and political debate. Joined by CBS News legal analyst Thane Rosenbaum, Ron questions whether this was a lawful extradition or a dangerous precedent for international relations. Georgia House (23rd district) Democratic candidate Scott Sanders joins Ron to discuss Georgia's latest special election and voter frustration in deeply Republican districts. Also, former Fulton County Commission Chair Dr. John Eaves explains why building a new county jail may be the wrong investment—and why addressing root causes could lead to safer communities.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #RonRoberts #ThayneRosenbaum #CBSNews #ScottSanders #GeorgiaPolitics #Venezuela #CriminalJustice #GeorgiaNOW

As Georgia heads into a pivotal election cycle, Ron kicks off the year with a forward-looking conversation about what real political engagement looks like in 2026. Joined by Melita Easters, executive director of the Georgia WIN List, who shares her organization's practical ways voters can stay informed, get involved, and make an impact—from volunteering and donating to showing up locally and leading conversations in their own communities. Then there's boning up on our ABC's ... of advocacy. ###Later, comedian and political satirist Sterling Thrill stops by to add a little biting humor and commentary on the national political mood and the year ahead. ###Finally, Ron does a little "tab-cleaning," coming back to a late-November op/ed from James Carville in the New York Times (gift link) where he and the likes of Rahm Emanuel, Paul Krugman and David Brooks - nearly a decade after working hard to reject the economic populist message of Bernie Sanders - have come around to seeing Sanders' message as Democrats' 2026 route to victory. Better (a decade and entire Trump era) late than never, eh?Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #GeorgiaPolitics #GeorgiaWinList #MelitaEasters #GrassrootsPolitics #Election2026 #CivicEngagement #ProgressiveGeorgia

As Atlanta moves into 2026, local journalism faces a defining moment. Ron explores what it means as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ends its print edition and goes fully digital, signaling a broader shift in how news is consumed. Matt Scott, executive director of the Atlanta Community Press Collective, joins the show to explain how nonprofit, grassroots outlets are filling gaps left by corporate media—and why community support is now essential.On the national stage, James Comer (R-Kentucky) is a lot like the Wile E. Coyote cartoon character, in Ron's opinion: always chasing after something that'll get him crushed. This time it's testimony from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The more we learn about the Minnesota fraud story, the better Walz is going to look when he's mopping up the floor with Congressional Republicans if he goes.Later, Ron speaks with Darl Champion of the Champion Firm about concerns over-aggressive client solicitation practices (we think "ambulance chasers," they call 'em "runners") in the Georgia legal profession and what consumers should know after an accident. BONUS: Ron's 2026 Resolutions and predictions.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#RonRoberts #MattScott #DarlChampion #AtlantaCommunityPressCollective #GeorgiaLaw #LocalJournalism #AtlantaNews #MediaTrust #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

What does it really mean when a vice president declares that white Americans no longer have to apologize for being white? Ron digs into J.D. Vance's controversial Turning Point USA remarks and the larger political strategy behind white grievance politics. He's joined by Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Bill Torpy, whose sharp new op-ed breaks down how race, resentment, and power are being reshaped for today's MAGA audience.Together, Ron and Torpy explore how DEI became a political punching bag, why empathy isn't the same as guilt, and how grievance is being weaponized in modern campaigns.ALSO: more on MTG's NYT piece & reverberations from it, and what's the deal with Nick Shirley's so-called "expose' " of Minnesota's (mischaracterized) Somali-led, supposedly Walz-permitted fraud bombshell? Would it surprise you there's a crap-ton of hot air shrouding a three-year old story that Walz & the Biden DOJ & FBI were already dealing with? More from Minnesota-based political influencer "Off_JaWaggon" to fill in the blanks for me.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#BillTorpy #JDVance #WhiteGrievance #DEI #Politics #GeorgiaPolitics #ProgressiveMedia #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

One year after the passing of President Jimmy Carter, Ron reflects on what Carter's life and legacy still mean for a country struggling with division and distrust.Drawing from a powerful Atlanta Journal-Constitution op-ed, Ron is joined by Linda Peek-Schacht, who served in the Carter White House press office, to talk about civic virtue, truth-telling, and the kind of leadership America may be searching for next. The conversation looks back at Carter's moral imagination, his willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, and how those qualities shaped both his presidency and his life after the White House. Plus, it's the plucky determination of The Carter Center, led by CEO Paige Alexander, that should inspire us all to keep moving forward despite the obstacles - or in their case massive funding cuts - because "the work" still needs to be done. Lastly, Marjorie Taylor Greene's most recent "mainstream media" exposure via the New York Times sees her going "scorched earth" on MAGA and Donald Trump, going even so far as to questioning his faith.  Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#JimmyCarter #LindaPeekSchott #CivicVirtue #AmericanDemocracy #PoliticalLeadership #TruthAndDecency #GeorgiaPolitics #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

First, from June 19, 2025: ⁠Brian Recker⁠, a former Marine, former evangelical pastor, current theologian, speaker and writer, has developed a ⁠healthy social media following⁠ and solid presence ⁠on Substack⁠. His focus? Deconstructing his faith to find a more inclusive spirituality - which often runs afoul of today's right-wing aligned American evangelical movement.He's just the kind of guest to discuss the ⁠'Ted Cruz v. Tucker Carlson' ⁠dust-up over Cruz' limp grasp on scripture he believes commands him (and the U.S. apparently) to support Israel unequivocally.Recker and I discuss this at length, along with the use of religion as a tool of manipulation by pols like Cruz, and also religion's manipulation of politicians like Cruz, too. I also asked, is Trump using religion to manipulate Republicans or is he the one being manipulated by religion?------Fast forward to today, Christmas Eve: Then, meet Joshua Doss, Chicago-based political strategist, pollster and social media influencer. Listen to one of his latest social media gems where he calls out Georgia's white evangelical voting bloc and their inconsistencies with their Christianity and their rebuking of REVERAND Raphael Warnock, Senator from Georgia, while their embrace of one Nicki Minaj.

The now-infamous '60 Minutes' segment pulled at the 11th hour by CBS News head Bari Weiss has surfaced anyway, notably because Bari doesn't realize how affiliate relations and marketing works in the TV business, but after watching it (you get to hear it - also shared @RonShowATL on X and BlueSky), Ron's left wondering what the big deal was.A similar '60 Minutes' story on the same el Salvadoran hellhole prison at CECOT aired in April; Ron spotlighted it, then. So okay, maybe Weiss' insistence that Sharyn Alfonsi's story didn't move the story "forward" has some merit, but then why did Weiss miss five screenings then essentially sign off on it Thursday, then again Friday before having a last-minute change-of-heart? Makes no sense, and ⁠now the organization's in chaos⁠.Weiss, we learned, pressed for someone from Homeland Security or the Trump administration to go on camera, to which Alfonsi and producers said they'd been invited and declined. Ron's hunch (and that of Alfonsi, too)? The "wait til they go on camera prior to airing" gambit is a ⁠tacit "kill switch"⁠ to stories the Trump White House wants bogged down.Ron walks through what the report revealed, why journalists inside 60 Minutes pushed back, and how the unaired segment ultimately leaked online anyway. Along the way, he explores the larger questions raised by the decision: media independence, political pressure, and what happens when powerful interests collide with journalism.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #RonRoberts #60Minutes #CBSNews #MediaCensorship #PressFreedom #Trump #ImmigrationNews

A purposely misleading headline and article set off a weekend firestorm in Georgia politics, with insinuations that 315,000 Fulton County votes from 2020 were improperly counted. Ron and his guest, executive director of the Coalition for Good Governance cut through the noise. Long story short, the claims of illegality are nonsense. Even worse, the so-called missing signatures are sought to certify votes in accordance with Canadian law. Not even kidding.Marilyn also walked Ron through the process for vote tabulation, why those ballots were always valid, and how bad faith actors are using confusion to distract from real election administration problems that still need fixing before 2026, and how circling vultures on the state elections board and Trump Department of Justice may expose Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.---With an anemic sign-up tally for Georgians and Affordable Care Act plans grabbing headlines, Georgia Recorder columnist Jay Bookman opined that Republicans keep fighting a losing battle on healthcare; but it's Ron's assertion that centrist Democrats also seem to be trying to save the ACA without an eye for what surely needs to come behind it eventually. ---CBS News legal analyst Thane Rosenbaum joined Ron in hour two to help bring some clarity to the muddy mess that is the (somewhat) release of the Epstein Files.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #RonRoberts #MarilynMarks #GeorgiaPolitics #FultonCounty #ElectionIntegrity #2020Election #GeorgiaNOW

A mystery group is spending millions on attack ads against Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, and no one seems to know - or wants to say - who's behind it. Kind of rich that Jones and the Georgia GOP are suddenly outraged over dark money tactics they've long defended. The ads, tied to an unregistered group called Georgians for Integrity, have sparked ethics complaints, legal threats, and a political guessing game inside the Republican primary for governor.Comedian Sterling Thrill joined Ron to laugh through the absurdity, unpack the hypocrisy, and talk about why this shadow campaign may be rattling the GOP front-runner more than the allegations themselves.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #RonRoberts #SterlingThrill #GeorgiaPolitics #BurtJones #DarkMoney #GAGOP #ElectionAds

A newly revealed audio recording puts fresh attention on Donald Trump's post-2020 efforts to pressure Georgia officials, and Ron breaks down why it matters now. The New York Times reports Trump urged then-House Speaker David Ralston to help overturn Georgia's election results, adding new context to the already controversial interference case.At the same time, Fulton County DA Fani Willis testified before a Georgia Senate committee in a hearing that produced plenty of heat but little clarity. Let's revisit the political theater, the unanswered questions, and what this moment says about accountability inside the GOP. WABE reporter Chamian Cruz joins the show to share what it was like inside the room and what lawmakers may do next.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #RonRoberts #FaniWillis #DonaldTrump #GeorgiaPolitics #ShemaineCruz #WABE #ElectionInterference #GeorgiaNOW

Ron takes listeners on a wide-ranging conversation that links America's past to its present — from classic TV sitcoms to today's political battles. Drawing parallels between All in the Family's Archie Bunker and modern MAGA politics, Ron explores how culture once forced hard conversations into American living rooms — and what's changed since, revisiting a CBS Sunday Morning segment from 2010 featuring Rob Reiner.The show also digs into the high-stakes fight over voting rights, with Lauren Groh-Wargo of Fair Fight Action warning about the potential fallout if the Supreme Court weakens the Voting Rights Act. Plus, CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger breaks down what rising unemployment numbers really mean for everyday Americans, and Dr. T. Jamison Brewer of the University of North Georgia weighs in on the growing push against “wokeness” in higher education.A WaPo letter to the editor openly asks "are we the bad guys?" "Telling conservatives to stop being bigots is admitting they're bigots. And I'm pretty sure a professor of jurisprudence telling them to cut it out isn't going to work. Hey, you guys — stop being bigots!" The letter writer cites Robert P. George's piece stating that as much as conservatives want to be a "big tent" party, they have to draw a line against white supremacy, antisemitism, eugenics, the subjugation of women, and other forms of ideological extremism and bigotry.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #RonRoberts #LaurenGrohWargo #FairFightAction #JillSchlesinger #CBSNews #TJamisonBrewer #VotingRights #GeorgiaPolitics

A weekend meant for celebration instead delivered heartbreak, violence, and unanswered questions. Ron reflects on a series of tragic events—from mass shootings at home and abroad - including the double murder of Rob Reiner and wife Michelle - to the disturbing rhetoric that followed—and asks what leadership should look like in moments like this.At the center of the conversation is a powerful act of courage: a Muslim man risking his life to stop further bloodshed at a Hanukkah gathering in Australia. Ron contrasts that moment of humanity with the political tone dominating the national conversation, and highlights Georgia Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock's call for moral clarity and compassion during crisis.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#TheRonShow #HearGeorgiaNow #RaphaelWarnock #RonRoberts #GeorgiaPolitics #MoralLeadership #PoliticalTone #BreakingNews #FaithAndPolitics #ProgressiveVoices

Ron welcomes comedian Sterling Thrill for a wide-ranging, candid conversation that blends humor with hard truths about life in today's America. The two dive into why healthcare feels unaffordable even when you're insured, how being poor often costs more in the long run, and why political double standards leave so many people frustrated. Sterling brings a comedian's sharp eye to rising prices, cultural hypocrisy, and the everyday stress facing working people, while Ron connects the dots to bigger policy debates and national leadership.Then, Georgia's Rev. Senator Raphael Warnock gave a speech and sat down for a pivotal Q&A with Center for American Progress President & CEO Neera Tanden Thursday, addressing the nation's spiritual crisis. Hear his full remarks and that interview on this episode.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#SterlingThrill #RonRoberts #HealthcareCosts #PoliticalComedy #WorkingClassStruggles #AffordableCare #ProgressiveTalk #GeorgiaNOW #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

WABE's Emily Wu Pearson joins Ron to discuss her in-depth reporting from Detained in Georgia. Emily explains how the ICE detention facility in Lumpkin shapes daily life in Stewart County — from limited economic benefits to the strain on families, attorneys, and volunteers working to support detainees. Ron also unpacks Georgia's sobering 2026 economic forecast, including sluggish growth, rising unemployment, and the nationwide policy shifts affecting household budgets. From ACA subsidy fights to immigration enforcement, this episode connects the dots between local realities and national decisions — all through the voices of people closest to the impact.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#EmilyWuPearson #WABE #ImmigrationDetention #GeorgiaEconomy #StewartCounty #ICE #HealthcareCosts #ACASubsidies #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

Georgia Democratic Party chair Charlie Bailey joins briefly to speak with Ron about an unexpected House flip, why it matters, and how momentum is shaping 2026. Ron then unpacks a tense Public Service Commission hearing as a surprise Georgia Power deal sparks protests and questions about cost, transparency, and the state's data-center boom. He also walks listeners through the stalled ballot-machine debate, new movement on ACA subsidies, and a major shift hitting millions of student-loan borrowers. Plus, Ron breaks down a fresh Federal Reserve rate cut and what it really means for Georgia homeowners.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#CharlieBailey #GeorgiaPolitics #PSC #GeorgiaPower #ACASubsidies #StudentLoans #Elections2026 #DataCenters #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

Ron unpacks a flurry of Georgia political headlines, starting with an AJC report on expanding federal investigations into pandemic-era fraud that now includes charges against a state lawmaker. He then turns to the fast-moving developments surrounding Fani Willis, who has agreed to testify before a state Senate committee—raising questions about politics, process, and precedent.Ron also highlights a major federal ruling striking down Georgia's ban on gender-affirming care for inmates and breaks down why the decision matters statewide. Later, he warns listeners about the real-world implications of massive media consolidation before welcoming guests Scott Sanders and Eric Gisler, both on the ballot in state House races today, for conversations about why they're stepping forward now. NOTE: Gisler flipped HD 121 and Sanders made the run-off in HD-23 today.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #ScottSanders #EricGisler #GeorgiaPolitics #AJC #FaniWillis #GenderAffirmingCare #SpecialElection #MediaConsolidation

HOUR 1Marjorie Taylor Greene's '60 Minutes' interview went over like a lead balloon at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but she managed to spill the GOP tea for everyone else eager for a pot-stirring. Ron weaved through the juiciest bits, then hopped on a call with CBS News DC correspondent Stacy Lyn for Trump's reaction. Meanwhile, the "near miss" in Tennessee's special House race last week has Georgia candidates like Lexy Doherty feeling vastly more hopeful about prospects for seat flips in 2026. She and Ron caught up to discuss Trump's maneuver to fling $12 billion in taxpayer dollars to salve the wounds inflicted on farmers after his tariff & trade policy war with China left many in financial dire straits. HOUR 2Ron argued against liberals taking the bait: complaining about fee-free National Park days isn't worth the energy. Patricia Murphy's AJC op/ed reviews the Trump election interference case and argues it shouldn't be forgotten. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger may have a better argument to undo Lt. Governor Burt Jones' sizable fundraising advantage, which has Ron wondering why the ATTORNEY general - Chris Carr - didn't think of it.Colton Moore officially announced his bid to win MTG's 14th Congressional district. Ron's next guest - Marisa Mecke from Atlanta NPR affiliate WABE - spotlights their series: "Server South"- answering Ron's many queries about Atlanta and Georgia's appeal for data center construction, and the impacts they'd have on power and water usage, among other things.

Ron unpacks a whirlwind of breaking news, starting with the long-awaited arrest in the 2021 pipe-bomb case and the suspect's claimed motive — a development that cuts directly through MAGA talking points. Ron walks listeners through shifting narratives, political hypocrisy, and why some on the right suddenly want distance from their own conspiracy theories.Then the focus turns to Georgia, where a mysterious $1 million ad hits Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and sparks questions neither party is eager to answer. Ron also dives into ethics rulings shaking up the GOP primary and a tense debate over citizen-run predator stings, including insight from a recent guest who explained why law enforcement often won't engage.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #PamBondi #DanBongino #ChrisCarr #BurtJones #BradRaffensperger #AngelusPereira #GeorgiaPolitics #DOJ

Ron opens today's show fired up after Wall Street Journal reporting confirms a theory he raised earlier this week about Georgia native / Morehouse graduate Admiral Alvin Holsey's abrupt retirement. It seems SECDOW Pete Hegseth didn't much care for Holsey's persistent pushback on (potentially) illegal orders given in the Caribbean. Ron lined it up earlier this week: the Holsey surprise resignation announcement was mere weeks after the "double tap" bombing that has Hegseth scrutinized now. Marilyn Marks—executive director with the Coalition for Good Governance—joined Ron to explain why the unresolved breach of Georgia's statewide voting software remains an urgent, ongoing threat. She pushes back on recent legal takes, argues the case never should've been dropped entirely, and details what voters should know heading into 2026.Ron also spotlights a surprising bipartisan moment forming around hand-marked paper ballots. Then, a conversation with Roswell mayor-elect Mary Robichaux about her unexpected national attention and what comes next for her community.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#AdmiralHalsey #MarilynMarks #MaryRobichaux #GeorgiaElections #ElectionIntegrity #WSJReport #CoalitionForGoodGovernance #GeorgiaPolitics #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

Might this be the last of the special elections in Georgia this year? No, there's another on the 9th (ranked choice would eliminate this silliness). Still, a tight Tennessee Congressional special election could signal shifting political winds. Nick Alex, a Democrat running in Georgia's gerrymandered 9th District, joined the show today. What happens in Tennessee today could be a bellwether for his campaign, centered on affordability, rural health care, and persuading voters who feel left behind by their own party. Then there are the mounting concerns around Pete Hegseth seemingly finding war crimes without a war. Allegations of an unlawful second strike on a drug boat — a story with a Georgia twist: did Admiral Alvin Holsey, a Morehouse grad and Georgia native, resign because of this strike? The alignment is uncanny. Bipartisan sharks are circling, Pete. At today's Cabinet knob-slob, VP JD Vance went off on the Biden presidency - granted rent-free space in this administration's head, apparently, on affordability issues that pre-date Biden, like housing costs (hint: it isn't undocumented immigrants, couch canoodler) to "green new deal" investment hurting agri-business (because climate change hasn't?).The Cato Institute's Adam Michel - Director of Tax Policy Studies - joined to parse out who really wins with Trump's new “baby accounts,” and CBS News' Michael Wallace gave seniors a last-minute reminder as Medicare enrollment nears its deadline.OH, it's Giving Tuesday: consider Lost-N-Found Youth, please and thanks!Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#NickAlex #MichaelWallace #DrOz #TrumpAccounts #MedicareEnrollment #GeorgiaPolitics #TennesseeElection #WarCrimeInquiry #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

A fast-moving story surrounding 19-year-old former Georgia GOP assistant secretary Ja'Quon Stembridge, whose sudden resignation made headlines after a vigilante sting video swept across social media. Ron spoke directly with "Angelus" of Street Sweepers TV, who explains how his group's decoy operation unfolded and why the encounter escalated the way it did. Later, Ron brings on Eric from Blue Georgia, who shares how GOP leadership reacted—and why his posts quickly drew blocks from party officials. The episode shifts to national news as Ron caught up with CBS News White House reporter Stacy Lyn for an update on the tragic National Guard shooting in Washington, D.C., and the political finger-pointing now underway. His opinion: the blame goes back all the way to Trump 1.0.Fresh developments in South Carolina, where Rep. Nancy Mace faces upheaval inside her own campaign team. Home sellers are de-listing at record pace in and around metro Atlanta, and Ron (who's also a REALTOR) has some insights, plus with Six Flags over Georgia pulling the plug on "Holiday in the Park" comes some alternate festive spots throughout the state, including Stone Mountain Park. Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #StreetSweepersTV #BlueGeorgia #NancyMace #GeorgiaPolitics #GAGOP #NationalGuard #AtlantaNews #PoliticalNews

Today (something of a "Friday news dump" going into Thanksgiving) we learned the special prosecutor who'd inherited the Fulton County District Attorney's RICO case against Donald Trump and more than a dozen co-conspirators sought (and was granted) a dismissal. On with Ron to discuss is CBS News legal analyst, author & professor Thane Rosenbaum.

The Pentagon's extraordinary move to potentially court-martial Sen. Mark Kelly had Ron bring on CBS News military analyst Jeff McCausland for context about military law, illegal orders, and the political tension surrounding the case. This is not normal.Back at home, Ron unpacks new Public Service Commission staff warnings that Georgia Power's proposed expansion could spike residential bills by $20 or more. Their decision to act on Georgia Power's request before seating newly elected Democrat commissioners means that rate hike falls squarely on Republicans. Not that any of this good timing when parent Southern Company's raking in billions in profits while giving data centers a break on fees and passing that loss onto consumers. Guest Clarence Blaylock joins to discuss Marjorie Taylor Greene's departure, the PSC shake-up, and why he's now running for Labor Commissioner. Finally, Ron closes with a look at iHeartMedia's new “Guaranteed Human” branding — and what it says about radio's relationship with AI, along with that company's "anti-human" hypocrisies. Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #JeffMcCausland #MarkKelly #ClarenceBlaylock #GeorgiaPSC #GeorgiaPower #AI #DataCenters #AtlantaNews

Ron dives in after a whirlwind weekend where Marjorie Taylor Greene stunned Georgia politicos with her early resignation. What does this mean for GA-14, and who's actually ready for the chaos? Democratic candidate Shawn Harris joins to share that he and his campaign actually anticipated MTG's departure and how it might actually give him the opportunity to wrest a seat from the Republicans and give his constituents a taste of what he seeks to offer if he keeps the seat beyond November.David McLaughlin of the Kudzu Vine breaks down the reaction inside GA-14 and how MTG's split from Donald Trump is being interpreted locally. Ron also checks in with Jack Zibluk, who is running in SD-53, about how a potential run by Colton Moore for MTG's seat could affect the district and upcoming timelines.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#MTG #SeanHarris #DavidMcLaughlin #JackZibluck #GA14 #GAPolitics #SpecialElection #ColtonMoore #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

A lot of ground covered today ... Ron opens with the political jolt in Sandy Springs, where Democratic State Rep. Esther Panitch crossed party lines to endorse former Georgia GOP chair and incumbent mayor Rusty Paul. Ron speaks directly with mayoral candidate Dontaye Carter, who outlines why the endorsement misrepresents his record, inflames racial dog whistles, and reflects deeper issues of elitism and accountability inside Democratic circles. Carter also details his platform on affordability, representation, and the demographic challenges facing Sandy Springs as it heads into a pivotal runoff.Next, Ron turns to an in-depth interview with Dr. Daniel Canso of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, who explains why eliminating Georgia's state income tax would shift billions in costs onto working families while delivering disproportionate benefits to the wealthy. His breakdown of sales tax expansion, regressivity, and long-term budget impacts offers essential clarity for voters.Ron then examines Donald Trump's latest outburst — a call to punish Democratic lawmakers for reminding military members of their duty to refuse illegal orders — and digs in on who the target audience for the Democrats' video was and how the Trump administration is already giving illegal orders by blurring National Guard call-up titles. How about an evidence-based look at immigration data, for once? Ron dives in after Rep. Buddy Carter's letter to DHS Secretary "cosplay" Kristi Noem calling for ICE agents to invade metro Atlanta. Ron theorizes he was "triggered" by a report earlier this week that showed Georgia is 6th in the U.S. in terms of undocumented immigrant population. May work in the primary, but Georgians overwhelmingly oppose mass deportations. Finally, author Dennis Brennan joins the show to discuss his new book drawing historical parallels between Aaron Burr and Donald Trump, offering a fascinating lens on political power, perception, and mythmaking.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#DaunteCarter #DanielCanso #DennisBrennan #GeorgiaPolitics #SandySprings #2025Runoff #IncomeTaxDebate #ImmigrationDebate #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

PLUS: is Esther Panitch a DINO? How can we trust what we see from Georgia's leaders & will data centers leave us in a wintry darkness?Today, Rons threads together several major developments shaping Georgia and the nation. The hour opens with Fulton County's proposed tax increase to meet federal consent-decree obligations for the county jail—an issue Ron argues reflects a broader philosophical debate over public safety, policing, and the kinds of services communities truly need. He contrasts Fulton's choices with an unexpected policing alliance in New York City, highlighting how unusual partnerships can still drive progress.The show then shifts to a national controversy: the CDC quietly changed language on its vaccine-autism webpage, a move condemned by scientists, pediatricians, and autism advocates. Ron breaks down the political pressure behind the update, the reaction from experts, and the implications of RFK Jr.'s leadership at HHS.Later, the focus turns to Georgia politics—specifically Sandy Springs—where Democrat Esther Panitch's endorsement of Republican Rusty Paul ignites a fierce response from challenger Dontaye Carter. Ron explores the community, political, and identity dynamics at play.Then there's the push to ⁠accelerate construction permitting⁠ and what impacts that may have on the homes people buy - and find themselves stuck with when that acceleration leads to preventable concerns.Georgia Recorder columnist Jay Bookman dips into the rise of political deepfakes, including a controversial video targeting Senator Jon Ossoff, and what this new frontier means for voters navigating misinformation.Ron has a conversation with CBS News correspondent David Schechter to determine whether data centers could push winter power grids to the brink—an issue with major implications for Georgia's energy future.Lastly, on this Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), it's hard to ignore a few certainties:1. with MAGA, the cruelty is the point - which explains DHHS announcing a Trump administration attack on the rights of trans youth and parents on TDOR. 2. the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Endocrine Society declined to participate in the review and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), which has long set the standard of care for transgender individuals, was not invited to review the report.Still, it's TDOR, and with more than 350 preventable transgender deaths so far just this year including Kennesaw State University trans activist Marisol "Mari" Payero, memorialized by Noel Heatherland from Georgia Equality. Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #DavidSchechter #DanteCarter #EstherPanitch #JonOssoff #MarjorieTaylorGreene #RFKJr #FultonCounty #GeorgiaPolitics

Ron walks listeners through a fast-developing national story: the remarkably swift and nearly unanimous congressional vote to release the long-sealed Jeffrey Epstein files. After months of hesitation from Republican leaders, both the House and Senate reversed course and advanced the bill with overwhelming support. Ron explores what led to this sudden change, why observers across the political spectrum are questioning the timing, and what the next steps may look like as the Department of Justice prepares to respond.Ron highlights commentary from comedian Trae Crowder, who articulates the public's skepticism about the pivot, and then examines House Speaker Mike Johnson's evolving explanations for his position. The episode breaks down how internal GOP disagreements, procedural maneuvering, and shifting public pressure turned a stalled issue into a rapid bipartisan movement — and what this could signal for future congressional oversight. Oh, and the Trump White House vows retribution towards Democrats for .... forcing him to do what he campaigned that he'd do?The discussion then turns to an Air Force One exchange in which President Trump directed a dismissive remark toward Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey. Ron uses the moment to examine broader concerns about Trump's tone toward journalists - particularly female journalists. Comedienne Raeshonda Lias-Lockhart was having none of it. Even former conservative editors, by the way, are noticing his cognitive decline.Trump seems upset American journalists are covering the Epstein files and his visit with the Saudi prince and not the (ahem) "$21 trillion" in investments he claims to be securing. Last month it was $17 trillion, and even then, half had been secured in the prior presidency. Oops.From there, Ron shifts to key Georgia news. He recaps Geoff Duncan's recent visit with Forsyth County Democrats, the upcoming Senate District 35 runoff, and new polling data that suggests most Georgians favor property tax relief over eliminating the state's income tax. Ron previews his upcoming conversation with Dr. Daniel Kanso of the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute, who will offer deeper insight into the state revenue implications behind these debates.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #TreyCrowder #MikeJohnson #DonaldTrump #JeffDuncan #DanielBlackman #CatherineLucey #GeorgiaPolitics #EpsteinFiles

PLUS: Georgia (nearly) stand alone in its embrace of touchscreen voting technology that runs afoul of its own lawGeorgia Republicans are racing toward a Florida- and Tennessee-style dream: wiping out the state income tax and pitching it as an overnight “5% raise” for struggling families. Ron digs into what the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute says really happens if lawmakers eliminate the 5.19% personal income tax that currently brings in nearly half of Georgia's revenue. Their analysis shows the state would likely need something like a 12% state sales tax, pushing the average household's tax bill up about $1,000 a year and shifting the burden onto low- and middle-income Georgians while the top 5% reap nearly half the savings. Ron walks through how tourism-dependent states like Florida and Tennessee balance their books, and why Georgia's very different economy makes copying them a recipe for a regressive tax hike dressed up as relief.From there, the conversation widens to the “K-shaped economy.” Drawing on reporting from Sasha Rogelberg and economist Peter Atwater, Ron connects the dots between flat or falling wage growth for the bottom 90%, rising subprime debt, and booming stock gains for the wealthiest households. It's not just about the numbers, he argues, but about feelings: a sea of despair at the bottom versus overconfident invulnerability at the top. That emotional gap is reshaping politics, fueling resentment, and creating a messaging test Democrats failed at in 2024 - and Trump continues to - when they insist the economy is “great” while groceries, utilities, and rent keep climbing.Then Marilyn Marks of the Coalition for Good Governance joins Ron to sound the alarm on Georgia's voting system. She explains how Dominion ballot-marking devices, giant touchscreen displays, and QR-code ballots violate both the spirit and letter of Georgia's secret-ballot laws, enable subtle hacks that leave no audit trail, and create real intimidation risks in small communities and church precincts.Marks walks through the Coffee County breach, the Curling lawsuit, and why federal experts have warned Georgia for years to fix obvious vulnerabilities. Her solution is surprisingly simple—and cheaper: warehouse most of the touchscreens, keep a few for accessibility, and join the 70% of America already using hand-marked paper ballots fed into the same scanners Georgia uses now.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com. #MarilynMarks #DanielKanso #GeorgiaTaxes #ElectionSecurity #KShapedEconomy #GAPol #VoterPrivacy #EconomicJustice #IncomeTaxDebate #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

PLUS: John Williams aims to slide into Georgia's open state Senate seat tomorrow w/a locally focused platformRon breaks down ⁠the growing rift between former President Donald Trump and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene⁠—a split that has quickly shifted from quiet tension to ⁠an open political break⁠. ⁠Their disagreement⁠ over releasing the Epstein files has triggered new divisions inside the GOP and raised questions about how Greene's recent attempts at moderation are being received by voters in Georgia's 14th District.Ron is joined by Wendy Davis, co-host of ⁠The Kudzu Vine⁠ podcast and former Democratic candidate in GA-14, who offers local insight into ⁠Greene's evolving tone⁠, her increased visibility on national media, and how these changes compare with her long-standing record. Davis explains why many constituents remain skeptical and highlights how Greene's positions on major legislation continue to shape opinions in the district.The conversation also digs into the broader Republican landscape, including the reactions of Georgia's 2026 Senate hopefuls. Potential GOP challengers to Greene—such as Colton Moore and Laura Loomer—are on the radar, raising the prospect of a competitive primary that could reshape the district's political dynamics. The conversation closes with a look at the Democratic field, including Shawn Harris, and the qualities that may resonate with voters amid these shifting dynamics.Even Eric Erickson's conservative insights prove to be somewhat valuable here. Then there's "dirtbag" ⁠Congressman Mike Collins⁠, who signaled support for ⁠releasing the Epstein files⁠ after Trump reversed his own position. Ron notes only his and his GOP Senate combatants' pivoting upon Trump's sudden change-of-heart re: Epstein Files release, and what this all means for ⁠party alignment and how GOP leaders are adjusting their views⁠ in real time. Oh, and libertarian talk radio firebrand Eric von Hessler agrees that Mike Collins is a "dirt bag." Ron speaks with ⁠Georgia Senate District 35 candidate John Williams⁠, highlighting John's locally-focused platform for a state-level special election.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com. #MarjorieTaylorGreene #DonaldTrump #WendyDavis #MikeCollins #GA14 #EpsteinFiles #GeorgiaPolitics #SeanHarris #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

This episode of The Ron Show centers on one of the most consequential developments in Georgia politics: the appointment of Pete Skandalakis as the new prosecutor overseeing the Fulton County election interference case involving Donald Trump and multiple co-defendants. Ron and Georgia NOW News Director Alexis Young walk through what his appointment means, why so many prosecutors reportedly turned down the role, and how the eight-terabyte evidence load sets the stage for a complicated legal path forward. Ron and Alexis also examine the broader political environment surrounding the case, including the recent round of federal pardons issued to several figures tied to Trump. While those pardons have no bearing on state prosecutions, they add another layer to an already high-profile legal battle. They also discuss concerns about political pressure, prosecutorial discretion, and what Georgia law requires when reviewing evidence and making charging decisions.From there, the episode expands into other key news stories shaping Georgia and national politics. Ron covers the AI-generated deepfake circulated by Congressman Mike Collins' campaign, which used synthetic audio to imitate Senator John Ossoff. The segment outlines the ethical questions raised, the response from both parties, and how AI manipulation may impact campaign messaging in 2026 and beyond.The show also touches on the ongoing divide between Donald Trump and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, recent reporting on misconduct by FBI Director Kash Patel, and the Eleventh Circuit's decision to uphold hate crime convictions in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.Listeners get a clear, grounded overview of the week's major stories — with Alexis providing additional context from the Georgia NOW newsroom and Ron connecting the dots across statewide and national developments.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com. #AlexisYoung #PeteSkandalakis #GeorgiaPolitics #FultonCountyCase #MikeCollins #JohnOssoff #AhmaudArbery #GAnews #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

The release of long-suppressed Epstein investigation files threatens to reshape national politics while Georgia prepares for critical 2026 races, but locally, two key Democratics Barry Wolfert, running for Georgia's 11th Congressional District to challenge Rep. Barry Loudermilk, and Scott Sanders, the lone Democrat in the House District 23 special election, hop on calls to introduce themselves. But the biggest story of the day centers on the newly released Epstein estate emails and the House vote advancing a discharge petition to force release of the full DOJ archive. Heather Cox Richardson's step-by-step breakdown of what happens over the next 7–10 days is quite useful.Why Donald Trump is fighting desperately to stop these documents from seeing daylight is the mystery - because he's totally innocent, y'all. The emails already released contradict Trump's past claims—suggesting awareness of Epstein's predatory behavior, discussing girls at Epstein's properties, and hinting at damaging leverage Epstein believed he held. Even conservative voices like Howard Kurtz expressed concern about the revelations. Ron also analyzes Laura Ingraham's awkward/bizarre White House interview with Trump, where he was openly dismissive of American workers' abilities, while defending expanded visa labor, and made questionable economic claims. You can almost hear Laura's "BS meter" going off with her tone. Also, are she and Sean Hannity openly trying to sink Trump? It sort of feels like it.Also at Fox, Howard Kurtz throwing a little shade, himself. Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #BarryWolfert #ScottSanders #GeorgiaPolitics #EpsteinFiles #TrumpNews #GA11 #GA23 #ProgressiveVoices

Ron Roberts breaks down the AJC/Politically Georgia forum and a new survey of 1,000 likely Democratic primary voters: Keisha Lance Bottoms holds 40%, Michael Thurman 11%, Jeff Duncan 5%, Jason Estevez 3%, Derek Jackson and Rua Roman 1%, with a massive 40% still undecided.Duncan courts skeptics with a $1.4B “Jumpstart Fund,” vows to expand Medicaid, overhaul QBE, and sign a Day One order against Georgia's six-week abortion ban—then stumbles in the lightning round by naming Nathan Deal as his favorite Georgia governor, before redeeming himself with a homelessness-focused book pick.Bottoms touts executive chops—$180M in reserves, 7,000 affordable units, and worker pay boosts—positions herself as results-first over ideological labels, and defends the Public Safety Training Center.Thurman leans on deep state and county experience, early work on CAPS and transitional Medicaid, and a pledge to finally expand Medicaid statewide.With Raffensperger and Carr in the Q&A—and Burt Jones a no-show—Ron connects the dots to a choppy economy and travel turmoil that could shape 2026. The race isn't settled; the stakes are now clear.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#JeffDuncan #KeishaLanceBottoms #JasonEstevez #MichaelThurman #BradRaffensperger #ChrisCarr #DerekJackson #RuaRoman #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

A rare Georgia storyline: Democrats flipped both Public Service Commission seats—and they did it on kitchen-table economics, not party labels.Host Ron Roberts and strategist Andrew Heaton (manager for Dr. Alicia Johnson) detail how frustration over Georgia Power rate hikes built an unlikely coalition of Democrats, independents, and crossover Republicans, flipping even longtime red counties.With quick hits from news director Alexis Young on what PSC terms mean for your bill, and analysis from Melita Easters (Georgia Win List) on the surge of women contenders and a 2026 map full of open seats, the episode turns wins into a playbook: run candidates who fit their districts, follow the energy, and speak plainly about budgets, housing, and utilities.Ron spotlights field-first campaigns like Chelsea Bond's and the youth wave reshaping local races, then zooms out to national signals—from independents breaking blue to the debate over message discipline in the “107 days” of Kamala Harris's sprint. Bottom line: affordability wins, organization matters, and Georgia just wrote a blueprint for 2026.Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.#AndrewHeaton #MelitaEasters #AliciaJohnson #PeterHubbard #GeorgiaPSC #KitchenTableIssues #ZoranMamdani #GeorgiaPolitics #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow