Podcast appearances and mentions of Rick Jackson

Last Thursday, WXIA-TV's Doug Richards reported on findings that showed a bit of a taxpayer cash corruption loop showing itself between Governor Brian Kemp and the Dooley family, where Brine influenced upwards of $27 million in school safety contracts, taking donations from Daniel Dooley and funneling it back to Daniel's brother Derek Dooley's Senate campaign. Meanwhile, Mike Collins had to cut ties (finally!) with Congressional staffer and campaign manager Brandon Phillips after a social media comment calling a Dooley staffer "Matt Lauer's sloppy seconds" and “a Yankee with poor judgment in women and GA politics.” That Dooley staffer - Brooke Nevils, came forward recently alleging being raped by former the former NBC and TODAY show host Matt Lauer and revealed attempting suicide afterwards.I mean, sure it's low, but Phillips LIVES "low." As Patricia Murphy pointed out in her AJC op/ed, Phillips has been involved in bar fights and dog-kicking allegations. He's scum, but he's popular GOP scum, having ties to GOP gubernatorial hopeful Rick Jackson and Rep. Clay Fuller from Georgia's 14th Congressional district, along with lieutenant gubernatorial hopeful Sen. Greg Dolezal. Meanwhile, the joint campaign appearance with former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Senator Jon Ossoff stood in stark contrast at the Tabernacle Sunday, giving both candidates an opportunity to tee off on those scandals and on the current state ot Trump 2.0. I have both speeches in the show to review.

On this week's Political Breakfast: The campaign for billionaire healthcare CEO Rick Jackson confirmed with WABE he will NOT be part of Monday's Atlanta Press Club debate, in the battle for the Republican nomination in the Georgia governor's race. His opponent, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, is now prepared to face an empty podium on Monday afternoon at 2:45, and answer questions from a panel of journalists alone. He also criticized Jackson for not showing up on social media. Jackson's campaign cited a scheduling conflict: an event with Florida U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. The campaign said in a statement that the APC could not accommodate later dates, so Jackson has accepted Gray TV's invitation to debate on President Trump's birthday, or Flag Day on June 14th, "when runoff voters will be fully engaged and making a decision ahead of Election Day." Meanwhile, Democratic nominee and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms dominated in the May primary with 56 percent of the vote. She will face either Jones or Jackson in November. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Dave and Doug Shaw cover the Georgia primary runoff matchups, Trump's primary influence and failed coattails, police brutality in South Carolina, and the deaths of Kyle Bush and Barney Frank. Georgia Primary Runoffs: Governor and Senate Burt Jones will face Rick Jackson in the Republican gubernatorial runoff — Jones outperformed expectations but Rick Jackson has momentum. Jackson runs the risk of over-indexing on Trump endorsement; he needs to build his own coalition. Lance Bottoms's entry into the race as a Democratic candidate alongside incumbent Ossoff might actually help Republicans. Meanwhile, the lieutenant governor's race heads to a runoff between JFK (who benefited from name recognition — people voting for the dead president) and Dolezal, whose campaign was a mess. His Sharia law flyer targeting Dolezal's Muslim name is tactically stupid in Georgia. Paulding County: Robert Lane Defeats Colleen Hampton in District Attorney Race Robert Lane won decisively, 65-35, in the Republican primary for Paulding County District Attorney. Dave had supported the opponent but congratulated Lane afterward. The race was amateur hour on both sides — particularly Hampton's alignment with the "Justice for Heather Turner" group pursuing a 2017 homicide case obsessively, maligning retired Sheriff Gary Gulledge, current Sheriff Ashley Henson, and homicide detective (and Dave's neighbor). Lane has no general-election competition; his challenge now is learning from the race's lessons. Thomas Massie Loses to Trump-Backed Challenger in Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, perhaps the most constitutionally principled member of Congress, lost to Trump's preferred candidate in a sub-10-point race. Trump won Kentucky by far more, proving his coattails don't stretch to every race. Massie refused to rubber-stamp Trump and maintained separation from the executive branch — the role Congress is supposed to play. His loss signals the GOP increasingly favors loyalty tests over constitutional governance. Rumors suggest Massie may explore a 2028 presidential run; he'd get crushed, but his standing in principle has never wavered. Kyle Bush Dies at 41: NASCAR Legend's Illness and Legacy NASCAR driver Kyle Bush, 41, died shortly after testing a new racing simulator in Concord, North Carolina. He'd been coughing up blood and experiencing shortness of breath; reports suggest the infection may trace back to a ceramic stool incident four months prior that required 24 stitches in his calf. Bush was NASCAR's winningest driver across all racing tiers, owned a truck team, and mentored young drivers. He was set to race in the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte and the Truck Series race this weekend. Robert Busbee, Ogeechee Judicial District Attorney, Dies of Heart Attack Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Robert Busbee, 44, suffered an apparent heart attack at a local gym. Busbee replaced Daphne Totten, who notoriously jailed a domestic-violence survivor for killing her abuser (conviction later overturned). Busbee restored integrity to the office.  Police Chokehold on White Teenager at South Carolina Baseball Game A resource officer in South Carolina placed a white teenager in a chokehold and tased him after the teen's mother questioned a call at a private high school baseball game. The kid stepped on the officer's foot; the cop hit him in the head with a taser.  Kevin Warsh Becomes New Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh, 56, replaced Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair. Warsh looks younger than his age and came from Ohio. Powell remains on the board. Trump praised Warsh in a press conference — then immediately praised President Xi Jinping using the same language, revealing the praise was boilerplate. Interest rate drops expected when the Federal Reserve meets; Connie's new vehicle purchase timing may depend on rate movement. Georgia School Board Election: Paulding County Votes to Rein In District Paulding County voters approved a referendum capping property assessment increases at the inflation rate, forcing the school board to actually vote on millage increases instead of pocketing stealth tax hikes via rising home values. The ballot wording was confusing, but after county Republican leadership posted clarification, it passed. This is a meaningful check on property-tax expansion. Memorial Day Remembrances and Atlanta Radio History Dave honored Will Zapp, a fellow service member and purple heart recipient who died of brain cancer likely caused by Iraq service. The conversation drifted into Atlanta radio nostalgia — Southside Steve, 96 Rock, the American Pie bar on Sunday afternoons. Legends Distillery (which made Southside Steve whiskey) is closing. Terrestrial radio is dying; nobody listens anymore. Barney Frank Dies: 2008 Financial Crisis Architect Congressman Barney Frank died this week. Frank co-authored the Dodd-Frank legislation that enabled the subprime mortgage crisis and the 2008 financial collapse. He packaged bad mortgages together and sold them, leaving borrowers in perpetual uncertainty about who held their loans. Frank was famously disorganized in appearance despite being gay (contrary to stereotype) and ran a gay prostitution ring out of his Washington townhouse. His departure from the Senate improved the institution. Closing Thought: Primary Fatigue Dave is experiencing voter fatigue as Georgia heads into runoff season. Campaign ads have completely cluttered his DVR to the point where he's considering a complete deletion and restart.

On this week's Political Breakfast, we have a quick recap of a critical Election Day for Georgia's 2026 May primary. A large chunk of undecided Georgia voters showed up to the polls on Tuesday, and completely changed the game. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms dominated in the race for the Democratic nomination for Georgia Governor. She's now free to focus on the November general election, where she'll face the GOP nominee. On the Republican side, billionaire businessman and healthcare CEO Rick Jackson and Lt. Governor Burt Jones will head to a June runoff election. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson both share more insight on the bloodbath ahead with host Lisa Rayam. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning Xtra with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! Raphael Warnock and the Filibuster Congressman Dr. Rich McCormick joins the show Rick Jackson Ads Atlanta's ONLY All Conservative News & Talk Station.: https://www.xtra1063.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell break down a dramatic primary night in Georgia, where several of the state's biggest races are now headed to high stakes runoffs. They examine Derek Dooley's surprise surge into the GOP Senate runoff against Mike Collins, the outsider message reshaping Republican politics, and why Gov. Brian Kemp remains such a powerful force in the race. The episode also dives into Keisha Lance Bottoms' dominant victory in the Democratic governor's primary, the bruising Republican governor's contest between Burt Jones and Rick Jackson, and what the results say about the direction of Georgia's electorate heading into November. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Morning Xtra with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! First thing to know: Sarah Warren gets a huge victory / more tax talk The Big Georgia Primary Results that are headed to Runoffs Thomas Massie is out, Ed Gallrein is in Atlanta's ONLY All Conservative News & Talk Station.: https://www.xtra1063.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning Xtra with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! The 8 o'clock hour is brought to you by Central Heating & Air, your Atlanta Carrier Experts. 770-GET-HEAT, Centralheat.com First thing to know: Georgia Primary Election Lieutenant Governor Greg Dolezal joins the show after Primary Night in Georgia Atlanta's ONLY All Conservative News & Talk Station.: https://www.xtra1063.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning Xtra with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! Greg Dolezal continued Victor Armendariz joins the show Wrapping up the show Atlanta's ONLY All Conservative News & Talk Station.: https://www.xtra1063.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh off Georgia’s primary election night, Greg Dolezal joins Xtra 106.3 to talk about the Lieutenant Governor runoff, exploding property taxes, government spending, and why voters are frustrated. He also dives into the fight over Georgia data centers, eminent domain, immigration policy, and protecting “Western values.” A wide-ranging and unfiltered political conversation from one of Georgia’s rising Republican voices. Watch The Morning Xtra every weekday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the Xtra 106.3 YouTube or listen on the Xtra 106.3 App

On Georgia's high-stakes primary day, Greg Bluestein is joined by Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell to break down the races most likely to shape the state's political future. They examine whether billionaire candidate Rick Jackson can buy his way into a GOP governor runoff, whether former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms can avoid overtime in the Democratic race, and why Georgia's Supreme Court contests have become unexpectedly fierce political battlegrounds. Then Greg speaks with Steve Kornacki, chief data analyst for NBC News, about the turnout numbers, counties and warning signs he'll be watching as results roll in Tuesday night — and what Georgia's electorate could signal for national politics. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the eve of Georgia's primary, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell dig into listener questions about the races, controversies and legal fights shaping Tuesday's vote. They explain why judicial races can be confusing on the ballot, unpack backlash to a provocative ad from gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, and break down why Brad Raffensperger isn't leaning harder into his 2020 election record as he runs for governor. They also examine fallout from the First Liberty Building & Loan fraud case, what the latest Voting Rights Act ruling could mean for Georgia's political maps, and the biggest unanswered questions heading into primary night. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Also, Democrats need to present an alternative to GOP and their own 'status quo' & is there a pattern of campaign finance ethics issues with Bottoms' campaigns?Not only did Brian Kemp call a special session of the General Assembly back to the Gold Dome to address a mess of its own making (mandating the elimination of QR codes from voter ballots), but the already-and-disproportionately gerrymandered state - in his mind - needs another redraw. So what are Democrats to do?Well, for starters, they need to understand that they, as a party, aren't much more popular than the historically unpopular President they're trying to mitigate by retaking the House the November. My goodness, if they could provide clarity by way of a slate of candidates backing a populist message that's centered on the working class, eschewing 'Third Way' "baby steps pragmatism" for a bold visionary agenda, the places they could ascend to!That agenda starts with fixing the way we govern and elect leaders. They include:Uncapping the House. New England California Republicans would love this because they'd finally have representation, and a nation whose voice in the House has been diluted by 1/3 since the 1930s gets its clout back.Eliminate partisan gerrymandering. Racial gerrymandering's supposedly gone, so get rid of partisan gerrymandering to ensure that, and do it before we've drawn ourselves into a civil war. By doing those two things you've already fixed the electoral college, but because it's broken, you have to also uncap the Supreme Court. Grow it to 13 to match the number of US court circuits. Oh, and Set term limits on that court.You can't tell me the American people wouldn't be solidly behind that. Call it "Project 2032" if you need to - so they know it can't be done overnight and that they (we) the voter have to stay on task to ensure we do our part to meet that date to see those accomplishments come to fruition. As Democrats, there'll be some self-inflicted pains in some "blue states," but gains to be made in others. So be it. This is how you grow your brand in places you aren't winning in. - - - I spent most of my show going off on that tangent, but closer to home, there are concerns - and now a filed campaign finance ethics complaint - shedding light on the Keisha Lance Bottoms' gubernatorial campaign. I highlighted a lot of those concerns before the complaint was filed, but this information's readily available for anyone to gather and use against her - including Burt Jones and Rick Jackson. Heck, I got it from a Republican campaign finance wonk. Is this "more baggage" to consider when deciding who Democrats in Georgia should back to be their gubernaotiral nominee? It bears mentioning this isn't the first time such allegations have come up. Then councilwoman Bottoms, when pivoting to a mayoral run, was hit with a $37,000 fine for campaign ethics violations.

Greg Bluestein hosts alongside Patricia Murphy as they answer listener questions ahead of Georgia's May 19 primaries. They dig into early voting numbers, high undecided rates, Rick Jackson's massive spending and Keisha Lance Bottoms' answer on whether she would serve two terms. They also examine Fulton County's latest 2020 election fight, Republican pressure on Gov. Brian Kemp over redistricting and why Democrats are investing heavily in Georgia's judicial races. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Morning Xtra with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! The 6 o'clock hour is brought to you by Subaru of Gwinnett Kid’s back from college; Candidate Week continues; and Remembering Ted Turner Atlanta's ONLY All Conservative News & Talk Station.: https://www.xtra1063.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning Xtra with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! Gubernatorial Candidate Rick Jackson joins the show for the full hour Atlanta's ONLY All Conservative News & Talk Station.: https://www.xtra1063.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning Xtra with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! The 8 o'clock hour is brought to you by Central Heating & Air, your Atlanta Carrier Experts. 770-GET-HEAT, Centralheat.com Recapping the Conversation with Gubernatorial Candidate Rick Jackson The support for the left isn’t as strong as it was a year ago The Trump Administration is going to get to the bottom of what happened in 2020 Atlanta's ONLY All Conservative News & Talk Station.: https://www.xtra1063.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Bluestein hosts with Patricia Murphy to dig into the AJC's new polling on Georgia's Republican races for governor and U.S. Senate. They size up Rick Jackson's close contest with Burt Jones, the large share of undecided voters and what the numbers suggest about Donald Trump's influence in the GOP primary. They also weigh Mike Collins' lead in the Senate race, Buddy Carter's attacks and Derek Dooley's challenge in turning Brian Kemp's support into broader momentum. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy answer listener questions with producer Shane Backler, starting with how competitive Democratic primaries could change the usual crossover voting patterns in Georgia. They also examine whether a recent Supreme Court ruling could trigger another round of redistricting, why Rick Jackson is already targeting Keisha Lance Bottoms, and what counted as a win in the latest Republican Senate debate. The episode also looks at DSA-backed candidates challenging Georgia Democrats, skepticism around prediction markets, and the race to replace the late Congressman David Scott. Shane shares remembrance tape from Marcye Scott and Calvin Smyre on David Scott's legacy and long ties to his district. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the show we had Caroline Bordeaux and she talked about the Supreme Court Decision. We also talked about Gas Prices and Rick Jackson employing illegal immigrants.

Greg Bluestein hosts with Patricia Murphy for a look at two major Republican debates in the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series. They break down the sharp exchanges between Burt Jones and Rick Jackson in the governor's race, including attacks over immigration, campaign money and allegations tied to Jones' use of power. Greg and Patricia also examine the Republican U.S. Senate debate, where Buddy Carter and Mike Collins clashed over an ethics complaint while Derek Dooley tried to position himself as an outsider alternative. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Both the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial debates hosted by the Atlanta Press Club on Georgia Public Broadcasting aired Monday evening, and aside from the notable difference between the two hours - substantive policy conversations vs "who can out-Trump the other" - some other notable moments were worth zeroing in on.Former state Senator Jason Esteves took the first hard swipe at the presumptive frontrunner, former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, over the death of Secoriea Turner during her term. He and Senator Derrick Jackson took aim at former GOP lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan for his role in the state of the state currently, and Mike Thurmond presented a novel approach to tax relief: reducing and/or eliminating the state's income tax - a regressive tax. On the right, it was more "Jones v. Jackson" sniping, often with surrogate assistance from attorney general Chris Carr and even secretary of state Brad Raffensperger weighing in on both. The bombshell of the night came as the billionaire Rick Jackson found himself unable to refute their being undocumented people hired on his behalf, which Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones pounced on - unable to resist using the slur "illegals," of course.With me to discuss it all is Atlanta-based political consultant Andrew Heaton.

The Morning Xtra with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! First thing to know: Do Democrats follow a pattern? Virginia is forgetting about a little thing called the Supremacy Clause Elizabeth Warren’s kind of man Atlanta's ONLY All Conservative News & Talk Station.: https://www.xtra1063.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PLUS: It's DOJ/FBI vs ... the SPLC?A recent poll pitted former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms against the four GOP gubernatorial combatants, and in each case, she comes out on top. No other Democratic candidate was polled, but there's more recent polling that shows she's safely in "run-off" territory and only 8% from clearing it outright in the primary, too. It's curious, though, that the remaining Democratic gubernatorial field elbows one another for second place while almost never taking aim at the frontrunner. Meanwhie, Rick Jackson has and does.- -- The Trump FBI & DOJ unveiled a 'slew of criminal charges' against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). So when James O'Keefe infiltrates left wing orgs as a (air quotes) "journalist," or the FBI does the same (anyone seen 'Black Kkklansman?'), all good? On to help me understand, CBS News' legal analyst Thane Rosenbaum.

PLUS: Senator Warnock takes more verbal whacks at RFK Jr., and new polling bolsters Bottoms' grip on the Democratic primary . Oh, and Tucker Carlson's a liarThe Democratic Congressional primary in Georgia's 13th Congressional district now features an open seat, as longtime Rep. David Scott suddenly passed away earlier this week at the age of 80, bringing about yet another special election in Georgia this cycle, but also putting a pause on the primary race where many of Scott's opponents saw his age as a liability.Joining for insights into how her campaign may respond, plus provide her condolences, Georgia state representative Dr. Jasmine Clark.Also offering his condolences, Republican former Rep. Tom Price. - - - In Washington, Georgia's Reverand Senator Raphael Warnock had yet another opportunity to pelt Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with plenty of evidence that RFK is unqualified and unserious for the job as head of the Department of Health & Human Services.- - - Got a Keisha Lance Bottoms mailer, so maybe that's where her campaign funds are going? So far, it's still just Jason Esteves on the air, when Rick Jackson or Burt Jones aren't. I bring this all up (again) because even newer poling shows Bottoms' grip on the Democratic primary seems even stronger, and in run-off one-on-one's she still beats the field. While on that race, an internal Georgia Democratic party memo from chair Charlie Bailey evokes "bullishness" on Democrats winning that seat. - - - Not buying the Tucker Carlson apology shtick, but I do know he's just among the handful of rats hopping off the sinking ship. Nor am I giving room to the sudden pearl-clutching from MAGA after Virginia voters voted TO gerrymander (in response to Trump's mid-decade attempt to mitigate his midterm demise).

On today’s episode of The Scott Jennings Show, Scott broadcasts live from Louisville covering a tragic mass shooting in Louisiana and the latest uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Iran peace talks as a ceasefire deadline approaches, with analysis from David Daoud on whether diplomacy or further conflict is ahead. He also examines new intelligence on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, rising political tensions over Israel, and immigration data impacting the national debate. Scott is joined by Coach Bruce Pearl to discuss the chaos of NIL in college sports and potential reforms, and by Gabrielle Etzel to break down record-low U.S. fertility rates. In Hour 2, Scott dives into Michigan’s shifting political landscape with strategist Jason Roe, explores retirement policy changes with Carrie Sheffield, features an exclusive interview with Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, and wraps with Congressman Morgan Griffith on the high-stakes Virginia redistricting vote and broader political battles. Call Lear Capital at 800-880-2424 or visit https://LearScott.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4/15/2026 PODCAST Episodes #2358 - #2360 GUESTS: Mike Clancy, Steven Moore, Rep. Ben Cline, Rep. Morgan Griffith, Holly Kesler, Jackie Harling, Celestine James + YOUR CALLS! at 1-888-480-JOHN (5646) and GETTR Live! @jfradioshow #GodzillaOfTruth #TruckingTheTruth   Want more of today's show? Episode #2358 Incredibly, Ukraine is Now Winning the War With Russia Episode #2359 Morgan Griffith Calls On President Trump To Finish Iran Quickly Episode #2360 Rick Jackson Takes Control of GA Gov Race With Love, Roses And Lots of Cash   https://johnfredericksradio.libsyn.com/

PLUS: Scott Soracco is a "fighting fifty" Democrat filling an empty ballot slot - but he's aiming to win, JD Vance's poll numbers are on (not in) the couch and GA gubernatorial talk.I've said for years now, the spike in oil and gas prices, and subsequently everything we bought & paid for while Joe Biden wa sin office, was due in large part to one key decision then-President Donald Trump made in 2020. See, then, in April of 2020, while we were all sheltering-in-place and not filling gas tanks, the oil industry was cratering. Many industries were, as you recall, but precious oil had to survive, right? So Trump needled OPEC nations to agree to throttle back production - for two years! (Gift NYT link; enjoy!) That deal lasted through April of 2022, long after his J6 tantrum and exit. Wouldn't you know, inflation only began cooling a month after that deal expired? I revisit this because it's time for Democrats to start reminding people of that deal and to pour cold water on the gaslighting the GOP has gotten away with (and still trots out!) that Trump somehow inherited an affordability crisis when in fact, he sparked it!Once I got that off my chest, I decided to play "pretend," as in "pretend I was on 'NewsNight with Abby Phillip' Monday night as 'cosplay Trump' investment firm CEO Hal Lambert - dressed in Trump suit & tie - played the role of 'Scott Jennings' that night, and needed correcting. Make no mistake: Bakari Sellers, Leigh McGowan and Margaret Donovan, along with Phillip, did a commendable job, but left out a few key barbs I happily supplied in "post-edit." ---Scott Soracco is one of the "Fighting 50" Democratic Georgia candidates who's stepped up to bring voters to the polls for the entire ticket, but hey, it's 2026 - he can actually win State House district 29, so let's hear him out!---Back pretending I'm on the 'NewsNight' set, "we" weigh in on Trump's sacrilegious AI-generated depiction of him as "Doctor Jesus," and MAGA suddenly having issues with faith leaders weighing in on political discussions when it's A) a Catholic (the Pope) and B) contrarian to their worldview. ---Speaking of 'overt political activity,' JD Vance - spending time in Athens, Georgia, this week, also traveling the globe to shill for Viktor Orban likely doesn't help with his poll numbers - per Harry Enten at CNN. ---In the run-up to the Wednesday night WXIA-TV/NextStar Georgia Democratic gubernatorial debate, I instead hovered over Patricia Murphy's latest AJC op/ed, focusing on Rick Jackson v Burt Jones food fight on the right.

On this week's Political Breakfast, the candidates in the Georgia Governor's race are in the final weeks to reach voters -- whether that's through big ad spending, or showing up for public forums and debates. The front-runners are still Republican billionaire healthcare CEO Rick Jackson, and former Democratic Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. The May 19th primary is fast approaching, and polls show there's still a ton of undecided voters. Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson tell host Lisa Rayam that the remaining weeks will make a huge difference. Plus, Atlanta leaders say they're deeply troubled by the recent uptick in gun violence. Much of that violence has happened during so-called 'Teen Takeovers' across the metro. The Atlanta Police Department is still investigating many of these shootings, and are urging parents to know where their kids are...or else face charges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy answer listener questions about a late-session push to make some metro Atlanta elections nonpartisan and the legal fight likely to follow. They also unpack the strategy behind Rick Jackson's ad using praise from Burt Jones and what it reveals about the governor's race. Then Greg sits down with congressional candidate Rob Adkerson, a former top aide to Barry Loudermilk, to discuss his campaign, views on Congress and foreign policy, and how he would represent a solidly Republican district. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 417, Ken and Dave discuss sine die under the Gold Dome, a mere financial disclosure can't contain Rick Jackson's wealth, the lunar flyby, Trump's address, fall in line or fallout, Bondi out, and SCOTUS news.

The Morning Xtra with Tug and Los delivers conservative talk on the biggest political, cultural, and news stories of the day. Smart analysis, unapologetic opinions, and real conversations every weekday morning. Every weekday from 6a to 10a! First thing to know: Trump relieves Pam Bondi of her attorney general duties Artemis II is so cool / Rick Jackson’s Vaping Ad Scott Jennings continues to own CNN Atlanta's ONLY All Conservative News & Talk Station.: https://www.xtra1063.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're in the final days of the 2026 Georgia General Assembly legislative session, and with vacated seats & a mad rush to jam in some awful bills, the pressure's on - mostly on beleaguered Democrats to hold off the worst. Georgia Recorder reporters provide a nice summation of what's still alive, what could be revived and what's off the table (for now). Get this, though: some GOP legislators may be seeing their items get snubbed by Lt. Governor Burt Jones in retaliation for those lawmakers endorsing Rick Jackson in the GOP gubernatorial primary. Jackson even told supporters lawmakers are afraid of being seen with him because of Jones' alleged intimidatory tactics. Meanwhile, the anti-Jones 'Georgians for Integrity' got bad news from the state ethics commission - for whatever that's worth this late in the soap opera. - - - Meet Caitlyn Gegen, 27-year old (double) UGA grad who also graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She's running for Georgia's 9th Congressional district seat currently held by Andrew Clyde, and she's running as an unabashed progressive option for Democrats in the upcoming primary. Hear her explain why she believes that may bring voters outside the party to vote for the party.

Millions of Americans will take part in the third 'No Kings Day' multi-pronged protest today, and yet there are those who question the efficacy. "The needle isn't moving" said one Substack scribe, and she's not wrong, but she isn't just talking about the last year. 'Occupy Wall Street' was fifteen years ago. FIFTEEN YEARS!On this week's "Politics Girl" podcast, host Leigh McGowan and guest Ezra Levin opine that it's not enough to just go, we need to be bringing people with us. Okay, yes. Sure. Make it a friend date, but ask everyone around y'all - pick ten - what they're doing tomorrow and/or Monday. I guarantee you it'll be the normal mundane stuff we all do in life wholly unrelated to resistance. That's the problem. Meanwhile, CBS News' White House correspondent Ed O'Keefe hopped on a call to provide an update on the US/Israel "excursion" on Iran and helps to delineate what's fact vs just "what Trump said" on presents and negotiations. Ed touches on the TSA/DHS situation, too, and what good it'll be to potentially have the National Guard involved at airports, too. Back to 'No Kings,' the big question is: "What Comes Next?" Under the Gold Dome, Georgia Republicans are passing legislation to make many metro Atlanta county races "non-partisan" in order to try and shield voters from knowing who's in which party. Why just "those" counties? C'mon. They're all "blue." Lastly, has Burt Jones found Rick Jackson's weakness? Maybe. Rick doesn't seem to be sharp on many issues.

As wildfires have been ravaging South Georgia for more than two weeks, the Georgia Forestry Commission is actively updating residents. Newsweek reminding us that post-Helene tinder beds and a current and prolonged drought made conditions "favorable" for wildfire activity. - - - Onto the political headlines: the attack on the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), as Twitter/X trolls (led by Elon Musk) are pushing vapid disinformation about a DOJ/FBI case lacking any substantive evidence. It was Nashville TV reporter Phil Williams who took to Substack to exclaim: "it's almost as if the people most excited by the indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center have not read the indictment--or they really don't care." Oh for sure.Focus on the bigger picture, though:1. You have Trump wanting to undo the 2020 election (how does one do this in 2026?) 2. while he and his minions concoct theories of foreign adversarial tinkering with Dominion voting machines (that coming up empty with their investigations) 3. which led to the seizure of Fulton County ballots three months ago with no "there there" for them to make noise about To review: the Trump 2020 "big lie" yarn keeps spawning investigations and seizures and coming up empty, but his administration keeps expending resources to find a hint or whiff of SOMETHING to cling to while seeding doubt of the American electoral process as a 2026 midterm that looks increasingly dour for MAGA and the GOP looms.- - - Meanwhile, in Georgia, the Fighting 50 Pac backs Rebecca Sims for Georgia's House 32nd district, and for good reason. Hear my introduction to her and come away as encouraged as I am that she's going to make a difference - even if it's just to bring more voters for her "up-ballot" Democrats. - - - Back to election chaos: in Georgia, Georgia Recorder columnist Jay Bookman believes chaos is a "policy choice." In the piece, he points to fake elector + current Lt. Governor (and GOP gubernatorial candidate) Burt Jones, who both seated "election fabulist" Salleigh Grubbs to the state election board - to which I'll add that Jones' keeping Trump's endorsement may lie with Jones having plenty of dirt on Donald and might talk if Trump were to read polling trends and jump onto the Rick Jackson bandwagon just to look like he's picked a winner. - - - Oh, and Friday Ron Show means "Friday funnies" with my good friend, comedian and satirist Sterling Thrill.

Marilyn Marks is no stranger to The Ron Show. Today, the executive director of the Coalition for Good Governance joined to raise the alarm volume on a bill that state Senator Greg Dolezal "zombified" from a Democratic House member's attempt to secure another judicial appointment for her home county. In HB960, Dolezal essentially stripped its intent and instead pumped a bunch of what the organization calls "numerous unworkable provisions," not the least of which includes onerous mandated hand recounts. Their release states "HB 960 will impose tens of millions of dollars in new, undisclosed, and unfunded costs on Georgia counties to pay for extreme needless requirements for manual vote counting. "Hear Marilyn explain how the bill already runs afoul of state law and thus shouldn't even come up for a vote, but listen as she and Ron opine as to why Lt. Governor Burt Jones isn't shielding the Senate from taking up the measure. Yes, Rick Jackson may unwittingly be playing a role, but Marks contends Democrats could stage a symbolic walkout to prevent the bill from passing.There's also enough potential chaos in the bill to put Senator Ossoff's re-election in the hands of his US Senate colleagues next January, but even then, there's the potential for more than a year of litigation. Maybe that's the sought-after result?A lot to chew on, but again - perhaps the solution rests in sticking with the state's current system, minus touchscreens and with hand marked paper ballots. Yep; that came up, too.

Likened to useless "Ken and Barbie dolls" by TSA union representation, TSA agents in Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport aren't able to do much to lessen the long, winding lines of passengers trying to clear security to make their flights on-time. CBS News Congressional correspondent Taurean Small tells me if there's any chance a deal to fund DHS gets done before the 'No Kings' weekend. Local Atlanta TV station WANF provided a look in at the overflowing airport, too: a madhouse before 8am. ------We can at least be grateful no one has died (yet) at Atlanta's airport; not the case at NYC's LaGuardia, thanks in large part to understaffing and missing safety equipment. Uhm, where's the scrutiny on DOT Secretary Sean Duffy? That crash got Josh Doss (a great follow on Instagram) to thinking about how our government prioritizes its spending on bombs and not the health & well-being (and actually safety!) of us here at home. Sheer brilliance. Also, did you know that it's 3x harder for 'blue' states to get needed federal aid from this President? Of course you knew. ------Trump took yet another opportunity to tell the media how many dangerous criminal and mentally unwell immigrants "sleepy Joe" Biden let in, but did you know his grandfather was an undocumented immigrant who skipped Germany to avoid military service (you can't make this stuff up) and wound up being deported from Bavaria?----- 45:00 ------A pro-Burt Jones mailer pointed to a "Jackson" op/ed that railed on Jones' intent to eliminate the state's income tax. Problem is, it wasn't Rick Jackson that wrote the piece; it was Senator Kim Jackson, Democrat of Stone Mountain. Her op/ed actually deserves its time to shine. ------Lastly, a little on the Meta/YouTube New Mexico decision and did Trump throw Stephen Miller and his white nationalist tendencies under the bus to pivot on immigration tactics to try and win back midterm voters?

On this week's Political Breakfast, we cover majoring bickering between Republicans running for Georgia Governor. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and billionaire healthcare CEO Rick Jackson are on the attack. Jones has accused Jackson's company, Alpharetta-based Jackson Healthcare, of allowing doctors to perform transgender treatment on minors and prison inmates, and placing staff inside Planned Parenthood facilities. Jackson has accused Jones of using corrupt fundraising methods, and being a "stone cold liar." Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson talk with host Lisa Rayam about how that's affecting the other top GOP candidates and the Democrats too. In addition, the team talks about the travel troubles at the nation's airports, including Hartsfield Jackson International in Atlanta. The partisan divide in Congress over voting on funding the Department of Homeland Security, has translated into TSA agents working weeks without a pay check. Many have called it quits -- which means if you're flying, airport officials say you'll be waiting at least 4 hours to get through security. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday's Ron Show features a weekly comedic therapy session; therapeutic for me if for no one else, that is. My good friend Sterling Thrill - stand up & virtual comedian & political satirist - gives me my weekly 'break' from the headlines ... to laugh at those headlines, to start the show off on this edition.Then, the nasty race for the GOP nomination for Georgia's governor's race is the best soap opera. In the latest gasp-inducing move, Lt. Governor Burt Jones - once a beneficiary of Rick Jackson's political spending sprees - has some 'timely' concerns with Jackson's company having a no-bid contract with the state (for SIX YEARS!) and took the unusual step of taking the mic at the state Senate to harp on that connection (that he had NO problem with for SIX YEARS til now) promoting legislation directly targeted at candidates like Jackson, barring a Georgian from running for state office if they're engaged in state contracts. Again, timely.Also on the gubernatorial front, Georgia's now a "toss-up" state, according to the Center For Politics. All the more reason Democrats have to get their pick right in May (or whenver the run-off occurs after May 19th).

PLUS: why 'electability' is the determining factor for my decision to vote for Jason Esteves & what happened to "Tulsi: 2020?"Atlanta Journal Constitution columnist Bill Torpy wrote of a recent anti-Muslim AI-generated video state Senator Greg Dolezal shared on social media - not just to pile on with the immense disgust for it (which came not just from Democrats), but also to pinpoint this being the moment former state Senator Nabila Parkes opted to pivot from running for insurance commissioner to joining Senator Josh McLaurin to seek the nomination for lieutenant governor in the Democratic primary instead. That exposed rifts within the party, too, but also left Democrats with one less Senate vote to fend off GOP bills the remainder of the general assembly session. Speaking of in-party division, the routine examination of ideology within the Democratic party has come about again, with yet another study on how likely primary voters are identifying themselves to be, ideologically. Now, bear in mind the poll's being done by the centrist thinktank, Third Way, but let's chew on their findings, nonetheless. Their determination is that the party's electorate is less progressive and more moderate, to which I point out that they also say they're less moderate than liberal, and that it wasn't that long ago folks were afraid to use the "L-word" to describe themselves out of fear of being demonized for it. That was a societal norm in the "Rush Limbaugh" era of discourse, and now we see a lot of that aimed at the word "progressive," too. Read into that what you will, but my hunch is there's a good bit of "progressive" in the "liberal" portion of the base, and it vastly outnumbers self-identified moderates and conservatives. It's that sort of divisiveness within the party - I'd argue made worse by outside forces and a lack of self-awareness within, too, that concerns me heading into a 2026 election cycle where Democrats - if they can unite - stand to gain much. I see way too much social media declarations exhorting an unwillingness to vote for any of the seven Georgia gubernatorial candidates, for example, when each of the seven in the race are vastly superior to Burt Jones or Rick Jackson (apologies to Carr and Raffensperger, neither standing a chance on the right). It's also why I made an example of myself and shared that I've landed at voting for Jason Esteves but won't need to "hold my nose" to vote for whomever the nominee will be after May 19th and the likely run-off. I explain why Esteves is the most electable and why I believe that should matter to primary voters but also reveal that it was RIck Jackson's (way too early) attack mailer aimed at Keisha Lance Bottoms that settled it for me.Speaking of Esteves, he revealed earlier this week that his mother is in the end-of-life chapter, having Alzheimer's and being cared for via home hospice. He also reminded followers the importance of having an advance health directive prepared.His "sandwich generation" status is relatable, and for me, brought up an important reminder that far too many of us in this country don't even have the safety net of not being a fiscal burden for our loved ones; that the economic toll our seniors place on our kids and grandkids is avoidable with more from government invested in "us" and less in wars of choice.Finally, Senator Jon Ossoff's grilling of Tulsi Gabbard was a thing of beauty, but it also triggered my recollection of who Tulsi Gabbard used to be - notably when she sought the Democratic party's nomination for President in 2020. Hear as I take a trip back into time (thanks to her unblemished Youtube page) when Tulsi loathed Donald Trump and our country's insatiable appetite for war.

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the rapidly intensifying Republican primary for Georgia governor, where billionaire Rick Jackson's massive ad spending has triggered a bitter clash with Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. They discuss how the attacks, lawsuits and legislative maneuvers are reshaping the GOP contest while sidelining other candidates such as Brad Raffensperger and Chris Carr. Then they turn to the Democratic primary, where former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms leads early polls as rivals focus on battling each other for a runoff spot. Along the way, Greg and Patricia explore how strategy, money and messaging are shaping both parties' paths to November. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nothing like settling into the recliner Sunday evening to be rattled by the reality that the Trump White House should've known - prior to launching warfare on Iran - that the Strait of Hormuz ought to have been war-gamed (it has been, before) for becoming a deadly "choke point." That's what a 13-minute '60 Minutes' segment (yeah, on CBS, still) enlightened its audience to Sunday.Former Biden transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg - on CNN's 'State of the Union' Sunday - calling it "amateur hour." Joining Ron to discuss, CBS News national security advisor Dr. Jeff McCausland (44:30) Oh, and even before 20% of the world' oil supply got choked off, it turns out the late 2025 economic data was revised downward (and it wasn't good before that). So. Much. Winning. Maybe that explains why Trump's trying everything possible to will the economy into the black and of the red, by threatening (and failing, legally) Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. ---The TV flame war between Rick Jackson and Burt Jones is so one-sided it's almost bringing about some ... pity? ... for Burt. Almost. There's Jackson's attacks on Jones, with Jones opting to cast Jackson as a pro-Planned Parenthood businessman. That put Jackson on the defensive before putting out an ad featuring - get this - Burt Jones lauding Jackson just last fall. Oof. Meanwhile, as Ron noted last week, the AJC's Greg Bluestein noted the race for 'runner-up' in the Democratic gubernatorial primary is afoot. After the dust-up at the Stonecrest, Ga., forum between Geoff Duncan and Jason Esteves, the Esteves camp rolled out a Duncan-targeted microsite with a vast array of screen grabs of Duncan's past press clippings and social media posts. It's effective - for those who'll go to it (but how many people will that even be?)

The Rick Jackson v Burt Jones ad wars had been entertaining for those of us outside Burt Jones campaign HQ for a while now, but if we take a moment to study it all further, to note that - according to an email chain obtained by the AJC (I'm guessing Burt Jones' folks provided it) - Jackson baited Burt into taping a complimentary video using a foster children's charity to lure him in last fall, does it not give you what the young people call "the ick?" Meanwhile, stating the obvious, Burt Jones has now publicly said he believes Jackson is the source of all the money being 'Georgians for Integrity' attack ads targeting him. Friend of the show Keith McCants' latest Peanut Politics blog brings up a good point: Before the GOP Tests Keisha Lance Bottoms, Democrats Better Do It FirstHe's not wrong. As I've noted for a week plus now, the race for "second place" is on, as if the Democratic gubernatorial combatants have conceded the former Atlanta mayor will finish in position to be in a potential run-off. Keith's wondering why none of those candidates are taking shots at Bottoms while the current GOP front-runner - Rick Jackson - is.

Boortz, teachers go full commie, Rick Jackson for gov ads, Hagar the Horrible vs Van Halen, A.I. update, Pete’s tweets, HCIS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell break down what survived Crossover Day at the Georgia Capitol and what likely died for the year. They discuss a scaled-back property tax proposal, a failed push to legalize sports betting and a controversial bill tied to billionaire Rick Jackson's run for governor. Then Patricia turns to the growing role of corporate investors buying single-family homes across metro Atlanta. Tia Mitchell explains how Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are pushing federal legislation aimed at curbing large investors and opening more opportunities for homebuyers. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It seems forever ago we were all gripped by the "Fulton County v Donald Trump" summer court drama, but since Trump & his co-conspirators slipped out of DA Fani Willis' grip (and that of Jack Smith, too), it seems surreal to think that her office - and in essence the taxpayers of Fulton County - may be on the hook for the Trump defense team's $17 million legal tab, right?Whelp; here we are. Naturally her office can't possibly absorb that cost without it shuttering the office altogether, so at the very least, superior court judge Scott MacAfee threw her a lifeline - allowing the county to join in taking on the matter. On to discuss with me is CBS News' legal analyst Thane Rosenbaum. Then, the 2026 gubernatorial TV ads are getting nasty, with Rick Jackson going predictably anti-immigrant, Burt Jones trying (and mostly failing) to tie Jackson to Planned Parenthood and then there's Democrat Jason Esteves putting his chips on the table with a TV ad checking off a lot of the necessary boxes for him to be seen as viable by more than 4-5% of those polled. Finally, how on earth did the Atlanta Hawks' planned "Magic City" promotional night ever make it past a pitch meeting in the first place? The NBA put the brakes on the - ahem - "cultural" theme, and I just have to wonder why the league didn't have a system in place where they'd have to sign off on stuff like this anyway.

Tune in to the Contacts Coaching Podcast as we dive deep with Rick Jackson, the Athletic Director of Madison High School in Greater San Diego. With 26 years at the same school, Rick shares his journey from coaching multiple sports at Scripps Ranch to becoming a pivotal figure at Madison. In this episode, Rick reflects on his transition from being a head coach to stepping into an administrative role, the significance of maintaining relationships with student-athletes, and the importance of fostering a supportive and multi-sport culture. Discover insights into the challenges of modern athletics, insights on countering the temptation of sports specialization, and learn about the impactful Leadership Council initiative. Join us for a captivating conversation filled with valuable lessons for both aspiring and seasoned coaches and athletic directors alike.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:21 Rick Jackson's Coaching Journey02:09 Balancing Multiple Coaching Roles03:02 Family and Coaching04:18 The Importance of Multi-Sport Athletes05:08 Challenges in Youth Sports Specialization08:42 Building a Positive Sports Culture08:52 Managing Small School Athletics14:00 Transitioning from Coaching to Administration14:37 Organizational Skills in Coaching17:34 Reflections on Coaching Football18:53 The Importance of Relationships in Coaching26:06 Competing Fall Sports26:23 Balancing Coaching and AD Responsibilities28:10 Challenges of Dual Roles30:59 Parental Influence and Spectator Behavior33:05 Leadership Council Initiatives37:33 Encouraging Multi-Sport Participation43:21 Retention and School Culture45:57 District Collaboration and AD Networking47:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell break down the online firestorm over California Gov. Gavin Newsom's comments in Atlanta and explain how his remarks about dyslexia were reframed on social media. They also dig into billionaire candidate Rick Jackson's healthcare empire and the questions surrounding his state contracts as he runs for governor. They explore long-shot challenges to sitting Georgia Supreme Court justices, fallout from the FBI raid on the Fulton County Elections office and scrutiny over a costly ICE property purchase in Social Circle. And they discuss a fatal ICE-related chase in Savannah and the broader debate over immigration enforcement and employer accountability. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We'll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's going to be interesting to see how society deals with AI. Right now, no one really knows what to do. Plus, a new contender emerges in the Georgia gubernatorial race, which could really shake things up. His name is Rick Jackson, and he stops by the program today.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam, to talk about the latest candidate to jump into Georgia's gubernatorial race. It's already a crowded race on both sides. Now billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, founder and CEO of Alpharetta-based Jackson Healthcare, has made a million-dollar splash. But will Jackson's spending power be able to compete with high-profile names in the Republican primary, including Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who has the endorsement of President Donald Trump, as well as Attorney General Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.