Podcasts about Wabe

First, WABE’s politics reporter Rahul Bali returns to “Closer Look” to preview the 2026 Georgia Legislative Session. As the legislative session gets underway on Jan.12, Bali joins us live from the Georgia State University Convocation Center to discuss what we can expect regarding the state budget and the effects of federal funding cuts, plus breaking news regarding two state lawmakers. Also, one of the major issues local advocates want state lawmakers to address during the legislative session is the addiction epidemic in Georgia. In November 2025, the FBI seized more than 46 pounds of fentanyl in Georgia – enough to kill the state's entire population. The overdose death rate in Georgia has increased by 79% since 2018. Cammie Wolf Rice lost her son to opioid misuse and her brother to Fentanyl, and she is now the founder of the Christopher Wolf Crusade Alliance. Rice and Jeff Breedlove, the CEO of the American Addiction Recovery Association, talk with program host Rose Scott about their hopes for lawmakers to address the drug and addiction crisis in Georgia during the legislative session.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The final deadline to enroll in a “Georgia Access” health plan is coming up and the insurance is a lot more expensive for many in Georgia this year; Beverage giant Coca-Cola plans to lay off 75 employees at its Atlanta corporate headquarters as part of a broader reorganization of its workforce this year; and as we look back at some of WABE's most poignant stories from 2025, we hear about a Georgia non-profit offering incarcerated mothers the opportunity to reconnect with their childrenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's two new state energy regulators have both now been officially sworn in; Thousands of refugees admitted into Georgia during the Biden Administration will face reassessment; and WABE’s DorMiya Vance delves into the journey of local residents navigating the ongoing data center boom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The operators of Mary Mac's Tea Room can’t imagine Atlanta without the iconic eatery. The Midtown Atlanta staple is known for its origin story, as well as its classic Southern dishes, like fried chicken and collard greens. It’s a sought-after gathering place for Georgians as well as tourists, celebrities, and political dignitaries visiting from all over the world. The legendary diner has also made multiple appearances in television shows and films. It first opened in 1945, featuring a single dining room that accommodated up to 60 people. For a special edition of “Closer Look,” program host Rose Scott and the team visited the restaurant named by the State of Georgia as “Atlanta’s Dining Room,” as it celebrates 80 years of service. We hear from longtime employee Marion Mims and Mary Mac’s Chad Reynolds, and general manager Tina Rayner-Leftwich. They reflect on centering the staff, delivering top-notch customer service, the history of the restaurant, operating amid the pandemic, plus navigating and renovating after a roof collapse. Plus, the holiday season is underway. WABE’s H. Johnson narrates “A Christmas Carol.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I step into the studio knowing that, for many listeners, the Donald Trump court saga feels endless. So let's get right to where things stand in the past few days.Across the country, Donald Trump is still juggling fallout from his earlier criminal and civil cases while his administration fights a new wave of lawsuits over how his Justice Department, Homeland Security, and other agencies are using federal power. Lawfare's Trump Administration Litigation Tracker describes a sprawling map of challenges, from immigration crackdowns to fights over federal workers and independent agencies, all feeding into a sense that the courtroom has become a second West Wing for this presidency.One of the biggest developments in the last few days comes from the Supreme Court and the immigration judges' free‑speech case. According to SCOTUSblog, the justices just rejected the Trump administration's request for emergency relief in a dispute over whether immigration judges can challenge speech restrictions in federal court. Commentator and law professor Stephen Vladeck called it the administration's first real loss at the Supreme Court since April, a rare sign that even this Court has limits on how far it will go on Trump's emergency asks. The order does leave the door open for the administration to come back if the trial court pushes into discovery, but for now, Trump's lawyers will have to keep fighting on the merits.At nearly the same time, another federal courtroom dealt the administration a blow on immigration detention. The ACLU of Massachusetts reports that a federal judge in Boston ruled that the Trump administration acted unlawfully when it denied bond hearings to people arrested by ICE in New England and then misclassified them to keep them in mandatory, no‑bond detention. The court granted partial summary judgment and held that, under the immigration statutes, these detainees must have access to a bond hearing. For thousands of people in New England lockups, that decision is not abstract law; it is the difference between indefinite confinement and a chance to argue for release.Overlay these fresh rulings on top of Trump's personal legal history and the picture sharpens. Outlets such as WABE have tracked how civil judgments for defamation and sexual abuse, as well as criminal convictions for falsifying business records in New York and the federal election‑interference and documents cases, have moved through appeals. A federal appeals court has already upheld one major civil jury verdict against Trump and declined to revisit it, locking in both damages and factual findings about his conduct. That appellate resistance puts real weight behind the idea that some of Trump's legal problems are no longer just allegations; they are affirmed findings of liability.And yet, while Trump personally appeals past losses, his administration simultaneously racks up wins and losses in real time. The Brennan Center and Lawfare both note that, since his return to the White House, the Supreme Court has often sided with the Trump administration on emergency applications involving immigration enforcement, federal workforce cuts, and control over independent agencies. Those shadow‑docket victories have let the administration move fast, even while lower courts probe legality. But the immigration judges' case and the Boston bond‑hearing ruling show that trial courts and, occasionally, the justices themselves are willing to draw constitutional and statutory lines.So when you hear about “Trump's trials” this week, it is not just one courtroom, one jury, or even one former president. It is Donald Trump the criminal defendant and civil litigant, and Donald Trump the sitting president whose policies are on trial in federal courts from Massachusetts to Washington.Thanks for tuning in, and come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more, check out QuietPlease dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

I'm standing outside a federal courthouse, talking to you as the many legal threads around Donald Trump tighten and twist in real time.Over just the past few days, one of the big storylines has shifted from criminal exposure to raw presidential power. In Washington, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit handed President Donald Trump a major win by upholding his removal of National Labor Relations Board member Gwynne Wilcox and Merit Systems Protection Board member Cathy Harris without cause. According to analysis from Ogletree Deakins, the court went further than just blessing those firings: it held that the statutory “for cause” protections for top officials at powerful independent agencies are unconstitutional when those officials wield substantial executive power. In plain English, the D.C. Circuit said President Donald Trump can sweep out key regulators at will, reshaping agencies that for decades had a measure of insulation from the Oval Office.At almost the same time, the Supreme Court has been functioning as an emergency referee over a growing list of Trump fights. SCOTUSblog reports that on its interim or “shadow” docket the justices have been fielding high‑stakes disputes over President Donald Trump's use of the National Guard in Illinois, his clashes with immigration judges, and efforts by groups like Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington to get internal administration documents through the Freedom of Information Act. The Brennan Center for Justice has been tracking these emergency cases and notes that, since early 2025, the Supreme Court has repeatedly sided with the Trump administration on issues like immigration crackdowns, reductions in the civil service, and the removal of members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Labor Relations Board.All of this sits on top of the longer‑running legal sagas that you as listeners have been following for years: the civil verdicts in New York, the federal and state criminal indictments, and the defamation and assault findings in the E. Jean Carroll cases. Public radio outlets like WABE have been keeping a running tally of where those stand since Donald Trump's return to the White House, tracking appeals of jury verdicts, ongoing sentencing fights for his former aides, and the way new Justice Department decisions under his own administration intersect with prosecutions that began before he reclaimed power.So when we talk about “the Trump trials” right now, we are not just talking about Donald Trump as a criminal defendant. We are talking about Donald Trump as president, testing and expanding the boundaries of executive authority in courtroom after courtroom, from the D.C. Circuit to the Supreme Court, while older cases about his past business dealings and political conduct grind through appeals.For you listening, the takeaway this week is simple: judges are increasingly being asked whether Donald Trump is merely subject to the law, or also able to rewrite the balance of power inside the law itself. Those answers are coming fast, and they are reshaping the presidency in ways that will outlast any single trial.Thanks for tuning in, and come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more, check out QuietPlease dot AI.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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

New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing Atlanta-based UPS for allegedly stealing tens of millions of dollars in pay from seasonal workers; Georgia’s newly-elected public service commissioners are calling on the current commission to delay a vote on Georgia Power’s expansion plans; and WABE hears from the founders of Pro-Civica, a Georgia-based company that partners with state and local corrections agencies to offer a rehabilitative curriculum emphasizing civic-minded behavior. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Fulton County to get ahold of its 2020 general election ballots; The Federal Emergency Management Agency is announcing more than 1 billion dollars in funding for Georgia; and WABE's Medical Wealth Gap series wraps up with a profile of Clarkston's Mosaic Health Center, a medical clinic for serving the community's refugee, immigrant and migrant population without insurance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation, high costs, and economic uncertainty have Georgians rethinking how far they plan to spend and stretch their dollar in 2026. For Feedback Friday for a special edition of “Closer Look,” program host Rose Scott opened the phone lines to hear from callers. They discussed their spending habits in 2025 and candidly shared their concerns for how they plan to navigate their spending in the new year. We also hear from WABE contributor Tom Smith, an associate professor in the practice of finance at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, and Roger Tutterow, a professor of economics at Kennesaw State University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I step into the studio knowing that, for listeners, the noise around Donald Trump's legal battles can feel endless. So let's get right to what has happened in the courts over the past few days.The biggest spotlight has been on the marble steps of the United States Supreme Court, where justices heard oral argument in a case called Trump v. Slaughter. Amy Howe at SCOTUSblog reports that this case asks whether President Donald Trump has the power to fire Federal Trade Commission commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter at will, even though federal law says FTC commissioners can only be removed for “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” According to SCOTUSblog, during arguments on December 8, a solid majority of the justices signaled they are inclined to side with Trump and strike down those removal limits as unconstitutional restrictions on presidential power.In practical terms, that means the Court appears ready to say that President Trump lawfully fired Rebecca Slaughter in March by email, when he told her remaining at the FTC would be inconsistent with his administration's priorities, even though he did not claim any misconduct. Commentators at Holland and Knight, analyzing the argument, note that this could ripple well beyond the Federal Trade Commission, potentially weakening protections for members of other independent agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.Inside the courtroom, the justices wrestled with a ninety‑year‑old precedent called Humphrey's Executor v. United States, a 1935 decision that upheld protections for FTC commissioners. According to SCOTUSblog, Chief Justice John Roberts described Humphrey's Executor as a “dried husk,” while Justice Neil Gorsuch called it “poorly reasoned.” On the other side, Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan warned that tearing it down could fundamentally alter how much control Congress has over independent regulators. Justice Amy Coney Barrett pointed out that, in her view, the Court's more recent decisions have already eroded that old case.All of this is happening against a broader backdrop of litigation targeting actions by the Trump administration since his return to the White House. The Lawfare media team, which maintains a Trump Administration Litigation Tracker, has been following a sprawling set of challenges to Trump-era policies ranging from immigration rules to the deployment of the National Guard. Their tracker shows new filings landing in federal courts almost weekly, a sign that legal scrutiny of the administration's actions has not slowed.At the same time, local outlets like WABE in Atlanta continue to summarize where the various criminal and civil cases involving Donald Trump himself stand after earlier verdicts and appeals. WABE notes that previous jury decisions in defamation and civil fraud matters have largely been upheld on appeal, even as Trump continues to challenge them and attack prosecutors and judges in public.For listeners, the key point is this: in just a few days, the Supreme Court has given the clearest signal yet that it may expand presidential power over independent agencies in Trump v. Slaughter, while a wide network of lower courts and appellate panels continues to process the many criminal, civil, and constitutional fights that surround Donald Trump's political comeback.Thank you for tuning in, and come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more, check out QuietPlease dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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

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.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta has vacated a ruling by a lower court that stopped a portion of a controversial law barring giving any food or water to voters waiting at the ballot box; A group of Georgia state lawmakers are recommending measures to compel chronically absent students to come to school; WABE health reporter Jess Mador speaks to a health insurance marketplace navigator about the state's changing healthcare landscape. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement detains thousands of immigrants across Georgia mostly in rural communities in the south of the state. This summer, WABE’s immigration reporter Emily Wu Pearson visited Lumpkin, one of those communities, to learn how increasing detentions under the second Trump Administration is affecting the area. Story 1: Unlike in the U.S. Court system for citizens, legal representation is not guaranteed for detained immigrants. And lawyers costs thousands of dollars. We hear from a small group of attorneys working pro bono to help. Story 2: Immigration cases are often open to the public. We hear from a group of volunteers who watch hours of court proceedings to keep tabs on the judicial system. Story 3: With detention centers in such rural locations, family members often have a hard time getting to and staying near facilities. We look at the journey to help family members and those trying to make those trips a little easier. Story 4: Millions of dollars a month flow to companies operating immigrant detention facilities in Georgia. We look at where the money comes from and where it goes. For more on this series, go to wabe.org/detention See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is resigning from Congress in January. Greene, who represents Georgia’s 14th congressional district, recently announced the news via social media. WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali joins “Closer Look” with the latest. He also shares details about how some Georgia lawmakers are reacting to the news, when a special election could be held to fill Greene’s seat and what this all means for Georgia’s 14th congressional district. Plus, Serenbe is a 1,000-acre community, located in Chattahoochee Hills. The biophilic community, comprised of geothermal, solar and net zero homes, was founded by Steve Nygren and Marie Lupo Nygren in 1994. Steve talks with program host Rose Scott about his new book, “Start In Your Own Backyard, Transforming Where We Live with Radical Common Sense.” The book aims to provide a blueprint for building sustainable, walkable and nurturing communities through the principles of connecting people to nature for a healthier life and well-being. https://stevenygren.com/events Lastly, we hear from some of the team behind the new “Atlanta is...” podcast. The 8-episode series from Will Packer Productions and Complex explores the city’s history and culture, spotlighting stories behind Atlanta’s music, film industry, religion, politics, and more. We hear from Atlanta-based writer and event host Maurice Garland and award-winning journalists Jewel Wicker and Christina Lee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday night’s elections in Georgia are among those that captured national attention. For the first time in nearly two decades, Democrats flipped two Republican held seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission. On today’s “Closer Look,” we speak to a roundtable of journalists and a political science professor who give their take on local and national races, and what the results mean heading into the 2026 Midterm Elections. Guests included: WABE climate reporter Emily Jones Rahul Bali, WABE politics reporter Alessandro Sassoon, politics reporter at Atlanta Civic Circle Dan Whisenhunt, founder and editor of Decaturish.com GSU politics and policy professor Tammy Greer Plus, André 3000 and Big Boi have been called hip-hop pioneers for an innovative way of infusing their southern roots into their music. This Saturday, Atlanta’s own OutKast will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class. Ahead of the ceremony, “Closer Look,” program host Rose Scott talks with a roundtable of guests about the duo’s origin and influence. Guests included: Shanti Das, a former promotions and senior marketing director at LaFace Records during OutKast’s rise in hip-hop Sonia Murray, a longtime music journalist and former music critic for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Dr. Joycelyn Wilson, an ethnographic and cultural studies scholar and an associate professor at Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts at Georgia Tech School of Literature, Media, and CommunicationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week WABE presents a special edition of Political Breakfast, broadcasting from the iconic Atlanta meet-up spot, Manuel's Tavern. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson joined host Lisa Rayam to do a wrap-up of the month's top political stories in Georgia: just a few days ahead of Election Day on November 4th. Some background: Manuel's opened decades ago, and was run by Atlanta's own fiery politician Manuel Maloof. It's a well-known watering hole where folks from both sides of the aisle have always sat together, enjoyed a beer or burger, and talked. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MARTA has started installing its new $317 million dollar fare system, including new station fare gate; Air traffic controllers in Atlanta and across the country are set to miss their first full paychecks Tuesday as the government shutdown continues in its fourth week; and Former CDC director and Dr. Tom Frieden speaks with WABE’s Jess Mador about his new book and challenges facing public health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new poll of more than 4,000 people puts housing affordability ahead of traffic as the biggest problem facing metro Atlanta; Around 6,000 children enrolled in Head Start programs in the metro Atlanta area could be affected if the government shutdown continues into November; WABE's Emily Wu Pearson speaks with the new head of a school for refugee girls in Decatur about plans to grow the school.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nevada could soon rival Georgia for film production if the state passes a tax incentive similar to what we have in the Peach State; Atlanta is home to multiple interfaith organizations, but after the October 7th attack in Israel two years ago, some of those connections have fractured; and WABE's Marlon Hyde speaks with Dorian DeBarr, the President of Decide DeKalb, about steps the county is taking to help small businesses at a time of economic uncertainty.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The company that makes Georgia’s voting machines has a new owner; Three of four candidates for the Georgia Public Service Commission declined to participate in a debate this week; and WABE's Emily Wu Pearson speaks with Lorraine Fontana, a longtime lesbian activist in the Atlanta community for our Beyond Pride series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The council hunting for 2020 election interference prosecutor given until Nov. 14th to find one; Ossoff raises $12-million in the last three months for re-election bid; and as Atlanta Pride nears, a conversation about what you can expect from WABE's "Beyond Pride" series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re coming to you live from the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers Convention (WABE 2025) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada! This episode of This Week in Radio Tech takes you right to the heart of one of Canada’s premier broadcast engineering events. Kirk Harnack talks with a range of broadcast industry professionals — from seasoned engineers to manufacturer representatives and even a broadcast student — capturing the pulse of our ever-evolving industry. Featured guests include Jeff Welton of Nautel, Cameron Thompson with Alberta South, Michael Peterson from Stingray Digital, Randy Opperman of Rogers Communications, and Grant Bebrick of PTS. Join us for candid conversations, fresh perspectives, and valuable insights straight from the WABE show floor. Guests:Jeff Welton, CBRE - Regional Sales Manager, Eastern U.S at NautelCameron Thomson - Manager Media Engineering Alberta SouthMichael Peterson - Stingray DigitalPhil Bignell - Broadcast Systems Architect at Broadcast BionicsRandy Opperman - Senior Broadcast Technician at Rogers CommunicationsAdam Robinson - Director of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development at MaxxKonnectGrant Biebrick - Sales & Marketing Specialist at PTSBen Barber - President / CEO of Inovonics Inc.Phoenix Mantel - Broadcasting Student at SAIT Host:Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, Star94.3, South Seas, & Akamai BroadcastingFollow TWiRT on Twitter and on Facebook - and see all the videos on YouTube.TWiRT is brought to you by:Broadcasters General Store, with outstanding service, saving, and support. Online at BGS.cc. Broadcast Bionics - making radio smarter with Bionic Studio, visual radio, and social media tools at Bionic.radio.Aiir, providing PlayoutONE radio automation, and other advanced solutions for audience engagement.Angry Audio and the new Rave analog audio mixing console. The new MaxxKonnect Broadcast U.192 MPX USB Soundcard - The first purpose-built broadcast-quality USB sound card with native MPX output. Subscribe to Audio:iTunesRSSStitcherTuneInSubscribe to Video:iTunesRSSYouTube

We're coming to you live from the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers Convention (WABE 2025) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada! This episode of This Week in Radio Tech takes you right to the heart of one of Canada's premier broadcast engineering events. Kirk Harnack talks with a range of broadcast industry professionals — from seasoned engineers to manufacturer representatives and even a broadcast student — capturing the pulse of our ever-evolving industry. Featured guests include Jeff Welton of Nautel, Cameron Thompson with Alberta South, Michael Peterson from Stingray Digital, Randy Opperman of Rogers Communications, and Grant Bebrick of PTS. Join us for candid conversations, fresh perspectives, and valuable insights straight from the WABE show floor.

This week WABE presents a special edition of Political Breakfast, broadcasting from the iconic Atlanta meet-up spot, Manuel's Tavern. Opened decades ago by Atlanta's own fiery politician Manuel Maloof, it's well-known watering hole where folks from both sides of the aisle have always sat together, enjoyed a beer or burger, and talked. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson joined host Lisa Rayam to do a wrap-up of the month's top political stories in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ The band DEVO has been holding up a funhouse mirror to America for nearly fifty years. They broke out of Akron, Ohio, in the late '70s with a sound that was part punk, part art experiment, and all warning signs. Their concept of 'de-evolution'—that instead of progressing, society was actually regressing—felt satirical back then. But looking around today, it feels eerily predictive. As we face cuts to public radio funding and political attacks on the arts, DEVO's vision of a culture slipping backward suddenly feels less like a metaphor and more like the nightly news. When the band was in town for Shaky Knees on Sunday, City Lights Collective co-host Kim Drobes caught up with founding members Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale to discuss the stakes for artists today, how this moment connects to their work, and what survival—and maybe even resistance—looks like in 2025. ✦ Two of Oakland Cemetery's beloved programs are coming together for a full day of music and community. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans has more on the makeup/mashup they're calling Sunday in the Park featuring Tunes from the Tombs. ✦ As summer winds down and Atlanta weather moves from merely "tolerable" and increasingly towards "pleasant," you might be compelled to engage in some outdoor festivities, and you're in luck because the East Atlanta Strut is this Saturday! City Lights Collective Engineer Matt McWilliams has more on how this neighborhood likes to let loose, throw down, and let its freak flag fly. ✦ We love visiting with our artistic community "In Their Own Words." This is where they tell us who they are, what they do, what they love, and a few things you might not see coming. What things? Who knows, there's only one way to find out. Today, we shone a light on Atlanta artist Cyrus Nelson and Atlanta comedian Dante Quitman. ✦ You can see how dancers become one with nature in the new Flux Project film "Braiding Time, Memory and Water." Created by Core Dance artistic director Sue Schroeder, the film was a collaboration with conceptual artist Jonathon Keats and composer Felipe Pérez Santiago. The dances took place along the Chattahoochee River, and the film will be screened on Core Dance's storefront each evening through October 12. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans recently spoke with Schroeder about the project. ✦ Atlanta has a rich and lasting tradition of amazing poetry open mics. In venues, grottos, parks, and cafes all over the city, people speak their loudest truths, deepest hurts, and immeasurable joys to finger-snapping audiences. Some poetry open mics come and go, and some stick and stay. The Thursday night open mic at Urban Grind is the latter. Every Thursday night for the last nineteen years, people have taken the floor and taken the invitation to speak, even if their voices tremble. City Light's Collective Co-Host Jon Goode sat down with the Owner of Urban Grind, Cassandra Ingram, and longtime host B Rock to discuss the legacy and future of the iconic event. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ The late great Radcliffe Bailey was a painter, sculptor, and mixed media artist who produced work that was personal, global, beautiful, complex, and resonated in a way that stayed with you long after you'd seen it. He was a citizen of the world and Atlanta's own. On September 26, the Auburn Avenue Research Library will host a panel entitled "Southern Ground: The Legacy of Radcliffe Bailey and the Future of Black Southern Art." It's absolutely free, and there will be a discussion that honors Bailey's work and explores his enduring influence on contemporary Black Southern art. City Lights Collective Co-Host Jon Goode sat down with curator Karen Comer Lowe, who will be moderating the panel, and artist Shelia Pree Bright, who will sit on the panel, to discuss Bailey, his life, his art, his importance, and the upcoming panel. ✦ City Lights Collective member Shane Harrison spends his days at Arts ATL looking for cultural events to share with readers. He joins us weekly to share highlights, and today his mix includes The Atlanta Indian Film Festival and the Sweet Auburn Music Fest. ✦ ✦ Atlanta author Julie Olivia's new romance novel, "If It Makes You Happy," is described as Gilmore Girls meets the "Pumpkin Spice Café"—but a lot steamier. The slow-burn story is set in 1997 in the small town of Copper Run, Vermont, and tells the story of a recently divorced innkeeper and her new, seemingly perfect next-door neighbor. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans spoke with Olivia about this recent release. ✦ Visual artist and music enthusiast Kosmo Vinyl bought his first LP when he was nine and spent the next several decades immersed in music before beginning his professional career at London's pioneering indie label, "Stiff Records." In 1979, Kosmo started working exclusively with "The Clash" and stayed by their side until the punk icons disbanded in 1986. Over the years, Kosmo's record collection became legendary. In 2014, he began posting about his favorite releases on social media for his series, "Kosmo's Vinyl of the Week." In January, he began joining City Lights weekly to share the stories behind the records he treasures. ✦ Atlanta artist and puppet creator Chantelle Rytter is known for weaving magic into the streets of Atlanta. If you've ever been to the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade, then you've likely seen her in action. Here on the City Lights Collective, she covered our "Collective Joy" beat, talking about events that bring community together in the most beautiful, artistic, and sometimes quirky ways. On Saturday October 4, Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons will host "Where the Weird Things Are," an event that's set to transform the Old Fourth Ward Park. Now this isn't your typical parade — it's an entirely unique experience- a stationary "upside down parade" where giant mystical creatures come to life, and we get to parade around them. City Lights collective co-host Kim Drobes recently caught up with Rytter to learn more about the Collective Joy that awaits us on October 4.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ Since 2010, The Goat Farm has served as home to artists of all types in Atlanta. After a brief period of renovations, it reopened in 2024 and is now bigger and better than ever. You can see it in all of its glory at this year's second annual SITE festival. Sprawling over the whole 12 acres of the Goat Farms property will be exhibitions and installations of all kinds. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane spoke with the goat farms' design and creative director, Allie Bashuk, about the upcoming SITE festival. ✦ City Lights Collective member and award-winning Atlanta comedian Joel Byars is one of the hardest-working people in the business. He hosts many comedy events around town, and his podcast, "Hot Breath Pod," aims to uplift his fellow comedians. Byars joins us weekly to share his picks for this week's must-see Comedy, and today his mix includes an Atlanta version of "Mom's Unhinged" and two nights of Josh Johnson at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. ✦ Harriet Tubman was more than just the operator of the Underground Railroad. She also led a Civil War raid that freed more than 700 enslaved people in a single day. That dramatic chapter of the war is the focus of "COMBEE," the Pulitzer Prize–winning book by historian and Emory alum Edda Fields-Black. The author is back in Atlanta on Monday, September 29, at the Georgia Center for the Book. Fields-Black recently spoke with "City Lights Collective" member Alison Law about the Pulitzer Prize and bringing COMBEE's untold stories to life. ✦ And I'm Kim Drobes. It's time now to hear from our artistic community In Their Own Words. This is where they tell us who they are, what they do, what they love, and a few things you might not see coming. What things? Who knows, there's only one way to find out. Today, we shine a light on the band Solid State Radio. ✦ In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which began on September 15, The Gallery at Abernathy Arts Center presents "Caminos Compartidos." Showcasing vibrant and diverse works by artists of Latin origin, the exhibition is on view through October 30. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans spoke with the curator of the exhibit, Carol Santos.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ But first, one of the special things about the Atlanta art scene is the small and intimate art galleries that focus on a particular artistic style. City Lights Collective member Katina Pappas-DeLuca sat down with Anja and Jumbe Sebunya, the founders and curators of aKAZI ATL, to learn more about their gallery of contemporary African art and their upcoming exhibition titled "Peace, Reconciliation, and the Potential for Transformation." ✦ This Saturday, September 27, the Avondale Estates Town Green will transform into a surf rock haven, featuring a lineup of local and national bands serving up a full day of reverb-drenched, beach-ready tunes. With DJs, vendors, and free admission, it's an all-ages celebration of the classic surf rock sound. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane caught up with festival organizer Richard Hawes to dive into what makes this year's Southern Surf StompFest a must. ✦ City Lights Collective members Jasmine Hentschel and EC Flamming, the creatives behind Atlanta's visual art print magazine, "GULCH", want you to get out and engage with the city's art scene. They've been joining us weekly since the show launched, spotlighting five standout happenings. Today, they'll cover Atlanta Art Fair's return to Pullman Yards for its second year in operation, an immersive indoor/outdoor art festival at Goat Farm's sprawling 12-acre campus and kick off the fall season at Atlanta Contemporary with a roster of exhibition openings. ✦ Nature's natural patterns often look like stitched-together works of art. Whenever you look at the underside of a leaf or up close at the petals of a flower, symmetrical patterns and lines are on display. In Myrtie Cope's solo exhibition "Nature Embroidered," she photographs nature and landscapes, then hand embroiders them with cotton or silk thread...enhancing nature's patterns with texture. Her work is on display at Blue Heron Nature Preserve's indoor gallery through October 22. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans spoke with Cope about her exhibit. ✦When you start your career in music backing Shelia E and Prince in Tokyo when you're eighteen, and your most recent accomplishment, three decades later, is writing songs for Beyonce's Cowboy Carter, the Grammy award-winning album of the year, you might ask, what else could you possibly want to do? Well, Soul and R&B legend Raphael Saadiq has an answer for you. Mr. Saddiq spoke with City Lights Collective Co-host Jon Goode about his latest project, "The No Bandwidth Tour: One Man, One Night, Three Decades of Hits." It's part music, part storytelling, and all Raphael Saadiq. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show, Kimberly is joined by Marlon Hyde, business and economics reporter for WABE in Atlanta, to unpack the fallout of the massive ICE raid at a Hyundai facility in Georgia in which hundreds of South Korean nationals were arrested. And, we'll get into what Atlanta small business owners are worried about these days. (Spoiler: it's tariffs.) Plus, we'll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here's everything we talked about today:"Immigration raid at Georgia Hyundai factory tests state's longstanding relationship with South Korea" from WABE"Hyundai says it will spend $2.7 billion expanding part of the Georgia complex raided by ICE" from AP News"Atlanta develops human rights action plan for 2026 FIFA World Cup" from WABE"After another subpar summer of going to the movies, what's next?" from Marketplace"Finally, the era of free in-flight WiFi is near" from The Washington Post"Costco's New Shopping Hours Are a Sign of Tierification of US Economy" from Business Insider "People are boycotting Disney, Hulu, and ESPN after ABC yanked Jimmy Kimmel off the air. Will it work?" from Fast CompanyWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

On today's show, Kimberly is joined by Marlon Hyde, business and economics reporter for WABE in Atlanta, to unpack the fallout of the massive ICE raid at a Hyundai facility in Georgia in which hundreds of South Korean nationals were arrested. And, we'll get into what Atlanta small business owners are worried about these days. (Spoiler: it's tariffs.) Plus, we'll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here's everything we talked about today:"Immigration raid at Georgia Hyundai factory tests state's longstanding relationship with South Korea" from WABE"Hyundai says it will spend $2.7 billion expanding part of the Georgia complex raided by ICE" from AP News"Atlanta develops human rights action plan for 2026 FIFA World Cup" from WABE"After another subpar summer of going to the movies, what's next?" from Marketplace"Finally, the era of free in-flight WiFi is near" from The Washington Post"Costco's New Shopping Hours Are a Sign of Tierification of US Economy" from Business Insider "People are boycotting Disney, Hulu, and ESPN after ABC yanked Jimmy Kimmel off the air. Will it work?" from Fast CompanyWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

In the final episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali, along with producer Brendan Rivers, discuss the last four unprecedented years in Georgia politics. Plus, a preview of what the WABE newsroom will be keeping an eye on over the coming months.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the final episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali, along with producer Brendan Rivers, discuss the last four unprecedented years in Georgia politics. Plus, a preview of what the WABE newsroom will be keeping an eye on over the coming months.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ From a memorable guest appearance in the hit TV show "Atlanta" to a leading role in the slasher "I Know What You Did Last Summer," Atlanta resident Tyriq Withers has spent the past three years skyrocketing into one of Hollywood's most desired newcomers. Now, he's taking on his most anticipated role yet in the upcoming Jordan Peele-produced thriller "Him." Withers plays Cameron Cade, an aspiring professional football player who, after a week of training with his childhood sports idol, realizes the price of fame and the sacrifices required to be considered one of the greatest of all time. City Lights Collective member Kenny Murray spoke to the young star about his acting journey and what viewers can expect from the film. ✦ Going to Brunch in Atlanta can seem like a sport. Even if you know some tricks for navigating the notoriously long lines, the cost can sometimes price people out of the game. In our mini-series, "Brunchin' on a Budget," we look at a few special Atlanta Brunch spots that can help you keep your wallet intact. Today, for the final installment of the series, WABE arts reporter Summer Evans takes us to Eat My Biscuits in East Point. ✦ National Food Service Worker Day is September 25, and the new Atlanta-made Horror/Comedy, "We're So Dead," is premiering just in time. Food service workers primarily produced the film through a crowdfunding campaign and opening night proceeds benefit The Giving Kitchen. City Lights Co-host Kim Drobes has more. ✦ Musical scores enrich the content they surround and help create the mood and tone of films, television, and even video games. Dr. Scott Stewart has been studying and teaching this aspect of music for decades, and he joins us occasionally for Music in Media. In this segment, he breaks down the sounds behind some of entertainment's most popular offerings. Today, he talks about the scores of this past season of Summer Blockbusters. ✦ We love hearing from our artistic community In Their Own Words. This is where they tell us who they are, what they do, what they love, and a few things you might not see coming. What things? Who knows, there's only one way to find out. Today, we hear from Atlanta artist Eddie Farr. ✦ What does it mean to reckon with your past and the place you call home? John T. Edge, the Emmy Award-winning host of "TrueSouth," documents his attempts to do just that in his new memoir, "House of Smoke: A Southerner Goes Searching for Home." Out now, the book offers an unflinching look at his successes, failures, and the complicated stories he inherited from his family and the South. City Lights Collective member and "Bookmarked" contributor Alison Law recently talked to Edge ahead of his upcoming Georgia appearances.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ The Out on Film festival has not only been a place where the diverse voices of the LGBTQ+ community can see themselves on the big screen, but it has also served as a safe haven, a place of education, and a family reunion. City Lights Collective co-host Jon Goode sat down with Festival Director Jim Farmer to discuss the origins of the event and what you can expect from Out on Film today. ✦ For the last several years, a tiny yet momentous structure has popped up on sites of significance throughout Atlanta, inviting visitors to step inside moments of history. Charmaine Minniefield's "Praise House" Project replicates gathering spaces of worship that glued Black communities together since the days of slavery and beyond. The next installation for "The Praise House" will be at South View Cemetery in Lakewood Heights on September 21. There, they will honor the victims of the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre, an outburst of horrific violence that killed dozens of Black citizens. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans spoke with Minniefield about this new site of remembrance. ✦ City Lights Collective member Shane Harrison spends his days at Arts ATL looking for cultural events to share with readers. He joins us weekly to share highlights, and today his mix includes the latest in the "Off the Wall" film series and a look at this weekend's Japan Fest. ✦ Visual artist and music enthusiast Kosmo Vinyl bought his first LP when he was nine. He spent the next several decades immersed in music and began his professional career at London's pioneering indie label, "Stiff Records." In 1979, Kosmo started working exclusively with "The Clash," who were once billed as The Only Band That Matters, and stayed by their side until the punk icons disbanded in 1986. Over the years, Kosmo's record collection became legendary. In 2014, he began posting about his favorite releases on social media for his series, "Kosmo's Vinyl of the Week," and he joins us weekly to share the stories behind the records he treasures. This week, he tells us about Hoagy Carmichael's "Hong Kong Blues." ✦ Atlanta's own Improvement Movement has been making waves across the city and beyond with lush vocal harmonies, clever arrangements, and a sound that refuses to sit neatly in one genre. Now, they're bringing that energy to the main stage at this year's Shaky Knees Festival. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane spoke with keyboardist Zach Pyles and drummer Tony Aparo from the band ahead of their upcoming Shakey Knees performance about how they came together, the influences behind their music, and what's next for this rising Atlanta favorite.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ When two of Atlanta's most innovative arts institutions—the Atlanta Opera and the Alliance Theatre—join forces, the result is bound to be something extraordinary. Their latest collaboration is a powerful new production of Fiddler on the Roof, the musical that has captivated audiences for generations. City Lights Collective member Zachary Brown recently spoke with two of the show's actors, alongside leaders from the Alliance and the Opera. They discussed the show's enduring relevance and how Fiddler on the Roof speaks to both the past and the present. ✦ The National Center for Civil and Human Rights will have its grand reopening on November 8, after being closed since January. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans shares more. ✦ Recently, stories have been circulating about the dropping number of major motion pictures being produced in Georgia, and consequently, Atlanta's film industry is in flux. But what about the work coming from independent filmmakers? Is there a way to help our ecosystem thrive again by pushing to make marketable, mainstream indies from start to finish locally? Atlanta filmmaker Ben Hall certainly thinks so, and his newest production, "Remote," aims to serve as an example. The movie explores what happens when problems related to human emotions, like grief and loneliness, collide with non-human solutions, like Artificial Intelligence. Ahead of the movie's premiere at the Tara Theater on September 20, City Lights Collective co-host Kim Drobes sat down with Hall to learn more about the film and his thoughts on the future of Georgia-made indie movies. ✦ City Lights Collective member and award-winning Atlanta comedian Joel Byars is one of the hardest-working people in the business. He hosts many comedy events around town, and his podcast, "Hot Breath Pod," aims to uplift his fellow comedians. Byars joins us weekly to share his picks for this week's must-see comedy, and today his mix includes a 1UP local comedy showcase and a live show from a Daily Show correspondent. ✦ For nearly 90 years, The Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre has stood on the historic square in Marietta and served as both a cultural anchor and a community gathering place. Once a glittering movie palace, and later a fading relic, the theater is now a thriving hub for live performance, film, and celebration. The Strand's story is one of resilience, and the inventive people who refused to let its lights go dark. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane brings us this story ahead of the Strand's 90th birthday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ On the 4th Monday of each month at Red Light Café, there's a variety show dedicated to chaotic goodness. It's called 'Joy Deficit' and the show always starts with a communal primal scream. City Lights Collective member Katina Pappas-DeLuca recently caught up with Joy Deficit's founder and host, Gina Rickicki, to tell us more about the scream and the show that follows. ✦ The Fulton County Arts Council does so many things. From undergirding and showcasing rising artists to highlighting established talent, to elevating the profile of Atlanta and Georgia on the international stage. With all of that, the Fulton County Arts Council is also still dedicated to partnering with local organizations to create stellar programming that is accessible to all. On September 26 at 7:30 pm, the arts council, in partnership with Art Farm at Serenbe, will be bringing jazz and soul vocalist extraordinaire, Rhonda Thomas, to Gainey Hall in Chattahoochee Hills. City Lights Collective Co-host Jon Goode recently discussed the upcoming night of Jazz with David Manuel, the director of The Fulton County Arts Council. ✦ Although Atlanta has a relatively small Italian population compared to other U.S. cities, the Italian industrial footprint thrives in Georgia. This week's "The Made in Italy Expo" spotlights how the country is showing up in the Southeast, and WABE arts reporter Summer Evans has more. ✦ City Lights Collective members Jasmine Hentschel and EC Flamming, the creatives behind Atlanta's visual art print magazine, "GULCH", want you to get out and engage with the city's art scene. Each week they spotlight five standout happenings, and today their mix includes an Atlanta stop for Adam Davis's project to capture 20,000 tintypes of the black diaspora at Atlanta Center for Photography, experimental installation at Say That Studios which takes place inside a room-sized camera obscura, and work from environmental artists at Spruill Gallery that's sure to spark some existential questions about your relationship with nature. ✦ Atlanta has culinary experiences that range from fine dining to dining that's simply fine, but a good glass of wine can elevate any meal. City Lights Collective members Tory and Sawyer Vanderwerff believe you should feel just as inclined to pull out the corkscrew regardless of the star level of your meal. They spend their time looking for the best and most unpredictable food and wine pairings throughout Georgia, and today, they share what happens when Magic City meets Chateau Elan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ Produced at Assembly Studios in Atlanta, CBS's "Beyond the Gates" follows the relationships, rivalries, and secrets that follow the residents of the fictional gated community of Fairmont Crest. The fall season of the first African American daytime soap opera kicked off on Monday and features a diverse lineup of veteran talents and fresh faces. Two of the latter include actors Colby Muhammed and Ambyr Michelle, who play rival sisters Kat Richardson and Eva Thomas. The two burgeoning scene stealers recently spoke with City Lights Collective member Kenny Murray about their personal career journeys and what's ahead for the freshman daytime drama. ✦ We love hearing from our artistic community In Their Own Words. This is where they tell us who they are, what they do, what they love, and a few things you might not see coming. What things? Who knows, there's only one way to find out. Today, we hear from Atlanta artist Demetri. ✦ 23-year-old singer ivri has carved out a distinct place for herself in the internet's hyper-saturated music scene. She made her debut at the age of 15, posting faceless snippets of her singing on Instagram that garnered hundreds of thousands of views and a dedicated fanbase that has stuck with her for the better part of a decade. Now a seasoned musician with millions of monthly listeners worldwide, Ivri released her debut album, "Tower of Memories," last month, and is embarking on her first headlining tour across the country. Ahead of her Atlanta performance at Masquerade on September 16, she spoke with City Lights Collective member Jacob Smulian and began by explaining what it was like to take a leap of faith and move to New York City, by herself, at only 18 years old. ✦ Starting in the 1880s, each year on September 1, every single lease in the City of Atlanta—yes, the entire city—expired and renters moved out and into new homes…on the exact same day. Wagons jammed the streets. Furniture everywhere. Tempers flaring. Back pain? Guaranteed. From utility workers following behind to reset phone lines and gas, to real estate tycoons begging for more rental properties. So how did it all work? And when did it finally disappear? City Lights Collective member and self-proclaimed history nerd Victoria Lemos has more. ✦ Atlanta's first-ever full-time string quartet is celebrating 20 years with a free concert tomorrow, September 12. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans shares more about the Vega Quartet. ✦ There are not many places and productions where Orisha Mythology, Caribbean folklore, dance, and Black Punk music all come together to create an artistic gumbo that is sure to stick to your ribs and blow your mind. In Atlanta, we are in luck because F.Punk Junkies is such a production, and 7Stages is the place to see it. City Lights Collective co-host Jon Goode caught up with some of the people creating this magical, mystical theater experience in Little Five Points.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform a special one-night-only concert on Friday, September 19, and everything on the program is special. Superstar pianist Lang Lang will be the soloist for Beethoven's Majestic Emperor Concerto, and the internationally acclaimed conductor Gemma New will direct the ASO in two works by Mozart. WABE icon and City Lights Collective member Lois Reitzes recently spoke with New to discuss the exhilarating beauty of Beethoven's and Mozart's work. ✦ City Lights Collective member Shane Harrison spends his days at Arts ATL looking for cultural events to share with readers. He joins us weekly to share highlights, and today his mix includes the world premiere of Atlanta playwright Topher Payne's latest comedy, and four upcoming performances from the Atlanta Ballet at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. ✦ Atlanta's catching its annual case of mural mania once again with the upcoming Forward Warrior Festival. The all-day creative celebration is this Saturday, September 13, in Cabbagetown. Each year, the walls of Wylie Street, right by the Krog Street Tunnel, are transformed with works of new art. Atlanta artist Peter Ferrari founded the festival, and when he spoke with City Lights Collective co-host Kim Drobes, he discussed both the history and the future of community-driven events. ✦ Visual artist and music enthusiast Kosmo Vinyl bought his first LP when he was nine. He spent the next several decades immersed in music and began his professional career at London's pioneering indie label, "Stiff Records." In 1979, Kosmo started working exclusively with "The Clash," who were once billed as The Only Band That Matters, and stayed by their side until the punk icons disbanded in 1986. Over the years, Kosmo's record collection became legendary. In 2014, he began posting about his favorite releases on social media for his series, "Kosmo's Vinyl of the Week," and he joins us weekly to share the stories behind the records he treasures. Today, he shares the story behind the New Miles Davis Quintet's version of "Just Squeeze Me." ✦ Robert Frost once urged us to "take the road less traveled." Atlanta photographer Geo Gerard chose a different path—riding his bike along every road within the I-285 perimeter. From 2020 to 2022, he documented the journey, capturing everyday moments of awe, joy, and humor. The result is "All the Roads Taken," a new exhibit on view at Gallery 100 through September 25. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans spoke with Gerard about the project. ✦ Have you ever been curious about the people running in groups along the sidewalk or on the sidewalk or along the beltline? Well, City Lights Collective member and WABE Studios intern Oli Turner decided to lace up her sneakers and catch up with some of Atlanta's many run clubs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ English actor and producer Jon Boyega gained international recognition for his role as Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy; however, that was not Boyega's first dip into science fiction. His debut feature-length film, 2011's "Attack the Block," and his most recently released film, "They Cloned Tyrone," both use the science fiction comedy genre to explore deeper social issues. Boyega appeared at Dragon Con over Labor Day weekend, and City Lights Collective co-host Kim Drobes caught up with him to discuss his passion for acting, his role as a film producer, and his love for Atlanta. ✦ City Lights Collective member and award-winning Atlanta comedian Joel Byars is one of the hardest-working people in the business. He hosts many comedy events around town, and his podcast, "Hot Breath Pod," aims to uplift his fellow comedians. Byars joins us weekly to share his picks for this week's must-see comedy, and today his mix includes a couple of big-name touring stars and a local treasure returning home to play the Fox Theater. ✦ There's no better place for Shakespeare than an outdoor theatre, and this fall, the Atlanta Shakespeare Company launches "A Shakespeare Happening," the first-ever free public Shakespeare festival in DeKalb County, taking place in the picturesque neighborhood of Avondale Estates. Alongside the theatrical performances, there will be live music and workshops for all ages. The first day of festivities is this Saturday and begins with "Tempest Jr.," an adaptation of "The Tempest" for young audiences. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans recently discussed the series with festival creator Nicole Sage, and Atlanta Shakespeare Company associate managing director Katie Grace Kirby. ✦ Long before modern choirs and vocal coaches, there was Sacred Harp—a uniquely American way of singing that turned everyday people into music-makers. This powerful and historic tradition dates back to the early 1800s and continues to thrive today, bringing together communities in spirited, four-part harmony. The 120th convention of the United Sacred Harp Musical Association comes to the Foundry at Puritan Mill on September 13 and 14, 2025. It is expected to be the largest gathering in a generation, drawing hundreds of singers from across the US and beyond. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane sat down with Matt Hinton, a longtime Sacred Harp singer and scholar, to learn more about this enduring and uniquely American form of group singing. ✦ Atlanta's vibrant world of cocktails and zero-proof beverages thrives in our bars and restaurants as well as our local distilleries and non-alcoholic bottle shops. Few may know this world better than Beth McKibben, editor in chief and senior dining editor at Rough Draft Atlanta. Beth's expertise is invaluable as she continually explores our city's elevated beverage programs and examines the latest trends in mixology. She joins The City Lights Collective monthly for "The Beverage Beat," and this month, McKibben discusses what she calls "transitional cocktails," sips to savor during our fake-fall slash second summer season—also known as September in Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ Today, it is more important than ever to state, define, and be clear about who you are. To do that, you may have to be bold, upfront, and... frank. To that end, a dynamic group of 11 queer artists, known as Frank, will present a diverse, multifaceted, and self-defining art show entitled "Being Frank: it is because I am." The show is at Ansley Mall from September 14 through the 17, and City Lights Co-Host Jon Goode recently sat down with two of Frank's founding members, artists David Clifton-Strawn and artist Royce Soble. ✦ City Lights Collective members Jasmine Hentschel and EC Flamming, the creatives behind Atlanta's visual art print magazine, "GULCH", want you to get out and engage with the city's art scene. Each week, they spotlight five standout happenings, and today, they'll tell you about Living Walls's 15-year-anniversary "quinceañero" party, an exhibit at Marcia Wood that's sure to excite all you color theorists out there, and Cat Eye Creative's final show opening in their current South Downtown space. ✦ It's never too early to spark a lifelong love of the arts and theatrical performance. To that point, The Alliance Theater's Bernhardt Theater for the Very Young, in partnership with the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, is presenting a stage adaptation of "The Birthday of the World," based on the children's book by New York Times Bestseller Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen. The show runs through October 26 and includes two special outdoor performances at the MJCCA's Zaban Park on Sunday, September 14. City Lights Collective Engineer Matt McWilliams recently spoke to creator and director Jonathan Shmidt Chapman about bringing "The Birthday of the World" to Atlanta's youngest theatergoers. ✦ For 20 years, the High Museum of Art has awarded the David Driskell Prize to field-defining contributors in African American Art and Art History. This year, the award goes to Alison Saar, sculptor, installation artist, printmaker, and art scholar, whose sculpture "Salon" welcomed visitors to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Driskell Prize winner joined WABE arts reporter Summer Evans to share her extraordinary legacy as an artist and scholar. ✦ Our series, "In Their Own Words," tells firsthand stories from our artistic community. This is where they tell us who they are, what they do, what they love, and a few things you might not see coming. What things? Who knows, there's only one way to find out. Today, we highlight comedian Nate Allen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ In the immortal words of The Notorious B.I.G., get ready to sit and conversate for a few, with Atlanta's own Killer Mike. Legally known as Michael Render, the rapper, entrepreneur, and activist has launched a new podcast called "Conversate with Killer Mike." The show is recorded from his Atlanta studio, where he and his friends dive into topics both local and global. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane recently sat down with the Atlanta icon to discuss the new project. ✦ Going to Brunch in Atlanta can seem like a sport. Even if you know some tricks to navigate the notoriously long lines, the cost can sometimes price people out of the game. In our mini-series, "Brunchin' on a Budget," we look at a few special Atlanta Brunch spots that can help you keep your wallet intact. This week, WABE arts reporter Summer Evans takes us to Ria's Bluebird. ✦ Today, we take a moment to hear from our artistic community In Their Own Words. This is where they tell us who they are, what they do, what they love, and a few things you might not see coming. What things? Who knows, there's only one way to find out. Today's spotlight shines on the band Champagne Lane, and we learn about their new album, "The World in Your Eyes." ✦ The art of Dance is leaping into the future at Spelman College. The new short documentary, "Beyond the Movement," explores new technologies and their applications in Dance through the testimony of students and faculty, as well as through their movement. The film, produced by WABE and made possible through a grant from HBCU Week Now, screens along with a live panel discussion on September 8th at Spelman's new Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation and the Arts. City Lights Collective Co-host Kim Drobes recently spoke with filmmaker Booker T. Mattison and Spelman's department chair of Dance and Choreography, Professor T. Lang, to learn more. ✦ What makes up a Good Night? I'm sure there are as many answers as there are people. But on the first Friday of every month, at Buteco in Grant Park, comedian David Purdue and Spoken Word Artist Adan Bean have a Free show that has a little bit of everything. You want to laugh, dance, hear an amazing vocalist, have some great food, have a strong drink, maybe all of that, or maybe just some of it. It's all available; at night, you can self-curate, appropriately titled: Good Night. City Lights Collective Co-host Jon Goode sat down with Adan Bean and David Purdue to discuss the night.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ Food is a story—its origins, makers, and how recipes travel globally. The series "ChefATL," produced by SCAD, explores the stories behind the foods that inspire Atlanta chefs. In collaboration with WABE, SCAD students spotlight Atlanta restaurateurs each episode. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans spoke with SCAD student Astrid Sims, and Dear and the Dove owner Terry Koval to learn more about the show, which involved over 100 students across nine different SCAD degree programs. ✦ Local music artists across genres are coming together for a festival that organizers say is "by Atlanta and for Atlanta." City Lights Collective Co-host Kim Drobes has more on this weekend's Mainline Music Festival. ✦ Each Friday, the Atlanta Contra Dance community comes together at the Decatur Recreational Center to experience the joy of dancing to live music. City Lights Collective member Gillian Anne Renault has more on this high-energy dance that has a low bar of entry. ✦ City Lights Collective member Shane Harrison spends his days as executive editor of ArtsATL looking for cultural events to share with readers. He joins us weekly to share highlights, and today his mix includes a breakdown of the Atlanta Contemporary Music Collective's season opener, a new exhibition at The Sun ATL, and the Brookhaven Porchfest. ✦ Visual artist and music enthusiast Kosmo Vinyl bought his first LP when he was nine. He spent the next several decades immersed in music and began his professional career at London's pioneering indie label, "Stiff Records." In 1979, Kosmo started working exclusively with "The Clash," who were once billed as "The Only Band That Matters," and remained by their side until the punk icons disbanded in 1986. Over the years, Kosmo's record collection became legendary. In 2014, he began posting about his favorite releases on social media as part of his series, "Kosmo's Vinyl of the Week," and he joins us weekly to share the stories behind the records he treasures. Today, he tells us the story behind Cornershop's "Brimful of Asha." ✦ Artist, illustrator, and educator Faith Ringgold showed us our world through the eyes of young children in every medium you can think of –books, paintings, drawings, sculptures, even quilts. She trained and has been widely honored in the fine art and academic circles of New York City. Ringgold worked as an art teacher in New York City public schools for decades, focusing her work on those exceptional children, who have remained her lifelong muse. Now, the High Museum is presenting the most comprehensive exhibition to date of Faith Ringgold's art, featuring pieces from her children's books, including never-before-seen works. Curator Andrew Westover took a moment to chat with City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane about this extensive collection, which is on view through October 12.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ The five main food groups that are important for anyone's diet include—fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, and chocolate…okay, maybe not the last one. However, it remains an essential building block of a balanced diet. A new exhibition at the Museum of Design Atlanta, also known as MODA, explores the origins of chocolate, its evolution into a global commodity, and the designs of some of the most popular chocolate brands we know today. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans visited MODA to check out this delicious exhibition. ✦ City Lights Collective members Jasmine Hentschel and EC Flamming, the creatives behind Atlanta's visual art print magazine, "GULCH", want you to get out and engage with the city's art scene. Each week they spotlight five standout happenings, and today their mix includes: a glimpse into Taino ancestry through a talk at the ArtsXChange in East Point, as well as the Georgia State's Art School faculty showcase that happens only once every three years, and one of Southern Fried Queer Pride's ever-popular figure drawing sessions. ✦ When City Lights Collective co-host Jon Goode was told that High Bias is a good thing, he wasn't entirely sure what that meant. So, he decided to go to Block and Drum on a Wednesday night to find out for himself. ✦ City Lights Collective member and award-winning Atlanta comedian Joel Byars is one of the hardest-working people in the business. Aside from his podcast, "Hot Breath Pod," he hosts many comedy events around town, and now, he joins us weekly to share his picks for this week's must-see comedy. ✦ A new park in metro Atlanta is set to honor the legendary Black folk artist, Nellie Mae Rowe. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans has the details. ✦ After over three decades on Atlanta walls, streets, stickers, wheatpastes, and flyers, the iconic art of R. Land is now on view at Atlanta Contemporary through September 7th. His work, like "Pray for ATL" and "Loss Cat," has previously been preserved for posterity at the Atlanta History Center and the Georgia State Capitol. Still, those pieces only represent a fraction of his artistic career. City Light Collective co-host Kim Drobes recently caught up with Land to discuss his first-ever retrospective solo exhibition, "Landmarks: The World of R. Land."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Context of White Supremacy hosts the weekly summit on Neutralizing Workplace Racism 08/28/25 Today marks 70 years to the date when Emmett Louis Till was lynched in Money, Mississippi. It also marks 62 years since the Dr. Martin Luther King's "March On Washington" which was also under surveillance by federal troops. This week we'll examine a WABE segment by Rose Scott offers a sober dialog on the "crisis" of black female unemployment. Gus T. and others highlight that this is another example of mainstream media outlets discussing Racism and Labor while excluding black males from the conversation. The unemployment rate for black males remains over 7%, which is higher than black female unemployment. In spite of this omission, the Ms. Scott's panel had a number of insightful comments and suggestions for dealing with sudden, unplanned for job loss. We also had a number of grand suggestions and applications of workplace codification from listeners. #EndStageWhiteSupremacy INVEST in The COWS - http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: http://cash.app/$TheCOWS Call: 720.716.7300 Code: 564943#

✦ "Cinematheque," Emory's film screening series, leads us on a deep dive into the history, present, and possible futures of cinema every spring and fall. Beginning tomorrow, August 27, through December, "Cinematheque" looks back exactly 50 years to 1975, an explosive and groundbreaking year for film, with blockbusters like "Jaws," underdog hits like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and offbeat outsider works like "Grey Gardens." Emory film and media professors Matthew Bernstein and Dan Reynolds recently sat down with City Lights Collective Co-host Kim Drobes to detail this season's series. ✦ WABE's Sounds Like ATL documentary series explores the vibrant Atlanta music scene. Each week, it either introduces or reintroduces you to a local artist, sharing their creative process and a few live performances. You can watch, dance, and sing along on the YouTube channel, @WABEATL. Here's a preview featuring Thee Blk Pearl. ✦ City Lights Collective member and award-winning Atlanta comedian Joel Byars is one of the hardest-working people in the business. Aside from his podcast, "Hot Breath Pod," he's always hosting comedy events around town, and now, he joins us weekly to share his picks for this week's must-see comedy events. ✦ A strange realm both familiar and unsettling greets visitors in Victoria Dugger's solo exhibition, "Must Be Nice." She's been praised for the mesmerizing marriage of cuteness and grotesque in her work, which explores Blackness, femininity, disability, and domesticity. She was recently awarded the 2024 Hudgens Prize for her work. Dugger joined WABE arts reporter Summer Evans to talk about her collection currently on view at the Hudgens Center in Duluth. ✦ Over the past decade and a half, the Atlanta-based public art organization Living Walls has transformed Atlanta's streets into a vibrant gallery of murals and cultural storytelling. And now, Living Walls is all grown up and celebrating its 15th birthday with a full quinceañera at the Goat Farm on September 13. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane spoke with creative director Tatiana Bell about why a quinceañera felt like the perfect way to honor the milestone, and how the organization continues to shape the city's creative landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ For decades, comedian and actor Jim Gaffigan has entertained audiences nationwide with his observational humor, personable stage presence, and a variety of film and television projects ranging from "Unfrosted" to his own self-titled comedy series. The eight-time Grammy nominee will be performing at the Atlanta Symphony Hall September 11-13 as part of his "Everything Is Wonderful Tour." He recently caught up with WABE reporter Kenny Murry to discuss the projects that shaped his career and how he really feels about his notable reputation as "America's Everyman." ✦ City Lights Collective members Jasmine Hentschel and EC Flamming, the creatives behind Atlanta's visual art print magazine, "GULCH", want you to get out and engage with the city's visual art scene. Each week, they spotlight several standout happenings, and today, they'll cover: Atlanta Downtown & Dashboard's exhibition celebrating civil rights icon Xernona Clayton, Ayana Ross's Working Artist Project exhibition at MOCA GA, and more. ✦ A new gallery has opened in the Star Metals District, which showcases international artists. Rodney Kazemi founded Luca Fine Art Gallery. He has 30 years of global experience, curating artists from New York to Art Basel in Miami. The gallery's exhibition, "Glimmer and Gaze," is currently on view through September 28. WABE arts reporter spoke with Kazemi about the new space. ✦ "It is a truth universally acknowledged" that one of the year's most anticipated birthday anniversaries belongs to Jane Austen. The literary icon behind classics such as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma" was born on December 16, 1775. Now, 250 years later, devoted fans, scholars, and critics are marking this milestone year with celebrations all over the world, including in the Atlanta area, including a series of events throughout the Gwinnett Public Library system, and a celebration at Emory University's Rose Library. Our "Bookmarked" contributor Alison Law has more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ Creative digital technologies have no doubt expanded the art of animation for filmmakers, yet there's still nothing like the wow-factor of a fully handmade film. Director, writer, and animator Sebastian Soler crafted, placed, and shot every frame of his new Action-Thriller "Spanish Moss," a traditional stop-motion work he emphatically calls a "labor of love." The edge-of-your-seat adventure is filled with danger, romance, humor, thrills, and, of course, Legos. "Spanish Moss" screens followed by a Q&A with the creatives at the Tara Theatre on August 29th, and the filmmaker recently joined City Lights Collective co-host Kim Drobes to explain how 29 thousand handcrafted frames became a feature-length film. ✦ Today on "In Their Own Words," we highlight blues guitarist Buddy Red. This is where they tell us who they are, what they do, what they love, and a few things you might not see coming. What things? Who knows, there's only one way to find out. ✦ The Center for Puppetry Arts is launching a new beta program this fall to bring puppets into Atlanta-area classrooms. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans shares more. ✦ When you think of movie censorship, you might picture blacked-out scenes, controversial ratings, or headlines from the 1980s. But what if I told you that the roots of film censorship in America go back over a century—and that Atlanta played a starring role? We're diving into the world of film censorship- starting in 1897, Maine, and winding to 1960s Atlanta. We'll meet the people who shaped what Atlantans could and couldn't see on screen and uncover the strange, often absurd criteria that determined what was safe for public eyes. City Lights Collective member Victoria Lemos has more on this bit of Atlanta history. ✦ You know as well as I do that there is always a plethora of things to do in Atlanta, and we have earned the title of "The Cultural Capital of the South." Mike Jordan, senior editor at the AJC, and Sammie Purcell, associate editor at Rough Draft Atlanta, know this well, too. They join us weekly to share a few of their picks for your weekend entertainment. Today, their mix includes a gem show, a reminder to see Ain't No Mo, and the Atlanta Alt rock fest. ✦ Hip Hop is a male-dominated genre and industry. For a woman to make a name for herself and carve out a slice of the rap pie is no small feat. From Sha-Rock, The Sequence, Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte, Salt N Pepa, and Queen Latifah up to Megan Thee Stallion and Doechii, it's been quite the climb. Vocalist, M.C., Producer, mother, wife, and Lawyer, Stacy Epps has a name that has echoed through the halls of hip hop for more than two decades. She's shared the stage and booth with legends and has become a legend herself. Ahead of her new album, “FlowHeart,” which will be released tomorrow, August 22nd, she sat down with City Lights Collective Co-Host Jon Goode to discuss music, life, and her winding journey through both.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ Break out your Flux Capacitor because when this show hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious…. stuff. That's right, “Back to the Future, The Musical” is coming to the Fox Theater this September. Bob Gale, co-writer of the original movies who helped bring to life Marty McFly and Doc Brown, has adapted the story for the stage, giving these beloved characters a whole new dimension. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane sat down with Gale, along with Atlanta native and cast member Cartreze Tucker, to talk about translating this cinematic classic into live theater magic. ✦ Quilting has a long, rich history that crosses many different cultures and eras. For African Americans, creating quilts served not only as a means of survival and communication but also as a tool to share stories and showcase their artistry. O.V. Brantly created the Atlanta Quilt Festival 17 years ago to preserve and promote African American quilting and textile art. The juried exhibition has grown to over 100 quilts on display at the Southwest Arts Center and is on view through September 6. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans went down to check out these vibrant pieces of artwork. ✦ City Lights Collective member Shane Harrison spends his days at ArtsATL looking for cultural events to share with readers. He joins us weekly to share highlights, and today his mix includes The Weeknd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, A Strange Loop at Actor's Express, and two shows that highlight the silver screen at The Booth Western Art Museum. ✦ Visual artist and music enthusiast Kosmo Vinyl bought his first LP when he was nine. He spent the next several decades immersed in music and began his professional career at London's pioneering indie label, "Stiff Records." In 1979, Kosmo started working exclusively with "The Clash," who were once billed as The Only Band That Matters, and stayed by their side until the punk icons disbanded in 1986. Over the years, Kosmo's record collection became legendary. In 2014, he began posting about his favorite releases on social media for his series, "Kosmo's Vinyl of the Week," and he joins us weekly to share the stories behind the records he treasures. This week, he shares the story behind "Roadrunner" from The Modern Lovers. ✦ Known for his vibrant, retro-inspired illustrations, Atlanta-based artist Derek Yaniger's work is a delightful blend of mid-century modern aesthetics, vintage comic book style, and rock 'n' roll culture. His art often features bold lines, striking colors, and a playful sense of nostalgia, making him a standout in the world of contemporary illustration. Yaniger's journey has taken him through a variety of creative industries, from ad agencies to Marvel comics to Cartoon Network. He has a special place in his heart for Atlanta's pop culture convention Dragon Con and has collaborated on artwork that combined the ethos of the convention with his signature style. You can see Derek and his art next week in the Comic and Pop Artist Alley at Dragon Con, and he recently joined City Lights Collective Co-host Kim Drobes to discuss his artistic process, influences, and his attachment to our city's longest-running fan-based convention.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.