Closer Look with Rose Scott – Details, episodes & analysis

“Closer Look’s” second national PRX show examines Atlanta’s income inequality gap. While Georgia’s capital city is rooted in civil rights and it’s bustling with entertainment, sports, technology and culture, data reveals Atlanta is stalled when it comes to economic mobility. In fact, within the last decade, Atlanta has consistently remained atop or near the top for U.S. cities with the worst income inequality. On average, Atlanta’s poorest residents earn around $11,221 per year, while its richest earn around an average of $324,230 per year.

Now, the overarching question remains: What’s driving Atlanta’s income inequality? To find answers, show host Rose Scott examines the past, present and future of the city described by former Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen in the 1960s as “The City Too Busy to Hate.” Scott talks with Atlantans about the southern city’s identity and its influence on everything from politics to hip-hop. Atlanta natives also share how and why they feel the city has failed to equip all of its residents with the needed tools and resources to become the beloved and equitable community envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Governor Brian Kemp expects Helene will be hurricane-strength once it reaches the Atlanta-area. It’s expected to reach Georgia in the overnight hours with the potential to cause flooding and spin off tornadoes. Authorities expect widespread power outages, quick and intense wind and heavy rain. The governors of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas have all declared a state of emergency, and President Biden has approved Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's request for a Federal Emergency Declaration. It will provide federal assistance for state and local response efforts. Georgia’s emergency management has activated hundreds of National Guard Personnel ahead of the arrival of the storm.

Rose checks in with Terri Badour, the executive director of the American Red Cross of Georgia's Greater Atlanta Chapter. She discusses how the Red Cross is responding. Supervising producer Tiffany Griffith gives updates on how the City of Atlanta is preparing, reports on the latest closures, and gives her perspective from the many hurricanes she has covered.

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Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump took center stage in their first presidential debate Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Reproductive rights, immigration, the Israel-Hamas war, and the economy were among some of the top issues discussed during the debate. Both sides are claiming victory, but “Closer Look,” show host Rose Scott gets debate analysis from Andra Gillespie, a political scientist at Emory University. Then, for more reaction to the debate, we hear from Scott Klug, a former Wisconsin congressman, Fred Hicks, an Atlanta-based political strategist and analyst, and GSU politics and policy professor Tammy Greer. They discuss the individual strategies of Trump and Harris during the presidential debate. They also discuss recent political polls and share what they think Democrats and Republicans must do to win the November election. Plus, Tim Franks, an award-winning veteran journalist and host of the BBC News’ flagship radio program, “Newshour” also talks with Scott about the presidential debate and the BBC’s approach to covering U.S. politics. 

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A federal program that helps 1 in 6 Georgia households pay for high-speed internet could soon end. Applications for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) are now closed as President Biden urges Congress to pass funding to extend the subsidy program. Rashad Robinson, the president of Color Of Change, discusses how Georgians could be impacted if the program ends.

Lastly, we will air WABE business reporter Marlon Hyde’s feature from the “Young Business” series. The story spotlights a young business owner who sells ‘stink-free’ socks online.  

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A federal report suggests grocery stores are making huge profits off what's being called "greedflation," the economic idea that businesses kept prices high well after pandemic-era demands cooled off. Dean Baker, a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), discusses “greedflation” and the latest inflation report, which shows a 3.5% increase since March 2023.

Plus, we air WABE Southside reporter DorMiya Vance's feature from the “Young Business” series. The story spotlights two Black women who opened an agriculture business that opened during the pandemic. 

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Lauren-Brooke a former prosecutor and the head of the criminal justice program at the Brennan Center for Justice, discusses the new book, "Excessive Punishment: How the Justice System Creates Mass Incarceration." The book contains essays from scholars, practitioners and activists— exploring why federal, state and local agencies are contributing to mass incarceration and preventing reform.

Lastly, we air WABE reporter Julien Virgin’s feature from the “Young Business” series. The story spotlights two local martial arts artists who founded the lifestyle clothing brand Certified Fighter.

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Crowds in Georgia and people across the U.S. are gearing up for the 2024 Great North American Eclipse. The eclipse’s path of totality stretches across 13 states. Georgia is not included in the path of totality, but Atlanta is expected to experience the effects of a partial eclipse. Show host Rose Scott talks with Georgia-based astronomy experts Dr. Jim Sowell, a physicist and an astronomy expert who serves as the director of the campus observatory at Georgia Tech, and Mark Lancaster, an astronomy instructor at the Fernbank Science Center. The guests, who have both traveled to Texas to get a closer look at the moon shadowing the sun, discuss the significance of the universe in action.

Lastly, Monday marks 50 years since Hank Aaron's record-breaking 715 home run. It’s when the baseball giant broke Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record. C.J. Stewart, an Atlanta native, a former Chicago Cubs outfielder, and the co-founder of LEAD Center, reflects on Arron’s life and legacy. 

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It’s been 56 years since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Thursday’s special edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott" focused on the life and legacy of King, specifically his efforts to lead with courage and integrity to inspire others to be moral leaders. First, we Revisit Rose’s conversation with Dr. King’s attorney, Michael W. Cody. During the interview, Cody reflects on representing King in Memphis in 1968. Rose then talks with Dr. Robert Michael Franklin, Jr., an author theologian and Emory University’s James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership. Dr. Franklin explains King’s approach to moral leadership and his commitment to nonviolence and social change. He also connects Dr. King’s 1967 speech, “What Is Your Blueprint,” to moral leadership and how all people can use courage to fight for justice and equity. Lastly, we hear an archival piece from Dr. Bernice King. She reflects on losing her father.

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Today's special edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott" focuses on the years-long crisis and government collapse happening in Haiti. It’s estimated that at least 200 gangs are controlling large swathes of territory and municipalities, mostly in Port-au-Prince. Government officials have declared a state of emergency and issued a curfew. The accelerating crisis is cutting off food supplies, limiting access to healthcare and forcing people from their homes. We will hear from Ghislaine, an educator and founder of a school principal in Port-au-Prince. She talks about what life has been like in the city for the past three months. Rose also talks with several guests about what their respective organizations are doing to provide emergency resources amid the crisis and the urgent requests they have for U.S. government officials, Congress and United Nations leaders. Guests include:

Alan Seelinger, the executive director of the Atlanta-based organization Light from Light

Louis Wilkinson with Give To Haiti

Wallis Etienne with International Women of H.O.P.E., a first-generation Haitian-American, a U.S. federal contracts administrator

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Georgia Power and state regulators reached a tentative agreement last week to expand Georgia Power’s fossil fuel infrastructure and increase the company’s battery storage footprint. The agreement still needs approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). WABE climate reporter Emily Jones discusses her recent article that dives into the agreement and explains why some consumer and environmental advocates and customers have concerns. Jones also discusses why PSC elections won't be held this year and a lawsuit challenging the system the state uses to elect commissioners.

INSERT: The Sandersville Railroad company has been working to acquire portions of land in the city of Sparta in Hancock County, through eminent domain to construct a 4.5-mile rail spur to serve a nearby quarry. A hearing officer with the Georgia Public Service Commission ruled in favor of the railroad company. We revisit Rose’s conversation with Janet and Mark Smith and Ben Tarbutton, the president of Sandersville Railroad.

Plus, New York Times bestselling author Tiffany Jewell discusses her new book, "Everything I Learned about Racism I Learned in School." In the book, the longtime educator explores the inequities Black and Brown students face from preschool through college. 

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