Closer Look with Rose Scott

Josh Green has been the editor of Urbanize Atlanta since its start in January 2021, bringing real estate and urban design-focused reporting to metro Atlanta. Green talks with show host Rose Scott about the top stories readers have been following and the local trends he's noticing in urban design. He also shares details about the future of the publication.   Plus, this year marks the 55th anni...

Metro Atlanta is experiencing a heat wave. Rose talks with Don Smith, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service, about the temperatures that neared 100 degrees in the Atlanta area.   Plus, the Center for Public Integrity, Mother Jones, and the show ,“Reveal”, recently launched their series, “40 Acres and a Lie.” The investigation aims to shed light on how a government program gave lan...

Jim Alexander is a legendary award-winning photographer, photojournalist, and activist. Over his multiple decades-spanning career, the 88-year-old has taken at least a quarter million photos. His massive collection captures Black life in America and pinpoints pivotal moments in history such as the civil rights movement through the present day. His work also features musicians like Duke Ellington,...

On today's edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott," we continue our weeklong Juneteenth series. For our annual Juneteenth event at the Atlanta History Center, Rose asks “What is Freedom?” and talks with panelists about the progress of Black Americans since 1865. Guests reflect on the triumphs and challenges that Black people have faced in the past and present in the pursuit of freedom in all...

On today’s Closer Look , experts and a student from Georgia State University are researching the scope of enslavement from across the Americas. They’ve centered their studies in Salvador, Brazil, where they’re examining the history and culture amongst Afro Brazilians. We’ll ask our guests about their research and comparisons and noteworthy differences with the diaspora in the United States. Elizab...

Ahead of her visit to Atlanta , historian and scholar Dr. Kellie Carter-Jackson discusses her new book, "WE REFUSE: A Forceful History of Black Resistance." The book aims to explore and reframe the narrative of Black resistance, specifically by Black women, to white supremacy and oppression.   Plus, The National Center for Race Amity is hosting a symposium in Atlanta on June 13th . William Sm...

This week, leading up to our annual live show at the Atlanta History Center , Closer Look’s programming will be in honor of Juneteenth.   On Monday, show host Rose Scott talks with Dr. Karcheik Sims-Alvarado chairs the Fulton County Reparations Task Force . The Morehouse professor, who has studied the history and culture of African Americans for nearly 20 year s, discusses the framework of re...

The recent water main break created several days of chaos and inconvenience for thousands of Atlanta residents and businesses. Atlanta’s Chief Operating Officer LaChandra Butler Burks discusses the city’s response to the turmoil, addresses the criticism they received for their communication, talks about the lessons learned and how city leaders will move forward. Then, Closer Look travels to New Ho...

Several issues have kept Fulton County in the local and national spotlight. Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts joins show host Rose Scott on Closer Look to discuss the elections process, the many issues surrounding the county jail, Atlanta’s water main break, leading respectful meetings among the county commissioners and more.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sylvester Pierce of the Self-Preservation Society is on a mission to paddle all of Georgia's lakes located in state parks. While doing so, the kayaking instructor wants to get more Black people out on the water. For PART 1 of the interview, he talks with Rose about his first time paddling a canoe and how water is connected to all aspects of life.   For PART 2 of the interview, Pierce and Rose...

The Atlanta City Council approved a $2.75 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025 . The budget goes into effect on July 1. It was approved as Atlanta is dealing with a water crisis that disrupted service for thousands of residents and businesses. Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman discusses the budget and the city’s response to the ongoing water outage.   Plus, at the start of this year,...

Georgia State University law professor Anthony Michael Kreis returns to “Closer Look” to discuss his new book, “Rot and Revival." The book examines how politics and the courts shape constitutional law.   Plus, water main breaks inconvenienced thousands of Atlanta residents and businesses over the weekend. We examine the city’s response to the crisis as the restoration effort continues. See om...

Pinky Cole Hayes , the CEO and founder of Slutty Vegan, shares vision for expanding her plant-based restaurant chain, the importance of philanthropy and her partnership with Pepsi Dig In . The initiative aims to spotlight the best Black-owned restaurants across the country as part of Pepsi’s Restaurant Royalty program . She also makes a big announcement first on today’s show.   Plus, award-wi...

The Closer Look team heads to  Omni Coffee & Eggs  in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood for the  May installment  of  “Coffee Conversations.”  Atlanta is going through a continuous evolution of growth. As it continues to make advances as a 21st-century city – economic mobility, jobs, housing, etc., all play a critical role in one's quality of life. Rose...

PROPEL and Southern Company are launching the PROPEL HBCU Cybersecurity Consortium . Dr. Lisa Herring , the new president of PROPEL, who formerly served as the superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, discusses the new initiative that aims to diversify the nation's cybersecurity pipeline and workforce by equipping HBCU students with cybersecurity skills, tools and resources. See omnystudio.com/li...

Cheneé Joseph, who serves as the CEO and president of the Historic Development District Corporation , discusses the progress of several revitalization projects , including Front Porch on Auburn and Henderson Place.   Plus, Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger discusses the actions his office is taking to ensure a fair, accurate and safe election this November. He also discusse...

The results for the Georgia Primary have been mostly decisive for the Atlanta metro area. WABE politics reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali return to “Closer Look,” to provide a recap of some of the top races in the state, including Georgia Supreme Court Justice Andrew Pinson's win against his challenger, former U.S. Rep. John Barrow. They also review Fulton County District Attorney Fa...

WABE education reporter Juma Sei discusses President Joe Biden’s commencement address at Morehouse College. The President addressed several current topics, including democracy, systemic issues that impact Black people and the Israel-Hamas war .   Plus, Propel ATL is calling on Atlanta city leaders to increase the Atlanta Department of Transportation’s proposed budget to match other major citi...

It was May 17, 1954, when a unanimous decision by the U.S. Supreme Court labeled racial segregation in public schools as unequal and unconstitutional . Rose talks with guests about the Brown v. Board of Education decision, prevailing and systemic issues within school systems today, and the ongoing work to create change.   Guests include:   Charles Black , the former chairman of the Atlan...

Season tickets are sold out for the Atlanta Dream, signaling fans are fired up for some thrilling basketball. WNBA newcomers Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and others are adding to the groundswell of excitement. Rose talks with Morgan Shaw Parker , the president and COO of the Atlanta Dream, about expectations for the team this season and the daily operations of overseeing a professional women’s baske...

Data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence calculates how Black and Brown Communities continue to be disproportionately impacted by gun violence. Rose talks with Dr. Keisha Lindsay Nurse, an epidemic intelligence service officer with the CDC, about how her family was personally affected and what the data doesn’t sh...

Andrea Young , the executive director of the ACLU of Georgia returns to “Closer Look” to discuss the findings of a new poll about the Fulton County Jail. According to the poll, half of Fulton County voters believe the jail is poorly managed, dangerous, and overcrowded. The poll also reveals that two out of three voters believe the county should renovate the existing jail instead of spending nearly...

WABE TV will premiere “The Only Doctor” documentary on May 14. The film follows Dr. Karen Kinsell, the owner of Clay County Medical Center. Kinsell is the only medical doctor in Clay County. After years of working without pay, the future of her practice is unknown as she moves closer to retirement. Rose talks with Kinsell and film director Matthew Hashiguchi about the documentary and the state of...

The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently released its 2024 report, “Changing the Odds: Comprehensive Solutions for Atlanta’s Future.” The report tracks community, education, and economic data by race. This year’s report explores how the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 racial unrest revealed racial disparities in Atlanta. Kweku Forstall , the director of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Atlanta Civic S...

Julie Walker , who serves as the vice chancellor for Libraries & Archive and the state librarian for Georgia Public Library Service, discusses a new partnership that aims to provide a new way for Georgians to renew, change, or review their benefits for state government assistance programs such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Women, Infants, & Children (WI...