Closer Look with Rose Scott

Pen America reports nearly 6,000 books have been banned across the U.S. since 2021. On Thursday night, Charis Books & More is hosting a discussion on "Writing for Kids in an Age of Censorship.” Children’s author Laurel Snyder joins “Closer Look” to talk more about the criticism and backlash she’s received for her own work, and the ongoing challenges writers face as more books are banned across...

Georgia State professor and generative AI expert Arun Rai offers insight and concerns regarding deepfake technology and the upcoming election .   Plus, Georgia Deputy Attorney General John Fowler argued that owning a burner cell phone can be evidence of criminal intent in the ongoing Atlanta Public Safety Training Center RICO case. Samantha Hamilton , a project attorney at the University of G...

After 16 years, the City of Duluth is under new leadership. Greg Whitlock , who was recently sworn in as mayor, talks with Rose about his top priorities, his plans to expand the city’s business core, and his overall vision for the city.   Plus, from a legal perspective, former DeKalb County District Attorney Gwen Keyes breaks down the strategy from both the defendants and the prosecution in t...

WABE politics reporter Sam Gringlas returns to “Closer Look” to discuss the latest details of the evidentiary hearing involving Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor she hired for the 2020 Georgia election interference case.   Plus, as the 2024 Georgia legislative session continues, Andrea Young , the executive director of the ACLU of Georgia retu...

On Wednesday’s edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott," we examine an ongoing conflict surrounding maps for the Cobb County Board of Education . This debate goes back to the 2020 U.S. Census when population data revealed how the county’s demographics have changed. More recently, a lawsuit was filed by residents, claiming that Black and Hispanic voters were “packed” into specific districts to dilu...

Senate Bill 333 , which supports the creation of the City of Mulberry in Gwinnett County, awaits Governor Kemp’s signature. Rose recently interviewed Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, who sponsored House Bill 869 , which is a duplicate bill of Senate Bill 333. Today, we hear from Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chair Nicole Love Hendrickson . She discusses the commissioners’ opposition to t...

It’s week six of the Georgia legislative session. WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali returns to “Closer Look” to provide an update following a medical emergency during a Senate hearing and the latest news happening at the Georgia State Capitol. Show host Rose Scott then talks with Democratic Representative Lisa Campbell about two bills some lawmakers are concerned about. Specifically, HB 501 ,...

Raphael Bostic , the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, discusses inflation, interest rates and the current state of the U.S. economy. He also explains his economic outlook for 2024 and how the economy’s performance in 2023 exceeded his expectations .   Plus, Michele Norris is a Peabody Award-winning journalist, author, and former co-host of NPR's “All Things Considered...

A study of data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found that Georgia ranks third highest in the nation for workplace discrimination. Retaliation, racial discrimination and sexual discrimination are the three most common types of discrimination cases faced in the state. Brad Dozier , the managing principal of the Dozier Law Group in Atlanta, explains how employment discrimination is...

Keeping girls in sports is critical. Data suggests that girls in Georgia play sports at a far lower rate than boys (119k vs. 80k), despite the lifelong benefits. In honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day , show host Rose Scott talks with several guests about the importance of female representation and participation in the world of sports, plus the impact athletics can have on a young girl...

Georgia requires some utility companies to hold off on disconnections for customers dealing with serious and costly illnesses. However, many small electric providers are not required to adhere to that policy. A new ProPublica investigation looks at the impact of not having this regulation in place. Rose talks with ProPublica reporters Aliyya Swaby and Max Blau about their report.   Plus, Sena...

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has acknowledged her personal relationship with Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade. However, Willis argues that she should not be disqualified from the Georgia election interference case following her admission. Rose talks with WABE politics reporter Sam Gringlas , Edward Queen , an associate teaching professor at Emory University's Center for Ethi...

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed off on House Bill 30 , which defines antisemitism. State Representative Becky Evans (D-Atlanta) voted “no” on the measure, citing concerns that HB 30 could suppress criticism of the Israeli government. After discovering racially insensitive yearbook photos from the 1960’s, Emory University tasked itself with honoring the enslaved people who built the original...

On today’s edition of Closer Look with Rose Scott , Ken Zeff and Alfred “Shivy” Brooks are the newest members of the Atlanta Board of Education. They talk about the current state of K-12 public education.   The conversation continues with Ken Zeff, who is also the Executive Director for Learn4Life . He discusses the findings within their recent State of Education in Metro Atlanta Annual Repor...

Governor Brian Kemp is expected to sign House Bill 30 , which defines antisemitism as criticism of the Israeli government and Zionism, into law on Wednesday. WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali returns to “Closer Look” to discuss the signing and the latest news happening at the Georgia State Capitol.   Plus, House Bill 869 and Senate Bill 333 are two proposed bills that are making their way thr...

Author and award-winning journalist Antonia Hylton discusses her new book, “Madness.” The book exposes the mistreatment and abuse of Black patients at Crownsville Hospital, a segregated mental asylum in Maryland, VA during the Jim Crow era. In the book, Hylton interviews former patients about their experiences and makes comparisons to the mental health system of today.    Plus, Steve Dav...

Matt Hurd , the executive director of Open Doors, discusses their ongoing effort to end homelessness in Atlanta. He also highlights the organization’s $6.7 million campaign to support their Open More Doors initiative, and their work to expand housing resources and services in surrounding metro Atlanta counties.   Plus, show host Rose Scott recently had conversations with two professional athl...

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The Closer Look team heads to Finca to Filter in the Old Fourth Ward for the January installment of  “Coffee Conversations” Rose talks with panelists about the challenges and successes of operating a small business on or near Atlanta’s Beltline.    Guests include:   Kayla Bellman, the founder and owner of Finca to Filter   District 2 Atlanta City Councilmember Amir Farokhi...

Now that the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary are over, what’s next? Fred Hicks , an Atlanta-based political strategist and analyst, Janelle King , the co-chair of Let’s Win for America Action, and Georgia State University political science professor Tammy Greer recap the latest. They also discuss specific voter demographics and the latest polling results here in Georgia between President...

Deacon Johnny Hollman Sr ., who was involved in a minor traffic accident, died on Aug. 10 after he was tased by Atlanta Police Officer Kiran Kimbrough. Officer Kimbrough has been terminated—but Hollman’s family and their attorneys are now demanding further accountability. Attorney Harold Spence discusses a new pending civil rights lawsuit against the City of Atlanta, Kimbrough and the tow truck dr...

For a roundtable discussion show host Rose Scott talks with several local college presidents about several topics, including the current civil rights movement, the state of women’s rights, the upcoming election as it relates to students, and the recent resignation of Harvard’s president. Guest include: Dr. Helene Gayle , the president of Spelman College, Dr. Leocadia Zak , the president of Ag...

Stephanie Fischer , the new president and CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association , talks with show host Rose Scott about several topics, including the current state of restaurants in Georgia, her top priorities this legislative session and what GRA is doing to equip restaurant owners with tools and resources to remain resilient in a changing industry. Plus, Thursday marked one year since enviro...

Spelman College announced Thursday that the institution has received a $100 million donation from Spelman College Trustee Ronda Stryker and her husband, William Johnston, the chairman of Greenleaf Trust. The donation is the largest single gift that any HBCU has ever received.  Juma Sei , WABE’s education reporter, returns to “Closer Look” to discuss the historic gift and its impact. Plus...

Studies show Black male students who have a Black male teacher or mentor have better academic outcomes. Wednesday’s special edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott" was a themed show that focused on the importance of mentoring young Black boys. Show host Rose talks with several guests, including former professional athletes who exemplify the transformative power of mentorship through their athleti...