Local Matters Podcast

Richmond County voters are faced with a choice regarding who will be the Democratic nominee for Sheriff. Learn more about how challenger Gino Brantley proposes to create a safer community, and to keep residents informed about the efforts of the Sheriff's Office. DISCLAIMER: Local Matters Podcast Host Janice Allen Jackson is speaking only for herself. Her thoughts, views, and opinions regarding thi...

Voters in Richmond and Burke Counties have a choice to make. Listen to learn more about their perspectives on community involvement, how we can help keep the community safe, and how they build relationships with the right people. Charles Lyons FB: www.facebook.com/electcharleslyons Attorney Matson's website: www.matsonforjudge.com/about DISCLAIMER: Local Matters Podcast Host Janice Allen Jackson i...

Pastor D. and Mrs. Lakesha Armstrong started the ministry in 2018, based upon a calling from God to serve. Mrs. Armstrong joins us to discuss their services and the challenges inherent in providing services to unhoused individuals. Located at 1739 Fenwick Street, Augusta, GA 30904, it is in the center of the Harrisburg community. Learn more about them at www.lovecenteredministry.org. To contact Mr...

Today we discuss the winners and losers in Augusta's May 21 elections. By a wide margin, voters approved a referendum allowing the mayor to vote on all issues before the Augusta Commission. Incumbent Commissioners Jordan Johnson, Catherine Smith McKnight, and Francine Scott emerged victorious, as did District Attorney Jared Williams. Meanwhile, there will likely be a runoff for the Democratic nomi...

The two democratic candidates for Georgia's 12 Congressional District join us. In our conversation, we will delve into their background and experience, what they consider the major concerns impacting residents of the 12th district, and why they believe they are the best choice for voters. Listen to Daniel Jackson and Elizabeth"Liz" Johnson Daniel Jackson FB: https://www.facebook.com/djforcongress...

Three Candidates for Superior Court Judge join us, They tell us why they are seeking the seat, their most notable accomplishment in public service, the policies they would implement to address the high number of probation violation cases, and their plans to address the practice of sentencing juveniles to life without parole. Listen to Attorney Charles H.S. Lyons, III, Attorney Matthew Matson, and...

Two candidates for District Attorney join us. They tell us why they are seeking the seat, their most notable accomplishment in public service, the most significant action a District Attorney can take to create a safer community, and what they need from the community to succeed as the DA. Listen to Incumbent Jared Williams and challenger Amber Brantley. Jared Williams FB:https://www.facebook.com/Ja...

Three candidates for Richmond County Sheriff join us. They tell us why they are seeking the seat, what they have accomplished in their public lives, and what their priorities are if elected. Listen to Eugene "Gino Rock" Brantley, Clarence Lucious “Bo” Johnson, and Richard Dixon. Brantley and Johnson are on the democratic ballot in May; if Dixon receives enough signatures, he will be on the Novembe...

Two candidates for Augusta Commission Super District 9 join us. They tell us why they are seeking the seat, what they have accomplished in their public lives, and what their priorities would be if elected. Listen to Incumbent Francine Scott and Marion Williams. DISCLAIMER: Local Matters Podcast Host Janice Allen Jackson is speaking only for herself. Her thoughts, views, and opinions regarding this...

Two candidates for Augusta Commission District 7 join us. They tell us why they are seeking the seat, what they have accomplished in their public lives, and what their priorities would be if elected. Listen to Tina Slendak and Dr. Marshall Bedder. Dr. Marshall Bedder campaign website: https://votebedder.com/ Tina Slendak FB page: Tina Slendak for Augusta DISCLAIMER: Local Matters Podcast Host Jani...

Two candidates for Augusta Commission District 5 join us. They tell us why they are seeking the seat, what they have accomplished in their public lives, and what their priorities would be if elected. Listen to Don "DC" Clark and Incumbent Bobby Williams. "DC" Social Media: Facebook Don "DC" Clark for Augusta-Richmond County District 5 Commissioner Bobby Williams Social Media: Facebook Dr Bobby Wil...

Two candidates for Augusta Commission District 3 join us. They tell us why they are seeking the seat, what they have accomplished in their public lives, and what their priorities would be if elected. Listen to Carol Jones Yancy and Incumbent Catherine Smith Mcknight. Carol Yancy Social Media: Facebook Elect Carol J Yancy for District 3 Commissioner Catherine Smith Mcknight Social Media: Facebook D...

Four of five candidates for Augusta Commission District 1 join us. They tell us why they are seeking the seat, what they have accomplished in their public lives, and what their priorities would be if elected. Listen to Matt Aitken, Incumbent Jordan Johnson, Kevin De l'Aigle, and Kenny Osorio! DISCLAIMER: Local Matters Podcast Host Janice Allen Jackson is speaking only for herself. Her thoughts, vi...

Host Janice Allen Jackson reviews key dates in Georgia elections, items on Augusta-Richmond County ballots, and how to make sure you can feel confident in the votes you cast. She also defines terms like "referendum" and "qualifying" to run for office. DISCLAIMER: Local Matters Podcast Host Janice Allen Jackson is speaking only for herself. Her thoughts, views, and opinions regarding this tragedy b...

Born out of a promise she made to her dying mother nearly eight years ago, Mourning Joy: Life Lessons From Our Late Mothers by Monique Williams is a heartfelt, thought-provoking, and potentially life changing collection of essays from women whose mothers are physically gone yet very present...and lessons learned that speak life still today. 11 'motherless daughters' share short stories of finding...

Dannette Smith informs us how the child welfare system works and how it has changed in response to changing conditions and better data. We touch on the family-centered practice of child welfare, and how social workers look at issues of neglect vs. abuse. how social workers, juvenile justice workers, and juvenile court judges work together to determine what is best for the child, and how best to st...

Liz Owens joins us to describe what investigative reporting is, and how she ensures that we have access to more than the routine 90 second stories. Using the Tyrique Robinson case as an example, we talk about how much time she spends reading regulations and laws, and how her natural curiosity and/or the public can set off a major investigation. She explains how she threads the needle between offic...

Trigger warning: this episode contains sensitive topics such as sexual abuse, rape, and mental health. Mark Anthony Jenkins served 26 years in the NC State Prison System on a murder conviction. We have a very transparent conversation, covering topics such as verbal, physical and sexual abuse, running criminal enterprises while incarcerated, taking advantage of educational and pyschological service...

Hear from John Turpish and Kay Turner, candidates for Georgia House District 125. We also explain changes in state law that went into effect on January 1, the importance of the state legislature, and how judicial appointments are made. DISCLAIMER: Local Matters Podcast Host Janice Allen Jackson is speaking only for herself. She does not endorse candidates. On behalf of Local Matters, we invite ALL...

What does "Year Round School" really mean? Richmond county Board of Education Vice President Shawnda Stovall answers that question. She also discusses how the school board came to consider this option, her process for decision making, and the role of board members vs the role of staff. She also urges Richmond County parents, students, and community members to complete the survey available at rcboe...

Sustainable CSRA has taken on issues that affect marginalized residents, particularly people of color and those who live in low wealth communities. Those issues include accessbility to public transportation and the impact of air and water pollution. Chris Hall examines how transportation barriers not only impact the ability to get to work, but also to medical care, grocery shopping, and other nece...

Trigger warning: this episode contains sensitive topics such as drug abuse, sexual abuse, rape, and mental health. We never know a person's story until we ask them to tell us about it. Chimeco Hay explains what it is like to fall into and pull herself out of the complicated web of homelessness. We touch on many interwoven issues: financial counseling, substance abuse, molestation, teen pregnancy,...

Tonya Bonitatibus, Savannah Riverkeeper, joins us to describe her role as an environmental watchdog. Our conversation explores the intricate web connecting economic growth, environmental regulations, the long term health of workers in chemical plants and those who reside near their employers. Tonya's expertise is an eye-opener, explaining why we all need to learn more about environmental stewardsh...

Joseph Blackman, Founder of Vitendo Solutions and host of The Public Works Podcast, joins us to discussion the most hidden of all local government services: Public Works. We touch on the "Brain Drain" that has resulted in loss of institutional history, how few people know what public works is, and how expensive it is to taxpayers when staff don't use and maintain equipment properly. We also discus...

2023 has been a great year for the Local Matters Family. Host Janice Allen Jackson awards Local Matters Superlatives, highlighting the episodes you listened to and/or viewed most frequently. She also issues a call for ministries doing outstanding work to help those who are disadvantaged for various reasons become contributing members of society. We want to invite those ministry leaders to Local Ma...