Local Matters Podcast

2022 was a year for elections. We thought we did our job as citizens when we voted. However, that was just the beginning. Now, we have the responsibility of making sure those we have elected are truly representing our best interests. Learn how!

State Senator Harold V. Jones, II, Democrat, District 22, prepares us for the 2023 legislative session. He provides an overview of bills he will introduce, the process to get approval, and topics he expects to be decided upon.

Dr. Donna Marain is watching what happens in Richmond County State Court. She returns to Local Matters to tell us about sitting through court sessions, capturing data and advocating for individuals who have been adversely impacted by poverty. She is also seeking volunteers to participate in email campaigns, transcribe notes from court sessions, and to assist with court watching. Learn more at www....

The Georgia State House of Representatives District 129 Special Election is on the December 20th ballot. Democrat Davis Green and Democrat Brad Owens are two of the four candidates seeking this office. Learn how their views are different in some ways and similar in others so that you can decide how you will vote. I will also discuss the results of the Georgia Senate runoff between Senator Rev. Rap...

The Georgia State House of Representatives District 129 Special Election is on the December 20th ballot. Democrat Scott Cambers and Democrat Rev. Karlton Howard are two of the four candidates seeking this office. Learn how their views are different in some ways and similar in others so that you can decide how you will vote.

Former Augusta Commissioner Bill Fennoy takes a look behind the election results to tackle heavy issues: What it takes to educate African American children, whether the Republicans chose the right candidate to run for US Senate, and the death of School Board Trustee Elect Tyrique Robinson.

Former Augusta Mayor Bob Young engages in conversation about Georgia Statewide elections, the meaning of democracy, the role of Libertarians, and whether we will ever see diversity among our state office holders. To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaking engagements, please see the Contact Us page: www. Janiceallenjackson.weebly.com Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lo...

The big midterm elections did not yield big surprises in the local and state races. We congratulate the winners, and explain why and how they pulled off their victories. We also delve into what it means in the end, particularly as it relates to our Richmond County Board of Education.

The state of Georgia offices of State School Superintendent and Secretary of State are on the November 8 ballot. For State School Superintendent, Democrat Alisha Thomas Searcy faces Republican incumbent Richard Woods. For Secretary of State, Libertarian Ted Metz faces Democrat Bee Nguyen and Republican incumbent Brad Raffensperger. Learn more so you can decide how to vote!

Rev. Christopher G. Johnson, Executive Director of the Greater Augusta's Interfaith Coalition, talks about why we often don't get a government that we believe in. Do we as citizens hold elected officials accountable? Have we handed elected officials a blank check? Is this truly a representative democracy?

The office of State Representative, District 130, is on the November 8 ballot. Democrat Lynn Gladney faces Republican Daniel Swenson. Learn which candidate can best represent you in the Georgia legislature.

The state of Georgia office of State Representatives is on the November 8 ballot. Incumbent Democrat State Rep Gloria Frazier faces Republican William C Harris. Learn how their views are different in some ways and similar in others so that you can decide how you will vote. Also learn more about what this department does.

The state of Georgia office of Labor Commissioner is on the November 8 ballot. Democrat State Rep William Boddie faces Libertarian Emily Anderson. Learn how their views are different in some ways and similar in others so that you can decide how you will vote. Also, learn more about what this department does.

The Richmond County (GA) Tax Commissioner seat is on the November 8 ballot. T. Chris Johnson faces challengers Veronica Freeman Brown and Sanford Loyd. Learn how their views are different in some ways and similar in others so that you can decide which candidate to support.

The Richmond County (GA) Board of Education's District 2 seat is on the November 8 ballot. Charlie Hannah faces challengers Rev. Larry Fryer and Yiet Knight. Learn how their views are different in some ways and similar in others so that you can decide which candidate to support.

The Richmond County (GA) Board of Education's Super District 7 seat is on the November 8 ballot. Charles Walker Jr. faces challenger Brittiany Broadwater. Learn how their views are different in some ways and similar in others so that you can decide which candidate to support. We also have a special guest AK Hasan to describe the duties of school board members.

The Richmond County (GA) Board of Education's Super District 9 seat is on the November 8 ballot. Incumbent Venus Cain faces challenger Christopher Mulliens. Learn how their views are different in some ways and similar in others so that you can decide which candidate to support.

Today's episode is devoted to explaining the concept of mid-term elections -- which offices are on the Georgia and Richmond County ballots, and who has qualified to run in Richmond County. Local Matters is doing our research and helps you do yours!

Dr. Lee Merchen, District 6 Health Director, Georgia Department of Public Health, joins us to discuss Monkeypox, what it is, where it came from, and how it is transmitted. She explains how to determine whether you need to be vaccinated. We also discussed the current variant of covid.

Dawn Peel, Director of Crisis Coordination, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, talks about what to do when someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis. Over 360,000 Georgians have some form of serious mental illness. Learn what to do, and what happens when you call for help.

Ron Wakefield, Director, Division of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, discusses how Georgia cares for people with special needs. Some of us are not able to live independently, for a variety of reasons. DBHDD works with school systems and families to identify those who need services and to connect them to ser...

Erica Knighton has resided at the Gracewood campus of the East Central Regional Hospital since 1975. Her mother, retired educator Ann Streetman Knighton, discusses her journey as a black, divorced, woman advocating not only for Erica, but for others with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her advocacy has resulted in change for many, including the passage of the Family and Medical Leave...

State Representative Sheila Clark Nelson is completing her third term in the Georgia General Assembly. She has represented East and South Augusta in District 125, and did not seek reelection. She discusses key legislation passed this year, addressing mental health, financial aid for college students, and the professional licensing process for military spouses who are transferred to Georgia. She al...

A newcomer to Augusta, Dr. Marain has become a one woman band in watching what happens in Richmond County State Court. She sits through court sessions, and we can too. She also captures data and advocates for change in state laws which would relieve the enormous consequences that our most vulnerable neighbors face when they commit even relatively low level offenses. Learn more at https://www.augus...

Jared T. Williams, District Attorney of the Augusta Judicial Circuit, joins Local Matters for the final part of a two-part conversation. This episode focuses on the job of the District Attorney (the chief law enforcement officer of the circuit), and how he approaches it. He provides an explanation of the limitations of the criminal justice system that led him to run, and how he has worked with his...