Local Matters Podcast

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...

Jared T. Williams, District Attorney of the Augusta Judicial Circuit, joins Local Matters for the first of a two part conversation. This episode focuses on the job of the District Attorney (the chief law enforcement official 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 sta...

Local Matters focuses on preparedness for elections. Today, we focus on what the options are when an elected official violates the oath of office or engages in misconduct. The term "recall" is often thrown around on the news or social media, but most people are not familiar with the particular steps a recall requires.

Another set of Augusta elections is in the books. Voters elected two political newcomers, including our 85th Mayor and a new Commissioner for District 2. They also chose to bring a familiar face, Wayne Guilfoyle, back, this time to serve Super District 10. We explore what sets these candidates apart from their opposition.

Wayne Guilfoyle and John Clarke are engaged in a runoff for the Super District 10 seat on the Augusta Commission. We hear their views on how they would use their platforms to effectively represent such a diverse district, and what others say about how they work with people to get things done.

Stacy Pulliam and Dr. Von Pouncey are engaged in a runoff for the District 2 seat on the Augusta Commission. We hear their views on how they would use their platforms to address poverty, and what others say about how they work with people to get things done.

Marian Brown, President of the League of Women Voters of the Central Savannah River Area, joins Local Matters to discuss the work of the organization. She offers insight into the numerous reasons people don't vote. She also suggests changes that can make it more likely that people take advantage of the opportunity.

A review of the May 24 primary elections in Augusta, GA. We look at who won and why. We also explain the concept of runoffs in Georgia and explain what voters have to do to be ready to participate in the June 21 runoff.

On Local Matters this week we will have two candidates running for Secretary of State, one candidate running for State School Superintendent, and one candidate running for Commissioner of Agriculture. Each of them explains why they decided to run, describes their greatest accomplishments, and what their priorities would be if elected. Listen to State Representative Winfred Dukes, John Eaves, Alish...

There are two candidates running for Magistrate Court Judge and two candidates running for State Court Judge. Each of them explains why they decided to run, describes their greatest accomplishments, and what their priorities would be if elected. Listen to Attorney Katrell Nash, Judge Carletta Sims Brown, Attorney Ashanti Lilley Pounds, and Attorney Evita Paschall.

There are nine candidates running for Mayor of Augusta. Three of them explain why they decided to run, describe their greatest accomplishments, and what their priorities would be if elected. Listen to Garnett Johnson, Lucas Johnson, and Dr. Lori Myles.

There are nine candidates running for Mayor of Augusta. Four of them explains why they decided to run, describe their greatest accomplishments, and what their priorities would be if elected. Listen to Ak Hasan, Steven Kendrick, Charlie Hannah, and Marion Williams.