Political Breakfast from WABE

Crime was a big focus of lawmakers at the legislature this week. WABE politics reporters Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas look at the possible resurrection of Buckhead cityhood as well as bills aimed to reduce crime. Then, WABE and Grist reporter Emily Jones goes over all things environmental, from mining near Okefenokee Swamp to electric vehicles and solar panels. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

This week on Political Breakfast, Georgia lawmakers condemn anti-Semitic flyers found scattered in several heavily-Jewish neighborhoods. Now Georgia's only Jewish state lawmaker has filed a bill that would define anti-Semitism in state law and enhance penalties for anti-Jewish attacks.    Also host Lisa Rayam and strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson weigh in on Secretary of Stat...

As the legislative session hits its stride hundreds of bills are being filed and the budget got a vote on the floor. WABE politics reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali talk about bail reform, crime and where the budget is headed. Plus, AP reporter Jeff Amy joins for a discussion about “hoteling” kids in Georgia’s foster care system and what the legislature might do to address the issue. See omnys...

This week on Political Breakfast, DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond shares the perspective of those residents who have mixed feelings about the proposed police training facility in their neighborhood. Thurmond tells host Lisa Rayam and strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson, the Atlanta Police Foundation did not initially consult with his office on the future site of the&...

The Atlanta Journal Constitution released polling numbers this week around popularity of politicians and issues of interest to Georgians. Our politics team of Rahul Bali, Sam Gringlas and Susanna Capelouto talk about the results. They are also joined by WABE health reporter Jess Mador who takes a look at Governor Kemp's Pathway program, which would extend Medicaid to the poor if they work or volun...

On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, Republican Strategist Brian Robinson and Atlanta Civic Circle Executive Director Saba Long weigh in on the violence at the proposed police training facility in South Dekalb County, and how we can push forward a productive conversation about the future of the facility without violence. Plus, a new Atlanta Journal Cons...

This week Governor Brian Kemp faced criticism for attending the World Economic Forum in Davos. The WABE politics team of Rahul Bali, Sam Gringlas an Susanna Capelouto talk about the fallout. They also discuss budget week at the state capitol and are joined by WABE education reporter Martha Dalton to look at what teachers want out of this year's legislative session. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

This week on Political Breakfast, host Lisa Rayam, Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson touch on the frustrations of the Rev. Bernice King. King is frustrated that state and local leaders aren't doing enough to ensure her father's mission to eradicate poverty and racism comes to fruition. Plus, talks about how the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and th...

This first week of the Georgia legislature included Governor Kemp's inauguration and big budget announcements. Our politics team of Susanna Capelouto, Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas talk about it and welcome AJC reporter James Salzer to the podcast. He's been covering the state budget for the AJC for almost 30 years and give his insights into the wonky Georgia budget process. See omnystudio.com/liste...

This week on Political Breakfast, the Fulton County special grand jury that examined potential criminal interference in Georgia’s 2020 presidential election has completed its work and is being dissolved. And Georgia lawmakers elected a new Speaker of the House and a leader of the Senate on the first day of the state’s annual legislative session — without the kind of fights recently seen on th...

State Lawmakers gather for their 40 days session, so WABE's politics reporter Rahul Bali and Sam Gringlas share their insights with politics editor Susanna Capelouto in this legislative pop-up podcast from Political Breakfast. We also welcome Jill Nolin, who covers the legislature for the Georgia Recorder. The team talks about what new leadership in the State House and Senate means for the session...

Political Breakfast is back! The first edition of the year is live with host Lisa Rayam, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Atlanta Civic Circle Executive Director Saba Long, who's filling-in for Democratic strategist Brian Robinson.  In the lineup is a paid advertisement Atlanta city councilwomen published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution over the weekend, that calls out council pre...

Georgia has been the center of the political universe this year. Again. Will the Peach State fade from view, or will there be ripe headlines in 2023?  Political Breakfast host Lisa Rayam and strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson reflect on the most meaningful and dramatic moments of the year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Political Breakfast, Democrat Stacey Abrams' campaign manager put out a 52-tweet thread last Wednesday, claiming that Abrams paved the way for U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock's runoff win. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson weigh in.    In a Buckhead gated community, a 77-year-old grandmother was stabbed to death in her home. Atla...

On this week's live edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Brian Robinson weigh in on Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock's narrow win over Herschel Walker.     Walker lost by less than 3 percent, and as returns came in, there were moments when the former UGA football star had a lead over Warnock. With a record-high turnout...

Former Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Tanya Miller reflects on the recent deadly shooting at Atlantic Station that left at least one child dead and several other children injured. Miller joins host Lisa Rayam, and strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson to discuss citywide solutions, youth gun violence and Georgia's loosened gun legislation.     Plus,...

Donald Trump's plan to run for President again is resonating with Republican Strategists Brian Robinson and Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson. Both express MAJOR concerns.  On this edition, The Political Breakfast team ponders:     *How will the Trump announcement impact Georgia's current U.S. Senate race that remains in limbo until a Decem...

Political Breakfast goes live as Georgia's midterm election results continue to trickle in. Stacey Abrams lost to GOP incumbent Governor Brian Kemp by about 10 points. What happened with the Abrams campaign? Where does Georgia's Democratic party go from here?  Plus, the U.S. Senate race is likely going into a runoff. With voter fatigue building around the holidays, will that runoff work in on...

U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock has a new Thanksgiving ad – where he shows concern about the very likely possibility that he’s heading into a runoff with GOP challenger Herschel Walker. Both are neck-and-neck in the polls.   Plus, Governor Brian Kemp and Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams clashed over abortion in the final gubernatorial debate on Sunday before the state’s Nov. 8 election....

Georgia's early voting turnout numbers keep breaking records. We get a temperature check of what issues are driving rural Georgians, women, and people of color to the polls.  Plus, reports that the voting rights non-profit Fair Fight Action -- founded by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams -- spent millions over the last two years on legal fees.  See omnystudio.com/listener...

Georgia candidates sparred in some high-stakes debates this week, including the governor's race that features the rematch between Democrat Stacey Abrams against incumbent Republican Brian Kemp. But Republican Strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson also hash out one surprising standout, Libertarian candidate Shane Hazel Plus, a recap of Friday night's...

Herschel Walker’s campaign has been fighting fires the last few weeks but the polls have Walker and Warnock neck-and-neck. A few GOP U.S. Senators travel to Georgia to support Walker as he preps for his first debate against incumbent Raphael Warnock.  Also, how Democrats and Republicans are mobilizing on the ground to seal votes just weeks ahead of the midterm elections. See omnystudio.com/li...

It's been nearly a week since a federal judge ruled that Georgia's election law does not violate voter's constitutional rights. State Republicans are celebrating the win against Fair Fight Action, the voting rights group aligned with gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. Will this ruling galvanize voters?  Plus, GOP U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker has made it clear his position on abor...

The closer we get to the Georgia midterm elections, the more money candidates are throwing into campaign attack ads. You've probably seen or heard them playing in your home, at the airport, at bowling alleys, and even on the homepage of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  It's hard to escape them. So this week on Political Breakfast, we take a closer look at yet another ad involving the h...

With fewer than seven weeks left before the mid-term election, WABE presents this bonus episode from our Georgia Votes 2022 podcast. WABE Deputy Managing Editor Susanna Capelouto, Politics Reporters Sam Gringlas and Raul Bali, and Reporter Emma Hurt of Axios break down these final weeks and what to watch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.