The Little 5 Points Alliance is honoring individuals and organizations who have made Little 5 Points unique, including the late Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, at its third annual “People Make the Place” event this weekend. We hear from Lauren Welsh, the executive director of Little 5 Points Alliance. Dr. Charles Steele Jr., the president and CEO of…

Earlier this year, Terri Lee was named the president and CEO of Atlanta Housing. Lee talks with Rose about the agency’s critical role in helping the City Of Atlanta reach its affordable housing goals. She also talks about her top priorities as the new leader of the agency and provides updates on several major developments, including the Civic Cente…

Rose talks with Micah Herskind, an Atlanta-based writer and organizer, and Ann Hill Bond, an Atlanta-based journalist and chair of Fulton County Remembrance Coalition. The two were mentioned in a new report from The Brennan Center For Justice. Micah was listed several times in the report for his association with anti-'Cop City' movements. Bond, who…

The Democratic National Convention is underway this week in Chicago. Atlanta-based political strategist Fred Hicks returns to “Closer Look” to provide an analysis of the convention’s opening night and what to expect in the coming days of the event. Plus, Briana B. Franklin, the president and CEO of The Prosp(a)rity Project, talks about how the nonp…

The 1954 Supreme Court ruling was intended to end racial segregation in America’s public education system. Yet 70 years later, public schools remain deeply segregated by race and socioeconomic status. Here’s the question: Are our public schools truly diverse and equitable for all, or have systemic barriers and persistent resistance hindered progres…

According to the National Institutes of Health, 8% of the U.S. population is living with an autoimmune disease, and out of that percentage, 80% of those people are women. Dr. Howard Chang, a dermatologist, a professor of dermatology and genetics and a Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Stanford University, discusses his latest research which,…

The 2024 presidential election is fast approaching and there are still ongoing concerns about fair elections and voter rights. Lauren Groh-Wargo, the CEO of the national voting rights organization Fair Fight Action, talks with Rose about these issues and her organization’s effort to prevent the fallout Georgia saw after the 2020 Election. Plus, we …

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs offers several affordable housing programs, including The Georgia Dream Homeownership Program, which includes two new programs launched within the last six months for first-time homebuyers. Commissioner Christopher Nunn and Deputy Commissioner for Homeownership Wesley Brooks discuss the current housing ma…

Retired Atlanta detectives Vince Velazquez and David Quinn discuss their new TV One true-crime series, “DEADLY CASE FILES.” The show gives viewers an inside look at how homicide investigators work together to solve cases in the Atlanta area. Why Not Kids, a local nonprofit that provides affordable childcare to families in Conyers, GA., closed durin…

Data suggests women are registered to vote in the U.S. at higher rates than men – that includes two-thirds of eligible Black women. On today’s special edition of “Closer Look,” we begin conversations with specific voter blocks leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Show host Rose talks with several guests about what issues are top of mind fo…

Tropical Storm Debby’s winds and downpours have left thousands without power and killed a Georgia teenager, as well as four other people in Florida. Georgia could receive an additional eight inches of rain as the storm is expected to hit the state a second time. WABE environment reporter Emily Jones discusses the latest. We also hear from Maria Cen…

Congresswoman Nikema Williams represents Georgia's 5th congressional district. She joins “Closer Look” to discuss her top priorities for Atlanta, Decatur, Sandy Springs, East Point, and College Park. She highlights the legislation she’s backed as it relates to affordable housing, education, investment in HBCUs, taxes, closing the racial wealth gap,…

A land battle between a freight railroad company and multiple Hancock County property owners has been ongoing for more than two and a half years. The dispute centers around whether Sandersville Railroad Company has the authority to build a 4.5-mile spur on and adjacent to some of their properties. After an April victory for Sandersville Railroad Co…

Thursday marked the first day of school for many school districts across metro Atlanta. The “Closer Look team” stopped by Atlanta Public Schools’ Hope-Hill Elementary School in the Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood as staff welcomed students on their first day. Plus, we revisit our one-on-one conversation with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens about housing a…

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, from 2010 to 2022, opioid-related overdose deaths in Georgia increased by 302%. Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that’s used to reverse opioid overdoses. Andy Gish, director of Georgia Overdose Prevention, discusses an upcoming community naloxone training. Plus, Georgia’s 5th Congressional Di…

Naomy Grand’Pierre is an Olympian and an Atlanta-based Haitian swim coach. She’s coaching her brother, Alexandre Grand’Pierre, 21, and Mayah Chouloute, 14, as they compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Alexandre is the third person in his family to compete in the Olympics. The siblings discuss the pride they feel in their journey and represen…

In a one-on-one interview, Closer Look show host Rose Scott spoke with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens about his administration's progress, challenges and initiatives for addressing the housing crisis. During the discussion, Mayor Dickens talks about a partnership between the Atlanta Urban Development Corporation, Atlanta Housing, and the City of Atlan…

Veteran journalists and academics Louise Story and Ebony Reed discuss their new book, “Fifteen Cents on the Dollar: How Americans Made the Black-White Wealth Gap.” The book investigates the history of the racial wealth gap in America and what's holding it in place. Plus, the Suwannee alligator snapping turtle is now listed as a threatened species u…

The Closer Look team heads to Café Amico in Roswell for the July installment of “Coffee Conversations.” As cities across the U.S. are adopting plans to reduce their carbon footprint, Rose talks with panelists about sustainability in the suburbs. Guests share their thoughts on how suburban cities can implement ways to reduce their carbon footprint, …

The 2024 presidential election is less than 4 months away and the campaigns are shaping up on the Republican and Democratic sides. Atlanta-based political strategist Fred Hicks talks with Rose about how both campaigns could attempt to lure Georgia's undecided or independent voters to their respective sides. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/p…

With less than 4 months before the presidential election, President Biden has announced he’s no longer seeking reelection and is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. Emory’s Political Scientist Andra Gillespie and Professor Emeritus of Political Science Alan Abramowitz, discuss how the historic change of events coul…

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump sent shockwaves across the political landscape. As the Republican National Convention gets underway in Milwaukee, we’ll hear reactions from political experts and Georgia voters. Guests include: Fred Hicks, an Atlanta-based political strategist and…

On Friday’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, in an era of inflation, the back-to-school essentials can be even more costly. With the school year starting in less than a month in DeKalb County, we speak with Stonecrest Mayor Jazzmin Cobble about how her city is preparing and equipping students. We also discuss the state of infrastructure and economic de…

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, Republicans will hold their national convention in the battleground state of Wisconsin next week. GOP members will roll out their party’s platform at a time of growing concern about the Republican Party’s association with Christian nationalism. Rose is joined by Kiera Butler, a Senior Editor & Reporter with M…

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we learn the details about a lawsuit that was settled between the ACLU and ACLU of Georgia against the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. The ACLU accused the DA’s Office of not adhering to a rule about unindicted individuals detained on felony charges for 45 days at the Fulton County Jail. Fallon McCl…

Thousands of people have applied for the City of Atlanta’s e-Bike Rebate Program. The first round of rebates is scheduled to go out on July 15th. Roz Tucker with the Atlanta Regional Commission shares demographic data and more about the people who are taking advantage of the rebates. Michelle Dunbar, the owner of Clutch Bicycle Shop, also joins us …

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we exclusively received the announcement that Fulton County’s interim Board of Elections Chair Cathy Woolard is stepping down. In a statement, she tells us, “Despite all the noise you hear, the Fulton County election department does excellent work in one of the largest election operations in the country.” Als…

Tuesday marks 60 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law. The landmark piece of legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, sex, religion, color, or national origin. Civil Rights icons such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis were in attendance for this history-making event in 1964. To reflect on…

In a 6-3 decision by the justices, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that outdoor sleeping bans do not violate the Eighth Amendment. The decision essentially allows cities to make it illegal for unhoused people to sleep outdoors, even when shelter space is unavailable. Dr. Terence Lester, the founder and executive director of Love Beyond Walls, discusse…

The much anticipated first and maybe only debate between Pres. Joe Biden and former Pres. Donald Trump took place Thursday night in Atlanta. We hear insight from politics contributor, strategist and analyst Fred Hicks, former Wisconsin Congressman Scott Klug and GSU politics and policy professor Tammy Greer. The guests also discuss what's next for …

National HIV Testing Day is being recognized throughout the U.S. As the nation is working to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, metro Atlanta ranks third in the nation for new HIV diagnoses. Closer Look host Rose Scott talks with guests about several HIV-related topics including, combating the barriers and stigma that stop people from getting tested and…

The battleground state of Georgia is hosting the first 2024 debate between the presumptive Republican and Democratic presidential nominees. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will make their bids for a second term on Thursday night in Atlanta. WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali returns to “Closer Look,” just ahead of a Biden campa…

Keith Reed, the editor of Capital B Atlanta, joins “Closer Look” to discuss the news outlet’s top priorities this election cycle and its Black Political Power Tour. The tour will bring together activists, experts and elected officials in battleground states across the country to discuss voting rights, the economy, climate, misinformation and educat…

Book sales for romance novels reach at least $1.4 billion per year, making it the highest-earning genre of fiction. On today's special edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott," we dive into the importance of having diverse representation in fiction, specifically love stories, and the challenges writers face as it relates to equality and inclusion i…

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” With Georgia’s decision-making vote in the last presidential race, expect the Peach State to be the focus of much campaigning by Democrats and Republicans. Atlanta-based political strategist Fred Hicks explains what voters will see leading up to November 5th. Also, Sunday marks 21 years since the passing of…

Damon Hoyte, the only Black county commissioner in rural Chattahoochee County, and his attorney, Kamau Mason, discuss a pending discrimination lawsuit against Hoyte’s fellow county commissioners over a land use dispute. Despite similar manufactured homes surrounding his property, several community members and his fellow commissioners opposed Hoyte …

Josh Green has been the editor of Urbanize Atlanta since its start in January 2021, bringing real estate and urban design-focused reporting to metro Atlanta. Green talks with show host Rose Scott about the top stories readers have been following and the local trends he's noticing in urban design. He also shares details about the future of the publi…

Metro Atlanta is experiencing a heat wave. Rose talks with Don Smith, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service, about the temperatures that neared 100 degrees in the Atlanta area. Plus, the Center for Public Integrity, Mother Jones, and the show ,“Reveal”, recently launched their series, “40 Acres and a Lie.” The investigation aims to shed…

Jim Alexander is a legendary award-winning photographer, photojournalist, and activist. Over his multiple decades-spanning career, the 88-year-old has taken at least a quarter million photos. His massive collection captures Black life in America and pinpoints pivotal moments in history such as the civil rights movement through the present day. His …

On today's edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott," we continue our weeklong Juneteenth series. For our annual Juneteenth event at the Atlanta History Center, Rose asks “What is Freedom?” and talks with panelists about the progress of Black Americans since 1865. Guests reflect on the triumphs and challenges that Black people have faced in the past…

On today’s Closer Look, experts and a student from Georgia State University are researching the scope of enslavement from across the Americas. They’ve centered their studies in Salvador, Brazil, where they’re examining the history and culture amongst Afro Brazilians. We’ll ask our guests about their research and comparisons and noteworthy differenc…

Ahead of her visit to Atlanta, historian and scholar Dr. Kellie Carter-Jackson discusses her new book, "WE REFUSE: A Forceful History of Black Resistance." The book aims to explore and reframe the narrative of Black resistance, specifically by Black women, to white supremacy and oppression. Plus, The National Center for Race Amity is hosting a symp…

This week, leading up to our annual live show at the Atlanta History Center, Closer Look’s programming will be in honor of Juneteenth. On Monday, show host Rose Scott talks with Dr. Karcheik Sims-Alvarado chairs the Fulton County Reparations Task Force. The Morehouse professor, who has studied the history and culture of African Americans for nearly…

The recent water main break created several days of chaos and inconvenience for thousands of Atlanta residents and businesses. Atlanta’s Chief Operating Officer LaChandra Butler Burks discusses the city’s response to the turmoil, addresses the criticism they received for their communication, talks about the lessons learned and how city leaders will…

Several issues have kept Fulton County in the local and national spotlight. Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts joins show host Rose Scott on Closer Look to discuss the elections process, the many issues surrounding the county jail, Atlanta’s water main break, leading respectful meetings among the county commissioners and more. See Privacy Policy at …

Sylvester Pierce of the Self-Preservation Society is on a mission to paddle all of Georgia's lakes located in state parks. While doing so, the kayaking instructor wants to get more Black people out on the water. For PART 1 of the interview, he talks with Rose about his first time paddling a canoe and how water is connected to all aspects of life. F…

The Atlanta City Council approved a $2.75 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025. The budget goes into effect on July 1. It was approved as Atlanta is dealing with a water crisis that disrupted service for thousands of residents and businesses. Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman discusses the budget and the city’s response to the ongoing wate…

Georgia State University law professor Anthony Michael Kreis returns to “Closer Look” to discuss his new book, “Rot and Revival." The book examines how politics and the courts shape constitutional law. Plus, water main breaks inconvenienced thousands of Atlanta residents and businesses over the weekend. We examine the city’s response to the crisis …

Pinky Cole Hayes, the CEO and founder of Slutty Vegan, shares vision for expanding her plant-based restaurant chain, the importance of philanthropy and her partnership with Pepsi Dig In. The initiative aims to spotlight the best Black-owned restaurants across the country as part of Pepsi’s Restaurant Royalty program. She also makes a big announceme…

The Closer Look team heads to Omni Coffee & Eggs in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood for the May installment of “Coffee Conversations.” Atlanta is going through a continuous evolution of growth. As it continues to make advances as a 21st-century city – economic mobility, jobs, housing, etc., all play a critical role in one's quality of life. Rose …