Closer Look with Rose Scott

A ProPublica investigative report about two Black mothers is intensifying the debate over reproductive rights this election season. It focuses on two Georgia women whose deaths could have been prevented, according to maternal health experts. That’s if they had received a procedure that is now restricted under Georgia’s abortion laws. Earlier this week, Kavitha Surana, a reporter at ProPublica, spoke with Rose Scott about the passing of Amber Nicole Thurman, now we’ll hear about the loss of Candi Miller. The conversation comes ahead of Vice President Harris’ campaign visit to Atlanta today to make remarks on reproductive rights.

We then revisit Rose’s conversation with the late legendary actor Louis Gossett Jr. He was the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar for An Officer and a Gentleman. Gossett was also an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries, Roots. During the conversation, the performer reflected on why he gave up a professional career in basketball to pursue acting full-time. Gossett died earlier this year at the age of 87.

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Edwin Moses is recognized as one of the greatest athletes in the world. The Olympic champion used science and math calculations to dominate track and field. He went undefeated in the 400-meter hurdles for 122 consecutive races, for nine years, nine months, and nine days, between 1977 to 1987. But his life’s legacy reaches beyond sports and is now being told in a documentary, “MOSES-13 Steps.”  Moses talks with show host Rose Scott about the film that will debut at the 6th Annual Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival on Saturday, Sept. 21. 

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As the second-largest voting bloc in the U.S., Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump both need to appeal to Latino voters to win the November election. According to data gathered by the Pew Research Center, it's estimated 36.2 million Hispanics are eligible to vote in the 2024 presidential election. While data suggests Latino voters across the country voted for President Joe Biden by very wide margins in 2020, Trump gained support among Latino voters in 2020, earning a higher percentage of voters than he did in 2016. On today’s special edition of “Closer Look,” we continue our series of conversations with specific voter blocs leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Rose talks with several guests, varying in political views, about top-of-mind issues of Latino voters in Georgia and across the nation.

Guests include:

Paola Ramos, an Emmy-award-winning journalist, as well as a contributor for Telemundo News and MSNBC, and the author of the book, “Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America"

Jerry Gonzalez, the CEO of GALEO

Mark Hugo Lopez, the director of race and ethnicity research at Pew Research Center

Tahini Fuentes, a college student at the University of North Georgia and a first-time voter

Allie Fuentes, a second-time voter

Jacky Rendon, the owner of the New Era Artist Beauty Academy.

Manuel Portillo, a DACA recipient and a member of the LGTBQ-plus community.

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Gov. Brian Kemp has pledged to make Georgia the e-mobility capital of the world. In recent years, Kemp provided billions of dollars in incentives to lure automakers Hyundai, Kia and the startup Rivian to the state. However, a new report from Politico shows some Georgians are excited about the well-paying EV jobs, but they’re suspicious of electric vehicles. Reporter David Ferris from Politico's Energy and Environment News discusses the report and explains Georgians’ conflicted relationship with electric vehicles.

Also, at least two women have died after not having access to abortion care in Georgia. And a new investigative report published by ProPublica tells the story of one of the women, Amber Nicole Thurman. Kavitha Surana, a reporter at ProPublica, discusses her article and the ongoing implications of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. 

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Book bans are happening in Georgia and across the nation. According to PEN America, more than 10,000 book bans have been counted in public schools since 2021. Amanda Jones is an educator, an award-winning librarian, and an anti-censorship advocate. She talks with Rose about her new book, "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America." The part memoir, part manifesto maps the book-banning crisis happening across the U.S. and chronicles Jones’ efforts to combat it.

Plus, the Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative (PAD) helps people experiencing extreme poverty, substance abuse and mental health disorders through diversion efforts and wraparound services. However, some Atlanta City Council members are questioning the leadership and operations of the nonprofit. Moki Macias, who serves as the executive director of PAD, talks with Rose about the success of PAD and responds to the concerns. 

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Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump took center stage in their first presidential debate Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Reproductive rights, immigration, the Israel-Hamas war, and the economy were among some of the top issues discussed during the debate. Both sides are claiming victory, but “Closer Look,” show host Rose Scott gets debate analysis from Andra Gillespie, a political scientist at Emory University. Then, for more reaction to the debate, we hear from Scott Klug, a former Wisconsin congressman, Fred Hicks, an Atlanta-based political strategist and analyst, and GSU politics and policy professor Tammy Greer. They discuss the individual strategies of Trump and Harris during the presidential debate. They also discuss recent political polls and share what they think Democrats and Republicans must do to win the November election. Plus, Tim Franks, an award-winning veteran journalist and host of the BBC News’ flagship radio program, “Newshour” also talks with Scott about the presidential debate and the BBC’s approach to covering U.S. politics. 

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Roger Tutterow, a professor of economics at Kennesaw State University, joins “Closer Look,” to discuss the latest economic forecast and its impact on the 2024 presidential election.

Laura Judge, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action and Monisha Henley, the senior vice president of government affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety, discuss gun violence prevention following shooting at Apalachee High School.

Last year, Communities In Schools of Atlanta and Sandy Hook Promise partnered together for a pilot program aimed at helping Atlanta-area students lead an open dialogue about the warning signs before a mass shooting and how to address and prevent school violence. Frank Brown, the CEO of Communities In Schools of Atlanta, Crystal Garrant, the chief program officer of Sandy Hook Promise, and Jhakia, a local high school student who participated in the Atlanta pilot program, discuss the success of the program and ongoing efforts to promote school safety. 

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Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson made history in June 2022, when she was sworn in as the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s high court. Now, the 116th Supreme Court justice is telling her story in a new memoir, “Lovely One.” Justice Jackson’s book tour recently stopped in Atlanta at the Atlanta Symphony Hall. That’s where “Closer Look,” show host Rose Scott and the Justice had a one-on-one conversation in front of a live audience. Justice Jackson reflected on her journey from Miami, Florida to the Supreme Court. She also talked about facing fear head-on, the power of mentorship and why her foundation is rooted in the love and support of her family.

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Former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn is being honored by the Fulton County Democratic Party with the Saving Democracy Award. While in Atlanta, he talks with show host Rose Scott about his experience responding to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, the upcoming election, and the current state of democracy.

Plus, for “Closer Look’s,” series focusing on the work of independent and third-party groups amid the 2024 presidential election cycle, Scott talked with members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the Green Party and the Working Families Party.The full interviews can be found here and here. Now, we hear from GSU politics and policy professor Tammy Greer for an analysis of each party’s priorities and strategies.

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Four people are dead—two teachers and two students—and nine others were transported to local hospitals following a mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia on Wednesday. Authorities say the 14-year-old suspect, who is in custody, will be charged with murder as an adult. Rose talks with WABE criminal justice reporter Chamian Cruz about the latest details in the ongoing investigation.

Plus, we revisit our series focusing on the work of independent and third-party groups amid the 2024 presidential election cycle. First, Rose talks with Gerald Green of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Gloria Mattera, the media committee coordinator for the Green Party and Britney Whaley, the southeast regional director for the Working Families Party. The full interviews can be found here and here. 

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