Pen America reports nearly 6,000 books have been banned across the U.S. since 2021. On Thursday night, Charis Books & More is hosting a discussion on "Writing for Kids in an Age of Censorship.” Children’s author Laurel Snyder joins “Closer Look” to talk more about the criticism and backlash she’s received for her own work, and the ongoing challenges writers face as more books are banned across the U.S.

Plus, surveys show a growing amount of tipping fatigue among consumers. While the Pew Research Center found that 72% of U.S. adults believe tipping is expected in more places than five years ago, Bankrate.com reports 66% of people are not happy about it. Drew DeSilver, a senior writer and editor with the Pew Research Center, discusses tipping trends and negative consumer sentiment.

Lastly, Rose talks with Emily Chan, the co-owner of JenChan's. Her business recently received blacklash for including a 4% employee health insurance surcharge on their customers' bills. Chan further explains the ongoing challenges small business owners are facing while trying to stay afloat during unsteady economic times.

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Georgia State professor and generative AI expert Arun Rai offers insight and concerns regarding deepfake technology and the upcoming election.

Plus, Georgia Deputy Attorney General John Fowler argued that owning a burner cell phone can be evidence of criminal intent in the ongoing Atlanta Public Safety Training Center RICO case. Samantha Hamilton, a project attorney at the University of Georgia First Amendment Law Clinic, discusses the constitutional implications of this argument.

Lastly, film directors Lisa Cortes and Diego Hurtado de Mendoz spotlight the journeys of the first Black astronauts for NASA's space program in their new National Geographic documentary, “The Space Race."

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After 16 years, the City of Duluth is under new leadership. Greg Whitlock, who was recently sworn in as mayor, talks with Rose about his top priorities, his plans to expand the city’s business core, and his overall vision for the city.

Plus, from a legal perspective, former DeKalb County District Attorney Gwen Keyes breaks down the strategy from both the defendants and the prosecution in the evidentiary hearing regarding Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. At issue is whether a conflict of interest resulted from the personal relationship Willis had with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. 

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WABE politics reporter Sam Gringlas returns to “Closer Look” to discuss the latest details of the evidentiary hearing involving Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor she hired for the 2020 Georgia election interference case.

Plus, as the 2024 Georgia legislative session continues, Andrea Young, the executive director of the ACLU of Georgia returns to the program. She discusses several bills lawmakers are considering that her organization considers to be “anti-LGBTQ”.

Lastly, Georgia requires some utility companies to hold off disconnections for customers dealing with serious illness. However, many small electric providers are not required to adhere to that rule. A new ProPublica investigation looks at the impact of not having this regulation in place. Rose talks with ProPublica reporters Aliyya Swaby and Max Blau about their report. 

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On Wednesday’s edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott," we examine an ongoing conflict surrounding maps for the Cobb County Board of Education. This debate goes back to the 2020 U.S. Census when population data revealed how the county’s demographics have changed. More recently, a lawsuit was filed by residents, claiming that Black and Hispanic voters were “packed” into specific districts to dilute their vote and preserve a white majority on the school board. They also claimed that the typical process of redrawing the map was not followed. U.S. District Court Judge Eleanor Ross then ordered Georgia lawmakers to redraw the maps. The maps were redrawn and signed by Gov. Kemp in Jan. 2024, but Democratic lawmakers are still concerned about the current map and how it got in front of Judge Ross. Rose talks with several guests about the developing story.

Guests include:

Juma Sei, WABE’s education reporter

Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration Chair Tori Silas  

Ben Mathis, a managing partner with Freeman, Mathis & Gary, LLP

Cory Isaacson, the legal director of the ACLU of Georgia

Maariya Sheikh, a Cobb County senior and member of the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition 

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Senate Bill 333, which supports the creation of the City of Mulberry in Gwinnett County, awaits Governor Kemp’s signature. Rose recently interviewed Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, who sponsored House Bill 869, which is a duplicate bill of Senate Bill 333. Today, we hear from Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chair Nicole Love Hendrickson. She discusses the commissioners’ opposition to the proposed cityhood movement.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Americans paid nearly $9 Billion in overdraft fees in 2022. Brian Shearer, the senior advisor at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, discusses the challenges consumers are having with increasing overdraft and junk fees and what the federal government is doing to protect consumers.

Plus, funeral services are being held today for Dr. Gwendolyn Harris Middlebrooks, a civil rights activist and beloved educator. In her honor, we revisit a conversation Rose had with Middlebrooks and other members of the Atlanta Student Movement. During the discussion, Middlebrooks recalls her participation in sit-ins.  

Lastly, Cecilia Marquez, an assistant professor of history at Duke University, discusses her book, "Making the Latino South: A History of Racial Formation."

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It’s week six of the Georgia legislative session. WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali returns to “Closer Look” to provide an update following a medical emergency during a Senate hearing and the latest news happening at the Georgia State Capitol. Show host Rose Scott then talks with Democratic Representative Lisa Campbell about two bills some lawmakers are concerned about. Specifically, HB 501, which if passed, would loosen Georgia’s child labor laws, and SB 367, which aims to eliminate voter drop boxes across the state. Bali then gives an update regarding a bill that would limit deposits for housing and a bill aimed to crack down on swatting, a practice of alerting law enforcement or other first responders with false allegations of criminal or harmful activity at another person's address.

Plus, Mary Anne Adams, the founder and executive director of ZAMI NOBLA, the National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging, reflects on Audre Lorde’s writings and legacy and shares details about how ZAMI is celebrating what would’ve been Lorde’s 90th birthday through a hybrid read-a-thon.

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Raphael Bostic, the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, discusses inflation, interest rates and the current state of the U.S. economy. He also explains his economic outlook for 2024 and how the economy’s performance in 2023 exceeded his expectations.

Plus, Michele Norris is a Peabody Award-winning journalist, author, and former co-host of NPR's “All Things Considered.” She joins “Closer Look,” to discuss her new book, "Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race And Identity." 

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A study of data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found that Georgia ranks third highest in the nation for workplace discrimination. Retaliation, racial discrimination and sexual discrimination are the three most common types of discrimination cases faced in the state. Brad Dozier, the managing principal of the Dozier Law Group in Atlanta, explains how employment discrimination is defined, why it’s so common in Georgia and what employees can do to protect themselves.

Plus, according to the 2023 Official LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report, Georgia has witnessed a surprising surge in its Latino economy, growing at an annual rate of just over 7% between 2011 and 2021. Ana Valdez, the president and CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative, discusses Latinos’ contribution to the U.S. economy and what their financial power could mean for the 2024 presidential election.

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Keeping girls in sports is critical. Data suggests that girls in Georgia play sports at a far lower rate than boys (119k vs. 80k), despite the lifelong benefits. In honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, show host Rose Scott talks with several guests about the importance of female representation and participation in the world of sports, plus the impact athletics can have on a young girl’s life.

Guests include:

Morgan Shaw Parker, the president and COO of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream

Haley Jones, a forward-guard for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream

Leah Edmond, outside hitter of the Atlanta VIBE

Grace Cleveland, right-side hitter the Atlanta VIBE

Charles Edwards, a parent of a youth basketball player

McKenna, the daughter of Kelli and CJ Stewart, and a tennis coach

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