Georgia requires some utility companies to hold off on disconnections for customers dealing with serious and costly illnesses. However, many small electric providers are not required to adhere to that policy. 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.

Plus, Senate Bill 63 awaits Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's signature, but civil and human rights groups are calling the legislation "regressive." They say its expansion of cash bail and extreme limits on bail funds hosted by charities, individuals, and organizations could lead to jail overcrowding. Tiffany Roberts, a public policy director at the Southern Center for Human Rights, discusses her organization’s concerns. 

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Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has acknowledged her personal relationship with Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade. However, Willis argues that she should not be disqualified from the Georgia election interference case following her admission. Rose talks with WABE politics reporter Sam Gringlas, Edward Queen, an associate teaching professor at Emory University's Center for Ethics, and Fred Hicks, an Atlanta-based political strategist. The guests discuss the latest in the case, how it’s being perceived publicly and the potential impact the case could have on Democratic and Republican campaign strategies in the 2024 presidential election.

Lastly, Marine Corps Veteran Raul Torres discusses the Atlanta Veterans Job Fair that’s being held Thurs., Feb, 8, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium from 11 am to 3 pm.

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Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed off on House Bill 30, which defines antisemitism. State Representative Becky Evans (D-Atlanta) voted “no” on the measure, citing concerns that HB 30 could suppress criticism of the Israeli government.

After discovering racially insensitive yearbook photos from the 1960’s, Emory University tasked itself with honoring the enslaved people who built the original campus and the Indigenous people who owned the land. Dr. Anjulet Tucker, the Director of Presidential Initiatives at Emory discusses the multi-year projects to tell the story of the university’s past.  

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On today’s edition of Closer Look with Rose Scott, Ken Zeff and Alfred “Shivy” Brooks are the newest members of the Atlanta Board of Education. They talk about the current state of K-12 public education.

The conversation continues with Ken Zeff, who is also the Executive Director for Learn4Life. He discusses the findings within their recent State of Education in Metro Atlanta Annual Report.

Then, the Brennan Center for Justice recently released their analysis of local governments and school boards across Georgia’s 159 counties. It found severe underrepresentation for communities of color among elected leaders. Yurij Rudensky, a Senior Counsel for the Brennan Center for Justice breaks down the data. To discuss their advocacy work for communities of color are Aunna Dennis, the Executive Director for Common Cause Georgia and Karuna Ramachandran, the Redistricting Director for ProGeorgia.  

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Governor Brian Kemp is expected to sign House Bill 30, which defines antisemitism as criticism of the Israeli government and Zionism, into law on Wednesday. WABE politics reporter Rahul Bali returns to “Closer Look” to discuss the signing and the latest news happening at the Georgia State Capitol.

Plus, House Bill 869 and Senate Bill 333 are two proposed bills that are making their way through the Georgia General Assembly that support the creation of the City of Mulberry in Gwinnett County. Majority Leader Chuck Efstration represents House District 104 and sponsored House Bill 869. He joins the program to discuss the legislation that has been heavily opposed by Gwinnett County commissioners.

Lastly, NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday host Ayesha Rascoe discusses her new book, “HBCU Made: A Celebration of the Black College Experience.” The book is a collection of essays from alumni of historically Black colleges and universities, and how these schools shaped their lives.  

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Author and award-winning journalist Antonia Hylton discusses her new book, “Madness.” The book exposes the mistreatment and abuse of Black patients at Crownsville Hospital, a segregated mental asylum in Maryland, VA during the Jim Crow era. In the book, Hylton interviews former patients about their experiences and makes comparisons to the mental health system of today. 

Plus, Steve Davis, the assistant vice president of transportation strategy for Smart Growth America, discusses his organization’s report “Divided by Design.” The report looks at historical data of how one built and one unbuilt highway in Atlanta and Washington D.C. have disproportionately impacted Black residents and what could be done today to address the harm caused by the highways.

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Matt Hurd, the executive director of Open Doors, discusses their ongoing effort to end homelessness in Atlanta. He also highlights the organization’s $6.7 million campaign to support their Open More Doors initiative, and their work to expand housing resources and services in surrounding metro Atlanta counties.

Plus, show host Rose Scott recently had conversations with two professional athletes about the importance of mentoring Black male youth. Now, leaders from Big Brothers, Big Sisters Metro Atlanta discuss their new, "Level Up," mentoring program, and the importance of mentorship in the post-pandemic era. Guests include:

Kwame Johnson, the president and CEO at Big Brothers Big Sisters Metro Atlanta

Kara Stimpson, the chief impact officer at Big Brothers Big Sisters Metro Atlanta

Trikelia Browning, the senior lead mentor at Big Brothers Big Sisters Metro Atlanta

Makayla Marshall, a mentee in the "Level Up" mentoring program at Big Brothers Big Sisters Metro Atlanta

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The Closer Look team heads to Finca to Filter in the Old Fourth Ward for the January installment of “Coffee Conversations” Rose talks with panelists about the challenges and successes of operating a small business on or near Atlanta’s Beltline. 

Guests include:

Kayla Bellman, the founder and owner of Finca to Filter

District 2 Atlanta City Councilmember Amir Farokhi

Juan Mendoza, the president of the Old Fourth Ward Business Association

Sarah Pierre, the owner 3 Parks Wine Shop

Emily Chan, the co-owner of JenChan’s

Lakeisha Jones, the owner of PinkPothos

Johnny Martinez, the co-owner of Joystick Gamebar

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Now that the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary are over, what’s next? Fred Hicks, an Atlanta-based political strategist and analyst, Janelle King, the co-chair of Let’s Win for America Action, and Georgia State University political science professor Tammy Greer recap the latest. They also discuss specific voter demographics and the latest polling results here in Georgia between President Biden and Former President Donald Trump.

Plus, Dr. Mariel Buqué, an intergenerational trauma expert, a Columbia University–trained, trauma-informed psychologist, professor, and sound bath meditation healer, discusses her new book, “BREAK THE CYCLE: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma.”

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