On Second Thought

As 2017 kicks off, new unemployment numbers in Georgia show mixed results. Working Nation is a not-for-profit campaign focused on finding solutions to the unemployment issue. Founder Art Bilger says Georgia’s low ranking is due to a number of factors, including poor performance in some areas and lack of awareness. We ask him about some of these analytics, and what his organization believes the future holds.

Nikki Giovanni is one of the most celebrated poets of her generation. Her unique style weaves together strong ties to family, experiences as an African American woman growing up in the South, and her pride as an activist. We asked her about whether she considers herself a good poet, and how she feels America needs to come together amid so many divisions. Giovanni is speaking Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Georgia Southern University. Her lecture is part of the university’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr

Macon-Bibb County officials have met in the past year to discuss why there are so many pedestrian fatalities in the area. The Georgia Department of Public Health found the county has the second highest rate of pedestrian deaths in the state. We speak with Macon-Bibb Board of Health member Chris Tsavatewa about what needs to be done to address this problem. We also hear from Angie Schmitt, editor of Streetsblog USA, about how pedestrian fatalities look across the country. Recently, model train

The Breakroom gang is back in action. We talk about why people feel the need to raid grocery stores before an impending storm, how ParkAtlanta has issued tons of bogus parking tickets, and the Pope’s recent decision to give the go-ahead for women to breastfeed in church.

A favorite pastime for many people is playing with model trains. It can be exciting to watch them whiz by on tiny tracks. Recently, model train enthusiasts of all stripes came to Atlanta for a the World's Greatest Hobby on Tour , a show promoting model railroading across all gauges for all ages. GPB’s Sean Powers stopped by and sent us this audio postcard.

Back when Republican Scott Walker was competing for the presidential nomination, one of his aides came under fire after she posted a series of unflattering tweets about Iowa and its politics. Republicans in the Hawkeye State objected and within 24 hours, she resigned. This story gained national attention because of Iowa’s powerful role in the presidential nomination process. But would the outcome have been different if it was another state? That’s what Washington Post reporter Philip Bump set

A problem with some fantasy fiction narratives is the misogynistic treatment of female characters. The sci-fi world may still be very much dominated by men behind the scenes, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been female trailblazers. A new book explores some of those unsung heroines. It’s called “ Sisters of Tomorrow: The First Women of Science Fiction .” We talked with the author, Georgia Tech professor Lisa Yaszek . We also spoke with Bill Campbell of Rosarium Publishing, which focuses on

A new study from the University of Georgia shows birds, like White Ibises, have a high risk of contracting and spreading Salmonella in congested areas like urban parks. The study furthermore suggests feeding of these birds corrupts their ecosystem, and hopes to dissuade pedestrians and city planners from creating this mutually harmful environment. We’ll speak with researcher Dr. Sonia Hernandez. She’s an Associate Professor at the School of Forestry and Natural Resources and College of

A new course at Emory University entitled “The Power of Black Self-Love” teaches the history and culture of African-American lives. It explores the ideas behind self-confidence, social movements, and celebratory spaces fostered through social media. In the studio are class co-creators Dianne Stewart, Associate Professor of Religion & African American Studies at Emory, and Donna Troka, Assistant Professor at the Institute for the Liberal Arts there. We’re also be joined by student Gretel

A new study from the University of Georgia shows birds, like White Ibises, have a high risk of contracting and spreading Salmonella in congested areas like urban parks. The study furthermore suggests feeding of these birds corrupts their ecosystem, and hopes to dissuade pedestrians and city planners from creating this mutually harmful environment. We speak with researcher Dr. Sonia Hernandez. She’s an Associate Professor at the School of Forestry and Natural Resources and College of Veterinary