On this week's Political Breakfast, both presidential candidates Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are being criticized by their response to Hurricane Helene. 

Harris and President Joe Biden approved emergency declarations for southeastern states including Georgia. But Republicans claim Harris should've cut her West Coast stumping schedule earlier and flown immediately back to Washington D.C., got on a plane and came to the southeast.

Meanwhile, Trump visited Valdosta in wake of Helene. But Democrats are circulating a clip of Trump from a rally only days prior that critics say showed a lack of empathy. 

Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam discuss if the candidates handled this natural disaster appropriately, as the death toll rises. 

Plus, Trump tossed out chicken tenders at the Georgia vs. Alabama game Saturday.

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With a little more than a month left until election day, Georgia's State Election Board has approved several last-minute changes to the election process, despite opposition from Republican state officials and local election officials.

Tensions on the board are growing as Republican members hint that their work is not done and criticize those who question their motives.

On this week's episode of "Plugged In: A WABE Politics Podcast," politics reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss the new rules and what else could happen between now and election day.

Plus, Former President Donald Trump rallies in Savannah, two presidential candidates are disqualified from Georgia's ballot and a conversation about American politics with German journalist Laura Goudkamp, who has been working at WABE as part of the Burns Fellowship.

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On this week's Political Breakfast, we start with former president Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance stumping in Georgia this week. The pair are traveling separately to cover more ground. 

Plus, more political theater from Georgia's GOP. 

Text messages surface that were sent by Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. The texts from Jones, a Trump ally, show he had no problem criticizing fellow state Republicans, including Gov. Brian Kemp. 

Those were sent in the weeks after the 2020 election as Jones tried to help Trump overturn his defeat to President Joe Biden. 

The texts could have been worse, says Republican strategist Brian Robinson. 

Brian, the Atlanta Civic Circle's Saba Long and host Lisa Rayam break down internal divisions, and what this means for Jones' political future in the state? 

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The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half a point this week and further cuts are expected between now and the end of next year.

Mortgage rates have already started coming down in anticipation of the rate cuts, making it easier for many to buy a home, but home ownership still remains out of reach for millions of Americans.

On this week's episode of "Plugged In: A WABE Politics Podcast," politics reporter Sam Gringlas speaks with housing reporter Stephannie Stokes about the housing policies being proposed by presidential candidates and what the state of Georgia is and isn’t doing to address the issue.

Plus, a conversation about a new state law dealing with mass voter challenges and how it could affect voters experiencing homelessness.

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On the latest edition of Political Breakfast, we hone-in on the role of women voters in Georgia, and the issues that will sway them.

A recent Gallup analysis found that women aged 18 to 29 are more liberal than young women in the past on specific issues, particularly abortion and the environment. 

All this as Vice President Kamala Harris has recently doubled-down on GOP candidate Donald Trump's running mate, JD Vance, and his past comments about how the Democratic party is being controlled by so-called 'childless cat ladies.'

Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam discuss if both parties are focusing enough on their messaging to this large voting swath.

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On this edition of Political Breakfast, the team talks about the second assassination attempt on the life of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

What is this saying about the overall political climate?  

Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam reminisce on a tumultuous time during the 1960s.

Plus both applaud what Georgia state legislators plan to do to tackle gun control and safety issues here in Georgia, weeks after the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder.

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Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump debated Tuesday for the first and possibly the only time before Election Day.

On this week’s episode of "Plugged In: A WABE Politics Podcast," the team shares their stories of watching the debate.

Plus, an update on the fight to keep or remove third-party and independent presidential candidates on Georgia's ballot and a rundown of recent proposals put out in response to the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.

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On this week's Political Breakfast, the gang is live soon after the first high-stakes presidential debate between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

We know that debates don't necessarily win elections. But many surveys of voters nationwide, including undecided swing voters, suggest that Harris won the debate. 

Still, the latest polls show Trump and Harris are still neck-and-neck in Georgia and other battleground states, with Trump having a slight edge. 

Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam discuss.

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On this edition of Political Breakfast, the team talks about a renewed push for gun safety after the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County.

Strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam address the role Georgia legislators are bound to play.

Plus, they ponder the question: Is a gun buyback program a viable solution? This after Georgia U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock was pressed about the topic on national television.

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Two students and two teachers are dead after a 14-year-old student opened fire inside a Barrow County high school on Wednesday. The student, and his 54-year-old father, are now facing multiple charges.

In this week's episode of "Plugged In: A WABE Politics Podcast," reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss how elected officials are responding to the deadliest school shooting in Georgia history and how the tragedy has reignited the debate over the state's gun laws and school safety.

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