Ron dives in after a whirlwind weekend where Marjorie Taylor Greene stunned Georgia politicos with her early resignation. What does this mean for GA-14, and who’s actually ready for the chaos? Democratic candidate Shawn Harris joins to share that he and his campaign actually anticipated MTG’s departure and how it might actually give him the opportunity to wrest a seat from the Republicans and give his constituents a taste of what he seeks to offer if he keeps the seat beyond November.

David McLaughlin of the Kudzu Vine breaks down the reaction inside GA-14 and how MTG’s split from Donald Trump is being interpreted locally. Ron also checks in with Jack Zibluk, who is running in SD-53, about how a potential run by Colton Moore for MTG’s seat could affect the district and upcoming timelines.

Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.
#MTG #SeanHarris #DavidMcLaughlin #JackZibluck #GA14 #GAPolitics #SpecialElection #ColtonMoore #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

A lot of ground covered today ...

Ron opens with the political jolt in Sandy Springs, where Democratic State Rep. Esther Panitch crossed party lines to endorse former Georgia GOP chair and incumbent mayor Rusty Paul. Ron speaks directly with mayoral candidate Dontaye Carter, who outlines why the endorsement misrepresents his record, inflames racial dog whistles, and reflects deeper issues of elitism and accountability inside Democratic circles. Carter also details his platform on affordability, representation, and the demographic challenges facing Sandy Springs as it heads into a pivotal runoff.

Next, Ron turns to an in-depth interview with Dr. Daniel Canso of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, who explains why eliminating Georgia’s state income tax would shift billions in costs onto working families while delivering disproportionate benefits to the wealthy. His breakdown of sales tax expansion, regressivity, and long-term budget impacts offers essential clarity for voters.

Ron then examines Donald Trump’s latest outburst — a call to punish Democratic lawmakers for reminding military members of their duty to refuse illegal orders — and digs in on who the target audience for the Democrats' video was and how the Trump administration is already giving illegal orders by blurring National Guard call-up titles.

How about an evidence-based look at immigration data, for once? Ron dives in after Rep. Buddy Carter’s letter to DHS Secretary "cosplay" Kristi Noem calling for ICE agents to invade metro Atlanta. Ron theorizes he was "triggered" by a report earlier this week that showed Georgia is 6th in the U.S. in terms of undocumented immigrant population. May work in the primary, but Georgians overwhelmingly oppose mass deportations.

Finally, author Dennis Brennan joins the show to discuss his new book drawing historical parallels between Aaron Burr and Donald Trump, offering a fascinating lens on political power, perception, and mythmaking.

Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.
#DaunteCarter #DanielCanso #DennisBrennan #GeorgiaPolitics #SandySprings #2025Runoff #IncomeTaxDebate #ImmigrationDebate #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

PLUS: is Esther Panitch a DINO? How can we trust what we see from Georgia's leaders & will data centers leave us in a wintry darkness?

Today, Rons threads together several major developments shaping Georgia and the nation. The hour opens with Fulton County’s proposed tax increase to meet federal consent-decree obligations for the county jail—an issue Ron argues reflects a broader philosophical debate over public safety, policing, and the kinds of services communities truly need. He contrasts Fulton’s choices with an unexpected policing alliance in New York City, highlighting how unusual partnerships can still drive progress.

The show then shifts to a national controversy: the CDC quietly changed language on its vaccine-autism webpage, a move condemned by scientists, pediatricians, and autism advocates. Ron breaks down the political pressure behind the update, the reaction from experts, and the implications of RFK Jr.’s leadership at HHS.

Later, the focus turns to Georgia politics—specifically Sandy Springs—where Democrat Esther Panitch’s endorsement of Republican Rusty Paul ignites a fierce response from challenger Dontaye Carter. Ron explores the community, political, and identity dynamics at play.

Then there's the push to ⁠accelerate construction permitting⁠ and what impacts that may have on the homes people buy - and find themselves stuck with when that acceleration leads to preventable concerns.Georgia Recorder columnist Jay Bookman dips into the rise of political deepfakes, including a controversial video targeting Senator Jon Ossoff, and what this new frontier means for voters navigating misinformation.

Ron has a conversation with CBS News correspondent David Schechter to determine whether data centers could push winter power grids to the brink—an issue with major implications for Georgia’s energy future.

Lastly, on this Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), it's hard to ignore a few certainties:

1. with MAGA, the cruelty is the point - which explains DHHS announcing a Trump administration attack on the rights of trans youth and parents on TDOR.

2. the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Endocrine Society declined to participate in the review and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), which has long set the standard of care for transgender individuals, was not invited to review the report.

Still, it's TDOR, and with more than 350 preventable transgender deaths so far just this year including Kennesaw State University trans activist Marisol "Mari" Payero, memorialized by Noel Heatherland from Georgia Equality.

Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.
#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #DavidSchechter #DanteCarter #EstherPanitch #JonOssoff #MarjorieTaylorGreene #RFKJr #FultonCounty #GeorgiaPolitics

Ron walks listeners through a fast-developing national story: the remarkably swift and nearly unanimous congressional vote to release the long-sealed Jeffrey Epstein files. After months of hesitation from Republican leaders, both the House and Senate reversed course and advanced the bill with overwhelming support. Ron explores what led to this sudden change, why observers across the political spectrum are questioning the timing, and what the next steps may look like as the Department of Justice prepares to respond.

Ron highlights commentary from comedian Trae Crowder, who articulates the public’s skepticism about the pivot, and then examines House Speaker Mike Johnson’s evolving explanations for his position. The episode breaks down how internal GOP disagreements, procedural maneuvering, and shifting public pressure turned a stalled issue into a rapid bipartisan movement — and what this could signal for future congressional oversight. Oh, and the Trump White House vows retribution towards Democrats for .... forcing him to do what he campaigned that he'd do?

The discussion then turns to an Air Force One exchange in which President Trump directed a dismissive remark toward Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey. Ron uses the moment to examine broader concerns about Trump’s tone toward journalists - particularly female journalists. Comedienne Raeshonda Lias-Lockhart was having none of it.

Even former conservative editors, by the way, are noticing his cognitive decline.

Trump seems upset American journalists are covering the Epstein files and his visit with the Saudi prince and not the (ahem) "$21 trillion" in investments he claims to be securing. Last month it was $17 trillion, and even then, half had been secured in the prior presidency. Oops.

From there, Ron shifts to key Georgia news. He recaps Geoff Duncan’s recent visit with Forsyth County Democrats, the upcoming Senate District 35 runoff, and new polling data that suggests most Georgians favor property tax relief over eliminating the state’s income tax.

Ron previews his upcoming conversation with Dr. Daniel Kanso of the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute, who will offer deeper insight into the state revenue implications behind these debates.

Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.

#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #TreyCrowder #MikeJohnson #DonaldTrump #JeffDuncan #DanielBlackman #CatherineLucey #GeorgiaPolitics #EpsteinFiles

PLUS: Georgia (nearly) stand alone in its embrace of touchscreen voting technology that runs afoul of its own law

Georgia Republicans are racing toward a Florida- and Tennessee-style dream: wiping out the state income tax and pitching it as an overnight “5% raise” for struggling families.

Ron digs into what the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute says really happens if lawmakers eliminate the 5.19% personal income tax that currently brings in nearly half of Georgia’s revenue. Their analysis shows the state would likely need something like a 12% state sales tax, pushing the average household’s tax bill up about $1,000 a year and shifting the burden onto low- and middle-income Georgians while the top 5% reap nearly half the savings.

Ron walks through how tourism-dependent states like Florida and Tennessee balance their books, and why Georgia’s very different economy makes copying them a recipe for a regressive tax hike dressed up as relief.

From there, the conversation widens to the “K-shaped economy.” Drawing on reporting from Sasha Rogelberg and economist Peter Atwater, Ron connects the dots between flat or falling wage growth for the bottom 90%, rising subprime debt, and booming stock gains for the wealthiest households. It’s not just about the numbers, he argues, but about feelings: a sea of despair at the bottom versus overconfident invulnerability at the top. That emotional gap is reshaping politics, fueling resentment, and creating a messaging test Democrats failed at in 2024 - and Trump continues to - when they insist the economy is “great” while groceries, utilities, and rent keep climbing.

Then Marilyn Marks of the Coalition for Good Governance joins Ron to sound the alarm on Georgia’s voting system. She explains how Dominion ballot-marking devices, giant touchscreen displays, and QR-code ballots violate both the spirit and letter of Georgia’s secret-ballot laws, enable subtle hacks that leave no audit trail, and create real intimidation risks in small communities and church precincts.

Marks walks through the Coffee County breach, the Curling lawsuit, and why federal experts have warned Georgia for years to fix obvious vulnerabilities. Her solution is surprisingly simple—and cheaper: warehouse most of the touchscreens, keep a few for accessibility, and join the 70% of America already using hand-marked paper ballots fed into the same scanners Georgia uses now.

Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.

#MarilynMarks #DanielKanso #GeorgiaTaxes #ElectionSecurity #KShapedEconomy #GAPol #VoterPrivacy #EconomicJustice #IncomeTaxDebate #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

PLUS: John Williams aims to slide into Georgia's open state Senate seat tomorrow w/a locally focused platform

Ron breaks down ⁠the growing rift between former President Donald Trump and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene⁠—a split that has quickly shifted from quiet tension to ⁠an open political break⁠. ⁠Their disagreement⁠ over releasing the Epstein files has triggered new divisions inside the GOP and raised questions about how Greene’s recent attempts at moderation are being received by voters in Georgia’s 14th District.

Ron is joined by Wendy Davis, co-host of ⁠The Kudzu Vine⁠ podcast and former Democratic candidate in GA-14, who offers local insight into ⁠Greene’s evolving tone⁠, her increased visibility on national media, and how these changes compare with her long-standing record. Davis explains why many constituents remain skeptical and highlights how Greene’s positions on major legislation continue to shape opinions in the district.

The conversation also digs into the broader Republican landscape, including the reactions of Georgia’s 2026 Senate hopefuls. Potential GOP challengers to Greene—such as Colton Moore and Laura Loomer—are on the radar, raising the prospect of a competitive primary that could reshape the district’s political dynamics. The conversation closes with a look at the Democratic field, including Shawn Harris, and the qualities that may resonate with voters amid these shifting dynamics.

Even Eric Erickson's conservative insights prove to be somewhat valuable here.

Then there's "dirtbag" ⁠Congressman Mike Collins⁠, who signaled support for ⁠releasing the Epstein files⁠ after Trump reversed his own position. Ron notes only his and his GOP Senate combatants' pivoting upon Trump's sudden change-of-heart re: Epstein Files release, and what this all means for ⁠party alignment and how GOP leaders are adjusting their views⁠ in real time.

Oh, and libertarian talk radio firebrand Eric von Hessler agrees that Mike Collins is a "dirt bag." Ron speaks with ⁠Georgia Senate District 35 candidate John Williams⁠, highlighting John's locally-focused platform for a state-level special election.

Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.

 #MarjorieTaylorGreene #DonaldTrump #WendyDavis #MikeCollins #GA14 #EpsteinFiles #GeorgiaPolitics #SeanHarris #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

This episode of The Ron Show centers on one of the most consequential developments in Georgia politics: the appointment of Pete Skandalakis as the new prosecutor overseeing the Fulton County election interference case involving Donald Trump and multiple co-defendants.

Ron and Georgia NOW News Director Alexis Young walk through what his appointment means, why so many prosecutors reportedly turned down the role, and how the eight-terabyte evidence load sets the stage for a complicated legal path forward.

Ron and Alexis also examine the broader political environment surrounding the case, including the recent round of federal pardons issued to several figures tied to Trump. While those pardons have no bearing on state prosecutions, they add another layer to an already high-profile legal battle. They also discuss concerns about political pressure, prosecutorial discretion, and what Georgia law requires when reviewing evidence and making charging decisions.

From there, the episode expands into other key news stories shaping Georgia and national politics. Ron covers the AI-generated deepfake circulated by Congressman Mike Collins’ campaign, which used synthetic audio to imitate Senator John Ossoff. The segment outlines the ethical questions raised, the response from both parties, and how AI manipulation may impact campaign messaging in 2026 and beyond.

The show also touches on the ongoing divide between Donald Trump and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, recent reporting on misconduct by FBI Director Kash Patel, and the Eleventh Circuit’s decision to uphold hate crime convictions in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.

Listeners get a clear, grounded overview of the week’s major stories — with Alexis providing additional context from the Georgia NOW newsroom and Ron connecting the dots across statewide and national developments.

Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com. #AlexisYoung #PeteSkandalakis #GeorgiaPolitics #FultonCountyCase #MikeCollins #JohnOssoff #AhmaudArbery #GAnews #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

The release of long-suppressed Epstein investigation files threatens to reshape national politics while Georgia prepares for critical 2026 races, but locally, two key Democratics Barry Wolfert, running for Georgia’s 11th Congressional District to challenge Rep. Barry Loudermilk, and Scott Sanders, the lone Democrat in the House District 23 special election, hop on calls to introduce themselves.

But the biggest story of the day centers on the newly released Epstein estate emails and the House vote advancing a discharge petition to force release of the full DOJ archive. Heather Cox Richardson’s step-by-step breakdown of what happens over the next 7–10 days is quite useful.

Why Donald Trump is fighting desperately to stop these documents from seeing daylight is the mystery - because he's totally innocent, y'all.

The emails already released contradict Trump’s past claims—suggesting awareness of Epstein’s predatory behavior, discussing girls at Epstein’s properties, and hinting at damaging leverage Epstein believed he held. Even conservative voices like Howard Kurtz expressed concern about the revelations.

Ron also analyzes Laura Ingraham’s awkward/bizarre White House interview with Trump, where he was openly dismissive of American workers’ abilities, while defending expanded visa labor, and made questionable economic claims. You can almost hear Laura's "BS meter" going off with her tone. Also, are she and Sean Hannity openly trying to sink Trump? It sort of feels like it.

Also at Fox, Howard Kurtz throwing a little shade, himself.

Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.
#HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow #BarryWolfert #ScottSanders #GeorgiaPolitics #EpsteinFiles #TrumpNews #GA11 #GA23 #ProgressiveVoices

Ron Roberts breaks down the AJC/Politically Georgia forum and a new survey of 1,000 likely Democratic primary voters: Keisha Lance Bottoms holds 40%, Michael Thurman 11%, Jeff Duncan 5%, Jason Estevez 3%, Derek Jackson and Rua Roman 1%, with a massive 40% still undecided.

Duncan courts skeptics with a $1.4B “Jumpstart Fund,” vows to expand Medicaid, overhaul QBE, and sign a Day One order against Georgia’s six-week abortion ban—then stumbles in the lightning round by naming Nathan Deal as his favorite Georgia governor, before redeeming himself with a homelessness-focused book pick.

Bottoms touts executive chops—$180M in reserves, 7,000 affordable units, and worker pay boosts—positions herself as results-first over ideological labels, and defends the Public Safety Training Center.

Thurman leans on deep state and county experience, early work on CAPS and transitional Medicaid, and a pledge to finally expand Medicaid statewide.

With Raffensperger and Carr in the Q&A—and Burt Jones a no-show—Ron connects the dots to a choppy economy and travel turmoil that could shape 2026. The race isn’t settled; the stakes are now clear.

Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.

#JeffDuncan #KeishaLanceBottoms #JasonEstevez #MichaelThurman #BradRaffensperger #ChrisCarr #DerekJackson #RuaRoman #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow

A rare Georgia storyline: Democrats flipped both Public Service Commission seats—and they did it on kitchen-table economics, not party labels.

Host Ron Roberts and strategist Andrew Heaton (manager for Dr. Alicia Johnson) detail how frustration over Georgia Power rate hikes built an unlikely coalition of Democrats, independents, and crossover Republicans, flipping even longtime red counties.

With quick hits from news director Alexis Young on what PSC terms mean for your bill, and analysis from Melita Easters (Georgia Win List) on the surge of women contenders and a 2026 map full of open seats, the episode turns wins into a playbook: run candidates who fit their districts, follow the energy, and speak plainly about budgets, housing, and utilities.

Ron spotlights field-first campaigns like Chelsea Bond’s and the youth wave reshaping local races, then zooms out to national signals—from independents breaking blue to the debate over message discipline in the “107 days” of Kamala Harris’s sprint. Bottom line: affordability wins, organization matters, and Georgia just wrote a blueprint for 2026.

Tune in to catch the Ron Show weekdays from 4-6pm Eastern time on Georgia NOW! Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com.

#AndrewHeaton #MelitaEasters #AliciaJohnson #PeterHubbard #GeorgiaPSC #KitchenTableIssues #ZoranMamdani #GeorgiaPolitics #HearGeorgiaNow #TheRonShow