Georgia lawmakers made big moves this week pushing forward the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a ban on cell phones for students in K-8,and a pay raise for Governor Brian Kemp. Meanwhile, a state House committee is also hearing a proposal to ban all abortions in Georgia, but that measure has opponents on both sides for different reasons. Plus, we examine another new federal slashing plan that cuts jobs from the Atlanta-based CDC. And we interview the new head of the Southeast's department of the Environmental Protection Agency. And how the dismantling of the Department of Education could eliminate a farmworker program in Georgia. 

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We look at Georgia's General Assembly passing tort reform, the top legislative priority for Governor Brian Kemp. Plus, lawmakers act to move forward protections for IVF, punishments for librarians and support for the state's sliding film industry. Also, Atlanta's City Council is temporarily exempting the Beltline and other infrastructure projects from the city's rules about protecting and removing trees. Plus, firings and funding cuts at the National Weather Service and other agencies have some worried about Georgia’s upcoming hurricane season. And we examine a pilot internship program with Atlanta music legend Jermaine Dupri and Emory University. 

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We hear more from federal workers fired from local offices of the IRS and HUD as well as ongoing drama at the CDC and the Office of personnel management. Plus, we talk to the consuls general of Canada and Mexico about the trade war with the U.S. And MARTA stands behind its assessment of public funds. 

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We look at some of the bills that passed or failed on Crossover Day, the time when a bill lives on as it goes to the other chamber or essentially dies for the session. The moves includes the failure of a bill to ban DEI in schools and the passing of a plan to lower the state income tax. Plus, we look at more impact locally from federal decisions in Washington, D.C., including in Atlanta at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health researchers. And City Lights Host Lois Reitzes announced her retirement from WABE this week after 45 years on air. We hear from her on why and what is next. 

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We dive into the impact decisions in Washington, D.C. are having in Georgia, including the ramifications of dismantling a major regulatory body that stemmed from a crisis that decimated this region. And we head to the legislative session  for a breakdown of big-ticket legislation that is headed for crossover day, including IVF treatment access and gambling.  We also go inside one of Atlanta's Black churches that was recently given money to preserve its history.  

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We look at the impact in Atlanta of the Trump administration's policy firing federal workers, specifically at the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Plus, we dive into some proposed state legislation that would put more pressure on local governments to clear homeless encampments or possibly pay homeowners whose values dropped because of them. Also, education researchers say students in Georgia have still not recovered academically to pre-pandemic achievement levels.

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In this special episode of the Week In Review, we take a look at our multi-part series on maternal health called Missing Moms from WABE Health Reporter Jess Mador.

Georgia can be a dangerous place to be pregnant and give birth. The state’s maternal mortality rate is among the worst in the United States. But the risks are not equal. Black Georgians are much more likely than other women to experience complications or die during or after pregnancy.

Families want change. Policymakers and advocates are pushing solutions. To understand what is — and is not — working to address Georgia’s maternal health crisis, we’re exploring the complex factors behind it and what’s being done to address it.

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The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now modifying the content on its website to "comply with President Trump's Executive Order" to dismantle DEI programs within the government. Also, Waffle House says it will charge extra for eggs as millions of chickens have been culled in response to the bird flu outbreak. Plus, we have more on Fulton County facing a lawsuit over its interpretation over the homestead exemption tax law that has some residents seeing massive tax bills. 

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We have more on President Donald Trump signing the Laken Riley Act into federal law as he was surrounded by the late Georgia nursing student's family this week. Plus, Democrats in the state legislature are making another attempt to extend health coverage to more Georgians under Medicaid, and this time, four Republicans have already signed on. Also, we look at the impact on Georgia homeowners as half of the state's 180 school districts have started the legal process to opt out of the Homestead Exemption law,  according to a survey from the Georgia School Superintendents Association.

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We look at another case of bird flu at a commercial facility in north Georgia, and how it has forced the killing of millions of birds and seen prices increases. Plus, dozens of people who live in Georgia were among those who received pardons from President Trump for their participation in the January 6th insurrection. And cars abandoned along the roadways, thousands without power, water mains busted, we'll look at the impact of the most recent winter storm to hit Georgia. Also, Jan. 20 might feel like a long time ago now, but it was a big day this week. We'll have local reactions to the presidential inauguration, MLK Day celebrations and the college football championship here in Atlanta. 

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