WABE's Week In Review

Officials in the small city of Social Circle, about an hour east of Atlanta,  have locked the water meter on the warehouse Immigration and Custom Enforcement bought to detain thousands of people. Plus, TSA workers in Atlanta and across the country have now missed one full paycheck, leading to staffing shortages with some needing to call out to take second jobs. And drinking water operators in metro Atlanta were forced to spend heavily to deal with smelly water going into people's homes, and now they are looking at how to prevent it in the future. Also, in our series Invisible Scars, we look at how women veterans in Georgia are finding healing after serving.

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The ACLU and several Georgia human rights groups are asking the Department of Homeland Security to stop detaining immigrants in temporary holding cells in the basement of an Atlanta immigration office. Plus, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis blasted Republicans at the state Capitol who she says are targeting her for her prosecution of President Donald Trump and others in the 2020 election interference case. Also, state lawmakers look for alternatives to the QR codes on ballot used to tabulate votes for this year's midterm elections. And we look at the chaotic year at the Atlanta-based CDC. 

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Candidates for Georgia's U.S. Senate seat weigh in on the controversial war in Iran launched a week ago by President Trump and Israel. Plus, we go to the town of Social Circle, east of Atlanta, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement is looking at building a warehouse detention facility. And we have more on the guilty verdict of a man who gave his teenage son the AR-style rifle used in the Apalachee High School shooting in 2024. Also, we profile an artist who is finding redemption and healing through his new installation that was forged by fire.  We'll also investigate the case of an Atlanta area parkland that was exchanged with a developer who promised big things only to now have it possibly sold to build a data center. 

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President Donald Trump was in Georgia touting his economic plan, including his sweeping tariffs. A day later, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the president exceeded his authority in implementing them. Plus, Georgia lawmakers are making key changes to tax relief, college scholarships and mental health funding in this year's amended state budget. And Georgia Power bills could actually be going down this summer. Also, sponsors of a new bill in Georgia, that would further restrict access to abortion, say it would mean the end of the procedure in the state. And we'll hear from Douglasville's Elana Meyers Taylor... the most decorated Black Olympian in Winter Olympics history. 

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Unsealed affidavits related to the FBI raid on the Fulton County elections hub shows it's part of an investigation into  "deficiencies or defects" in the 2020 vote count. It is part of President Donald Trump's unfounded claims of election fraud in Georgia. Also,a small Hall County city is asking the federal government to pause plans to use an industrial warehouse for an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement processing facility.  And jury selection is complete in the trial of the father of the alleged Apalachee school shooter. He faces 29 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder, and is one of a handful of parents around the country charged with crimes after their children are accused of committing acts of violence. Plus, after more than three decades as Southwest Atlanta's go-to African American bookstore, the Greenbriar Mall's MEDU Bookstore will close this summer.  

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Fulton County leaders filed a motion this week in federal court wanting the return of 2020 election documents seized in a recent federal raid. Plus, Georgia lawmakers move forward on a bill to prevent local governments and school districts from opting out of a statewide cap on annual property tax increases. Also, a billionaire Trump supporter is joining the crowded race for Georgia governor. And we get updates on Marta as it prepares for the World Cup. 

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The FBI raided the election office of Fulton County this week looking for records from the 2020 election in Georgia. President Trump disputed his loss in the state saying the election was stolen. Several audits showed Trump's claims were false. Also, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has opened a satellite office in College Park to accommodate as the agency ramping up its actions around the country. Plus, Georgia was given millions of dollars for officials to test drinking water at schools, but less than a quarter have yet done so. Ninety percent of those who have found unhealthy traces of lead in drinking fountains and elsewhere. And we have an exit interview of sorts from the Republican who lost his seat on the Public Service Commission last year after the election became a national talking point and saw higher than expected turnout. 

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Georgia officials are warning residents to brace for the severe wintry weather hitting much of the county. Plus, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has filed a bill to pause building new data centers in Georgia. And judges here are seeking funds from the state for better personal security when they're not at the courthouse. Also, researchers from UGA say their new peer reviewed study has the best evidence on one of the biggest recent scientific debates in Georgia-- surrounding potential mining near the Okefenokee. And a new project aims to showcase the musical talent of folks living unhoused in Atlanta. 

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Governor Brian Kemp is proposing new spending for state workers including teacher pay raises as well on million to help curb homelessness. Plus, another metro Atlanta city is pausing data center development as the area continues o see rapid growth in the large facilities.  And some Georgia Power customers may see some relief later this year on their bills. Also, three inmates are killed and dozens injured at an understaffed Georgia prison after a fight breaks out at the facility. And we look at how Georgia is impacted by the Trump administration's immigration policies. 

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Lawmakers present different ideas on making life more affordable by cutting taxes as the Georgia legislative session is set to begin. And we look at a report on the DeKalb County families living in extended stay hotels because they can't afford a more permanent place to live, and how that can take a toll on their safety, health and finances. We hear from one of the many thousands of people from Venezuela now living in Atlanta on what he thinks of what's happened there. Plus, a report from a protest in Atlanta in response to the fatal shooting of a woman in Minnesota by an ICE officer. 

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