WABE's Week In Review

Fulton County DA Fani Willis appeared before a committee that's investigating her and forcefully pushed back against lawmakers. Plus, military veterans face a greater risk for pregnancy complications than civilians. So the Atlanta VA is working to connect pregnant and postpartum vets with extra support to try to better protect their health. And we have updates on Georgia Power expansion plans, data centers, an animal shelter in DeKalb and a push to teach more Black kids to swim. 

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In a surprise announcement, Georgia Power says it's reached an agreement with state regulators on a massive, controversial expansion plan that covers $15 billion in construction. Plus, a federal judge is ordering Georgia's prison system to provide hormone therapy for transgender inmates. And Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is expected to appear next week before a Georgia State Senate Committee that is investigating her for alleged misconduct connected to her prosecution of the now-dismissed 2020 election interference case, which included the indictment of President Donald Trump. Also, we continue our Medical Wealth Gap series exploring just how much insurance plans are going to spike if Congress can't work out a deal. 

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Fulton County taxpayers could be forced to pay millions of dollars of legal fees after a judge dismissed the 2020 election interference case involving President Donald Trump. And the Atlanta Board of Education has voted to either re-purpose or completely close 16 schools over the next couple of years. Plus, we look at a local nonprofit expanding services to open a women-only facility to help those experiencing homelessness. Also, we'll have the first two parts of our Medical Wealth Gap series exploring how Georgians are impacted by rising costs and cuts in federal funding. 

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement detains thousands of immigrants across Georgia mostly in rural communities in the south of the state. This summer, WABE’s immigration reporter Emily Wu Pearson visited Lumpkin, one of those communities, to learn how increasing detentions under the second Trump Administration is affecting the area. 

Story 1: Unlike in the U.S. Court system for citizens, legal representation is not guaranteed for detained immigrants. And lawyers costs thousands of dollars. We hear from a small group of attorneys working pro bono to help. 

Story 2: Immigration cases are often open to the public. We hear from a group of volunteers who watch hours of court proceedings to keep tabs on the judicial system. 

Story 3: With detention centers in such rural locations, family members often have a hard time getting to and staying near facilities. We look at the journey to help family members and those trying to make those trips a little easier. 

Story 4: Millions of dollars a month flow to companies operating immigrant detention facilities in Georgia. We look at where the money comes from and where it goes. 

For more on this series, go to wabe.org/detention 

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Georgia's superintendent calls for pay raises for teachers. It comes at a time when schools are having a hard time getting some students back in the classroom. We look at how chronic absenteeism still remains well above pre-pandemic numbers. Plus, attorneys are gathering Northwest Georgia residents to continue fighting against extensive chemical contamination in the Dalton area. And the state requires mental health treatment be covered by insurance companies the same as physical illness, But that is not always happening. We hear about how advocates are trying to save lives by making sure the law is followed. Also, we go inside Georgia's backlogged immigration courts. 

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The election interference criminal case in Georgia against President Trump and several others will move forward after a new prosecutor was appointed before Friday's deadline. Plus, Georgia officials are preparing for the winter  and how to prepare the public for potential winter storms. Also, Atlanta is set to have a new professional sports team — a National Women’s Soccer League expansion franchise. And we go to the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin to look at  conditions in and round the massive facility for those who work there and those who are kept inside. 

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We breakdown some of the biggest races from Tuesday election. Plus, a new poll suggest Georgia voters support vaccine mandates for kids. And we look at what one school and some young filmmakers are doing to try and succeed in Georgia's film industry as it continues to see a decline in productions. Also, a former Department of Justice official is honored for her work at Fulton County Jail. 

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The city of Atlanta and other partners are trying to fill in the gap that will be left by residents using SNAP losing the benefit. Meantime, Georgia says it will not help some of the 1.4 million people living here that receive SNAP with Governor Brian Kemp saying the state will not bail out the federal government. Plus, Georgia Head Start programs will shutter as the federal government remains shutdown. Also the election for two seats on the utility regulatory board has become a high-profile race with both parties pouring in cash. And how one Atlanta-based artist is using video games to translate the emotions of isolation fueled by the immigration experience. 

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The election for two seats on Georgia's Public Service Commission, the board that regulates your utilities, is now more high profile than ever with national dollars coming in. Plus, a fired Georgia teacher is suing her district over her first amendment rights for what she posted about the killing of Charlie Kirk. And Georgia environmental activists are asking the state to permanently protect areas around the Okefenokee Swamp from mining. We'll have officials with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources explaining what they're considering to make more money from parks. Also, we look at how some local groups are trying to help victims of violent crime get compensated. 

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DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Devon Horton resigned on Wednesday just days after a federal indictment against him in the state of Illinois for an alleged kickback scheme at his previous school district. Plus, more than five dozen detainees at the Fulton County Jail are currently sleeping on the floor, while a new diversion center designed to help prevent overcrowding is struggling to fill its beds. Also food vouchers for TSA workers offered by the city of Atlanta are allegedly caught up in federal government red tape. And an Atlanta food institution-- "Eats"-- closes its doors. 

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