City bribery, Kaleb Anderson, Five Eight, The Douglass Theatre, and Six Flags

Federal prosecutors are investigating bribes paid to Atlanta city officials in exchange for business contracts. Two contractors have already plead guilty to dishing out these bribes--though it is not clear who accepted them. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has exclusive new info on the situation. We talk with reporter Scott Trubey, who has been covering the bribery scandal at City Hall.

Then, Kaleb Anderson is a 19 year-old-from Atlanta. He was diagnosed with HIV just a couple of months before starting college. He shares his story in a commentary.

Next, Athens band Five Eight has been a staple in the Georgia music scene for decades. An upcoming documentary called “Five Eight: Weirdo Reborn” follows the band’s return to glory. This week, the group premieres their new double record “Songs for St. Jude,” with shows in Augusta, Athens, and Atlanta. Five Eight members Mike Mantione and Sean Dunn join us from Athens.

Then, "On Second Thought" travels to Macon next week for an evening show at the historic Douglass Theatre. Alan Walden, who helped manage Otis Redding, says the theater played a vital role in launching Redding’s career. We get a preview of that interview, with much more to come. You can join the OST crew in Macon at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 27. Tickets are free, but you’ll need to RSVP. You can do that at https://tinyurl.com/y8rezlrc

Finally, Six Flags just announced its historic wooden rollercoaster, The Georgia Cyclone, will be closed by the end of this month. The park turned 50 this year, and a lot has changed since it opened. GPB producers Ryan McFadin and Sean Powers bring us an audio postcard from Six Flags. Then, travel journalist Arthur Levine joins us to discuss rollercoaster history, and the appeal of getting your kicks on a ride.  

Tags: Six Flags  Five Eight  Bribery  HIV  OST Full Show  Athens  Atlanta  Georgia