Political Rewind: COVID bounces back; Rivian drives big change; Warnock speaks out for voting rights

The Panelists:

Patricia Murphy — Political reporter and columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Chuck Williams — Reporter, WRBL-TV Columbus

Sen. Sonya Halpern — State senator (D-Atlanta)

Leo Smith — GOP consultant, president, Engaged Futures

The Breakdown:

1. Surge in COVID cases as many look to travel for the holidays.

• This week the United States passed a grim milestone with 800,000 people dying from COVID-19 in the country.
• Right now, 59% of eligible Georgians have at least one dose of the vaccine.
• The omicron variant was found in Georgia, but the CDC says the delta variant continues to be the main one circulating in the United States.

2. Rivian to build a factory in Rutledge, Ga. 

• GPB's Stephen Fowler reports the Amazon-linked manufacturer is promising 7,500 jobs to the area.
• The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Patricia Murphy comments on what that promise means to the area in the future. 

3. Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock delivers a powerful speech on protecting voting rights.

• Warnock called on his party to change the chamber's rules and push forward with voting rights legislation in a floor speech on Tuesday.

• Journalist Chuck Williams commented on the freshman senator's plea to his own party. 

4. The future of the Buckhead cityhood movement in the legislature.

• State Sen. Sonya Halpern, who represents Atlanta, comments on how the legislature will address the issue next session.

Monday on Political Rewind: GPB's Donna Lowry is our guest host to discuss the latest after a rocky couple years for Georgia's burgeoning film industry.