Friday on Political Rewind: Through the past year and-a-half, public health lockdowns, social isolation and economic strain exacerbated mental illness in many communities. And recently, the surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the spreading delta variant is a source of renewed anxiety and angst.
With census data now in the hands of state legislators, preparations for the upcoming reapportionment special session can begin. We spoke to a member of the House redistricting committee to hear what the learned from listening sessions with Georgians about how they’d like to see the process of drawing new maps unfold.
Tuesday on Political Rewind: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its latest reporting last week. It is the most definitive report yet on the consequences of an unchecked global carbon economy on our global climate. So, what is the message Americans should take away from this report? As we look ahead to uncertainty, what are the paths forward that address this existential issue?
Monday on Political Rewind: Georgians awoke this morning to news of the swift collapse of the government of Afghanistan. The end of the war now presents a humanitarian crisis. It has also become a raging partisan political matter, sure to play a role in the 2022 election cycle.
On today's show, new data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveal a dramatic decline of population in rural Georgia. The news suggest a major shift in political power in the state is underway and will play a major role when legislators begin their redistricting session in the coming months.
Thursday on Political Rewind: Polling shows Americans want lawmakers to take action to curb the rate of gun violence in our country. But what if gun violence was framed as a public health crisis? Data-driven preventative measures and other tools used to fight disease could be used in the fight against the epidemic of gun violence.
Wednesday on Political Rewind: As cases of COVID-19 surge dramatically across Georgia, candidates on both sides of the aisle are using the spread of the virus in their 2022 campaign messaging. Meanwhile, Gov. Brian Kemp is urging state business leaders to back his efforts to fight violent crime in Atlanta and other major cities.
Many Georgia schools are back in session, and with the reopening of classrooms, debates rage over whether to require masks for students and staff. Gov. Brian Kemp faces pressure from state legislative leaders to ban mask mandates in school systems across the Peach State. Meanwhile, businesses contemplate what to do about vaccines for employees.
Thursday on Political Rewind: State Republicans in the General Assembly are urging the governor to issue an order forbidding schools from imposing mask mandates for students and staff. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has answered critics within his own party who accused him of failing to take action as a moratorium on evictions expired late last week.
Today on Political Rewind: The spread of the delta variant combined with a continuing low rate of vaccinations have led to a dramatic spike in cases of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The news can seem scary. We assembled a panel of top public health experts to help demystify the state of the virus today.
Monday on Political Rewind: Concern about the resurgence of COVID-19 in Georgia is growing as the summer break draws to a close. Meanwhile, congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. allowed the end of an federal eviction moratorium over the weekend.
Friday on Political Rewind: How do we come to terms with debates over the very nature of U.S. history? Clint Smith’s debut work of nonfiction and offers a new understanding of the hopeful role that memory and history can play in making sense of our country’s legacy.
Thursday on Political Rewind: Georgia Republicans have begun taking steps to a possible takeover of Fulton County elections. A letter signed by two dozen state senators supports a performance review of the county’s election chief. Also: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s moratorium on evictions during the pandemic is set to end this Saturday, potentially unleashing a wave of pent-up evictions around metro Atlanta.
Wednesday on Political Rewind: Congressional hearings in Washington, D.C., continue as a U.S. House panel investigates the Jan. 6 insurrection. Meanwhile, data show that the Center for Disease Control’s new guidance on wearing masks to fight the spread of the highly contagious delta coronavirus variant should apply to people in all but a small handful of counties in Georgia.
Tuesday on Political Rewind: Voting rights advocates remain concerned Republican legislators are angling to use Georgia’s new voting law to take over operation of Fulton County elections. However, critics of past chaos in the county’s elections say change is needed. Meanwhile, as cases of COVID-19 propelled by the dangerous delta variant spread in the state, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson has once again issued a mask mandate for the city.
