Friday on Political Rewind: COVID-19 continues to bounce back in the United States, though not necessarily because of the new omicron variant. Meanwhile, Sen. Raphael Warnock pushes for a federal voting rights act on the floor of Congress.
Wednesday on Political Rewind: We talk one-on-one with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Greg Bluestein as Gov. Brian Kemp waits to hear if his proposal for a limited expansion of Medicaid will win federal approval. Plus, Atlanta Mayor-elect Andre Dickens works to head off the Buckhead city movement.
Friday on Political Rewind: Consequential updates to Georgia's political maps are moving through a special session of the state General Assembly. The Republican-controlled legislature is redrawing the boundaries of state and congressional legislatorial seats as part of a decennial process mandated by law.
Tuesday on Political Rewind: Opponents of the Buckhead City movement have launched a counteroffensive. Also, the first day of jury selection in the trial of the three men charged with murder in the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery made clear just how difficult it could be to find 12 jurors who say they have open minds about the case.
A city of Buckhead would carve about 25 square miles — or about 18% of the city of Atlanta’s land area — and create Georgia’s 10th largest municipality. It would also include about 20% of the city’s population and cost the city of Atlanta more than $250 million in property, sales and lodging taxes, as well as business license revenues.
The next leader of Georgia’s largest city will play a crucial role in charting its path forward. But Tuesday night, it was candidates’ political pasts that took center stage.
Thursday on Political Rewind: Mask mandates see debate in Cobb County schools as discussion continues over public health guidelines among younger students. In other news, what could the windfall be from debates in the U.S. Capitol over significant federal legislative packages? Plus: the Buckhead city movement.
Monday on Political Rewind: Georgia remains near the bottom of states with fully vaccinated residents. Some local officials are offering incentive programs, such as gift certificates, to encourage people to get COVID-19 shots. Also, Buckhead's attempt to separate from the city of Atlanta has gained national attention.
A commissioned study finds Buckhead City could be financially feasible, but it leaves out logistical, political and other budgetary costs of such a measure.
Tuesday on Political Rewind: Gov. Brian Kemp announced new initiatives in the effort to get more Georgians vaccinated. Meanwhile, Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker faces new light on his tumultuous past.
Crime is spiking across the city of Atlanta, and perhaps most visibly in Buckhead. Some residents there are saying it's time to secede from Atlanta and that forming their own city is the best way to protect their citizens and keep a close eye on their tax dollars. Opponents of Buckhead cityhood believe that this could be a tremendous hit to the economy of the city of Atlanta. On the latest episode of Georgia Today, we talk to J.D. Capelouto, news reporter from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, about the push by some residents for Buckhead to secede from Atlanta.
Friday on Political Rewind: Vaccination rates in Georgia remain stubbornly low, even as the coronavirus is establishing a foothold again across the country. Hospitalizations are up in the state too, with the vast majority of patients being unvaccinated. What role are misinformation and partisan politics playing in the continuing spread of the virus? And how is this affecting other national topics, such as immigration? Our panel weighs in.
Plus, all five candidates for mayor of Atlanta took aim at what they say is a destructive campaign to create a new city of Buckhead.
Monday on Political Rewind: Seven months after the 2020 presidential election, the outcome in Georgia is still being contested by those convinced a myriad of conspiracies stole the election from Donald Trump. A court case today will determine whether plaintiffs have the right to have Fulton County absentee ballots examined for fraud.
Wednesday on Political Rewind: The public got its first chance to weigh in yesterday on the potentially contentious process of drawing Georgia's new political boundaries. Last night's virtual meeting saw input from many young students' concerns about gerrymandering.