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.

Tuesday on Political Rewind: New polling shows Herschel Walker is the best liked of the potential field among both Republicans and Democrats. The recent survey suggests the former college football star would be the strongest Republican against incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock.

Monday on Political Rewind: Officials continue to resist establishing a statewide procedure for mitigating the possible spread of COVID-19 in schools. Cases are rising in some systems in the first week of classes. In Atlanta, public schools will begin offering vaccines to middle and high school students next week.

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.

Tuesday on Political Rewind: Data from hospitals in key regions of Georgia make it clear: A fourth wave of COVID-19, another surge, has begun. Meanwhile, U.S. Senate candidate Gary Black isn’t waiting for Herschel Walker to declare his intentions about running for the senate. Black released an ad this week mocking Walker’s waiting game.

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.

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.

Monday on Political Rewind, we are joined by New York Times and internationally bestselling author Karin Slaughter. Her newest novel, False Witness, incorporates many timely issues into its narrative. Published in 120 countries with more than 40 million copies sold across the globe, Slaughter’s novels include Cop Town and Pretty Girls, The Good Daughter, and Pieces of Her.

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.