WABE's Week In Review

We have a deeper dive on the complex and controversial case at Emory Healthcare where a pregnant woman declared ‘brain dead’ is being kept on life support. Hospital officials say that’s because Georgia’s abortion law, but there’s disagreement among many, including conservatives. Plus, we take several looks at the economy: From what the Federal Reserve of Atlanta says about jobs to how to balance demands of data centers with their communities to high schoolers showing their personal finance skills. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of WABE's Week In Review, we dive into several areas of possible or likely cuts in federal funding from the Trump administration. We dive into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, where more than 1.4 million Georgians could see changes to the help they get from the nation's largest food-aid program. Plus, advocates for historic preservation initiatives in Georgia are raising concerns about delayed federal funding and possible cuts that they say the cuts threaten development and revitalization programs around the state. And we look at how cities are planning to deal with a loss in federal money. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Emory University Hospital patient declared "brain dead" remains on a ventilator to sustain her pregnancy, and Atlanta health providers and advocates are speaking out saying Georgia's six-week abortion law is forcing this decision. Plus, Governor Brian Kemp joined members of the Public Service Commission to advocate for a deal that would pause electricity rate increases right before the Commission’s long-awaited election. And Atlanta art organizations are reeling as the National Endowment for the Arts cancels funding. Also we look at Congress cutting billions in funding and how that could impact hundreds of thousands of Medicaid recipients in Georgia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our special series called "Server South: What's powering Atlanta's data center growth and what it means for you," we explore the controversial issue of these massive warehouse facilities. From the use of resources and land to the their importance to our everyday life, data centers are popping up across metro Atlanta. We hear about how artificial intelligence is forcing more and more centers. And we have a story about citizens in one metro Atlanta town fighting against a center in their backyard. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-term Georgia Governor Brian Kemp says he is passing on running for the U.S. Senate in next year’s midterm elections, a blow to Republicans who spent months courting him to challenge Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff. And we have more on federal cuts proposed or planned for programs that give access to opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan, research best healthcare alternatives for Black children, fund the Americorps staff and several climate change fighting initiatives. Plus, Atlanta Police outline plans for their budget. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Officials formally opened the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, a controversial project that's seen protests and legal challenges. Plus, Governor Brian Kemp signed a high-profile bill this week that cements legal access to in-vitro fertilization services into state law. And we explore the far-reaching implications in the first 100 days of President Donald Trump's policies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Pope Francis is buried this weekend, we hear from Atlantans about his legacy and what characteristics they are looking for in the next pontiff. Plus, Governor Brian Kemp took a victory lap this week after signing a once-in-a-generation overhaul of Georgia’s civil litigation rules. It's a shining moment for a term-limited governor as he weighs his political future. The National Rifle Association finished its annual meeting in Atlanta this week, as Georgia gun-owners consider recent events having to do with firearm safety. And we have more on Georgia's film industry is going through what some are calling a slowdown ,which was a topic of conversation at the 49th annual Atlanta Film Festival this week. Also, shrimpin' ain't easy: the plight of Georgia's shrimping boat captains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have more on the impact in Georgia of federal cuts including the cancelation all contracts with Atlanta's refugee resettlement groups. The cuts also call for canceling the lease for an office in metro Atlanta that monitors rivers for flooding and pollution and trimming Medicaid money. Plus, the state of Georgia is cutting taxes and giving rebates again. And we examine how animals use natural medicines to cure their illnesses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at how federal policy changes and massive cuts could impact Georgia, including immigration officials arresting more than 1,500 people in the state since Inauguration Day. Plus, library officials as we'll as weather forecasters here are seeing or set for budget cuts that could limit access to information from online databases to emergency weather hitting the area. Also, we are in Augusta for a unique look at he Masters golf tournament in an area hit hard just months ago by Hurricane Helene. And two important stories about keeping mothers and babies safe and connected even when they are separated by bars and/or mental illness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have more on the ramifications of federal cuts to Georgia. We have more on the job layoffs at the Atlanta-based CDC. We also hear from an historic HBCU on the path forward amid the dismantling of the Department of Education. Plus, Atlanta is one of the main spots for relocating refugees, but those agencies are seeing contracts canceled and aid closed off. And we hear from scientists on a new way to spread their message (and coping mechanism): stand-up comedy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia lawmakers made big moves this week pushing forward the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a ban on cell phones for students in K-8,and a pay raise for Governor Brian Kemp. Meanwhile, a state House committee is also hearing a proposal to ban all abortions in Georgia, but that measure has opponents on both sides for different reasons. Plus, we examine another new federal slashing plan that cuts jobs from the Atlanta-based CDC. And we interview the new head of the Southeast's department of the Environmental Protection Agency. And how the dismantling of the Department of Education could eliminate a farmworker program in Georgia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at Georgia's General Assembly passing tort reform, the top legislative priority for Governor Brian Kemp. Plus, lawmakers act to move forward protections for IVF, punishments for librarians and support for the state's sliding film industry. Also, Atlanta's City Council is temporarily exempting the Beltline and other infrastructure projects from the city's rules about protecting and removing trees. Plus, firings and funding cuts at the National Weather Service and other agencies have some worried about Georgia’s upcoming hurricane season. And we examine a pilot internship program with Atlanta music legend Jermaine Dupri and Emory University. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hear more from federal workers fired from local offices of the IRS and HUD as well as ongoing drama at the CDC and the Office of personnel management. Plus, we talk to the consuls general of Canada and Mexico about the trade war with the U.S. And MARTA stands behind its assessment of public funds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at some of the bills that passed or failed on Crossover Day, the time when a bill lives on as it goes to the other chamber or essentially dies for the session. The moves includes the failure of a bill to ban DEI in schools and the passing of a plan to lower the state income tax. Plus, we look at more impact locally from federal decisions in Washington, D.C., including in Atlanta at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health researchers. And City Lights Host Lois Reitzes announced her retirement from WABE this week after 45 years on air. We hear from her on why and what is next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We dive into the impact decisions in Washington, D.C. are having in Georgia, including the ramifications of dismantling a major regulatory body that stemmed from a crisis that decimated this region. And we head to the legislative session for a breakdown of big-ticket legislation that is headed for crossover day, including IVF treatment access and gambling. We also go inside one of Atlanta's Black churches that was recently given money to preserve its history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at the impact in Atlanta of the Trump administration's policy firing federal workers, specifically at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Plus, we dive into some proposed state legislation that would put more pressure on local governments to clear homeless encampments or possibly pay homeowners whose values dropped because of them. Also, education researchers say students in Georgia have still not recovered academically to pre-pandemic achievement levels. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode of the Week In Review, we take a look at our multi-part series on maternal health called Missing Moms from WABE Health Reporter Jess Mador. Georgia can be a dangerous place to be pregnant and give birth. The state’s maternal mortality rate is among the worst in the United States. But the risks are not equal. Black Georgians are much more likely than other women to experience complications or die during or after pregnancy. Families want change. Policymakers and advocates are pushing solutions. To understand what is — and is not — working to address Georgia’s maternal health crisis, we’re exploring the complex factors behind it and what’s being done to address it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now modifying the content on its website to "comply with President Trump's Executive Order" to dismantle DEI programs within the government. Also, Waffle House says it will charge extra for eggs as millions of chickens have been culled in response to the bird flu outbreak. Plus, we have more on Fulton County facing a lawsuit over its interpretation over the homestead exemption tax law that has some residents seeing massive tax bills. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have more on President Donald Trump signing the Laken Riley Act into federal law as he was surrounded by the late Georgia nursing student's family this week. Plus, Democrats in the state legislature are making another attempt to extend health coverage to more Georgians under Medicaid, and this time, four Republicans have already signed on. Also, we look at the impact on Georgia homeowners as half of the state's 180 school districts have started the legal process to opt out of the Homestead Exemption law, according to a survey from the Georgia School Superintendents Association. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at another case of bird flu at a commercial facility in north Georgia, and how it has forced the killing of millions of birds and seen prices increases. Plus, dozens of people who live in Georgia were among those who received pardons from President Trump for their participation in the January 6th insurrection. And cars abandoned along the roadways, thousands without power, water mains busted, we'll look at the impact of the most recent winter storm to hit Georgia. Also, Jan. 20 might feel like a long time ago now, but it was a big day this week. We'll have local reactions to the presidential inauguration, MLK Day celebrations and the college football championship here in Atlanta. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.