Episodios

  • CDC shooting aftermath, Atlanta mourns fallen officer, A new Republican may soon enter the 2026 Georgia Governor's race
    Aug 19 2025

    This week Atlanta is paying final respects to DeKalb County Officer David Rose, who was killed during a shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month.

    Authorities say Patrick Joseph White targeted the CDC, and blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for his mental health issues. He died by suicide after firing roughly 500 shots at CDC buildings.

    The union representing CDC workers warns about the continued spread of vaccine disinformation, especially by leaders like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. They say the violence is a result of the vilification of government employees, fueled by the Trump Administration.

    Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, and host Lisa Rayam break down all of this.

    Plus, both Tharon and Brian agree: As candidates for Georgia Governor like Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr show their allegiance to Trump, one new name could shake things up.

    Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger may soon jump into the race. Raffensperger defied Trump in 2020 as the president allegedly conspired to overturn Georgia's election results.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    35 m
  • Plugged In: The latest on the CDC shooting
    Aug 15 2025

    Employees at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been left shaken after a man fired hundreds of bullets at the Atlanta headquarters and killed a police officer.

    On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” WABE Criminal Justice Reporter Chamain Cruz and WABE Health Reporter Jess Mador join hosts Rahul Bali, Sam Gringlas and Brendan Rivers with an update on the investigation and how the shooting is the latest example of increasing threats, and sometimes violence, directed at public officials and institutions.

    Plus, more candidates jump into Georgia’s 2026 statewide races.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    23 m
  • DeKalb County Democrat Michael Thurmond launches campaign for Georgia Governor, Chris Carr sues Burt Jones on the GOP side
    Aug 14 2025

    On this week's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react to former DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond's long-awaited campaign launch for the Democratic primary in the Georgia Governor's race.

    One question being addressed: Will a more moderate Thurmond be able to bring Democrats together at a time when what unites most is just hating President Donald Trump?

    Plus, the legal drama brewing between the gubernatorial candidates. Attorney General Chris Carr sues Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. Meantime, Jones nabs a critical endorsement from President Trump.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    30 m
  • Plugged In: Trump wants to dismantle two federal agencies established by Jimmy Carter
    Aug 8 2025

    Former President and Georgia native Jimmy Carter created the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Emergency Management Agency back in 1979. But now President Donald Trump is calling for these two departments, among others, to be dismantled.

    On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali look at how debates over the shape of the federal government during Carter’s time can shed light on what’s happening today.

    Plus, a look at bathroom parity at the State Capitol, off-schedule redistricting appears to be off the table for Georgia Republicans, an update on drama over appointments to the Fulton County Board of Elections and census data suggests that Metro Atlanta’s population boom may be slowing.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    23 m
  • Derek Dooley all-in to challenge Jon Ossoff, Controversy with State Election Board member Janelle King
    Aug 5 2025

    It's official: Derek Dooley is the latest Republican to jump into the race to eventually challenge incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. The former University of Tennessee football coach joined the GOP primary and announced his campaign in a video that honored his late father, the legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley.

    Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam agree: there's power in the Dooley name. But the endorsements are also rolling in for U.S. Rep. Mike Collins.

    Plus, Republican Janelle King sits on the State Election Board. Her husband, Kelvin King, is running for Secretary of State. Both are part of the Black Voices for Trump Coalition and have been critical of the current office and its handling of Georgia's elections.

    But King says she won’t surrender her position just because her husband is running, citing there’s no legal obligation for her to do so. If he wins, “that’s a different discussion,” she said.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    41 m
  • Republican Congressman Mike Collins is out the gate, launches Georgia U.S. Senate bid
    Jul 29 2025

    Last week there was speculation that U.S. Rep. Mike Collins was going to jump into the Georgia Senate race for the Republican nomination. The Trump ally made it official on Monday, and set the stage for an even more competitive primary.

    Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson join host Lisa Rayam to discuss this on this week's live edition of Political Breakfast.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    8 m
  • Plugged In: Inside the legal fight over a new exhibit at Stone Mountain
    Jul 25 2025

    In 2021, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association agreed to install an exhibit about the park's history, including Ku Klux Klan cross-burnings.

    Construction for the new exhibit is underway, but the Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is suing to stop it.

    On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss how the Confederate group is using a state law to challenge the planned exhibit, which aims to tell a broader story about Stone Mountain.

    Plus, we take a look at a new committee reviewing Georgia election laws and catch up on the investigation into a lending firm whose founder is a big donor in Georgia Republican politics.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    23 m
  • Two Georgia U.S. Representatives "hint" they'll run for high-profile roles in 2026. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Mike Collins on the fence.
    Jul 24 2025

    On this edition of Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam talk about the Republicans who are "hinting" about jumping into two key Georgia races: The race for Governor and a U.S. Senate seat.

    It's all talk at this point for U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Mike Collins. But why?

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    24 m