Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy talk with Andrew Desiderio, a senior congressional reporter for Punchbowl News, about the negotiations in Washington to avoid a partial government shutdown. On Tuesday, the U.S. House passed legislation to avert a partial government shutdown and fund federal agencies through September. The vote provides critical momentum for the measure, which now moves to the U.S. Senate, where bipartisan support will be needed to get it over the finish line. Meanwhile, Atlanta ...
Mar 12, 2025•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today's episode features an in-depth look at Governor Brian Kemp's legal overhaul legislation. We hear from a series of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle on Senate Bill 68. Former Democratic operative, Falak Sabbak, talks about what’s in the measure and why tort reform matters to Georgians. But first, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy review what survived and passed after the dust settled on Crossover Day. Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast ...
Mar 11, 2025•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Over at the Georgia State Capitol, it’s Crossover Day. Host Greg Bluestein talks with Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns about the excitement surrounding the day and his priorities for the rest of the legislative session. But first, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell discuss the latest developments in the 2026 race for Georgia governor, after U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath made the first move toward a likely run. Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 7...
Mar 06, 2025•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Politically Georgia host Tia Mitchell sits down for a conversation with Democratic Strategist Tré Easton about what’s next for Georgia Democrats. Easton - a recently retired Congressional staffer - never forgets his Georgia roots. His experience growing up with the Young Democrats of Georgia in Barnesville informs what he thinks Democrats on Capitol Hill should be doing for their constituents today. The duo also talk about the upcoming March 14 deadline for Congress to avoid a government shutdow...
Mar 05, 2025•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's Politically Georgia’s first episode since going back to a podcast only. Hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell share what’s in store for Politically Georgia’s future and discuss the fast-approaching Crossover Day deadline for state legislators. Then, Greg Bluestein recaps his interview with Kelly Loeffler - one of her first interviews since being confirmed to lead the Small Business Administration. Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgi...
Mar 04, 2025•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Our show started out as a podcast in 2018, and over the last year, we’ve produced our show live on the radio. During that time, we’ve heard from a lot of you, and we’ve learned a lot about what our listeners want. So starting this week, we’re taking Politically Georgia back to its roots. At Politically Georgia, making sense of Georgia politics is what we do, and analyzing how decisions in DC affect Georgians is our mission. For new episodes with in-depth reporting and analysis on all things poli...
Mar 03, 2025•1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today marks Politically Georgia’s final broadcast on WABE, closing one chapter as we prepare for an exciting new future. On today’s episode, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell reflect on their favorite moments on-air, and AJC President and Publisher Andrew Morse shares the vision for what’s next. Then, we welcome Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, fresh off his State of the City address. As he nears the end of his first term, Dickens discusses the lessons he’s learned in office, h...
Feb 28, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast With Crossover Day just around the corner, Georgia lawmakers are entering a pivotal phase of the legislative session. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Patricia Murphy and Greg Bluestein sit down with Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to discuss key bills moving through the state Senate—including Gov. Brian Kemp’s legal overhaul and Georgia’s own version of a DOGE bill. Plus, we’ll ask Jones about his political future and whether he’s eyeing a 2026 run for governor. Then, Chief Justice Michael ...
Feb 27, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Donald Trump’s policies are already making waves in Georgia’s economy. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, lobbyist Howard Franklin of Ohio River South joins us to discuss how the Trump administration’s decisions are affecting key business sectors in the state. Then, House Republicans, with Trump’s backing, pushed through a budget blueprint late last night. We’ll examine how the plan—focused on border security—could lead to cuts to Medi...
Feb 26, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast As Georgia Democrats regroup after a tough election cycle, some leaders are taking a proactive approach to rebuilding the party. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy sit down with State Sen. Josh McLaurin and State Rep. Ruwa Romman to discuss their strategy for moving forward and what they believe is needed to strengthen Democratic influence in the state. Meanwhile, Governor Brian Kemp has successfully pushed his 'tort reform' measure through the st...
Feb 25, 2025•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast As President Donald Trump marks his first month back in the Oval Office, Georgia Republicans are solidifying their strategy for the future. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell sit down with Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon to discuss Trump’s return, the state party’s vision and McKoon’s own plans for reelection. Meanwhile, Georgia Democrats are dealing with mounting calls for change after suffering significant losses in November. The debate has reache...
Feb 24, 2025•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast It has been one month since President Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office, and his approach has been anything but slow. With a flurry of executive orders, budget cuts, policy shifts, and economic directives, his administration is moving at full speed. On today’s special episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell help you cut through the noise and break down the most significant moments from Trump’s first 30 days. We’ll also examine how Trump’s pre...
Feb 21, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast It has been 30 days since President Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy and Greg Bluestein examine how his policies have already shaped Georgia’s political and economic landscape. Then, we speak with Georgia Senate President Pro Tem John Kennedy, who is co-sponsoring a bill modeled after the Trump administration’s federal budget-cutting efforts. Kennedy explains why he believes Georg...
Feb 20, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lawmakers are racing to fund the government, and Georgia stands to benefit from key budget provisions. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy speak with Semafor’s Washington-based reporter Kadia Goba about the high-stakes negotiations and the federal dollars headed to Georgia. Then, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, whose tenure has been marred by delivery delays and controversy, has announced his resignation. We...
Feb 19, 2025•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast As the debate over reproductive rights continues, Georgia House Speaker John Burns is pushing to protect in vitro fertilization. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, we talk to Rep. Lehman Franklin, the bill’s sponsor, about why the measure is personal for him and the hurdles it faces in the legislature. Meanwhile, Democrats are raising alarms over the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to the CDC, which will result in more than 1,300 layoffs. S...
Feb 18, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is sending shockwaves across Georgia, with new policies affecting communities statewide. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, we hear from State Senator Nabilah Islam Parkes about how Democrats plan to respond. Then, as Senator Jon Ossoff campaigns for reelection, he’s still facing backlash from some Jewish voters over a vote last year on U.S. arms to Israel. We’ll break down the potential impact on his 2026 ra...
Feb 17, 2025•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan was one of President Donald Trump’s fiercest Republican critics during the campaign, but after Trump’s victory, he urged people to give him a chance. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell check in with Duncan to see where he stands and get his take on Georgia’s Senate race as it begins to heat up. Then, we turn to the Senate, where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was narrowly confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services...
Feb 14, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Georgia Democrats are looking to rebuild after a tough election cycle. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy sit down with Democratic Caucus Chair Tanya Miller to discuss the party’s strategy this legislative session and how they plan to regain political ground. Then, we turn to the classroom, where Rep. Scott Hilton is pushing for a ban on cellphone use during class time in Georgia schools. We break down his proposal, the debate it’s sparking, and h...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting billions in funding for the National Institutes of Health, sparing $100 million earmarked for critical research in Georgia. But how long will this protection last? On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy speak with AJC Health Reporter Ariel Hart about the legal battle and what’s at stake for Georgia’s research institutions. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is pre...
Feb 12, 2025•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast The 2026 race for Georgia governor is already heating up, and state Senator Jason Esteves is the latest to consider a bid for the state’s top office. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Patricia Murphy and Greg Bluestein sit down with Esteves live from the state Capitol to discuss his political future and the issues shaping Georgia’s landscape. Then, AJC local government reporter Riley Bunch joins the show to talk about her in-depth profile of five of Atlanta's six living Black mayo...
Feb 11, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast A bill banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports has become a top priority for Georgia Republicans this legislative session. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell speak with State Senator Greg Dolezal about the bill’s focus, its potential impact and what’s next for the legislation. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s decision to slash billions from the National Institutes of Health has sent shockwaves through the medical commun...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this special Politically Georgia episode, recorded live in front of an audience in Washington, D.C., hosts Tia Mitchell, Greg Bluestein, and Patricia Murphy take the show on the road for an inside look at President Donald Trump’s second term. First, we’re joined by Rome-based Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene to hear her perspective on what she’s seeing from Trump’s return to the White House and how it’s reshaping the political landscape. Then, we turn to top journalists for the...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and House Speaker Jon Burns traveled to Washington to stand alongside President Donald Trump as he signed a national ban on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports. Today, the Georgia Senate will vote on a similar statewide ban. On Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the political implications and what’s next for the legislation. Then, we hear from Congressman Mike Collins, who shares his thoughts on the Laken Riley Act and wh...
Feb 06, 2025•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Donald Trump’s cabinet continues to take shape as the Senate confirms former Georgia Congressman Doug Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Tia Mitchell and Greg Bluestein discuss Collins’ new role and explore which other Georgia politicians could be tapped to join the Trump administration. Then, Greg sits down with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, a veteran Democrat who has spent nearly three decades in Congress. With his party now...
Feb 05, 2025•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast State Senator Kim Jackson has introduced Senate Bill 41, a measure she says would ensure real fairness in girls’ sports. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy speak with the Stone Mountain Democrat about the details of the bill and what it could mean for student-athletes in Georgia. Then, we turn to Georgia’s healthcare system. Governor Brian Kemp has ruled out Medicaid expansion, leaving hospitals and healthcare advocates searching for solutions. Ca...
Feb 04, 2025•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Governor Brian Kemp is making tort reform his top legislative priority this session, aiming to curb large jury awards and lower insurance rates. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell speak with Kemp’s top adviser, Cody Hall, about what it will take to get the measure across the finish line—and how it could shape Kemp’s political future. Then, we sit down with Senator Nikki Merritt, the newly elected chair of Georgia’s Legislative Black Caucus, to discus...
Feb 03, 2025•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s special episode of Politically Georgia, we sit down with legendary Democratic strategist James Carville. Carville, who once predicted Kamala Harris would win the White House, recently wrote a New York Times essay explaining why he was wrong—and he shares his advice on how Democrats can find their way back to power. We also ask Carville about Georgia’s shifting political landscape. He was instrumental in helping Zell Miller become governor in 1990, but since then, Republicans have domi...
Jan 31, 2025•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Governor Brian Kemp’s push to limit large jury awards is getting a major financial boost, with a company pledging $1 million in ads to help pass the measure this session. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the high-stakes fight over legal reform. State Senator Josh McLaurin, a lawyer and vocal opponent of the bill, explains why he believes the proposal favors businesses over everyday Georgians. We are also joined by Georgia ACLU’s Chris...
Jan 30, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast The White House is preparing for President Donald Trump to sign the Laken Riley Act this afternoon. The measure, named for the Georgia nursing student murdered in Athens by an undocumented immigrant, requires local law enforcement to turn over immigrants to ICE for even minor offenses. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell speak with Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz about the new law and its impact on communities. Later, we turn to UGA political science professor C...
Jan 29, 2025•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Donald Trump’s increased deportation efforts are drawing reactions across Georgia, including from Governor Brian Kemp. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut explore how these immigration actions are impacting the state. AJC crime and safety reporter Joszef Papp joins us to talk about his visit to a poultry farm in Gainesville. He shares what he learned about the community’s response and the perspectives of the local immigrant po...
Jan 28, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
