We begin today with breaking news: immigration raids were carried out in Georgia and several other states yesterday. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell examine the impact of these actions and what they signal for immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration. Next, President Trump has issued an executive order temporarily halting communications from federal public health agencies, including the Atlanta-based CDC, to the public and among ...
Jan 27, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast On his first day in office, President Donald Trump issued sweeping executive orders that could significantly alter U.S. immigration policy. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell speak with immigration attorney Chuck Kuck to analyze the implications of Trump’s decisions and what might come next. The, the the AJC’s Zachary Hansen joins the podcast to explore how Trump’s promise to end what he calls Biden’s electric vehicle mandate could affect Georgia’s boomi...
Jan 24, 2025•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast A new challenger has stepped up in Georgia politics. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut speak with Democratic state Senator Emanuel Jones, who has filed paperwork to challenge veteran Congressman David Scott in the 2026 race. Jones shares his vision and why he jumped into the race early. We also sit down with Republican state Senator Jason Anavitarte, who provides his firsthand perspective on President Trump’s inauguration and weighs i...
Jan 23, 2025•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the day after President Donald Trump issued executive orders granting reprieves to as many as 1,600 individuals convicted in the January 6th riots, federal judges have begun releasing those convicted and dismissing pending cases. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell speak with Georgia State University law professor Anthony Michael Kreis about the sweeping pardons and the growing use of executive orders by presidents of both parties. We are also joined b...
Jan 22, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Donald Trump is back in the Oval Office and has already issued a wave of executive orders, including pardoning January 6th defendants. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, Tia Mitchell, and Bill Nigut examine what’s next for Trump’s first 100 days and how his agenda could impact Georgia. We also hear from Jason Carter, grandson of the late President Jimmy Carter, who provides updates on his family and reflects on the potential effects of the...
Jan 21, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this special edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Bill Nigut and Patricia Murphy cover the historic convergence of Donald Trump’s return to the White House on the same day as the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. We discuss what to expect as President-elect Trump begins his term with a series of executive orders, including action on immigration and the expected pardoning of January 6th defendants. We also analyze the Geor...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Governor Brian Kemp made it clear in his State of the State address that his top priority for the 2025 legislative session is passing a bill to limit civil lawsuits and cap massive jury awards. Kemp even hinted he’s prepared to call a special session if lawmakers don’t pass the measure before sine die. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Bill Nigut, Tia Mitchell and Greg Bluestein analyze the highlights of Kemp’s speech and what it means for the session ahead. Before Kemp’s speech, ...
Jan 17, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Governor Brian Kemp is set to deliver his annual State of the State address, where he’s expected to highlight his push for limits on civil lawsuit awards and reveal more details on a proposed $1 billion investment in Georgia’s infrastructure. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein, Bill Nigut and Riley Bunch preview Kemp’s legislative priorities for the 2025 session. We’ll also explore how Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ collaborative relationship with Gove...
Jan 16, 2025•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast As the 2025 Georgia legislative session begins, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution conducted an exclusive poll to gauge how Georgians feel about the major issues lawmakers are set to debate. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell analyze the poll results with the AJC’s Maya T Prabhu and discuss what they reveal about voter priorities for this session. Plus, the U.S. Senate is preparing to take up the Laken Riley Act, named after the Georgia nursing student tra...
Jan 15, 2025•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast As Georgia’s legislative session continues, business leaders gathered at the annual Eggs & Issues breakfast to hear from Governor Brian Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, and House Speaker Jon Burns. Politically Georgia’s Greg Bluestein checks in with hosts Bill Nigut and Patricia Murphy with highlights from the event and the key priorities lawmakers are setting this year. Meanwhile, the Georgia Senate has voted to extend the special committee investigating Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willi...
Jan 14, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Georgia’s lawmakers are back under the Gold Dome for the start of the 2024 legislative session, and Politically Georgia is live from the Georgia State Capitol. Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy bring you the latest as lawmakers begin 40 days of critical debate. Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones joins the podcast to talk about Democratic priorities this session and how the party plans to recover after November’s tough losses. We also highlight the rising political figures to watch this s...
Jan 13, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast The legislative session kicks off Monday, and Georgia’s politicians are gearing up for another 40-day session under the Gold Dome. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein previews the issues that will dominate the session. First, Greg sits down with House Speaker Jon Burns, who outlines the Republican agenda, including Medicaid, school safety, and IVF protections. Then, Democratic state Representative Michelle Au shares her priori...
Jan 10, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today marks the conclusion of memorial services for Jimmy Carter, the Georgia peanut-farmer-turned-president, as he is laid to rest. On this special edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell provide coverage of the state funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where Carter will be eulogized by his grandson Jason Carter and President Joe Biden, with a homily by former UN Ambassador Andrew Young...
Jan 09, 2025•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimmy Carter’s final journey continued yesterday as a horse-drawn caisson carried his remains to the U.S. Capitol. During a moving memorial service in the Rotunda, House and Senate leaders honored the selfless life of service lived by Georgia’s only U.S. president. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy reflect on the day’s tributes and the significance of the event. Tia shares her interviews with t...
Jan 08, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Georgia GOP has unanimously voted to expel former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, barring him from running as a Republican in Georgia. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Bill Nigut and Patricia Murphy speak with Duncan about his response to this decision and what it means for his political future. Later, WABE contributor and Republican strategist Brian Robinson joins us to discuss what Georgians can expect from President-elect D...
Jan 07, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jimmy Carter’s fight against neglected diseases is one of the Carter Center’s most impactful missions. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell speak with Dr. Bill Foege, the Carter Center’s first executive director, about his work with President Carter and the legacy they built together. We also turn to Congress, where Mike Johnson narrowly won the vote to remain speaker. His slim margin of victory suggests a tough r...
Jan 06, 2025•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast As a new session of Congress begins, all eyes are on the slim Republican majority in the U.S. House and whether Mike Johnson can secure re-election as speaker. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell speak with a Georgia GOP congressman to get insights on this first critical test for House Republicans. We also talk with Ernie Suggs, the AJC’s veteran reporter covering the Carter family, about the schedule of events f...
Jan 03, 2025•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Georgians who traveled to New Orleans to celebrate the New Year and cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl found themselves caught in the middle of a deadly terrorist attack. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, host Bill Nigut speaks with Greg Bluestein, reporting live from New Orleans, about the attack and its impact, including the critical injury of a University of Georgia student. Then, we reflect on the life and legacy of President J...
Jan 02, 2025•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this special year-end edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy reflect on the biggest political stories and questions of 2024 and look ahead to what’s shaping up to be an eventful 2025. What will Donald Trump’s incoming administration mean for Georgia? How will Democrats regroup after their November losses? And how will the midterm elections start to take shape? These are just some of the pressing questions we’ll tackl...
Jan 01, 2025•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, host Bill Nigut continues our coverage of the passing of Jimmy Carter, the only Georgia-born president of the United States. Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Jon Meacham joins the podcast to reflect on President Carter’s remarkable life and enduring legacy. We’ll also bring you the latest updates on tributes and funeral arrangements as the nation honors one of its most extraordinary leaders. Links to...
Dec 31, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this special edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Bill Nigut, and Patricia Murphy honor the life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter. From his humble beginnings in Plains, Georgia, to his trailblazing political career as governor and U.S. president, and his lifelong humanitarian efforts through The Carter Center, Carter’s impact is profound and enduring. Through archival audio, interviews, and reflections, we explore k...
Dec 29, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, host Bill Nigut walks AJC editorial cartoonist through his remarkable career, from selling insurance door-to-door to his long tenure at the AJC, where he’s won two Pulitzer Prizes for his exceptional work. Links to today’s topics: Recent Luckovich cartoons The Luckovich portfolio of cartoons that won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize The Luckovich cartoon portfolio that won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize Have a question or comment...
Dec 27, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this special Christmas edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy reflect on a blockbuster political year and answer your top questions from the listener mailbag. We explore the 2024 election cycle, the state Election Board, and what’s next for the economy. We also look ahead to the next legislative session, President-elect Trump’s goals for his new administration, and the potential contenders for Georgia’s 2026 gubernat...
Dec 23, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast The U.S. House has rejected a second attempt to pass a bill that would keep the government funded until next spring, bringing the nation closer to a partial federal shutdown. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Greg Bluestein discuss what this means for Georgia farmers waiting for Hurricane Helene relief and share Governor Kemp’s pointed reaction to the congressional gridlock. AJC Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell joins u...
Dec 20, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast In breaking news, the Georgia Court of Appeals has ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her office should be removed from the 2020 election interference case. This bombshell decision upends the last remaining criminal case against incoming President Donald Trump. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein, and Bill Nigut analyze the implications of the ruling and its impact on Georgia politics....
Dec 19, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast What a difference four years make. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell reflect on yesterday’s official meeting of Georgia’s 16 Republican electors at the state Capitol to confirm Donald Trump’s victory. State GOP Chairman Josh McKoon joins us to compare this smooth process to the clandestine alternate electors’ meeting in 2020 that became part of Fulton County’s election conspiracy case. We also bring you the lat...
Dec 18, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s special edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy record from the Georgia State Capitol, where the state’s 16 Republican electors are casting their ballots for Donald Trump. The process cements Georgia’s electoral votes and is expected to proceed smoothly—unlike the contentious events of four years ago. Before that, we sit down with Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King to discuss his political future and wei...
Dec 17, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast With a government shutdown looming, Congress is scrambling to reach a deal before Christmas. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Mitchell and Greg Bluestein speak with independent journalist Michael Jones about the weekend’s missed deadline and the prospects for a last-minute agreement. We also turn to the Georgia legislature, where the debate over Medicaid expansion is set to take center stage. Calyee Noggle, president of the Georgia H...
Dec 16, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell discuss the shocking murder of insurance executive Brian Thompson in New York City. While the crime itself has no justification, it has brought national attention to mounting frustrations over health insurance companies and their increasing barriers to claim approvals. Andy Miller, editor and CEO of Georgia Health News, joins us to explore these concerns and what they mean for ...
Dec 13, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut have an exclusive interview with U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. The Democrat shares how he plans to navigate the Trump presidency as a member of the Senate minority and discusses his efforts to protect Georgia’s treasured Okefenokee swamp. We then shift from Washington to the state capitol to speak with state Senator Jason Esteves. Esteves outlines what’s next for ...
Dec 12, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
