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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 consumers.
Plus, it’s Friday, so we’re diving into the listener mailbag to answer your questions and sharing our picks for who’s up and who’s down in Georgia politics this week.
Links to today’s topics:
Brian Thompson’s killing sparks outrage over state of US healthcare
Manhunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO Killer Meets Unexpected Obstacle: Sympathy for the Gunman
ValuePenguin: Worst insurance companies for paying claims
KFF News: Cost of Health Insurance
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
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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 Georgia Democrats and previews the key legislation expected in the upcoming legislative session.
Links to today’s topics:
Jon Ossoff wants a second term in Georgia. He plans to work with Donald Trump
House signs off on military spending bill with ban on gender-affirming care
The federal government wants to grow the Okefenokee. Should it aim even bigger?
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
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As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his return to the White House, questions about his impact on the nation and his policy agenda are front and center. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Mitchell and Bill Nigut talk with Rick Wilson, a co-founder of the Lincoln Project and a celebrated political strategist, about the future of the anti-Trump movement and his views on what lies ahead for the nation. Wilson, author of the bestseller Everything Trump Touches Dies, shares his thoughts on the challenges facing Trump critics as the new administration takes shape.
Later, we turn to President-elect Trump’s latest statements on immigration. Charles Kuck, one of the nation’s leading immigration attorneys, joins us to discuss Trump’s claims about ending birthright citizenship, deploying U.S. troops to target undocumented immigrants, and the broader implications for immigration policy.
Links to today’s topics:
With Trump administration looming, Georgia immigrants prepare for the worst
Book review: “Everything Trump Touches Dies” by Rick Wilson
Book review: Running Against the Devil" by Rick Wilson
AJC: With Trump administration looming Georgia immigrants prepare for the worst
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
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Georgia Congressman Rich McCormick is sparking debate with his call for the U.S. House to reconsider spending on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Bill Nigut speak with Congressman McCormick about his controversial statement and the GOP allies backing potential cuts to these social safety net programs.
Next, AJC reporter Mark Niesse joins the show to discuss how a new state law is transforming Georgia’s hemp industry. While some retailers are thriving, others are struggling under the law’s impact on how hemp products are sold and consumed.
Finally, Patricia and Greg bring updates from the Biennial Institute, the three-day session in Athens where Georgia’s new and returning lawmakers gather to prepare for the upcoming legislative session.
Links to today’s topics:
Georgia congressman eyes "third rail" of American politics
Georgia law makes hemp more legit with age and testing requirements
Georgia House speaker talks 2025 agenda, from trans sports to Medicaid expansion
Transgender Georgians brace for new restrictions under Trump
Activists urge legislators to abandon focus on transgender youth
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
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Transgender rights have emerged as a key topic in national and state politics, sparking passionate debate on both sides of the aisle. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell explore how transgender issues, including healthcare and participation in sports, are shaping Georgia’s legislative and political landscape.
We speak with Dr. Jason Schneider, a metro Atlanta physician who provides gender-affirming care for adults, to gain a better understanding of the medical procedures involved in gender transitioning. Conservative advocate Cole Muzio shares his views on proposed legislation to ban transgender treatments for minors and restrict transgender girls from competing in girls’ sports.
Finally, Democratic Senator Sally Harrell, the mother of a transgender child, discusses the personal and political dimensions of these issues and offers her perspective on the role transgender rights will play in the state’s future.
Links to today’s topics:
Activists urge legislators to abandon focus on transgender youth
From the 2023 session: Senate bill bans some care for transgender youth
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
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President-elect Trump has chosen two prominent Georgians—former Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler—to join his administration. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Mitchell, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut explore what these appointments mean for Georgia and the political dynamics in Washington.
We also turn to Congress, where lawmakers are scrambling to fund the government before the Christmas deadline. Congressman Buddy Carter joins us to share insights on the fight for Hurricane Helene relief and the challenges ahead.
Meanwhile, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis faces a new legal hurdle as she’s ordered to turn over documents from her election interference investigation. AJC reporter Tamar Hallerman provides the latest on the case against Trump and whether it’s running out of steam as he prepares to return to the White House.
Finally, it’s Friday, so we’re answering your questions from the listener mailbag and giving you our who’s up and who’s down for the week.
Links to today’s topics:
Georgia’s governor requests $12.2 billion in federal aid for Hurricane Helene
Fulton DA Fani Willis ordered to turn over records of Georgia Trump investigation
Trump taps David Perdue as U.S. ambassador to China
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
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Former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler is heading to Washington to lead the Small Business Administration under the Trump Administration. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut examine what Loeffler’s appointment means for Georgia politics and the 2026 governor’s race.
We also speak with state Rep. Tim Fleming about the recently announced $6 billion federal loan that could jumpstart construction on the long-delayed Rivian electric vehicle plant in his district. Fleming shares his insights on what this development could mean for Georgia’s economy.
Finally, we turn to the Democratic Party’s next steps following their losses in November. DeKalb County Commissioner Ted Terry, a self-described progressive, offers his perspective on how Democrats should regroup and redefine their approach moving forward.
Links to today’s topics:
Donald Trump picks Kelly Loeffler as head of the Small Business Administration
After months of uncertainty, Rivian’s Georgia plant appears primed to restart
Georgia’s House speaker wants to ban transgender girls from women’s sports
New audit could reignite debate about Georgia’s school funding formula
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
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Georgia Democrats are grappling with the future of their party after Donald Trump’s convincing 120,000-vote win in the state this year. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell speak with Jason Carter, the Democratic nominee for governor a decade ago, about how the party can rebuild and whether he sees himself stepping back into the political arena.
The conversation also turns to education policy as Georgia lawmakers prepare for their next session. AJC education reporter Martha Dalton joins us to discuss whether legislators will take on the challenge of revising the state’s 40-year-old funding formula for public schools, addressing long-standing concerns about chronic underfunding.
Links to today’s topics:
Here are some things to know about Jason Carter
A passing of the torch from one Carter to the next at DNC
Speaker Jon Burns wants to ban transgender girls from women's sports
Educators prepare for how school policies could change under Trump
Transgender Georgians brace for new restrictions under President-elect Trump
New audit could reignite debate about Georgia’s school funding formula
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
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President Joe Biden faces bipartisan criticism for his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, reversing earlier statements that he wouldn’t intervene. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Bill Nigut are joined by trial lawyer Lester Akin-Tate to break down the legal and political implications of Biden’s controversial move.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump is shaking up his administration as he prepares for his return to the White House. We’ll look at Trump’s decision to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray with a new loyalist and analyze what this means for his next term.
Finally, Georgia’s 2026 race for governor is heating up as Attorney General Chris Carr officially announces his campaign. We’ll explore his entry into the race and consider other potential candidates who may soon declare their intentions.
Links to today’s topics:
Biden's broken promise on pardoning his son Hunter is raising new questions about his legacy
Trump's FBI pick has plans to reshape the bureau. This is what Kash Patel has said he wants to do
Georgia’s Chris Carr is already running for governor. Is it too soon?
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
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Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are facing backlash from segments of Georgia’s Jewish community for voting to cut off sales of specific armaments to Israel. Meanwhile, a liberal Jewish organization has defended the senators, arguing that claims of their lack of support for Israel are misplaced. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell examine the complex dynamics surrounding the Israeli war against Hamas with insights from state Representatives Esther Panitch and Ruwa Romman.
The episode also explores the growing Republican efforts to unseat Ossoff in his re-election campaign two years from now, as the political landscape in Georgia continues to take shape.
Plus, we look at the brewing controversy over President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, a move that has drawn backlash from Republicans and some Democrats alike.
Links to today’s topics:
Criticism grows of Jon Ossoff’s vote to restrict ammunition for Israel
Democratic infighting could spell trouble ahead for Georgia U.S. senator
Thank you letter to Ossoff and Warnock for Israel votes
Biden has pardoned his son Hunter. What does that mean?
Politico: President Biden's parting insult to DOJ
Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.
Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”
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