This Year on WABE: 2022
2022 marked another busy year for WABE. Here are the stories, photos, television and podcasts we think stand out from this past year.
WABE Newsroom
Forest Cove
By Stephannie Stokes
In a year-long investigation, WABE followed Ms. Peaches in her fight for decent housing at the blighted Forest Cove apartments. Soon after the series, the city launched a relocation effort. Months later, Ms. Peaches is finally in her new housing.
The Heat Effect
By Molly Samuel, Emily Jones and the WABE Newsroom
Atlanta is hot. Climate change is making it hotter. Across the Southeast, temperatures are going up and heat waves are getting longer and more frequent. But in many places, Georgians are adapting and working to help the people who are most vulnerable. This is The Heat Effect: How the climate is changing Georgia.
Nightlife in Atlanta
By Jasmine Robinson
Much of Atlanta’s modern cultural reputation is built on Black nightlife and entertainment. Our three-part series explores the unintended consequences gentrification and the city’s attempt to curb on violent crime are having on Atlanta’s once-legendary nightlife scene.
Gen Z Voters
By Kenny Murry
Gen Z voters are becoming a force to be reckoned with. Our four-part series explores what’s motivating them to show up to the polls in record numbers and what Democrats and Republicans are doing to reach them in time.
The LGBTQ Vote
By Patrick Saunders
LGBTQ voters made up 9% of the nearly 5 million people who voted in Georgia in the 2020 general election. Alienating this group of voters might be risky for the GOP in Georgia, where slim margins are deciding races. Meanwhile, Democrats at the top of the ticket have been eager to highlight their LGBTQ records and embrace the community.
Pretty Penny
By Jim Burress and Lily Oppenheimer
In this series, WABE’s “All Things Considered” team dives into rising costs in Georgia. From cars and homes to burgers and babies — inflation and the pandemic are causing Georgians to dig deeper into their pockets.
Black descendants of 1912 Forsyth racial cleansing say many white residents still in denial
By Jim Burress and Lily Oppenheimer
WABE’s “All Things Considered” team went to Poplar Hill Baptist Church earlier this year to hear from descendants of the 1912 Forsyth racial cleansing.
But during a discussion that was supposed to reckon with Forsyth’s past, there were still moments when white audience and panel members attempted to absolve present-day residents of responsibility.
Georgia’s Dugdown Corridor
By Molly Samuel — Videos by Alphonso Whitfield
A connected network of protected forests and streams is taking shape just west of Atlanta, stretching all the way into Alabama: the Dugdown Corridor. It’s a massive conservation project with a goal to protect biodiversity and create a refuge for wildlife as the changing climate alters ecosystems.
Local journalist testifies before Fulton special grand jury
By Rahul Bali
Atlanta journalist George Chidi testified before a Fulton County special grand jury after footage he recorded in Dec. 2020 of a group of Republicans planning an alternate Electoral College slate to present Donald Trump as the winner resurfaced.
Suburbs delivered recent wins for Georgia Democrats. This year, they’re up for grabs
By Sam Gringlas
Two years after the 2020 election, without former President Trump on the ballot — and without a Democratic backlash against him — it was an open question whether the suburbs will deliver enough votes to help Democrats win again.
Georgia beekeepers rescue thousands of dying bees from Atlanta airport
By Emily Wu Pearson
More than 20 beekeepers from the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association (MABA) rescued thousands of bees that had gotten stuck in transport at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in April.
Georgia’s abortion law is more uncertainty for patients undergoing fertility treatments
By Jess Mador
H.B. 481 classifies embryos as having “personhood” rights. It’s left many Georgians who’ve undergone IVF, like Kimberly and Kristofer Sampson, with unanswered questions.
200 South DeKalb residents receive county assistance after facing eviction
By DorMiya Vance
After WABE reported that 200 residents at a South DeKalb County apartment were days away from eviction due to their leases being unexpectedly terminated, the county set up wraparound services to assist residents with jobs and possible relocations.
‘I’ll still teach the same way,’ Atlanta teacher says despite new ‘divisive concepts’ law
By Martha Dalton
It’s now illegal in Georgia to teach certain “divisive concepts” in K-12 public schools. Critics say the law is an attempt to stop teachers from mentioning race at all in the classroom.
But Corinthia Howard Knight, a teacher at Atlanta’s Frederick Douglass High School, isn’t shying away from conversations about race.
A new Georgia voting law reduced ballot drop box access in places that used them most
By Sam Gringlas, Stephen Fowler and Huo Jingnan
An analysis by NPR, WABE and Georgia Public Broadcasting found that sweeping changes to state election laws enacted by lawmakers last year include restricting access to drop boxes in counties that used them the most — which also have the highest number of voters of color and Democrats.
Georgia Innocence Project representative says he’s voted in every election since his release 23 years ago
By Lisa Rayam and Lily Oppenheimer
The “Morning Edition” team talked with Calvin Johnson Jr., a representative for the Georgia Innocence Project. 23 years ago, Johnson had his conviction and life sentence overturned through DNA testing. He’s voted in every election since.
Jewish students in metro Atlanta say antisemitism isn’t as rare as you might think
By Martha Dalton
Antisemitic graffiti at two Cobb County high schools made national headlines in 2021. The district took disciplinary action, and the school board passed an antisemitism resolution soon afterward. But Jewish students at those schools say that’s done little to address the problem.
With prices up and labor scarce, technology becomes ‘essential’ for Georgia farmers
By Emil Moffatt
For Georgia farmers, the cost of seed and fertilizer has gone up exponentially in recent years, while resources like water and labor have become more scarce. And that’s led many farmers to turn to technology to help get the most out of their land.
After years of community advocacy, Chattahoochee Brick site belongs to Atlanta
By Molly Samuel
Community activists successfully fought plans to build an industrial facility on the former site of the Chattahoochee Brick Company. The factory made bricks that helped build Atlanta, using forced convict labor. Now the city plans to build a park and a memorial there instead.
Teaching program gives refugee women opportunity to rebuild careers in Atlanta
By Emily Wu Pearson
Teachers at Decatur’s International Community School often come from the same countries as their students, speak the same languages, and are examples of being brave when starting over in a new place.
Georgia ‘refilleries’ are having a resurgence, helping customers cut back on plastic
By Emily Jones
At LiteFoot Company — which owner Katie Rodgers-Hubbard calls a “refillery” — customers can refill their plastic containers of shampoo, face wash or dish soap instead of throwing them out. The goal is to avoid using more fossil fuels like gas and oil that make climate change worse.
She planned to stay in her family home. Then Fulton County multiplied her tax bill.
By Stephannie Stokes
Denise Reid didn’t know about estate law or homestead exemptions when she inherited her family home in Collier Heights. By the time she did, Fulton County sent her $5,000 in property tax bills.
Georgia doesn’t have enough mental health providers, but the need is only growing
By Sam Gringlas
The need for mental health services is exploding in Georgia, but there are nowhere near enough providers. In fact, Georgia ranks last in the country for access to mental health care.
New soccer field at MARTA station brings the sport to immigrant kids
By Emily Wu Pearson
Soccer in the Streets’ free, transit-oriented club soccer program is called StationSoccer. Atlanta is the only city in the country to have this transit-oriented sports club, and already has fields at the Five Points, West End, East Point and Lindbergh MARTA stations.
Esports are growing – and so is Atlanta’s role in the industry
By Emil Moffatt
Thousands of Georgians already work in the video game industry, and with the continued worldwide growth of esports, Atlanta sports franchises are hoping an investment in the industry will help attract a younger generation of fans too.
WABE Podcasts
City Lights with Lois Reitzes
“City Lights” is a daily exploration of the creative fabric of Atlanta—our expressive, diverse, influential city. WABE host Lois Reitzes talks to leading figures and innovative newcomers in pop culture, music, theater, dance, visual arts, film, food and much more.
Weekdays at 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaking Of…
By City Lights Staff
“Speaking of…” is a recurring series spotlighting local creatives.
In each segment, Atlanta artists speak in their own words about their inspiration, influences and experiences.
In Piedmont Park, Noguchi’s ‘Playscapes’ are both modern art and a children’s playground
By City Lights Staff
In the heart of Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, a world-renowned work of art by a master sculptor hides in plain sight: a collection of interactive sculptures called “Playscapes” by American artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi.
Film Crew Files: ‘Stranger Things’ Edition
By City Lights Staff
“Film Crew Files” highlights Atlanta film industry professionals working on productions in the city’s booming film scene.
In this edition, “City Lights” spoke with “Stranger Things” team members, to hear how they created the look of Netflix’s most obsessed-over sci-fi show.
Meet the youngest certified farmer in Georgia
By City Lights Staff
Kendall Rae Johnson is the youngest certified farmer in the state of Georgia. She is the owner of aGROWKulture Urban Farm in Southwest Atlanta, where she sells food baskets, subscriptions, donated food boxes, grow boxes and even hosts classes.
Closer Look with Rose Scott
“Closer Look” features discussion on the key stories and issues affecting Atlanta. WABE host Rose Scott covers topics both important and interesting, asking tough questions of public officials and experts while sharing the stories of our neighbors to provide context and a sense of place.
Weekdays at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Paycheck to Paycheck
By Closer Look Staff
“Paycheck to Paycheck” is a reoccurring series that examines how Georgians from various demographics cover living expenses each pay period.
Featuring conversations with experts, advocates, officials and local households to understand how people make ends meet.
‘Closer Look’ guests discuss teaching about race and racism in schools
By Closer Look Staff
Professors Illya Davis, Maurice Hobson, and Nsenga Burton and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones gather and respond to Georgia’s House Bill 1084, which bans the teaching of nine divisive concepts from being taught in schools.
Spelman creating a data dashboard to spotlight women of color working in STEM
By Closer Look Staff
Google awarded Spelman’s Center of Excellence for Minority Women in STEM a $5 million grant to create a data dashboard that will highlight Black, Latina and Indigenous women who work and study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
Grady doctor, Emory professor on preparing for the long-term effects of Atlanta Medical Center closure
By Closer Look Staff
In this “Closer Look” interview, local medical professionals express concern about the long-term effects of the AMC closure over time.
Political Breakfast
“Political Breakfast” features veteran Atlanta journalist and WABE “Morning Edition” host Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson as they deliver sterling analysis of Georgia politics with an informed, respectful and lively discussion.
Wednesday mornings. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Georgia Votes 2022
WABE’s “Georgia Votes 2022” features WABE Politics reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali, editor Susanna Capelouto and Emma Hurt, reporter for Axios. They shepherd listeners through the 2022 election season, looking at the issues driving voters in Georgia this year.
