Episodes

  • Carr Tackles Corruption

    Carr Tackles Corruption
    Jan 22 2026
    Host Greg Bluestein is joined by Patricia Murphy for an in-depth conversation with Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. Carr lays out an anti-corruption proposal that he says would be the toughest in the nation, and explains why cleaning up state and local government is a central plank of his campaign for governor. Greg and Patricia discuss how Carr’s pitch fits into a crowded GOP primary, the growing voter frustration with ethics and transparency, and how his record as attorney general shapes his case for higher office as the 2026 governor’s race begins to take shape. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Cellphones and College Costs

    Cellphones and College Costs
    Jan 21 2026
    Host Patricia Murphy devotes the episode to education policy as Georgia’s legislative session gets underway. She speaks with Rep. Scott Hilton about expanding Georgia’s cellphone ban from middle schools to high schools, the early results from existing restrictions, and why lawmakers say limiting screen time is improving student engagement and mental health. In the second segment, Patricia is joined by Rep. Stacey Evans to discuss Governor Brian Kemp’s proposal to create Georgia’s first need-based college scholarship program. Evans explains why the investment could be a game-changer for students priced out of higher education and how rare bipartisan momentum may shape education funding debates in the months ahead. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Surplus Cash and Shadow Campaigns

    Surplus Cash and Shadow Campaigns
    Jan 20 2026
    Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down Governor Brian Kemp’s State of the State address, where he dipped deeper into Georgia’s surplus while warning future leaders against draining the rainy day fund. They analyze the political message behind Kemp’s final budget, including tax rebates, a surprise push for need-based scholarships, and why he pushed back on sweeping income tax elimination plans. Then, Greg and Patricia turn to the escalating money wars shaping Georgia’s 2026 races. They examine Sen. Jon Ossoff’s massive fundraising haul and the mysterious, multimillion-dollar anonymous ad campaign hammering Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. They explain why the source of the spending remains hidden, how it exploits gaps in disclosure laws, and why it has rattled candidates across the political spectrum. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • Julian Bond’s Fight to Be Seated

    Julian Bond’s Fight to Be Seated
    Jan 19 2026
    On this special Martin Luther King Jr. Day episode, host Greg Bluestein is joined by Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy for a look back at one of the most consequential civil rights battles in Georgia politics. Producer Natalie Mendenhall tells the story of Julian Bond, who was elected to the Georgia House in 1965 but blocked from taking office by fellow lawmakers, sparking protests, national outrage, and a landmark Supreme Court ruling. The episode also features Natalie’s interview with Michael Julian Bond, who reflects on his father’s legacy, the personal toll of that fight, and why Julian Bond’s stand for free speech and democratic representation still resonates as Georgia lawmakers return to the Capitol today. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 mins
  • Early Power Plays at the Capitol

    Early Power Plays at the Capitol
    Jan 15 2026
    Host Greg Bluestein is joined by Patricia Murphy to break down the early tone of Georgia’s legislative session, as lawmakers shift their focus toward affordability and major tax proposals instead of the culture-war battles that have dominated recent years. They examine Governor Brian Kemp’s emerging agenda, including billions in transportation spending and a surprise push to address homelessness, and why Republicans say rising costs are now impossible to ignore. Patricia then shares her recorded interview with Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte, who outlines his priorities for the session, including competing plans to cut income and property taxes. Anavitarte also addresses the unusually crowded field of lawmakers running for higher office, the race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene, and why he believes the Senate can keep order during a high-stakes election year. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • The ACA Subsidy Fight

    The ACA Subsidy Fight
    Jan 14 2026
    Greg Bluestein is joined by AJC Washington bureau chief Tia Mitchell to break down the high-stakes fight over expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies and what it could mean for hundreds of thousands of Georgians facing higher premiums or losing coverage altogether. They examine how the issue is shaping campaign messaging, why some Republicans broke ranks in the House, and how health care is emerging as a central political fault line ahead of the 2026 elections. The conversation then turns to the crowded race to replace Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, as qualifying closes and more than a dozen candidates jump into overlapping special elections and primaries. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Lawmakers Gavel In

    Lawmakers Gavel In
    Jan 13 2026
    Host Greg Bluestein is joined by Patricia Murphy as Georgia’s 2026 legislative session gets underway. They break down the mood inside the Capitol on opening day, lingering tensions between the House and Senate after last year’s abrupt finish, and how a crowded field of lawmakers running for higher office is shaping the dynamics from the start. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • Back Under the Gold Dome

    Back Under the Gold Dome
    Jan 12 2026
    As Georgia’s 2026 legislative session begins, host Greg Bluestein is joined by Patricia Murphy to preview the fights and priorities lawmakers will tackle under the Gold Dome. Patricia shares highlights from her one-on-one interview with House Speaker Jon Burns, recorded at his home in rural Newington, where he outlines his focus on affordability, literacy, and property tax relief. The hosts break down the emerging tension between House and Senate leaders over competing tax plans, the political stakes of a major election year, and why Republicans are showing unusual anxiety heading into the session. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins