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Athens News Matters: June 12, 2020

This week on Athens News Matters, hear: 

  • ACCPD officer John Q. Williams on his victory over longtime incumbent sheriff Ira Edwards
  • Professor Grace Bagwell Adams on when we might see post-Memorial Day and protest COVID case spikes
  • A remembrance of Commissioner Jerry NeSmith, who died earlier this week
  • WUGA's panel of commentators discuss the Georgia primaries and continuing protests in downtown Athens
  • Commissioner Mariah Parker's plan to defund the police in Athens-Clarke County, based on models that have worked elsewhere in the country
  • A breakdown of the Clarke County School District's 2021 funding and subsequent budget
  • How religious services and holidays have adapted to the coronavirus pandemic
  • UGA Director of Dietetics Emma Laing on how to stay healthy while working from home (which often means unfettered access to snacks)
  • A list of movies and TV series to stream if you want to learn about race in America
Chris Shupe was the Program Director of WUGA from 2014-2022. Shupe may be best known as The Athens King, a tribute to Elvis Presley, which often included an 8 piece show band! After two years as a part-time announcer, Chris Shupe joined WUGA full time as the station’s Morning Edition Host and Assistant Operations Director. He was later promoted to PD in 2014.
Alexia Ridley joined WUGA as Television and Radio News Anchor and Reporter in 2013. When WUGA TV concluded operations, she became the primary Reporter for WUGA Radio. Alexia came to Athens from Macon where she served as the News Director and show host for WGXA TV. She's a career journalist and Savannah native hailing from the University of Michigan. However, Alexia considers herself an honorary UGA DAWG!
Martin Matheny was formerly WUGA's Program Director and a host and producer of our local news program 'Athens News Matters.' He started at WUGA in 2012 as a part-time classical music host and still hosts WUGA's longest-running local program 'Night Music' which was heard on WUGA and GPB Classical. He is now the Morning Edition Host for Delaware First Media.