Athens News Matters

Athens News Matters for November 12, 2021

WUGA | By Chris Shupe,

Published November 12, 2021 at 4:17 PM EST

This week on Athens News Matters, Clarke County voters overwhelmingly approved a $120 million continuation of the one percent sales tax to fund education improvements. Chris Shupe sits down with the chief of operations for the Clarke County School District to discuss what school district officials have planned for the new revenue. Lauren Baggett and Dr. Glenn Nowak join the team to discuss the growing mistrust of science and scientist and how scientists can better communicate information related to COVID-19. Alexia Ridley sits down with Amelia Wheeler to discuss the 8-week series of educational classes that is hosted by the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement. Family therapist Don Randall joins Alexia Ridley to discuss how to de-escalate family situations during the upcoming holidays. Our panel discusses a narrowed-down list of potential TSPLOST projects plus the week in news and politics.

Athens News Matters

Chris Shupe

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.

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Alexia Ridley

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!

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Martin Matheny

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.

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