Athens News Matters

Athens News Matters for December 3, 2021

WUGA | By Chris Shupe,

Published December 3, 2021 at 5:07 PM EST

This week on Athens News Matters, an expert on disease modeling, Dr. John Drake, sits down with Chris Shupe to discuss the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus as well as how scientists can not only track, but anticipate disease outbreaks. Alexia Ridley speaks with activist John Cole Vodicka about the memorial event taking place Saturday, December 4 which is an event to raise awareness about the brutal 1921 lynching of Aaron Birdsong, West Hale, and Georgia Low that happened in Watkinsville, Georgia. Alexia Ridley has the story on the best ways to give back to your community during the holiday season - volunteering or donating? UGA's Dr. Tracey Tuberville has been recently awared the 2021 Christine Stevens Wildlife Award, Chris Shupe sits down with Dr. Tuberville to get her thoughts about receiving this award. UGA's Performing Arts Center brings in the holiday season with the 2021 Holiday Music Festival that has something for everyone to enjoy and celebrate the season. Our panel breaks down the week in news and politics and discusses local and state eviction relief, potential redistricting lawsuits, and more.

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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