Athens News Matters

Athens News Matters for December 10, 2021

WUGA | By Chris Shupe,

Published December 12, 2021 at 7:37 PM EST

This week on Athens News Matters, ACCPD Chief Cleveland Spruill sits down with Chris Shupe to discuss the state of policing in Athens. GPB's Ellen Eldridge has the story on the new 988 crisis line that leaders across the nation are preparing for. ACC District 2 Commissioner Mariah Parker joins Chris Shupe to discuss the movement known as "Sewer Socialism." If you missed the lighting of the Athens Christmas tree, check out the audio postcard that will take you to the grounds of City Hall where the Athens' annual Christmas tree is proudly displayed. The Athens News Matters Team wants you to have a merry, musical holiday, so check out the holiday playlist. Plus, our panel discusses 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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