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Athens News Matters: August 9, 2019

The full broadcast of Athens News Matters for August 9, 2019. Individual segments are also available to stream. On this episode:

  • Our panel of commentators - Blake Aued, Chris Dowd, and Gwen O'Looney - discuss EMS service in Athens, a controversy involving Gaines Elementary and prayer, and races for District Attorney and Oconee County Sheriff.
  • Chris Shupe talks with Dr. Shira Chess of UGA's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication about violence in video games, and what the research tells us about their impact on real-world violence.
  • Alexia Ridley talks with District 5 Commissioner Tim Denson about a recent community discussion on affordable childcare, presented by the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students.
  • Martin Matheny speaks with members of the Mueller report discussion group, sponsored by WUGA and the Athens-Clarke County Library.
  • John Slights reviews a new, old release from Canadian pianist Paul Bley.
  • Robin Whetstone gets to the bottom of some light UGA mysteries.

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.