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Athens News Matters: August 16, 2019

On this week's Athens News Matters:

  • The panel discusses the potential closure of the West Broad Farmer's Market, UGA's Magill Society, The future of Georgia Square Mall, and a UGA fund earmarked to support research into the university's role in slavery.
  • Chris Shupe talks to Dr. Franklin West and Dr. Qun Zhao about their research into using pig's brains to help understand human conditions like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and CTE.
  • Spencer Frye and Paul Farr from Athens Area Habitat for Humanity join us to talk about the upcoming Housing Code Hack event, sponsored by Habitat and WUGA.
  • Pam Knox, UGA agricultural climatologist drops by to explain some common weather forecast mysteries.
  • Jason Perry from Bike Athens and Elliott Caldwell from Georgia Bikes join Alexia Ridley to talk about how drivers and cyclists can share the road and keep the streets safe for all forms of transportation.
  • Cynthia Johnston Turner and David Starkweather from the UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music join WUGA's Martin Matheny to talk about this year's Thursday Scholarship Series and Faculty Artists Series concerts.

Chris Shupe began work at WUGA as a part time weekend announcer in 2010. At the time Shupe was focused on maintaining a thriving career in Real Estate, as well as balancing his time as a local entertainer. Shupe may be best known as The Athens King, a tribute to Elvis Presley, which often included an 8 piece show band! In 2012, Shupe joined WUGA full time as the station’s Morning Edition Host and Assistant Operations Director, and after 2 years of serving in that role Shupe was hired as Program Director for the station. As PD, Shupe spearheaded a return to more involvement in national conferences and continuing education opportunities through industry professional organizations like the Public Radio Program Director's Association, Public Media Development and Marketing Association, Morning Edition Grad School, the NAB, and the Public Media Journalists Association. This involvement led Shupe to undertake a comprehensive market study in 2015, the first such examination of local audience trends in more than 15 years.
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 is 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 is heard on WUGA and GPB Classical. He lives in Normaltown with his wife, Shaye and dog, Murphy.