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Athens News Matters: June 12, 2020

This week on Athens News Matters, hear: 

  • ACCPD officer John Q. Williams on his victory over longtime incumbent sheriff Ira Edwards
  • Professor Grace Bagwell Adams on when we might see post-Memorial Day and protest COVID case spikes
  • A remembrance of Commissioner Jerry NeSmith, who died earlier this week
  • WUGA's panel of commentators discuss the Georgia primaries and continuing protests in downtown Athens
  • Commissioner Mariah Parker's plan to defund the police in Athens-Clarke County, based on models that have worked elsewhere in the country
  • A breakdown of the Clarke County School District's 2021 funding and subsequent budget
  • How religious services and holidays have adapted to the coronavirus pandemic
  • UGA Director of Dietetics Emma Laing on how to stay healthy while working from home (which often means unfettered access to snacks)
  • A list of movies and TV series to stream if you want to learn about race in America
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.