Athens News Matters

Athens News Matters for March 4, 2022

By Martin Matheny,

Published March 4, 2022 at 4:03 PM EST

This week on Athens News Matters, Athenians of both Ukrainian and Russian descent are becoming worried about friends and family as conditions worsen in Eastern Europe. A group rallied in downtown Athens to show their support for the beleaguered nation, WUGA was there to cover the story. ACC 5th District Commission candidate, Matt Pulver, joins the team to discuss the new ACC Commission maps that are now officially signed into law. According to a UGA researcher from the University of Georgia College of Public Health, where you live can affect the quality of your mental health care. After 50 years, Mercer University righted a historic wrong by putting Gwendolyn Payton's work on exhibition and awarding her the art degree she sought. After nearly two years, the Georgia Museum of Natural History reopens its doors to the public. Our panel breaks down this week in news and politics.

Athens News Matters

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.

See stories by Martin Matheny

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.

See stories by Chris Shupe

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!

See stories by Alexia Ridley