Athens News Matters

Athens News Matters for March 11, 2022

By Martin Matheny,

Published March 11, 2022 at 2:05 PM EST

This week on Athens News Matters, Athens, Georgia is one of 16 US cities selected to participate in the "Build with Strength Coalition" - making home ownership possible for more Athenians. ACC Commissioners heard details on the county's troubling turnover rate among its employees which opened the door for a potential pay raise for county workers. ACC District 5 candidate Dexter Fisher joins the team to discuss his vision for Athens. Dancing with the Athens Stars benefiting Project Safe returns on March 19th. After a pandemic-related hiatus, AthFest music festival returns to Athens. Our panel breaks down the 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.

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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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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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