Athens News Matters

Athens News Matters for April 22, 2022

By Martin Matheny,

Published April 22, 2022 at 2:16 PM EDT

This week on Athens News Matters, We talk about the recent Mayor and Commission forums and what the candidates are saying. The ongoing redevelopment of the Bethel Midtown Village area is facing a $11.1 million budget shortfall. Our series of candidate conversations concludes with District 1 candidate Audrey Hughes. New research from the University of Georgia reveals most infants enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children are not getting the proper amount of vitamin D. UGA's Laura Ney and Sandy Begani join the team to fill us in on container gardening. Our panel breaks down an eventful 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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