Musicians reflect on Athfest 2026
Once a year, Athfest takes over downtown Athens. It offers three days with live music from local bands on outdoor stages and indoor venues around town. WUGA’s Havivah Saltz headed downtown last weekend to speak to new and seasoned musicians and find out what it’s like to play Athfest.
The story behind Georgia’s first Black legislators
After the Civil War, the United States went through Reconstruction, when the federal government had to decide whether to admit the rebel Confederate states back into the Union. In Athens, Georgia voters elected two recently freed men as their state representatives. But like many stories from that period, this one takes a dark turn. WUGA’s Emma Auer reports as part of NPR’s America In Pursuit series.
Birchmore Trail provides an escape from city life
Athens-Clarke County is known for its art and culture, but there are also several nature trails and outdoor spaces. WUGA’s Joseph Mazzola headed to one of those trails to learn more about its history, the man it's named after, and the unique landmark alongside it.
A final conversation with WUGA Senior Producer Emma Auer
This week we say goodbye to WUGA’s Senior Content Producer, Emma Auer, who is leaving the station for other pursuits. Emma has become a driving force of WUGA’s news team, bringing the best of Athens news to our listeners. Emma has won a Regional Edward R. Murro Award, two Public Media Journalists Association awards, and multiple GABBY awards, and she was named Rising Star last year by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters. Now, she’s moving on to bigger and better things. Her persistent curiosity and passion will be missed. WUGA’s Havivah Saltz sat down with Emma for some final reflections on her time with the station.
