Atlanta News First
Atlanta News First

Atlanta News First

Your home for breaking news, leading headlines, and extended conversation on issues impacting the metro Atlanta community

Social links

Website

Follow the podcast

RSS Feed

Episodes

Hyundai ICE raid impacts a Gov. Kemp signature achievement  | On The Record, Sept. 10, 2025

Hyundai ICE raid impacts a Gov. Kemp signature achievement | On The Record, Sept. 10, 2025

A stunning immigration raid in a tiny southeast Georgia town continues to politically reverberate across the nation, as the White House promises more such workplace operations to continue.

Also: Georgia governor's candidate Jason Esteves will be featured in Sunday's On The Record With Atlanta News First.

Podcast: The state of affordable housing in DeKalb County | Decatur DishRFK Jr. testimony's fallout, Apalachee remembrances | On The Record, Sept. 7, 2025

RFK Jr. testimony's fallout, Apalachee remembrances | On The Record, Sept. 7, 2025

State Rep. Michelle Au, a Democrat from Johns Creek, is a strong supporter of stricter gun safety.

On Thursday, Au hosted students and parents from Apalachee High School for the one-year remembrance of the Sept. 4, 2024 deadly shooting. Afterward, she went On The Record With Atlanta News First political reporter Doug Reardon.

Also in this week’s episode:

  • Georgia’s two Democratic U.S. senators called on Robert F. Kennedy, secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to resign.
  • Gabe Sterling, the man who famously warned President Donald Trump in 2020 to tone down his stolen election rhetoric has filed paperwork to begin receiving campaign contributions ahead of a Georgia secretary of state run.
One year after Apalachee, Georgia lawmaker renews calls for gun laws | Michelle Au goes On The Record podcastRobert F. Kennedy, Jr. testifying before Congress amid calls for resignation | On The Record podcast

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. testifying before Congress amid calls for resignation | On The Record podcast

On Thursday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will go before the Senate Finance Committee to talk about his health care agenda after the recent changes. The CDC’s former director and longtime government scientist, Susan Monarez, was fired by the Trump administration. Her attorneys said she refused to “rubber stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts.”

Recently, several top-level scientists resigned in protest.

Kemp endorses Dooley, CDC chaos, Lisa Cook firing | On The Record, August 31, 2025From the gridiron to the ballot | Derek Dooley goes On the Record podcast

From the gridiron to the ballot | Derek Dooley goes On the Record podcast

Derek Dooley is an unconventional candidate with a well-known name in Georgia.

A longtime collegiate and NFL football coach, and the son of legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley, he’s hoping name recognition and a fresh take on Georgia’s political issues will get him elected to the U.S. Senate.

Dooley is challenging Georgia’s current U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, for his seat in 2026. He’s joined in the race by Republican Congressmen Mike Collins of Georgia’s 10th district and Buddy Carter of the state’s 1st district.

Here is his full interview with Atlanta News First political reporter Doug Reardon, as Dooley goes On the Record.

Vice President JD Vance in Georgia, major changes in Secretary of State's office | On The Record, Aug. 24, 2025

Vice President JD Vance in Georgia, major changes in Secretary of State's office | On The Record, Aug. 24, 2025

 Geoff Duncan, Georgia’s former lieutenant governor, recently made headlines when he switched from a Republican to a Democrat — and now, he’s considering a run for the governor’s seat.

During this week’s episode of On The Record With Atlanta News First, Duncan spoke with Atlanta News First political reporter Doug Reardon about why he changed parties and what he wants to do next.

Also in this week’s episode:

Republican turned Democrat may run for Georgia governor | Geoff Duncan goes On The Record podcast

Republican turned Democrat may run for Georgia governor | Geoff Duncan goes On The Record podcast

Geoff Duncan, who recently made national headlines when he switched political parties, has confirmed he is considering making a Georgia gubernatorial run.

“We’re thinking about it,” Duncan said in an exclusive interview with On The Record With Atlanta News First, which airs Sunday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. “We haven’t made any firm decisions."

If Duncan does enter the race, he would join five other Democrats who are seeking their party’s gubernatorial nomination: former state Labor Commissioner and DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond; state Sen. Jason Esteves; state Rep. Derrick Jackson; former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; and businessman/pastor Olu Brown.

All are minority candidates with strong ties to Atlanta.

Earlier this month, Duncan - who had already been expelled from the Georgia GOP - said he has officially joined the Democratic Party of Georgia.

Read the full story here.

Georgia governor's race, Trump endorsement, CDC shooting | On the Record, Aug. 17, 2025

Georgia governor's race, Trump endorsement, CDC shooting | On the Record, Aug. 17, 2025

 The last Democrat to hold a constitutional office in the state of Georgia was an inaugural guest in the debut episode of On The Record With Atlanta News First.

Michael Thurmond spoke with Atlanta News First political reporter Doug Reardon on whether Democrats can win support for their agenda in a state long dominated by Republicans and one that Donald Trump won handily in his historic 2024 presidential bid.

Also in this week’s premiere episode:

  • President Donald Trump has endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in Georgia’s nationally watched gubernatorial race;
  • Attorney General Chris Carr has filed a lawsuit against the lieutenant governor, who just so happens to be the man he’s running against for governor.
  • Did vaccine misinformation play a role in last week’s deadly shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?
  • President Trump has ordered the National Guard into Washington, D.C., declaring a public safety crisis in the nation’s capital city. Could this happen in Atlanta?

On The Record is a new, weekly political show hosted by Atlanta News First anchor Rick Folbaum and political reporter Doug Reardon. It airs every Sunday at 11 a.m. on Atlanta News First.

The program - which can also be seen on Atlanta News First’s website and all of its streaming and podcasting platforms - features extensive interviews with Atlanta’s and Georgia’s most influential political leaders, newsmakers and analysts.

Powered by SoundStack
Terms of ServiceAcceptable useDMCAPrivacy