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PODCAST

Local Matters Podcast

Local Matters by Janice Allen Jackson

Local and state governments, though often overshadowed by federal government, have tremendous impact on our quality of life. This podcast provides a valuable service by educating people on how to improve their own quality of life through civic engagement. Various organizations encourage residents to register and vote, but it does not appear that anyone is showing voters how to make good decisions when they do. It feels akin to hiring someone for a job without reviewing the job description. Local

government

All Episodes

00:40:39

Augusta District 2 Race with Stacy Pulliam & Corey...

Local Matters Podcast ·

2026/04/09

Stacy Pulliam is a dedicated mom of six, follower of Christ, business owner, and Augusta Richmond County District 2 Commissioner. She is Finance Committee Chair, serves on the Public Safety Committee, and is an ex officio member of Destination Augusta and the Augusta Arts Council. Stacy is the owner of Jhani Realty, recognized nationally for her referral-based business, and she founded DyeVerCity, a multicultural salon empowering women in business and personal growth. She collaborates with

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00:34:57

Georgia Public Service Commission District 5...

Local Matters Podcast ·

2026/04/07

Meet Angelia Pressley. For over 20 years, she has worked at the intersection of business and sustainability, partnering with leading organizations like The Kroger Company, Publix, Ford Motor Company, Coca-Cola and State Farm, bringing a strong understanding of both environmental impact and the bottom line. She provides clients with data-driven insights, strategic communication and community engagement, helping them navigate crisis management, media relations and build public trust. Angelia is also

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00:33:38

Inside the District 10 Race with Ben Hasan & Wayne...

Local Matters Podcast ·

2026/04/01

Inside the District 10 Race, get an exclusive look at the candidates shaping the future of Augusta’s District 10. From community priorities to leadership visions, we dive into what drives these leaders and how they plan to make a difference.Ben Hasan is a proud native of Augusta. He is married with four kids, 12 grandkids, and two great-grandkids. A former Augusta Commissioner, he has hosted Comcast Community Concerns, co-owned Urban Pro Weekly, hosted Can We Talk on the radio, co-founded PEP, a

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00:45:49

Democrat? Republican? Independent! With Chad Peace

Local Matters Podcast ·

2026/03/11

Chad Peace of the Independent Voter Project joins us to talk about how systemic reform can result in less political polarization. We tackle the issue of whether party labels are helpful or hurtful for voters, and whether younger voters want to engage in a partisan process. We also talk about the significance of Georgia on the national political stage. Learn more at https://independentvoterproject.org/.

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00:45:49

Making Life Affordable with Titus Nichols

Local Matters Podcast ·

2026/03/04

Titus Nichols, Army Reservist, attorney, and Morehouse graduate, is running for Georgia State House District 34. We discussed how our legislature can address a variety of issues to make life more affordable. Topics include Medicaid Expansion, child care subsidies, the growing threat of corporate landlords, and how data centers affect our power bills. Learn more about Nichols at titus4ga.com.

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00:44:34

Citizens can Win with Karin Parham

Local Matters Podcast ·

2026/02/25

Karin Parham is the CEO and founder of the Freedom to Read Coalition of Columbia County, where she works to protect intellectual freedom and ensure public access to diverse literature in local libraries and schools. A former U.S. Army officer, she brings a strong background in leadership, organization, and public service to her advocacy work. In addition to leading the Coalition, Karin serves as Treasurer of the Columbia County Democratic Committee. She also writes The Columbia County Observer and

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00:39:31

State House 130 Candidates Part 2 with Thomas McAdams...

Local Matters Podcast ·

2026/02/18

Thomas McAdams is a lifelong resident of Augusta who has witnessed the community’s growth firsthand. A devoted husband, father of five with another on the way, and spiritual mentor to many, he serves as Chief Administrative Officer for a local Christian service center, helping strengthen communication and community life. With leadership experience across hospitality, retail, sales, office management, and ministry, he is known for building unified, high-performing teams while prioritizing faith and

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00:51:59

State House 130 Candidates with Karen Gordon, David...

Local Matters Podcast ·

2026/02/12

Karen L. Gordon is a media entrepreneur, urban agriculture advocate, and community builder with over 20 years of experience in media, arts, and economic development. She is the Publisher of Urban Pro Weekly, highlighting Black business, politics, arts, and community issues in Augusta, Georgia, and Co-Founder/CEO of Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency, where she leads initiatives focused on food access, urban agriculture, and community development. Her work consistently centers on equity,

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00:54:53

Don't ignore Rural Georgia! with Keith McCants

Local Matters Podcast ·

2026/02/04

Don't ignore Rural Georgia! with Keith McCants by Local Matters by Janice Allen Jackson

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01:14:56

Sacred Ground: Black Southwest Georgia with Clennon...

Local Matters Podcast ·

2026/01/28

Clennon L. King is a journalist, historian, and documentary filmmaker. He is also a descendant of influential Georgians who shaped the history and politics of our state. He discusses how Albany became the hub of southwest Georgia, how blacks gained influence, and how the region's past shapes what he considers its bright future. Learn more about Mr. King and his fascinating work at https://augustinemonica.com.

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00:48:38

The Paradox of Public Leadership

Local Matters Podcast ·

2026/01/21

Dr. Marc-Antonie Cooper is Assistant City Manager of South Fulton, GA and a career public servant. He has added the title of author, as he just released "Unabridged: The Paradox of Public Leadership."We touch on why public service is not easy, how it tests your patience, and more importantly, how perilous it can be when a few people can decide to terminate your employment out of nowhere. You can find the book on Amazon

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00:34:46

The Georgia Legislature and More with Senator Harold...

Local Matters Podcast ·

2026/01/14

State Senator Harold Jones joins us to discuss what is in store for the Georgia Legislature, and more broadly, Georgia elections in the ever critical year of 2026. We discuss the process to replace legislators who step down, the proposal to eliminate the state income tax, voting rights, healthcare, and whether the state will do anything about the proliferation of data centers. He also discusses why he is supporting former State Senator Jason Esteves for Governor.

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00:41:46

Can We Make Housing more Affordable?

Local Matters Podcast ·

2026/01/07

Dr. Jacquelyn McCray, an urban planner and Director at Baker Tilly Advisory Group LP, explains the complex factors driving housing unaffordability. She discussed how a lack of supply, vacant properties, rising building material costs, and reduced development incentives have contributed to the problem. Dr. McCray outlined strategies to address affordable housing, not the least of which involves collaboration between local governments, community residents, and developers. You may reach her at

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00:45:36

Out with the Old and In with the New

Local Matters Podcast ·

2025/12/31

Host Janice Allen Jackson reviews the highlights of 2025, including our growth during the year and our status as one of the most shared podcasts on Spotify. She also applauds ProPublica for its role in holding instiutions accountable, most notably, their recent work, Sick in a Hospital Town. Finally, she discusses how important it is to be thankful, be safe, and be vigilant in preparation for the upcoming 2026 elections. Stay with Local Matters in 2026!

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00:42:28

Women, Accountability, Voter Suppresion and...

Local Matters Podcast ·

2025/12/24

Paula F. Casey is a journalist and podcaster. She chronicles the history and the importance of Tennessee in ensuring that women could place their stamp on civic engagement and democracy. We also ask how we can get more accountability in an era where traditional newspapers have been rendered powerless. Learn more about Ms. Casey at the following: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-casey-736110b/. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP3NoP1YjkuK9_aHhTUrAYA. Websites: www.theperfect36.com and

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00:47:53

2026: Polling, Political Parties, and Georgia

Local Matters Podcast ·

2025/12/17

Beverly Myers Tarver, a lifetime student of politics, joins us to talk about the major elections happening in 2026. We touch on why so many people have declared an intent to run for Georgia Governor. Senator Ossof's chances to win reelection, and whether the recent victories of Democratic candidates for the Georgia Pubilc Service Commission are an indicator of a major shift.

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00:41:52

Our Safety Net Has Holes In It

Local Matters Podcast ·

2025/12/10

Clarence H. Carter, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services, enlightens us on how the social safety net works for some and not for all. Too often, the system is a "hammock" that traps people in poverty, rather than a "trampoline" that helps people achieve self-sufficiency. The discussion explored current system inefficiencies and the need for restructuring, why there are so many programs, and how those programs aren't cohesive. "Our Safety Net Has Holes In It" is available on

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00:52:20

Do you Trust Government or Social Media?

Local Matters Podcast ·

2025/12/03

Sam Toles, Founder of CiviSocial, reminds us of how social media has changed the game. We talk about how we now consume news, how social media can help organizations recruit employees, cybersecurity concerns, deep fakes, and how vulnerable adults are being scammed. We also tackle the most important of issues, which is building broad based community engagement. Sam's newest book is "The Social Media Playbook for Elected Officials." Learn more about Sam at https://civisocial.com/

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00:46:23

Demand Justice and Get It!

Local Matters Podcast ·

2025/11/26

Courtney Teasley, a Tennessee lawyer, shares her journey into law and her work fighting against injustices in the criminal justice system. She addresses overcharging and inadequate representation by public defenders, systemic issues that disproportionately affect marginalized minorities, particularly African Americans, in the criminal justice system. Ms. Teasley stressed the need for proactive advocacy, community involvement in judicial elections, and the importance of understanding legal rights to

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00:45:52

Inside the Vision of Superintendent Dr. Malinda Cobb...

Local Matters Podcast ·

2025/11/19

In this episode of the Local Matters podcast, we sit down with Dr. Malinda Cobb, the newly appointed superintendent of the Richmond County School System in Augusta, Georgia. From her roots in Saluda, SC to leading 48 schools and 29,000 students, Dr. Cobb shares how her journey as a classroom teacher shapes the way she leads today.

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309 results

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