'Y'all-itics': Same Georgia politics column but with a new name

Published in Politics and Government on Saturday, August 9th 2025 at 11:22 GMT by Atlanta Journal-Constitution
^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

The "Political Insider" column will now be "Y'all-itics," a column on Georgia politics.

Welcome to Y’all-itics: Politics with a Georgia Accent

Hey y’all, pull up a chair and grab some sweet tea because we’re about to dive into the heart of Southern politics like never before. This is Y’all-itics, your new go-to source for all things political with that unmistakable Georgia twang. Brought to you by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, this series is designed to break down the complexities of Peach State politics in a way that’s accessible, engaging, and yes, a little bit folksy. We’re talking elections, policy debates, scandals, and everything in between, all served up with the charm and candor that only Georgians can deliver.

Let’s start with why Georgia matters so much on the national stage. Once a reliably red state, Georgia has transformed into one of the most pivotal battlegrounds in American politics. Remember 2020? That was the year Georgia flipped blue for the first time in nearly three decades, thanks to record voter turnout and shifting demographics in metro Atlanta. Joe Biden’s narrow victory here—by just over 11,000 votes—sent shockwaves through the political world. But it didn’t stop there. The subsequent Senate runoffs that handed Democrats control of the upper chamber? Those were pure Georgia drama, featuring stars like Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock flipping seats against Republican incumbents. Fast forward to today, and Georgia remains a linchpin for the 2024 presidential race and beyond. With figures like Governor Brian Kemp navigating his post-Trump Republican identity, and Stacey Abrams continuing her advocacy for voting rights, the state is a microcosm of America’s divides: urban vs. rural, progressive vs. conservative, and everything spiced with Southern hospitality.

In Y’all-itics, we’re not just regurgitating headlines; we’re digging deep into the stories that shape our state. Hosted by a team of seasoned AJC journalists who’ve covered Georgia politics for years, each episode will feature in-depth discussions, expert interviews, and on-the-ground reporting. Think of it as your weekly porch swing chat about what’s really going on in the Gold Dome and beyond. Our lead host, let’s call her the queen of Georgia scoops, has been on the beat since the days of Sonny Perdue’s governorship. She’ll be joined by a rotating cast of co-hosts, including data whizzes who break down polling numbers and policy wonks who explain how bills become law (or don’t).

What can you expect from our episodes? We’ll kick things off with a deep dive into the upcoming legislative session. Georgia’s General Assembly convenes every January, and 2025 is shaping up to be a doozy. Hot topics include education reform—will lawmakers finally address the teacher shortage and funding inequities? Healthcare expansion is another biggie; despite Kemp’s resistance to full Medicaid expansion, pressure is mounting from rural hospitals teetering on closure. And let’s not forget election integrity. After the 2020 controversies, Georgia passed sweeping voting laws in 2021, which critics called suppressive and supporters hailed as safeguards. With 2024’s election fresh in the rearview, we’ll explore how these changes played out and what tweaks might be coming.

But Y’all-itics isn’t all serious business. We’ll sprinkle in some lighter fare, like the quirky traditions of Georgia politics. Ever heard of the annual Wild Hog Supper in Perry? It’s where politicians rub elbows with constituents over barbecue, and deals get whispered between bites. Or the legendary rivalries, like the ongoing Kemp vs. Trump saga. Kemp’s refusal to overturn the 2020 results earned him Trump’s wrath, but it also boosted his profile among moderates. We’ll unpack how that dynamic influences the GOP’s future in Georgia, especially with rising stars like Lt. Gov. Burt Jones eyeing higher office.

Diversity is at the core of our coverage. Georgia’s population is booming, with metro Atlanta becoming a melting pot of cultures. African Americans make up about a third of the state, and their voting power was key in recent elections. We’ll hear from Black leaders, Latino activists (Georgia’s Hispanic population has grown 30% in the last decade), and Asian American communities reshaping suburbs like Gwinnett County. Immigration, too, is a flashpoint—think agriculture’s reliance on migrant labor versus calls for stricter borders.

On the policy front, expect episodes tackling the economy. Georgia’s film industry, dubbed “Y’allywood,” brings in billions, but tax incentives are under scrutiny. Transportation woes in traffic-choked Atlanta? We’ll discuss the never-ending debate over expanding MARTA and fixing crumbling infrastructure. Climate change hits home here, with coastal communities like Savannah facing rising seas and more intense hurricanes. And education—voucher programs, book bans, and the fight over critical race theory will get their due.

We won’t shy away from the controversies either. Corruption scandals have plagued Georgia politics, from ethics probes in the statehouse to federal investigations involving high-profile figures. Remember the Ahmaud Arbery case? It spotlighted racial injustice and led to hate crime legislation. We’ll connect those dots to broader themes of justice reform, including efforts to address mass incarceration in a state with one of the highest prison populations.

Y’all-itics is more than a podcast or article series; it’s a community. We want your input—send us questions, share your stories, and let’s make this a two-way conversation. Whether you’re a die-hard politico or just someone who votes every few years, we aim to inform and entertain. Georgia’s politics affect us all, from the farms of South Georgia to the skyscrapers of Buckhead. So tune in, subscribe, and let’s talk politics with a Georgia accent. After all, as we say down here, if you ain’t talkin’ politics, you ain’t payin’ attention.

In our inaugural episode, we sit down with a panel of experts to preview the 2025 legislative priorities. From budget battles—Georgia’s surplus could fund tax cuts or investments in mental health—to redistricting fights that could redraw the political map, we’ve got it covered. We’ll also touch on national implications: How will Georgia’s 16 electoral votes swing in future presidential contests? With Trump’s influence waning or waxing depending on who you ask, and Democrats building grassroots machines, the state is ground zero for America’s political future.

But let’s zoom out a bit. Georgia’s political evolution mirrors national trends. The suburbs, once Republican strongholds, are turning purple as young professionals and diverse families move in. Places like Cobb and Forsyth counties are battlegrounds where school board races get as heated as congressional ones. We’ll explore how social issues like abortion rights—post-Roe, Georgia’s six-week ban is a lightning rod—and gun control play out in a state with deep hunting traditions but rising urban violence.

Economically, Georgia is a powerhouse. Home to Fortune 500 companies like Delta, Coca-Cola, and Home Depot, the state’s policies on trade, tariffs, and workforce development ripple nationwide. Yet inequality persists: Rural areas lag in broadband access and job opportunities, fueling populist sentiments. Y’all-itics will bridge these divides, featuring voices from all corners—farmers in Vidalia onion fields, tech entrepreneurs in Midtown Atlanta, and activists in historic Savannah.

We’re committed to fact-based journalism in an era of misinformation. Our team fact-checks claims, debunks myths, and provides context. For instance, the “stolen election” narrative in 2020? We’ll revisit the audits and court cases that upheld the results, while acknowledging legitimate concerns about voter access.

As we launch, we’re excited about special segments like “Y’all’s Take,” where listeners share opinions, and “Deep Dive,” extended interviews with newsmakers. Upcoming guests include state lawmakers, national pundits, and everyday Georgians making a difference.

In essence, Y’all-itics is your invitation to the table. Politics isn’t just for the suits in Atlanta; it’s for all of us. So whether you’re cheering for red, blue, or something in between, join us. Let’s make sense of the madness, one Southern drawl at a time.

Read the Full Atlanta Journal-Constitution Article at:
[ https://www.ajc.com/politics/2025/08/welcome-to-yall-itics-politics-with-a-georgia-accent/ ]

N※N

'Y'all-itics': Same Georgia politics column but with a new name