Athens Politics Nerd
@athenspoliticsnerd.bsky.social
Independent, progressive journalism for Athens, Georgia.
Y'all. What are we doing? We've got to do something about climate change. 😱
www.earth.com/news/study-a...
www.earth.com/news/study-a...
Study says it's already too late to save the luxury crops that make coffee, chocolate, and wine
Scientists warn solar cooling can’t guarantee stable harvests needed to save the luxury crops that produce coffee, chocolate, and wine.
www.earth.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Y'all. What are we doing? We've got to do something about climate change. 😱
www.earth.com/news/study-a...
www.earth.com/news/study-a...
The first debate in the 2026 Mayor's race was on Saturday and I've got the highlights for you here!
www.youtube.com/shorts/Rnm01...
www.youtube.com/shorts/Rnm01...
Highlights from the AthChat mayor's debate
YouTube video by Athens Politics Nerd
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:59 PM
The first debate in the 2026 Mayor's race was on Saturday and I've got the highlights for you here!
www.youtube.com/shorts/Rnm01...
www.youtube.com/shorts/Rnm01...
Unless the page hasn't been updated yet today, it looks like there will be just two candidates in the Dec. 9 special election in State House District 121:
Eric Gisler (D)
Mack “Dutch” Guest IV (R)
I've already interviewed Gisler. I wonder if Dutch would be willing to interview as well?
Eric Gisler (D)
Mack “Dutch” Guest IV (R)
I've already interviewed Gisler. I wonder if Dutch would be willing to interview as well?
November 10, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Unless the page hasn't been updated yet today, it looks like there will be just two candidates in the Dec. 9 special election in State House District 121:
Eric Gisler (D)
Mack “Dutch” Guest IV (R)
I've already interviewed Gisler. I wonder if Dutch would be willing to interview as well?
Eric Gisler (D)
Mack “Dutch” Guest IV (R)
I've already interviewed Gisler. I wonder if Dutch would be willing to interview as well?
The 2026 local election is kicking off early in Athens!
Russell Edwards and Drew Abney, hosts of the AthChat podcast, held the first mayoral debate of the election cycle on Saturday at Cine.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-athchat...
Russell Edwards and Drew Abney, hosts of the AthChat podcast, held the first mayoral debate of the election cycle on Saturday at Cine.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-athchat...
2025 AthChat Mayoral Debate | Athens Politics Nerd
The AthChat podcast, hosted by Russell Edwards and Drew Abney, held the first mayoral debate of the election cycle on Saturday at Cine in downtown Athens.
athenspoliticsnerd.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:12 PM
The 2026 local election is kicking off early in Athens!
Russell Edwards and Drew Abney, hosts of the AthChat podcast, held the first mayoral debate of the election cycle on Saturday at Cine.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-athchat...
Russell Edwards and Drew Abney, hosts of the AthChat podcast, held the first mayoral debate of the election cycle on Saturday at Cine.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-athchat...
I'm on the left, but I hate government shutdowns really for any reason. It's a failure of government.
Now that SNAP funding is secured, anyone who still wants to shut things down can do it in January. I understand why they did it but I can't say I hope they do it again.
Now that SNAP funding is secured, anyone who still wants to shut things down can do it in January. I understand why they did it but I can't say I hope they do it again.
November 10, 2025 at 5:01 AM
I'm on the left, but I hate government shutdowns really for any reason. It's a failure of government.
Now that SNAP funding is secured, anyone who still wants to shut things down can do it in January. I understand why they did it but I can't say I hope they do it again.
Now that SNAP funding is secured, anyone who still wants to shut things down can do it in January. I understand why they did it but I can't say I hope they do it again.
Reposted by Athens Politics Nerd
Democratic senators are still getting paid and don’t need SNAP, but of course some gave in as soon as they were personally affected by flight delays.
November 10, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Democratic senators are still getting paid and don’t need SNAP, but of course some gave in as soon as they were personally affected by flight delays.
Reposted by Athens Politics Nerd
BREAKING: Senate takes first step to end government shutdown after some moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who say Americans want them to continue the fight.
Senate takes first step toward ending the government shutdown
The Senate took the first step to end the government shutdown on Sunday after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who wanted to continue the fight.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 4:03 AM
BREAKING: Senate takes first step to end government shutdown after some moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who say Americans want them to continue the fight.
If the existence of billionaires is a policy failure, what does it mean when trillionaires exist?
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/b...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/b...
Tesla shareholders approve $1 trillion pay package for Musk | CNN Business
Tesla shareholders approved a pay package on Thursday that could make CEO Elon Musk, already the world’s richest person, the world’s first trillionaire.
www.cnn.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 PM
If the existence of billionaires is a policy failure, what does it mean when trillionaires exist?
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/b...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/b...
A food emergency is spreading across Athens in the wake of the federal freeze of SNAP food assistance benefits.
As Athenians wait for a fraction of their normal benefits this month, the local gov has stepped up to help fund the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/commission-h...
As Athenians wait for a fraction of their normal benefits this month, the local gov has stepped up to help fund the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/commission-h...
ACC Commission helps NE GA Food Bank keep Athenians fed as SNAP delay continues | Athens Politics Nerd
The ACC Commission has agreed to give $150,000 to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia as some Athenians continue to wonder when they will receive food
athenspoliticsnerd.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:09 PM
A food emergency is spreading across Athens in the wake of the federal freeze of SNAP food assistance benefits.
As Athenians wait for a fraction of their normal benefits this month, the local gov has stepped up to help fund the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/commission-h...
As Athenians wait for a fraction of their normal benefits this month, the local gov has stepped up to help fund the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/commission-h...
"Mara Zuniga, an advocate for community-driven leadership and bipartisan solutions, announced her bid for Athens-Clarke County mayor in a press release on Wednesday, Nov. 5."
Community-driven, okay, I can buy that. But bipartisan solutions, really? 😂
www.redandblack.com/athensnews/m...
"Mara Zuniga, an advocate for community-driven leadership and bipartisan solutions, announced her bid for Athens-Clarke County mayor in a press release on Wednesday, Nov. 5."
Community-driven, okay, I can buy that. But bipartisan solutions, really? 😂
www.redandblack.com/athensnews/m...
Mara Zuniga enters Athens mayoral race
Mara Zuniga, an advocate for community-driven leadership and bipartisan solutions, announced her bid for Athens-Clarke County mayor in a press release on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
www.redandblack.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:24 PM
"Mara Zuniga, an advocate for community-driven leadership and bipartisan solutions, announced her bid for Athens-Clarke County mayor in a press release on Wednesday, Nov. 5."
Community-driven, okay, I can buy that. But bipartisan solutions, really? 😂
www.redandblack.com/athensnews/m...
"Mara Zuniga, an advocate for community-driven leadership and bipartisan solutions, announced her bid for Athens-Clarke County mayor in a press release on Wednesday, Nov. 5."
Community-driven, okay, I can buy that. But bipartisan solutions, really? 😂
www.redandblack.com/athensnews/m...
I'm finally done with the next episode of my financial history series!
This one is about how and why President Nixon ended the gold standard in 1971. The Nixon Shock reverberated around the world, ushering in a new era of floating exchange rates and neoliberalism.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i5J...
This one is about how and why President Nixon ended the gold standard in 1971. The Nixon Shock reverberated around the world, ushering in a new era of floating exchange rates and neoliberalism.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i5J...
How the Nixon Shock ended the gold standard in 1971 | The Story of Money, Episode 16
YouTube video by Dollars & Debt: The Story of Money
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I'm finally done with the next episode of my financial history series!
This one is about how and why President Nixon ended the gold standard in 1971. The Nixon Shock reverberated around the world, ushering in a new era of floating exchange rates and neoliberalism.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i5J...
This one is about how and why President Nixon ended the gold standard in 1971. The Nixon Shock reverberated around the world, ushering in a new era of floating exchange rates and neoliberalism.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i5J...
Democrats Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard trounced their Republican opponents and won two seats on the Public Service Commission.
The 25-point margin of victory in both races represents the biggest Democratic landslide in Georgia in recent memory.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-general...
The 25-point margin of victory in both races represents the biggest Democratic landslide in Georgia in recent memory.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-general...
2025 General Election Results | Athens Politics Nerd
Preliminary results come from the Georgia Secretary of State’s website, but they aren't official until certified by the Board of Elections.
athenspoliticsnerd.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Democrats Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard trounced their Republican opponents and won two seats on the Public Service Commission.
The 25-point margin of victory in both races represents the biggest Democratic landslide in Georgia in recent memory.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-general...
The 25-point margin of victory in both races represents the biggest Democratic landslide in Georgia in recent memory.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-general...
Republicans can't seem to win without Trump on the ballot these days, but when Trump is there, Republicans get destroyed in the next election. It's a weird dynamic.
November 5, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Republicans can't seem to win without Trump on the ballot these days, but when Trump is there, Republicans get destroyed in the next election. It's a weird dynamic.
Another interesting fact about the election last night: if I'm reading this right, Athens had a higher voter turnout (27.0%) than Oconee (25.7%).
Dems are fired up, y'all!
Dems are fired up, y'all!
November 5, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Another interesting fact about the election last night: if I'm reading this right, Athens had a higher voter turnout (27.0%) than Oconee (25.7%).
Dems are fired up, y'all!
Dems are fired up, y'all!
"This will be an age where New Yorkers expect from their leaders a bold vision of what we will achieve, rather than a list of excuses for what we are too timid to attempt."
-Zohran Mamdani
-Zohran Mamdani
November 5, 2025 at 4:32 AM
"This will be an age where New Yorkers expect from their leaders a bold vision of what we will achieve, rather than a list of excuses for what we are too timid to attempt."
-Zohran Mamdani
-Zohran Mamdani
The PSC Dems are extending their leads now, it's 62-38 with 1.3 million votes in.
This is getting embarrassing! Tim Echols was an incumbent! Georgia just gave that man a boot to the ass after like 15 years. 😂
This is getting embarrassing! Tim Echols was an incumbent! Georgia just gave that man a boot to the ass after like 15 years. 😂
November 5, 2025 at 3:31 AM
The PSC Dems are extending their leads now, it's 62-38 with 1.3 million votes in.
This is getting embarrassing! Tim Echols was an incumbent! Georgia just gave that man a boot to the ass after like 15 years. 😂
This is getting embarrassing! Tim Echols was an incumbent! Georgia just gave that man a boot to the ass after like 15 years. 😂
Bruce Johnson has won the Winterville special election tonight. Winterville residents will also be able to enjoy liquor by the drink and Sunday sales after two wildly successful referendums. Cheers!
November 5, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Bruce Johnson has won the Winterville special election tonight. Winterville residents will also be able to enjoy liquor by the drink and Sunday sales after two wildly successful referendums. Cheers!
Socialists are ppl who advocate the collective ownership of the means of production.
Democratic socialists want to do it by voting. Revolutionary socialists want to do it in a coup.
That's different from social dems, people who advocate a kinder, gentler capitalism. Ofc, socialists also want that.
Democratic socialists want to do it by voting. Revolutionary socialists want to do it in a coup.
That's different from social dems, people who advocate a kinder, gentler capitalism. Ofc, socialists also want that.
November 5, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Socialists are ppl who advocate the collective ownership of the means of production.
Democratic socialists want to do it by voting. Revolutionary socialists want to do it in a coup.
That's different from social dems, people who advocate a kinder, gentler capitalism. Ofc, socialists also want that.
Democratic socialists want to do it by voting. Revolutionary socialists want to do it in a coup.
That's different from social dems, people who advocate a kinder, gentler capitalism. Ofc, socialists also want that.
A socialist will now be the political head of the financial capital of the world.
Zohran Mamdani has won the New York City mayoral election!
Zohran Mamdani has won the New York City mayoral election!
November 5, 2025 at 2:38 AM
A socialist will now be the political head of the financial capital of the world.
Zohran Mamdani has won the New York City mayoral election!
Zohran Mamdani has won the New York City mayoral election!
Just absolute domination from Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard tonight -- this one is not gonna be close!
Turns out Georgians don't like when you raise their power bills six times in four years for the benefit of utility companies. Who knew!
I expected them to win, but this is a rout!
Turns out Georgians don't like when you raise their power bills six times in four years for the benefit of utility companies. Who knew!
I expected them to win, but this is a rout!
November 5, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Just absolute domination from Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard tonight -- this one is not gonna be close!
Turns out Georgians don't like when you raise their power bills six times in four years for the benefit of utility companies. Who knew!
I expected them to win, but this is a rout!
Turns out Georgians don't like when you raise their power bills six times in four years for the benefit of utility companies. Who knew!
I expected them to win, but this is a rout!
Democrats are declaring victory in both PSC races! With about a million votes in, both Democrats have HUGE leads (59-41 for both of them). 🤩
democrats.org/news/dnc-sta...
democrats.org/news/dnc-sta...
DNC Statement on Dr. Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard’s Victory in Georgia’s Public Service Commissioner Election - Democrats
democrats.org
November 5, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Democrats are declaring victory in both PSC races! With about a million votes in, both Democrats have HUGE leads (59-41 for both of them). 🤩
democrats.org/news/dnc-sta...
democrats.org/news/dnc-sta...
Commissioner Johnson is now apologizing for using a character voice mocking staff in her comments during the Core Spaces apartment discussion.
November 5, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Commissioner Johnson is now apologizing for using a character voice mocking staff in her comments during the Core Spaces apartment discussion.
With only 600,000 votes in, the Democrats are dominating both PSC races so far. We'll see if that holds up.
November 5, 2025 at 1:26 AM
With only 600,000 votes in, the Democrats are dominating both PSC races so far. We'll see if that holds up.
Mayor Girtz is explaining some affordable housing projects that the county is working on, possibly because a bunch of people were doubting the county's commitment in this area during the student housing vote.
But all those people left the commission chamber, they're not around to hear about it.
But all those people left the commission chamber, they're not around to hear about it.
November 5, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Mayor Girtz is explaining some affordable housing projects that the county is working on, possibly because a bunch of people were doubting the county's commitment in this area during the student housing vote.
But all those people left the commission chamber, they're not around to hear about it.
But all those people left the commission chamber, they're not around to hear about it.
The commission voted unanimously to provide $150,000 to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia to make up part of their funding shortfall this month.
The need for food aid has greatly increased after SNAP benefits were cut by the federal government.
The need for food aid has greatly increased after SNAP benefits were cut by the federal government.
November 5, 2025 at 1:11 AM
The commission voted unanimously to provide $150,000 to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia to make up part of their funding shortfall this month.
The need for food aid has greatly increased after SNAP benefits were cut by the federal government.
The need for food aid has greatly increased after SNAP benefits were cut by the federal government.