Digest Archive

Gov. Kemp called a June special session to redraw Georgia's voting maps after the Supreme Court banned race-based redistricting. Fani Willis vowed to sue over the new law making metro Atlanta elections nonpartisan. Atlanta City Council advanced a contested Kirkwood senior housing complex, John Lewis Memorial Park got $2 million in federal funding, the Jazz Festival returns this weekend for its 49th year, and the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour arrives at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Bobby Cox died at 84 and the Braves will honor him and Ted Turner before tonight's home game. Atlanta Civic Circle published full Republican and Democratic ballot walkthroughs for the May 19 primary, Gov. Kemp signed a scaled-back income tax cut and property tax relief at the Capitol, Atlanta was named the best U.S. city for starting a career for the fourth straight year, Decatur's Ale Yeah craft beer store landed on the market, and a 200-student Georgia State mural project is taking over South Downtown walls ahead of the World Cup.

Ted Turner, the CNN founder and Atlanta icon who transformed the city into a global media capital, has died at 87. The I-285 west side closes this weekend for major repairs, Atlanta City Council considers an audit of the Housing Help Center, Habitat for Humanity's Carter Work Project returns to Atlanta after nearly 40 years, and Atlanta United rides a three-game winning streak into Saturday's match against the LA Galaxy.

MARTA's Better Breeze rollout stranded senior and disabled riders in hours-long lines at the agency's Lindbergh headquarters. Mayor Andre Dickens proposed a nearly $1 billion FY2027 budget, Decatur's commission unanimously rejected a residential parking overhaul, Rockefeller Group revealed details for Atlanta's tallest tower in 30 years at 1072 West Peachtree, and Nando's prepares to land at Krog Street Market in time for the World Cup.

Teamsters led hundreds of workers in a May Day march on Home Depot's Atlanta-area headquarters. Decatur weighs a residential parking ordinance, Atlanta City Council schedules public budget briefings throughout May, the Ladybird Westside warehouse remake heads toward grand opening, and Bruce Springsteen turned a packed State Farm Arena into a sing-along about Trump-era America.

The BeltLine Lantern Parade is back on the calendar for September 19 after last year's last-minute storm cancellation. Council President Marci Collier Overstreet held her first town hall at the Russell Innovation Center, MARTA's new Better Breeze fare system goes live across rail and bus, and Atlanta United beat CF Montreal 3-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a third straight win.

Pellerin Real Estate has finished demolition at East Atlanta Village's old Truist corner, prepping a multi-tenant retail buildout at 514 Flat Shoals Avenue. The Atlanta City Council moves toward annual transparency reports for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Decatur tightens its resident parking program, and a Poncey-Highland dessert and cocktail hideaway from chef Claudia Martinez gets the magazine treatment.

Candler Park's beloved retail strip is bouncing back with new boutiques and a bookstore filling vacant storefronts. The Hawks face elimination tonight in a must-win Game 6, while Morris Brown celebrates its largest graduating class in decades after regaining accreditation. Gas prices surge past $3.75 as global tensions persist.

The BeltLine's newest segment in Ormewood Park is already drawing developer interest, with Beulah Heights University seeking proposals for its campus. Atlanta has surged back to become the nation's sixth-largest metro. And the Hawks' season hangs in the balance after losing Game 5 to the Knicks.

Georgia declares its first drought response level as wildfires burn across the state. Record-breaking early voting turnout hit 35,000 on day one of primary elections. And the Hawks head to New York for a pivotal Game 5 against the Knicks with the series tied 2-2.

More than 200 volunteers and 12 Atlanta-area colleges pour onto the BeltLine for the Partnership's annual 404 Day of Service, with most of the work concentrated along the Eastside Trail corridor. Early voting opens today for both the Decatur city election on May 19 and the Georgia statewide primary on May 20, and Bruno Mars makes his first Atlanta tour stop in nearly a decade with a State Farm Arena run.

Piedmont Park's improvement plan reaches its one-year mark as the Conservancy raises another $700,000 at this year's Landmark Luncheon. Mayor Andre Dickens makes the case for sustained youth investment at an Atlanta Press Club newsmaker event, and Georgia Tech opens its dorms to FIFA World Cup visitors as the city counts down to the summer's main event.

Atlanta is making its pitch to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention, with DNC officials touring downtown's Centennial Yards this week. A 14-unit affordable townhome project nears completion near Grove Park, with prices starting around $250,000. And the Atlanta Press Club has set its 2026 primary debate schedule, with sessions running ahead of Georgia's contested governor and Senate races.

Zoo Atlanta will welcome two new giant pandas from China under a decade-long conservation partnership. Atlanta is standing up a 30-acre Downtown Enterprise Zone ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to capture sales tax and reinvest it in area businesses. And CJ McCollum hit a fadeaway jumper with 12.5 seconds left to lift the Hawks past the Knicks 109-108 in Game 3, giving Atlanta a 2-1 series lead.

Atlanta City Councilmember Wayne Martin moved a firefighter pay-raise bill Monday, co-sponsored by 12 of 15 council members, amid a union contract dispute and ICE and PAD debates ahead of the World Cup. Midtown landmark Atlanta Botanical Garden broke ground on an 8-acre expansion along Piedmont Avenue. And a new Southern steakhouse from the C&S Seafood team opens today in Buckhead's Garden Hills with a 550-bottle wine list.

Atlanta City Council members are raising red flags about how the city will handle homelessness during the World Cup, with a new state bill and ongoing encampment sweeps adding pressure. Urbanize Atlanta got a look at the second phase of the Halidom development rising on Moreland just south of East Atlanta Village. And the Atlanta Influences Everything brand planted a flag on Concourse B with a new airport store, expanding from its Edgewood Avenue hub.

Atlanta City Council carved out a massive World Cup entertainment district downtown, though councilmembers pumped the brakes on the open container piece after Castleberry Hill residents asked for more time to weigh in. A Midtown crane idle for four years has neighbors worried their building could be taken out by a storm. And Edibles.com, the hemp-derived lifestyle brand from Edible Arrangements' parent, opened its first retail store in Inman Park.

Midtown International School's sudden closure is sending shockwaves through families after parents discovered a board member bought the building. Senator Ossoff is launching an inquiry into AI data center impacts on Georgia power bills. And Soulja Boy will headline the Hawks' first home playoff game halftime show Thursday.

MARTA flipped the switch on its biggest bus network overhaul since the 1970s, with the new NextGen routes and dedicated red-lane Rapid A-Line now running. The Beacon opened in Mechanicsville, pushing the city's rapid housing tally to 500 units for formerly homeless Atlantans. And the Fulton County Commission Chair race heated up at a forum ahead of early voting.

The Atlanta BeltLine cut the ribbon on the final segment of its Southeast Trail, completing a walkable and bikeable connection from Piedmont Park all the way down to Grant Park for the first time. Meanwhile, the Fulton County Commission Chair race heated up at a labor-hosted forum on the eve of early voting, and the Atlanta Community Food Bank reported a 70 percent surge in neighbors needing help over four years.

Atlanta's transit system flips the switch tomorrow with the first total bus network redesign since 1972, including the new Rapid A-Line connecting downtown to Summerhill and Peoplestown. The Beacon at Cooper Street hits the city's 500th rapid housing unit in Mechanicsville, and Little Five Points finally cuts the ribbon on its reimagined Findley Plaza after a decade of planning.

The BeltLine's most anticipated new stretch officially opens in southeast Atlanta after three years of construction. NPU-V votes to reject a data center near the West End MARTA station. And the former CNN Center will become a cultural hub during the FIFA World Cup.

Midtown Alliance unveils 'Midtown Green,' a 4-acre park with an amphitheater designed by the team behind NYC's High Line. Oakland Cemetery's illumine art exhibition returns for its 19th year. And Coca-Cola is selling part of its corporate campus to Georgia Tech.

A major jet fuel leak at Hartsfield-Jackson went undetected for eight days, sending 20,000 gallons into the Flint River. Grant Park's oldest city park gets spring upgrades including a new outdoor classroom at Milledge Fountain. And Emory students are pushing back against Flock surveillance cameras on campus.

Atlanta DOT is putting $200 million into sidewalk safety across 50 corridors, the BeltLine's Southside Trail just opened a new segment, and the Hawks locked in the No. 6 seed to face the Knicks in the first round. Plus: a celebrated NYC Hunan restaurant picks Inman Park for its first expansion, and the High Museum opens a major Noguchi retrospective tied to the Playscapes playground in Piedmont Park.

MARTA is prepping for World Cup transit chaos with new express bus routes and extended rail hours, while Uzbekistan confirms Atlanta as its team base camp. Plus: a 200-unit affordable housing complex near Georgia Tech nears opening, the Georgia Trust fights to save a century-old Midtown church, and the 90th Dogwood Festival draws thousands to Piedmont Park under heightened security.

MARTA's first-ever bus rapid transit line launches April 18, connecting downtown to the Southside BeltLine through Summerhill and Peoplestown. Plus: Atlanta's tallest new tower in 30 years gets its crane removed in Midtown, the 90th Dogwood Festival returns to Piedmont Park with a new entry fee, and Inman Park welcomes Edibles.com's first retail store steps from the BeltLine.

BeltLine officially seeks builder for the complex Northeast Trail Segment 3 and its connector trails through south Buckhead. Plus: Fulton's Reparations Task Force delivers a 615-page report on harm done to Black residents, the 90th Dogwood Festival returns to Piedmont Park with a new entry fee, and A.J. Robinson announces retirement after 23 years leading Downtown Atlanta Progress.

Angel Reese comes to Atlanta in a blockbuster Dream trade, the BeltLine seeks a builder for its trickiest trail segment through south Buckhead, and MARTA opens all faregates during the better Breeze transition. Plus: Koshu Club brings Showa-era Japanese dining to Buckhead, and the Braves brawl with the Angels after a heated mound charge.

Angel Reese lands in Atlanta after a blockbuster trade to the Dream, a jazz club is headed to Decatur's historic 1935 Post Office building, and Piedmont Park's Vietnam War memorial is finally complete. Plus: Koshu Club opens in Buckhead, Georgia's voter registration deadline for the May primary is two weeks out, and a WSB-TV investigation finds hundreds of Georgians charged with DUI were proven sober.

Mariah Carey surprises the congregation at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Easter, Atlanta Pride opens grand marshal nominations, and the Hawks gear up for a make-or-break final week. Plus: Decatur weighs historic district status for Beacon Hill, the DeKalb DA draws a line on HB 369, and the Atlanta Press Club sets its midterm debate calendar.

Emory's basketball dream dies on a buzzer-beater in Indianapolis, Tayari Jones brings her Oprah-picked novel home to Atlanta, and Atlanta United falls flat on 404 Day. Plus: Decatur legislators force a school board reset, Atlanta lands in the top 5 for first-time homebuyers, and Georgia State drops its gender studies major.

The BeltLine's new I-20 bridge and Segment 6 overhaul are closer than you think, affordable housing along the corridor hits 79% of goal, and a federal judge saves $14.5 million in Atlanta homeless funding. Plus: Georgia's legislature wraps a messy Sine Die, Atlanta throws a 404 Day party, and PUMA brings World Cup energy Downtown.

BeltLine hits 79% of its 2030 affordable housing goal with 4,400 units built, Georgia's legislative session ends with income tax cuts and election bill failures, and all anti-LGBTQ+ bills defeated at the Capitol. Plus: San Francisco Coffee brings West Coast vibes to two new ITP locations, and the Braves crush Arizona 17-2.

World Cup preparations raise homelessness concerns echoing 1996 Olympics, Three Taverns finally opens BeltLine retail at Ponce City Market, and Georgia's legislative session hits Sine Die with the literacy bill heading to the governor. Plus: Falcons unveil new red-focused uniforms, and Atlanta Tech Hub celebrates three years of growth.

Mayor Dickens' $10 billion neighborhood plan hits snags over TAD extensions, Decatur sells a key property for workforce housing, and the Georgia legislature rushes to wrap up its session. Plus: two Atlanta restaurants earn James Beard finalist nods, MARTA rolls out its new Breeze fare system, and the Braves drop game two to the A's.

Midtown International School abruptly closes with just days' notice, two Atlanta restaurants earn James Beard Award finalist nods, and Trans Day of Visibility brings a summit to City Hall. Plus: Tyler Perry's TSA gift cards get the green light, 404 Day events kick off this week, and the Braves shut out the A's 4-0.

MARTA's Better Breeze fare system goes live citywide, a massive downtown tower conversion aims to bring 400 affordable apartments to Georgia-Pacific Center, and TSA workers finally get paid after six weeks. Plus: 404 Day events kick off this weekend and Atlanta's Vietnam War Memorial gets a long-overdue dedication in Piedmont Park.

Thousands march across Atlanta in No Kings protests, a board game cafe is coming to Grant Park near the BeltLine, and the Braves shut out the Royals on opening night. Plus: South Downtown transforms for World Cup, and a massive gaming lounge opens near Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Georgia State reveals major plans to transform Summerhill into an athletics hub, the Senate finally passes TSA funding to end airport chaos, and the Braves open their 60th Atlanta season at home tonight. Plus, a new wine shop is coming to Old Fourth Ward.

A long-stalled Reynoldstown project finally breaks ground a block from the Eastside Trail, Inman Park gets a new Asian comfort food spot, and someone's pet python is loose on the BeltLine. Meanwhile, airport chaos continues as ICE agents patrol Hartsfield-Jackson and TSA workers go unpaid.

Big day for the SE BeltLine as Reynoldstown finally sees that long-stalled development start moving dirt, while a new Asian comfort food spot just opened in Inman Park. Meanwhile, the airport chaos is hitting close to home with ICE agents walking the terminals.

Big BeltLine news today with visuals dropping for that Oakland City MARTA connector trail, plus downtown's Two Peachtree affordable housing project hits a snag. Oh, and MARTA's new tap-to-pay system finally goes live next week.

It's been a busy day for Southeast Atlanta, with a major apartment project moving forward near Grant Park and The Beacon, while Decatur continues its heated battle over that controversial learning center. Meanwhile, the airport's still a mess with TSA delays.

Another wild day across the BeltLine corridor and ITP. Decatur's heated up over that controversial learning center while the BeltLine dropped some major Murphy Crossing updates. Meanwhile, Atlanta airport turned into absolute chaos with 2+ hour TSA lines.

Grant Park's Beacon is struggling with vacancy issues along the Beltline, while the Westside community organizes against a massive proposed homeless shelter near the new Beltline section. Plus, Atlanta's getting ready for World Cup festivities at Centennial Olympic Park.

It's been a tough weekend around the metro, with deadly shootings in Athens and South Fulton, while Mayor Dickens is still dodging that firefighter union contract. Meanwhile, Atlanta United finally got their first win and there's decent weather before storms roll in tomorrow.