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From the Atlanta Daily World:

Photo: AFP President Donald Trump said he’ll “have to take a look” at deporting Elon Musk after the tech billionaire slammed the president’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” Musk, a South African national and a naturalized U.S. citizen, appeared to reignite his feud with Trump over the weekend after he fired off a series of tweets criticizing … Continued

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From the Atlanta Daily World:

Photo: Getty Images North America Rapper Nelly seemingly took aim at former Vice President Kamala Harris and her “white husband,” Doug Emhoff, while defending his decision to perform at President Donald Trump’s inauguration. During a recent interview, Nelly addressed backlash over his inauguration performance. The rapper claimed he’s not “pro-Donald Trump,” but he decided to … Continued

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From the Atlanta Daily World:

Photo: Getty Images North America U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett is opening up about her “frustration” with the Democratic Party after she ended her bid for committee leadership in the House. The Texas congresswoman pulled out of the race to serve as the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Monday … Continued

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From the Atlanta Daily World:

Photo: AFP A performer who protested in support of Gaza during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show has been arrested months after the unplanned demonstration. On Thursday (June 26), Louisiana State Police announced the arrest of 41-year-old Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu for “resisting an officer” and “disturbing the peace by interruption of a lawful assembly” during … Continued

The post Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl Performer Arrested After On-Field Gaza Protest appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From WABE Politics News:

Congressional Republicans, looking for ways to offset their proposed tax cuts, are seeking to mandate that millions of Americans work in order to receive federally subsidized health insurance. The GOP […]

From WABE Politics News:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans hauled President Donald Trump’s big tax breaks and spending cuts bill to passage Tuesday on the narrowest of votes, pushing past opposition from Democrats and […]

Arts Atlanta:

Echo Valley doesn’t earn its talented acting ensemble; Mountainhead overestimates our tolerance for fabulously wealthy tech bros. :: Steve Murray’s monthly musings on TV in Atlanta and beyond. You might say it’s a low bar to clear, but Straw is one of the better movies written and directed by Atlanta’s media machine, Tyler Perry. (Yeah,...

Beside Atlanta's largest park, more than 130 new homes underway Josh Green Tue, 07/01/2025 - 10:07

New housing options at the doorstep of Atlanta’s largest greenspace are set to increase soon. 

Another section of the West Highlands neighborhood—a project started in the 1990s that’s already one of the largest master-planned communities in the City of Atlanta—is fully underway with site development next to the main entrance of Shirley Clarke Franklin Park (formerly Westside Park). 

The next flank of West Highlands, a collaboration between homebuilder Brock Built Homes and Atlanta Housing, calls for 137 units total in the Rockdale neighborhood west of Midtown. 

According to reps with Brock Built, a prominent developer in the area for decades, the current park-adjacent project along Johnson Road will include 103 townhomes and 24 flats/stacks, all of them for sale and not rent. 

Construction progress on West Highlands' next phase along Johnson Road, as seen from over Shirley Clarke Franklin Park last month. Urbanize Atlanta

Construction next to the park's "dinosaur ribcage" entrance last month. Urbanize Atlanta

Townhomes will range from 1,300 to 2,600 square feet in three product lines (15, 21, and 24-feet wide). The condos will all have two bedrooms and one bathroom. 

The collaboration with Atlanta Housing means that 20 percent of homes will be reserved at rates deemed affordable for families earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income, according to the housing agency. 

Development of the site—formerly woods between Johnson Road and Proctor Creek Greenway—kicked off several months ago, and vertical construction is scheduled to begin before the end of 2025, according to Brock Built. 

Renderings for the project are still being finalized, per company reps. 

Overview of Shirley Clarke Franklin Park and location of new West Highlands construction, prior to tree-removal on site. Google Maps

Location of new home construction (at right) in relation to a main park entrance, as seen in March. Google Maps

Another new section of West Highlands with 65 for-sale townhomes is under construction on the flipside of the community, on property that formerly housed the 1950s Perry Homes housing projects. West Highlands counts more than 1,300 apartments and standalone homes today. 

The new housing will join the growing, 300-home townhouse project Park Vue as neighbors to Atlanta’s biggest park space, which opened its initial phase in 2021 and could see development of a unique bike park kick off later this year, as Beltline officials recently told Urbanize Atlanta. 

Find more context and recent drone perspectives in the gallery above. 

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• Photos: How big neighborhood next to Atlanta's largest park is turning out(Urbanize Atlanta) 

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1600 Johnson Road Park Vue by Ashton Woods West Highlands Atlanta Housing Homes in Atlanta Westside Shirley Clarke Franklin Park Westside Park Affordable Housing Atlanta Affordable Housing affordable housing Brock Built Brock Built Homes Atlanta Construction Atlanta Development Atlanta Condos Atlanta Condos for Sale Atlanta Townhomes townhomes

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Overview of Shirley Clarke Franklin Park and location of new West Highlands construction, prior to tree-removal on site. Google Maps

Construction progress on West Highlands' next phase along Johnson Road, as seen from over Shirley Clarke Franklin Park last month. Urbanize Atlanta

Location of new home construction (at right) in relation to a main park entrance, as seen in March. Google Maps

Construction next to the park's "dinosaur ribcage" entrance last month. Urbanize Atlanta

The new Park Vue by Ashton Woods townhome community (center) across the street from the park. Urbanize Atlanta

The construction site in relation to a main parking area. Urbanize Atlanta

Urbanize Atlanta

Totality of the West Highlands project, with under-construction new sections shown at far left and, along Johnson Road, at right. Atlanta Housing

Subtitle It’s a collaboration between Brock Built, Atlanta Housing at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park’s doorstep

Neighborhood Rockdale

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From WABE Politics News:

The fate of the sweeping GOP tax and spending bill hangs in the balance as senators continue to work on amendments and closed-door negotiations Tuesday morning following an all-night session. […]

From WABE Local News:

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County is delaying the implementation of a 10% water and sewer rate increase. The rate raise was set to begin on July 1, but has been […]

Arts Atlanta:

Each week, ArtsATL delivers a critic’s short list of the shows, exhibitions, concerts and events we recommend for the coming weeks within one discipline or venue type in the kaleidoscope of Atlanta arts and culture. Every week, we’ll present a different art form. :: In addition to the shows listed below, Atlanta boasts several venues where you...

From the Saporta Report:

As homelessness becomes more visible—and more complex—in communities across Atlanta, Hope Atlanta’s Summer 2025 Field Report offers a powerful window into both the challenges and the solutions. With family homelessness up 14% and chronic homelessness down 9%, the 2025 Point-in-Time Count reflects a shifting landscape—and a need for adaptive, data-driven responses. Hope Atlanta’s Field Report highlights how […]

The post Housing, Health & Hope: What Hope Atlanta’s Field Report Reveals – And why it matters appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Politics News:

ATLANTA (AP) — A Democratic former legislative leader said Tuesday that he’s raising money for a possible run for attorney general. Bob Trammell of Luthersville said he’s exploring whether he […]

Arts Atlanta:

The movie Barbie debuted in theaters in the summer of 2023. Featuring a quirky, feminist backstory about the iconic doll, the movie follows Stereotypical Barbie as she grapples with the picture-perfect fictional life, the feminine ideals she symbolizes and the unnerving reality of life for women. Throughout this tale, Barbie learns about the oppressive structure...

From WABE Local News:

Almost three years after closing to patients, Atlanta Medical Center in the Old Fourth Ward is being demolished. It’s the first phase of several years of work planned for the […]

From WABE Arts and Culture News:

After more than 45 years at WABE, Lois Reitzes hosted her final episode of City Lights ahead of her retirement. In a special live broadcast from WABE’s Studio 4, Lois […]

Two new food hubs announced for downtown ATL as World Cup nears Josh Green Mon, 06/30/2025 - 17:38

Food and drink options in Atlanta’s reawakening South Downtown district are expected to surge in coming months. 

With the city's 2026 FIFA World Cup matches less than a year away, two of the biggest players in South Downtown’s revival—tech entrepreneurs Atlanta Ventures and Underground Atlanta owners Lalani Ventures—each officially announced plans for new food hubs Monday, though with very different concepts. 

Starting this autumn, the South Downtown ATL crew plans to welcome a recurring, open-air food festival that’s proven popular in Miami, New York City, and Los Angeles called Smorgasburg Atlanta. 

The 140 Forsyth St. SW lot where Smorgasburg Atlanta is planned, in relation to South Downtown's "town square" section planned to house El Tesoro and other businesses. via South Downtown ATL/@sodowntownatl

Smorgasburg’s Atlanta incarnation will take over a surface parking lot at 104 Forsyth St., situated in between MARTA’s Five Points and Garnett stations, a few blocks southeast of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Plans call for a roster of more than 40 local vendors to set up shop on the lot every Saturday, starting in October.

Expect a curated assortment of food trucks, pop-up tents, live entertainment, artists, play areas for kids, and food trucks, all splashed with selections of beer, wine, and seasonal cocktails, as South Downtown ATL officials relayed in a new tenant announcement. Culinary vendor applications are open as of today. 

“When we looked at where to expand next, Atlanta stood out immediately,” said Smorgasburg co-owner and CEO Gaston Becherano in the announcement. “There’s a dynamic and thriving pop-up food scene here that’s deeply rooted in creativity, community, and cultural pride.”

The parking lot in question between Forsyth and Broad streets, in relation to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and other downtown landmarks. Google Maps

The news continues a culinary hot streak for Atlanta Ventures’ 10-block South Downtown redevelopment. The district signed leases for taqueria El Tesoro’s third and largest location in March, local barbecue concept Sammy’s last month, and longtime Castleberry Hill staple Bottle Rocket sushi and bar last week. The latter plans to relocate into retail space in historic Hotel Row, between Tyde Tate Thai Kitchen and Spiller Park Coffee.

Meanwhile, big plans are also cookin’ at Underground Atlanta. 

That district on Monday detailed plans for an injection of new dining—including a six-stall food hall—and retail on the above-ground section, Upper Alabama Street, that project leaders have vowed to enliven prior to World Cup festivities. Utopia Latin fusion restaurant and lounge opened on that street in April, claiming a long-vacant space. 

Main entry off Peachtree Street to Underground nightlife, as seen in January. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

New Underground concepts were described by ownership in announcement today as follows: 

• “Once a pizza cart that was part of the Underground Creative Carts Collective at Underground in 2021, Dolo’s Pizza later transitioned to a permanent space in Lower Alabama. Increasing in popularity, the pizzeria is now set to level up to a whole new location on Upper Alabama, expanding its capabilities to serve more customers.
• Joining Dolo’s Pizza on Upper Alabama is the newly announced Underground Diner. This daytime and nighttime vibrant new eatery will replace Dancin’ Crepe’s corner space.
• ... a six-stall food hall [is coming to] an Upper Alabama corner space located across the street from where Underground Diner will go. It is currently in the design phase and is expected to be open before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Rapper Trinidad James, formally known as Nicholaus Williams, opened apparel store HOMMEWRK in February of this year, located across from Utopia on Upper Alabama.”

According to owners Lalani Venture, Underground Atlanta is on pace this year to double the 1 million visitors it counted in 2024. Company CEO Shaneel Lalani says recent additions are merely the beginning and that more tenants will be unveiled soon, include the six food hall tenants. 

“The positive momentum on Upper Alabama Street is undeniable, and these new additions are helping to bring vibrant, all-day energy back to Underground,” said Lalani in a statement. “By adding more daytime dining and retail options, we’re creating a dynamic environment that invites people to come early and stay late.”

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• Downtown news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)

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Hotel Row Lalani Ventures Underground Atlanta Atlanta Ventures Historic Hotel Row Atlanta Restaurants Atlanta Restaurant News Atlanta Food Halls Food Halls Gaston Becherano Smorgasburg Smorgasburg Atlanta South Downtown Atlanta Food Trucks Five Points MARTA Station Garnett MARTA station Garnett Street MARTA Station

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The parking lot in question between Forsyth and Broad streets, in relation to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and other downtown landmarks. Google Maps

The 140 Forsyth St. SW lot where Smorgasburg Atlanta is planned, in relation to South Downtown's "town square" section planned to house El Tesoro and other businesses. via South Downtown ATL/@sodowntownatl

Main entry off Peachtree Street to Underground nightlife, as seen in January. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Subtitle Weekly Smorgasburg Atlanta fest, Underground Atlanta food hall on tap soon

Neighborhood Downtown

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From the Saporta Report:

Why are both Democrats and Republicans so sure the One Big Beautiful Bill will be President Donald Trump’s last big chance to pass legislation?

The post What both sides assume about the One Big Beautiful Bill appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Saporta Report:

It’s so Atlanta to celebrate the demolition of history. Such was the case Monday afternoon when various VIPS, including Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman (a stand-in for Mayor Andre Dickens) and various dignitaries with Wellstar Health System and the Integral Group, gathered at the site of the former Georgia Baptist Hospital (the now-vacant Atlanta […]

The post Slow down with the wrecking ball; save the most historic Georgia Baptist building appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Saporta Report:

If it is southwest of Atlanta, why is it called East Point? This week on the Stories of Atlanta, we take a look at what seems to be an Atlanta history contradiction. It has to do with the naming of a neighboring city and why it got its name. With the unpleasantness of dealing with […]

The post Atlanta Loses Its First Mayor appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Saporta Report:

On Tuesday, June 10, more than 60 people packed into “Dad’s Garage Theatre “for a live taping of the “What’s Good, Atlanta?” podcast, a civic storytelling show that blends comedy, poetry and public interest. Produced by local creatives Mark Kendall and David Perdue (no relation to the former U.S. Senator from Georgia). The show brought […]

The post Laughing with, not at: How two Atlanta creatives use comedy to spark civic connection appeared first on SaportaReport.

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The post Persian/Iranian Americans – various events appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Politics News:

The U.S. Supreme Court’s Friday ruling limits the use of nationwide injunctions. However, the justices did not decide whether President Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship is lawful. The […]

Owner: Retail bound for corner on Eastside Trolley Trail, near El Tesoro Josh Green Mon, 06/30/2025 - 13:45

Plans are moving forward in Edgewood for a boutique retail concept the property owner hopes will benefit from a steady stream of multipurpose-trail foot traffic next door. 

The project, situated on the northeast corner of the Whitefoord and Woodbine avenues intersection, could be a key cog in a hub of eating and drinking establishments planned for an eastside neighborhood that lacks a historic downtown section. 

Last year, a crumbling, 2,482-square-foot commercial building from 1945 was razed at the 142 Whitefoord Ave. site. It had been vacant for more than a decade, with a collapsed roof and trees growing inside. 

Today, the .26-acre site has more cachet than most, given its front-row status along the Eastside Trolley Trail, a popular Beltline-to-Kirkwood connector trail installed in 2023 by the PATH Foundation. Across the street, taqueria El Tesoro is so popular, lines often form around the block.

Sara Thurston, the lot’s new owner and a licensed real estate agent, tells Urbanize Atlanta she’s submitted plans to the City of Atlanta for building permits to move forward with infill development on what’s currently used as a dirt parking lot. 

The 142 Whitefoord Ave. infill site in question today, with the Eastside Trolley Trail at left. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Full scope of the Whitefoord Avenue infill site in question, currently being used for off-street parking. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Thurston’s plans, drawn up by Decatur’s Lightroom architecture firm, call for a retail building standing two stories, with a restaurant on the ground floor and offices and storage for the business above. What type of restaurant could operate there has yet to be determined, per Thurston. 

The same parking footprint as the previous building’s will be used again, and plans call for the building to be “thoughtfully designed to blend in with the current landscape of the corner,” per Thurston. 

No renderings or other visuals are publicly available. Negotiations and revisions with the city are ongoing, Thurston said. 

“I’m hoping to break ground in the next three months,” said Thurston. “As soon as I get the permit approved, I want to get started.” 

The 142 Whitefoord Ave. site's location at an Edgewood intersection with commercial uses and low-rise apartments. Google Maps

The site's proximity to El Tesoro taqueria, at center across the street. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

One hurdle is the site’s status as being in a FEMA flood zone, which Thurston says requires new construction to be at least four feet above ground level. That requirement doesn’t apply to existing structures for adaptive-reuse development, but Thurston says the previous building onsite was too deteriorated to salvage.  

“My goal is to have [the retail building] completed within a year of breaking ground,” she says. “I’m so excited about it.”

Across Whitefoord Avenue, the situation appears to be quieter at another food-and-beverage concept planned for the area. 

State of the former 1950s auto garage where Whitefoord Avenue meets Leslie Street today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Next to El Tesoro, to the north, plans were revealed in spring last year for turning a former 1950s auto garage into a local pizzeria and neighborhood market with patio seating in front and some parking in the rear.  

The building and business owner, longtime Edgewood resident Sid Weinstein, told Urbanize Atlanta he hoped to open that combo business by last fall at the latest, operating it seven days a week.

A year later, no signs of construction are visible within the tall chain-link fencing installed around the property.  

A banner on the auto garage building reads, “Getting closer … Your pizzeria, market & more …” but Weinstein declined to provide updates on where the project stands. 

The former auto garage's proximity to the taqueria next door, to the south. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

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• Edgewood news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta) 

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142 Whitefoord Avenue SE Maple Realty Inc. Sara Thurston Viking Motorcycle Club Adaptive-Reuse Sidney Weinstein El Tesoro Rudy's Auto Eastside Trolley Trail Lightroom Atlanta Infill Infill Infill Development

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The 142 Whitefoord Ave. site's location at an Edgewood intersection with commercial uses and low-rise apartments. Google Maps

The former building's exterior where Whitefoord and Woodbine avenues meet. Google Maps

The 142 Whitefoord Ave. infill site in question today, with the Eastside Trolley Trail at left. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

The site's proximity to El Tesoro taqueria, at center across the street. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Full scope of the Whitefoord Avenue infill site in question, currently being used for off-street parking. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Looking west across the infill site today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

State of the former 1950s auto garage where Whitefoord Avenue meets Leslie Street today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

The former auto garage's proximity to the taqueria next door, to the south. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Subtitle Meanwhile, across the street in Edgewood, plans less clear for separate adaptive-reuse venture

Neighborhood Edgewood

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From the Atlanta Daily World:

by Mable Taplin As a nurse and patient advocate with decades of experience, I’ve witnessed what happens when care is centered on the person. I’ve also seen what happens when it’s not. Years ago, on a medical-surgical unit, I cared for a woman having her first gallbladder attack. She was beginning to feel better after … Continued

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