Atlanta News

From WABE Politics News:

In an executive order, President Trump directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to stop funding NPR and PBS, the nation's primary public broadcasters.

From WABE Politics News:

Hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. and around the world rallied Thursday in May Day protests that united many in anger over President Donald Trump’s agenda from aggressive tariffs that are stoking […]

From the Saporta Report:

A public-private partnership of downtown Atlanta leaders gave a “brief snapshot” of future developments as the city gears up to host eight FIFA World Cup matches in 2026.  Central Atlanta Progress President A.J. Robinson said there are approximately $3.5 billion dollars in new development planned for the next five years. The nonprofit head previewed a […]

The post Downtown Atlanta leaders eye World Cup progress at town hall appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Politics News:

Military veterans and healthcare providers say proposed federal cuts to the Veterans Affairs health system would delay care for Atlanta veterans. The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate more […]

From the Atlanta Daily World:

Robert Sengstacke Ab­bott   APRIL 30 711 AD—Tarik the Moor invades Spain with force of 7,000 troops, routs the Visigoths and estab­lishes Moor domination of Spain. While there remains some dispute over Tarik’s race, the weight of the evidence is strong that he was a Black man. He was described in accounts of the time … Continued

The post This Week In Black History April 30-May 6, 2025 appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From WABE Local News:

Agriculture is the oldest and one of the biggest industries in Georgia. Its economic impact is more than $74 billion every year, employing more than 399,000 Georgians. For the May […]

Along Chattahoochee River, park's $9.5M renovation nears finish line Josh Green Thu, 05/01/2025 - 16:29

A Chattahoochee River greenspace project that aimed to refresh “Atlanta’s best kept secret” is set to go totally public soon. 

Officials with Cumberland Community Improvement District and nonprofit One Cumberland have scheduled the official ribbon-cutting for the first phase of a project called “New Day Palisades” the morning of Saturday, June 7. 

Public festivities at Paces Mill including educational exhibits and free refreshments are planned after the ceremony.

The project has created a 22-acre, riverside “tranquil greenspace” with pathways, shade structures, new restrooms, and other features from what was little more than a sloped surface parking lot before. 

Overview of changes planned as part of the two-phase New Day Palisades project. New Day Palisades; via Cumberland CID

The full greenspace overhaul is expected to cost $15.8 million, and the June 7 event will also serve as a preview of phase two for attendees, according to Cumberland CID officials. 

Another goal with phase one was to restore and rehabilitate the Paces Mill in the Palisades Unit, which is considered one of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area’s most popular sites and a top draw for Atlanta nature lovers. 

Phase one built a new parking lot and landscape features to enhance access to the river, with a focus on visitor circulation and sustainability.

The more complex phase two—expected to cost $9.5 million—is scheduled to kick off in fall 2026. Plans tentatively call for a “distinct national park experience" with expanded river entry points, a new visitor information center, and more visitor circulation improvements for that phase.

Location of the $15.8 million project in relation to Cumberland, The Battery, and interstates 285 and 75. Google Maps

Pending funding, all New Day Palisades work is scheduled to wrap in spring 2027. All necessary construction documents were finalized in 2023.

Paces Mill was opened in 1978 as a natural respite from Atlanta’s urban growth, and today the park counts more than 270,000 visitors annually.

The area had seen very few improvements over the decades, as the need for adequate parking, environmental protection, improved facilities, and enhanced river access only continued to grow, project officials have said. 

Below, find before/after images that show changes on tap for the full New Day Palisades project.  

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• Cobb County news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)

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New Day Palisades Cumberland Chattahoochee River Paces Mill/Palisades rehabilitation Cobb County Smyrna Vinings Cumberland CID Cumberland Community Improvement District Atlanta Rivers National Park Service Atlanta Parks Parks and Rec Parks and Recreation

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Location of the $15.8 million project in relation to Cumberland, The Battery, and interstates 285 and 75. Google Maps

Overview of changes planned as part of the two-phase New Day Palisades project. New Day Palisades; via Cumberland CID

Subtitle Phase-one ribbon cutting set for New Day Palisades project's 22-acre, riverside “tranquil greenspace”

Neighborhood Cobb County

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From WABE Arts and Culture News:

In recent months, Georgia’s film industry has struggled to grab major productions and has been in a slow decline. Since the state beefed up its tax credit in the early […]

From the Saporta Report:

At its April breakfast meeting, Star-C hosted a panel discussing The Flats and Villas at Stone Hogan, a 448-unit affordable housing community near Greenbriar Mall.  The panel was moderated by Audrea Rease and featured Tab Bullard (Zimmerman Properties), Christoper Myrick (Summit Contracting), Vickey Roberts (InvestAtlanta) and Dr. Kristen Horton (Principal, Continental Colony Elementary).  Areu Bros. […]

The post Stabilizing Families, Strengthening Futures appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Saporta Report:

Approximately 37,855 students applied to Emory’s undergraduate Class of 2029 this year across all admission plans — an increase of almost 3,000 applicants over Emory’s last admission cycle. Students admitted  hail from 48 states, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories. The admitted class also represents 68 countries and 12% of the admitted students will be […]

The post Celebrating Emory’s admitted Class of 2029 appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Saporta Report:

KSU students revive beloved ‘bathtub races’ as video game A quirky campus tradition is returning to Kennesaw State University — this time in digital form. Nearly 30 years after the last bathtub race at the former Southern Technical Institute, students in the College of Computing and Software Engineering are reviving the event as a fast-paced […]

The post Reporter’s Notebook: Bathtub racing video game, Open Hand earns national accreditation, Georgia Rivers adventure scholorships appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Politics News:

Georgia on Thursday became the eighth state to see its law requiring parental consent for children to use social media challenged in court. NetChoice, a technology industry trade group, sued in federal court in […]

From WABE Arts and Culture News:

After his years as one of the most popular cast members of “Saturday Night Live,” comedian and actor Jay Pharoah has emerged as one of the most sought-after leading men in comedic […]

Arts Atlanta:

Across five decades and countless stages, Robert Earl Price spoke with a quiet force that could shake a room. He blended jazz, blues, history and Black consciousness into a body of work that defied form and demanded attention. Through poems and plays, he invited audiences into sacred spaces where performance became ceremony and words became...

From WABE Arts and Culture News:

Atlanta comedian David Perdue has consistently found that no matter what race, age or religion, laughter can never fail in bringing unlikely people together, even in the most volatile of […]

Arts Atlanta:

This is the first in the new ArtsATL series Set Life on local creatives who work in Atlanta’s film and television industry. We’ll talk to those who work on both sides of the camera and explore their struggles and successes in navigating Georgia’s volatile film and TV scene. Atlanta actor Shelli Delgado vividly remembers the...

From WABE Local News:

Dozens of Vietnamese Americans gathered at a senior center in Norcross on Wednesday to mark the 50th anniversary of what Von Tran called a dark day in history. “It’s a […]

Following upgrades, Atlanta's other airport says bring on World Cup Josh Green Thu, 05/01/2025 - 08:52

If you think Atlanta’s pre-World Cup preparations are limited to gangbusters construction in blocks around Mercedes-Benz Stadium, think again. 

That’s the message this month from Fulton County’s airport that isn’t the busiest on the planet—one of just two 24/7-tower airports in Georgia—as the 2026 FIFA World Cup edges closer. (Just 410 days away now). 

Located about nine miles due west of downtown Atlanta, Fulton County Executive Airport has been gearing up for an expected influx of international flights next year by implementing infrastructure upgrades that airport leadership calls significant.

Currently, those include new customs services and improved runway conditions, funded with a $6 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, that expand capabilities of the 900-acre facility at 3977 Aviation Circle also known as Charlie Brown Field. 

Courtesy of Fulton County Executive Airport; Goode Van Slyke Architecture

The 3977 Aviation Circle NW airfield in relation to downtown Atlanta. Google Maps

Near-term plans at the airport that logged 78,000 operations in 2024 call for more hangars (from 19 to at least 25) and a new fire station—in addition to a runway extension within the next two years—to satisfy increased demand and keep pace with competing airfields Cobb County International Airport at McCollum Field and Peachtree-DeKalb Airport, as Saporta Report recently relayed. 

Fulton County Executive Airport is a landing spot for some of the world’s top brands (Norfolk Southern, Home Depot, and Arthur Blank’s family operations have leased hangars) that helps keep Atlanta’s movers-and-shakers globally connected. 

The airport's upgraded Air Craft Rescue and Fire station. Courtesy of Fulton County Executive Airport

Courtesy of Fulton County Executive Airport

Changes happening now and planned in the future—commercial redevelopment beyond the airport’s Fulton Industrial Boulevard boundary is one possibility, according to a 2023 presentation—aim to create a seamless and efficient service for international travelers, both existing and new, according to airport reps.  

“These upgrades are not just about capacity,” reads a recent announcement, “they signify the airport's commitment to supporting Atlanta’s economic growth and its status as a global city.”

Overview of near and long-term upgrades planned at Fulton County Executive Airport, as presented to county commissioners two years ago. Courtesy of Fulton County Executive Airport; 2023

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• OTP news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta) 

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3977 Aviation Circle NW Goode Van Slyke Architecture Fulton County Executive Airport Charlie Brown Field Atlanta Airport Atlanta Suburbs West Atlanta Suburbs Fulton County OTP 2026 FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Atlanta World Cup World Cup

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The 3977 Aviation Circle NW airfield in relation to downtown Atlanta. Google Maps

Overview of near and long-term upgrades planned at Fulton County Executive Airport, as presented to county commissioners two years ago. Courtesy of Fulton County Executive Airport; 2023

Courtesy of Fulton County Executive Airport; Goode Van Slyke Architecture

The airport's upgraded Air Craft Rescue and Fire station. Courtesy of Fulton County Executive Airport

Courtesy of Fulton County Executive Airport

Subtitle Fulton County Executive Airport gearing up for expected influx of international flights

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Arts Atlanta:

Born Mary Elfrieda Scruggs in Atlanta on May 8, 1910, Mary Lou Williams was one of the most influential jazz musicians in the history of the American art form. Equally gifted as a pianist, composer, arranger and educator, Williams was probably the only jazz musician whose contributions spanned almost the entirety of the music’s development...

From WABE Politics News:

May Day is not officially acknowledged in the U.S. because of what historians say is an ongoing resistance to unity among the working class. This resistance is prompting protesters to take action on Thursday, regardless.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

This week, President Trump attempted to rewrite settled Supreme Court precedent to make it easier for lenders and others to discriminate without fear of prosecution. The order calls for federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), to stop using data to identify discriminatory policies … Continued

The post Trump’s Actions Enable Discrimination in Housing, Lending Order Threatens to Widen Racial Wealth Gap appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

Each year, the Atlanta Business League‘s (ABL) CEO Awards Luncheon shines a spotlight on business leaders who are driving innovation, creating jobs, and making a lasting impact on the economic landscape of Atlanta. As Chair, Al McRae will play a pivotal role in guiding the event’s vision and execution. His leadership ensures that the luncheon not only honors outstanding accomplishments but also provides an inspiring … Continued

The post Meet the Atlanta Business League’s CEO Awards Luncheon Chair, Bank of America’s Al McRae appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

To kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, College and professional athletes from eight sports organizations in Georgia appear in new public service Advertisements (PSAs) promoting mental health across the state. Created with support from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation as an extension of the Ad Council’s national “Love, Your Mind” campaign, the series leverages … Continued

The post Georgia Athletes, Sports Organizations Unite to Pioneer Local Mental Health Movement for Fans appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

Images: In Midtown, swanky new $5M events space readies for debut Josh Green Wed, 04/30/2025 - 16:34

Pricey bets on Midtown’s allure these days aren’t limited to skyline-altering new towers. 

Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel reps send preview images and details this week for a $5-million renovation project they say adds a uniquely flexible events option to the heart of Atlanta’s most cosmopolitan neighborhood. 

The 866 W. Peachtree St. hotel is scheduled to unveil its Centennial Event Space Collection in July, a project that closed in and reimagined the former Rowdy Tiger Whiskey Bar and Kitchen Rooftop area, as illustrated in fresh renderings. Group bookings are now available online. 

The 4,792-square-foot venue brings what’s described in marketing materials as “a new level of modern elegance and artistic style to private event hosting in Midtown.” 

Courtesy of Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

The dividable main space, The Centennial Ballroom, can host up to 418 guests, with direct entry from the exterior. 

Potential uses could include (deep breath) corporate events, bridal expos, product launches, team-building workshops, food shows, training seminars, galas, weddings, bat mitzvahs, and entertainment industry events (think: film galas and wrap parties), according to project reps. 

Private restrooms, a pre-function space, and exclusive onsite catering round out the offerings. 

Courtesy of Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Courtesy of Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

To mark the grand opening, hotel officials say bookings this year will receive Triple Marriott Bonvoy Reward points—and 2025 weddings will score a complimentary champagne toast. 

Find a closer look at Rowdy Tiger’s remade rooftop in the gallery above. 

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• Midtown news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta) 

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866 W. Peachtree St. Rowdy Tiger Whiskey Bar & Kitchen Rooftop Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel Centennial Event Space Collection Centennial Ballroom Interior Design Atlanta Architecture Atlanta Hotels Atlanta Event Spaces Atlanta Restaurants Midtown Atlanta Midtown news Marriott Bonvoy Rowdy Tiger

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Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Courtesy of Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Courtesy of Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Courtesy of Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Courtesy of Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Courtesy of Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Courtesy of Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Courtesy of Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Courtesy of Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Courtesy of Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Subtitle Nearly 5,000-square-foot flex space claimed Rowdy Tiger’s rooftop

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From WABE Local News:

DeKalb County is seeking more time to address long-running issues with its sewers, including chronic spills and overflows of untreated sewage into local waterways and neighborhoods. In an April 30 […]