Atlanta News

From the Atlanta Daily World:

Empower ATL, which took place on Thursday, April 3, at Coan Park Recreation Center, connected 100 attendees with resources and workshops from across the Atlanta-Dekalb area. Hosted by Post 3 At-Large Council member Eshé Collins, the event brought together not only 20-plus partner organizations as part of the event’s community resource fair, but also opportunities … Continued

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From the Atlanta Daily World:

Anti-equality legislators prioritized anti-LGBTQ+ bills over solutions to pressing issues in Georgia Advocates were still able to defeat a number of hateful bills Democratic lawmakers walked off the floor of the legislature this week to protest the rash of anti-transgender bills  Georgia’s state legislative session came to a close yesterday after a flurry of anti-LGBTQ+ … Continued

The post Georgia Lawmakers Ram Through Slate of Hate to End Session appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the New York Times:

The heaviest rains so far this weekend have hit Arkansas, Missouri and Kentucky. More rain is expected on Sunday, but the risk of flooding will be less severe.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

The Atlanta Business League (ABL) hosted its Bridge Program Roundtable Discussions on March 25, 2025, at 6 pm at Atlanta Technical College. This event provided a platform for entrepreneurs, aspiring executives, college students, and recent graduates to connect with seasoned business leaders, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. ​   The ABL Bridge Program is a comprehensive six-month mentorship initiative designed to empower … Continued

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From WABE Politics News:

Here’s how a Georgia legislative session is supposed to end: After a last-minute rush of negotiations, lawmakers jam through final agreements on a few more bills as the clock ticks […]

From the Atlanta Daily World:

Empower ATL, which took place on Thursday, April 3, at Coan Park Recreation Center, connected 100 attendees with resources and workshops from across the Atlanta-Dekalb area. Hosted by Post 3 At-Large Council member Eshé Collins, the event brought together not only 20-plus partner organizations as part of the event’s community resource fair, but also opportunities … Continued

The post Atlanta City Council Member Eshé Collins on Success of Empower ATL appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has taken a decisive step to safeguard the county’s financial health and essential public services by issuing an Executive Order that temporarily freezes new spending and hiring. The order, effective immediately, is a proactive measure designed to cushion the county from potential disruptions tied to uncertainties surrounding future federal funding. … Continued

The post DeKalb County CEO Issues Executive Order to Ensure Fiscal Responsibility Amid Federal Funding Uncertainty appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

Atlantic Station to host Panda Fest, Wellness Wednesdays, Atlanta Seafood Festival and more!   April is blooming with vibrant events at Atlantic Station for all ages to enjoy! Whether you want to enhance your fitness routine with Wellness Wednesday, browse unique handcrafted goods at the Creator’s Market, or treat the little ones with springtime fun … Continued

The post April Brings Festivals, Fitness and Family Fun To The 30363 appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

Photo: Getty Images This is Trump & Elon Watch: Black America’s Weekly Need-to-Know. Each week, BIN will break down the latest actions of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, whether it’s political maneuvering, economic policies, social media shake-ups, or attacks on democracy. We’ll examine what’s happening, why it matters, and most importantly how Black America is impacted. No fluff. No fear-mongering. … Continued

The post Trump & Elon Watch: Executive Orders Blocked, Musk Loses Big and More appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

Photo: Getty Images Costco has recorded 13 consecutive weeks of increased foot traffic as it reaffirms its commitment to DEI. According to Retail Brew, Costco’s increased foot traffic reached the 13-week mark during the week of March 17. Unlike Target, Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers, Costco moved to uphold its DEI initiatives amid attacks … Continued

The post Costco’s Foot Traffic Increases For 13th Week After Reaffirming DEI appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From WABE Local News:

Former Albany Herald business reporter Bárbara Rivera Holmes became the first Hispanic woman to hold a statewide executive office position when she was sworn in Friday as state labor commissioner. […]

From WABE Politics News:

A Georgia bill that would increase the amount of tax credit residents could receive for child and dependent care expenses passed the state legislature Friday. If Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp […]

From WABE Politics News:

A repeated attempt to fix Georgia’s inefficient system for compensating people wrongfully convicted of crimes almost died. Then it got tacked onto a bill that could compensate former President Donald […]

From WABE Politics News:

Georgians may be able to sue local governments for enacting local gun safety measures under a bill passed Friday that supporters say ensures localities don’t violate people’s gun rights. Senate […]

From WABE Politics News:

Georgia will spend more state money on private school vouchers and poor students in traditional schools under a budget that lawmakers agreed to on Friday. House Bill 68 outlines the […]

From WABE Politics News:

Education… Tariffs… March Madness… Knock, knock… Also in this episode… –Marisa Mecke has more on the record-breaking pollen count over the last week.

From the Saporta Report:

Family members of Martin Luther King Jr. honored the 57th anniversary of the civil rights pioneer’s assassination at an April 4 wreath laying at the King Center. Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter and CEO of the King Center Reverend Dr. Bernice A King delivered remarks to a small crowd in front of her parents’ shared […]

The post PHOTOS: King family honors 57th anniversary of MLK Jr. assassination with wreath ceremony appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Arts and Culture News:

A trip to the grocery or liquor store is about to become even more expensive, economists say, following the latest round of import tariffs announced by President Trump on Wednesday. Those tariffs — […]

From the Saporta Report:

The residents of “The City in a Forest” have been fiercely reminded of its nickname since late March, with the yearly Spring pollen covering the outdoors and with allergy season blooming just as fast as vegetation. This year has seen a particularly high pollen season; on March 29, the pollen count for Atlanta was over […]

The post ‘City in a Forest’ lives up to its nickname as Atlanta experiences record pollen — but pollen may be the least of our concerns appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Politics News:

Georgia will spend more state money on private school vouchers and poor students in traditional schools under a budget that lawmakers agreed to on Friday. House Bill 68 outlines the spending […]

From the Saporta Report:

Atlanta’s oldest public park just expanded its footprint by 10,000 square feet with a new and long-awaited visitor center just outside the Oakland Cemetery gates.  Mayor Andre Dickens joined with cemetery staff and volunteers to officially open the facility at an April 3 ribbon-cutting ceremony, where he called Oakland “one of the liveliest cemeteries in […]

The post Oakland Cemetery unveils new accessible Visitor Center appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Saporta Report:

Downtown residents, business owners, and other stakeholders recently got a chance to meet with the developers of The Stitch — a greenspace that will cap highways downtown — during an open house. The development will be breaking ground on the first of three phases next year, and the developers wanted to get feedback on how […]

The post Developers ask for feedback on phase one of The Stitch appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Local News:

On this day, 57 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated while standing on the balcony of his motel room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Friday’s […]

Images: Oakland Cemetery's new front door officially arrives Josh Green Fri, 04/04/2025 - 13:53

One of Atlanta’s most cherished historical sites officially boasts a modernized new welcoming experience that was 20 years in the making. 

Following 18 months of construction, the new Visitor Center for Oakland Cemetery opened Thursday outside the iconic burial ground’s western gates.

As designed by Atlanta-based Smith Dalia Architects, the red-brick, 10,000-square-foot building is meant to pay homage to the cemetery’s signature walkways and walls, while large glass entryways and windows lend a more modern touch. 

The $6.3-million project (plus $1.7 million for land acquisition) includes a .75-acre neighborhood park, an event lawn, as well as 50 new trees as part of a woodland garden. 

Inside, the building features a much larger museum store, rentable meeting space, the Historic Oakland Foundation’s offices, and flexible, weatherproof event and classroom areas. A double-height atrium will host interpretive exhibits geared toward educating visitors on Oakland Cemetery and its history.

Juxtaposition of the modern, brick-built Oakland Cemetery Visitor Center and the property's more ornate and recognizable western gate. Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

Airy, colorful interiors of the new Visitor Center today. Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

According to HOF officials, the two-decade project was a partnership with City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation and Invest Atlanta meant to enhance the city’s oldest public greenspace and oldest cemetery, a property on the National Register of Historic Places. 

With help from The Conservation Fund and Invest Atlanta, the Visitor Center’s initial parcel of land was purchased in 2007; the remaining acreage (and abandoned George Street) was added in 2019 to create the required 1.75-acre park parcel, as HOF officials tell Urbanize Atlanta. 

The foundation worked with Southface Institute to ensure the building is EarthCraft-certified and “net zero,” meaning it produces more energy than it consumes, with the help of solar panels. 

Interesting tidbit: The Foundation partnered with Lifecycle Building Center, a salvaging business housed in a huge Southwest Atlanta warehouse, to incorporate salvaged materials into the project. Those included former Art Deco lobby tiles from the historic Nabisco Factory in Sylvan Hills, which now adorn upstairs bathroom walls at the Visitor Center. (The demolished Nabisco plant is being replaced with a controversial Prologis warehouse complex.) 

In the grand scheme, the project is also meant to enhance Memorial Drive Greenway, the linear park that extends from Oakland’s gates to the Gold Dome along Memorial Drive.   

Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

The Visitor Center project was part of HOF’s $14-million “Living History” Capital Campaign initiative. 

Elsewhere on the cemetery property, Oakland Cemetery’s 1899 Bell Tower “jewel” has been renovated in a way intended to make the Romanesque Revival-style structure more stable, spacious, and engaging for the public. That project was also paid for through the donor-funded Living History capital campaign.

Other cemetery projects funded through the campaign include the restoration of the 1908 Women’s Comfort Station (2019), construction of a new East Gate (2020), and restoration of 6 acres at the cemetery’s East Hill (2019 to 2023).

Find a sneak peek at the new Visitor Center (located at 374 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE) in the gallery above. 

A map from several years ago illustrating the Visitor Center's placement just west of the burial grounds. Courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

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374 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE 248 Oakland Avenue SE Atlanta History Imlay Foundation City of Atlanta Parks Department Atlanta Cemeteries Oakland Cemetery Oakland Bell Tower Cemetery Sexton Sam Reed Invest Atlanta Atlanta Urban Design Commission Historic Preservation Visitors Center Cabbagetown Memorial Drive Smith Dalia Architects Hero Walk East Gate Atlanta Development Flippo Civil Design Atlanta Architecture Grant Park J.M. Wilkerson J.M. Wilkerson Construction

Images

A map from several years ago illustrating the Visitor Center's placement just west of the burial grounds. Courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

As shown in a pre-construction rendering, the planned look of the 10,000-square-foot center's red-brick facade. Smith Dalia Architects

Juxtaposition of the modern, brick-built Oakland Cemetery Visitor Center and the property's more ornate and recognizable western gate. Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

Airy, colorful interiors of the new Visitor Center today. Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

The former Art Deco lobby of the old Nabisco Building in Southwest Atlanta. Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

How tiles from the former Nabisco factory were incorporated into Oakland City Visitors Center bathrooms. Smith Dalia Architects; courtesy of Oakland Cemetery

Subtitle New brick-clad Visitor Center with neighborhood park was two decades in the making

Neighborhood Oakland

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Oakland Cemetery Visitors Center

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From WABE Politics News:

President Donald Trump on Friday said is signing an executive order to keep TikTok running in the U.S. for another 75 days to give his administration more time to broker […]