Atlanta News

From WABE Local News:

Employees across the massive U.S. Health and Human Services Department began receiving notices of dismissal on Tuesday in an overhaul ultimately expected to lay off up to 10,000 people. The […]

From the New York Times:

El fármaco se ha convertido en una especie de símbolo de resistencia a lo que algunos en el movimiento MAGA describen como una élite corrupta.

From the Saporta Report:

Along with hundreds of industry leaders, Star-C attended last week’s Georgia Affordable Housing Coalition Conference, where a key theme for project success was how to overcome NIMBYism—the resistance that often arises when affordable housing is proposed in growing communities.  At Star-C, we’ve learned that resistance softens when neighbors and community institutions feel seen, heard, and […]

The post Overcoming NIMBYism with Partnership and Proof appeared first on SaportaReport.

Arts Atlanta:

Early in 2024, new media artist and musician Ryoji Ikeda opened a solo exhibition in Tartu, Estonia, one of three cities designated by the EU that year as a European Capital of Culture. The show included the critical paths (2024), an installation using the DNA information of 100,000 Estonians presented in a data river that...

From WABE Politics News:

A federal judge has declined to block the use of Georgia’s electronic voting system in a long-running lawsuit that alleged that the system is vulnerable to attack and has operational […]

From WABE Local News:

Hooters, the Atlanta-based restaurant chain known for chicken wings and “Hooters Girls” skimpy wait-staff outfits, has filed for bankruptcy protection. HOA Restaurant Group filed the motion for Chapter 11 protection […]

Atlanta plans public art tributes to ‘struggles of wealthy men’ Josh Green Tue, 04/01/2025 - 08:25 BUCKHEAD—A newly formed coalition of influential Atlantans is banding together in hopes of shining a special light on a demographic they call underserved in the public arts space: wealthy male businesspeople. 

Earlier this month, the Buckhead Improvement Council for Enhanced Public-realm Prestige, or BICEPP, officially launched a $23-million fundraising campaign. If successful, the drive would cover the cost of statues up to 25-feet tall, Hollywood Walk of Fame-style sidewalk enhancements, and AI-powered digital signage that would all pay homage to “Big Peach Elites.” 

The installations are planned for available right-of-way, unused street corners, and portions of bike lanes throughout Atlanta, though most would rise along Peachtree Street and Peachtree Road. 

BICEPP leaders this week justified the campaign—and the group’s very existence—by pointing out that Atlanta’s rich men in particular deal with complex problems and stresses not often recognized by the general public. One potential solution: an 18-foot bronze rendition of Arthur Blank and Tyler Perry hugging each other, after a long week, at the vacant northeast corner of Peachtree Road and Sylvester Drive. 

Another proposal calls for a 24-foot-tall “Tuxedo Park everyman” in a “The Thinker”-style position, only wearing a bespoke Hermès suit and visibly crying.   

“Do you understand how difficult it is to keep registration paperwork current on six or more vehicles at a time?” Dewey Lax, BICEPP’s interim spokesperson, told Urbanize Atlanta on Monday. “Or how expensive it is to keep a staff of, you know, smaller folks at the ready, just to ensure all those cars stay clean? During pollen season, no less.”

Proposed anatomy and dour countenance of Fabrizio Caliente's "It's Hard Out Here For a Mogul." Shutterstock

According to Lax, the “north star” guiding BICEPP’s mission is to build “reasonable, permanent installations of compassion” along prominent Atlanta thoroughfares where regular citizens can’t possibly avoid them. 

That new push by the coalition toward more reasonable installations means that two daring, earlier concepts have been canceled. 

One of those would have been a concrete statue of Ted Turner riding a buffalo shirtless (and crying), a bottle of Evan Williams Bourbon in one hand and Xanax in the other. The other concept, a digital work, would have shown AI-generated scenes of local CEOs “on tight deadlines and saddled with outrageous alimony” nonetheless finding time to visit hospitalized children.  

Approximate location of BICEPP's proposed 24-foot-tall "Facepalm Man" installation. (Alternate title: "Falcons Fan.") Shutterstock/Google Maps/UA

BICEPP’s efforts have proven controversial in a city notorious for income disparities, food deserts, leaky water infrastructure, and potholes occasionally requiring search parties. 

Jesse Robinson, head of Citizens for Logical ATL Spending, or CLAS, recently put it bluntly: “Anyone who contributes to this campaign should be tied down and shocked with battery probes,” said Robinson. “And then spanked, fraternity-style!”

Lax countered that BICEPP’s naysayers are simply jealous and have never even attempted an 80-hour workweek at three jobs simultaneously. “They call us the 1 percent for a reason,” Lax said. “And it’s not because we can actually do math.” 

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Proposed anatomy and dour countenance of Fabrizio Caliente's "It's Hard Out Here For a Mogul." Shutterstock

Approximate location of BICEPP's proposed 24-foot-tall "Facepalm Man" installation. (Alternate title: "Falcons Fan.") Shutterstock/Google Maps/UA

Subtitle $23M campaign calls for “reasonable, permanent installations of compassion” along main city streets

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From the Atlanta Daily World:

State Representative Eric Bell (D-Jonesboro) will host a Sine Die block party event on Friday, April 4, 2025, from 1 – 6 p.m. at Liberty Plaza in Atlanta. The event will include live music, food trucks, interactive booths, family-friendly games and meet and greet opportunities with state representatives. The event’s sponsors include Dona Mathews and Nicole … Continued

The post Rep. Eric Bell of Jonesboro to Host Sine Die Block Party Event at State Capitol appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

The City of Atlanta, in collaboration with Invest Atlanta – the City’s economic development agency – announced the upcoming launch of the city’s first legacy business program aimed at supporting businesses that have been in operation for 30 years or longer. This notable initiative is designed to recognize, promote and sustain vital businesses within the … Continued

The post City of Atlanta Launches Program to Support and Recognize Legacy Businesses appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

“The representation is what’s most important, specifically having women in spaces where they might not be in normally.” — Fatima “TNT” Lister, Harlem Globetrotters One thing we’ve learned this month specifically is that the world would be a very dull place to live in without the continuing influence of women from all walks of life. … Continued

The post Women’s History Month Closeout: Fatima ‘TNT’ Lister of the Harlem Globetrotters appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

– With live saxophone music, special guests, a champagne toast and an epic group photo, Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center kicked off its 78th Anniversary Celebration. It was held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in the newly renovated Banquet Hall of the skilled nursing facility on Atlanta’s Westside. The nonprofit skilled nursing facility … Continued

The post Sadie G. Mays Celebrates its 78th Anniversary appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

The Power Circle Masterclass Forum: Women of Influence & Impact is set to take place on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the prestigious Mercedes-Benz USA Headquarters in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Hosted by Dr. Kim McNair, CEO of Kim McNair Productions, LLC and Founder of Business Women Empowerment Project, Inc. (BWEP), this exclusive event will gather … Continued

The post Power Circle Masterclass Forum Brings Together Top Women Leaders at Mercedes-Benz USA Headquarters appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

by J. Pharoah Doss Rev. Jamal Bryant, an Atlanta-based pastor, launched a nationwide 40-day boycott of Target retail stores on March 5th in response to the retailer’s decision to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion program. When George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020, Target launched REACH (Racial Equity Action and … Continued

The post J. Pharoah Doss: Will Rev. Jamal Byrant’s boycott hit the wrong target?” appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From WABE Politics News:

A bill banning transgender girls from playing school sports in girls’ athletics competition is on the way to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk after passing both chambers on mostly party lines […]

From the Saporta Report:

Homelessness is no longer confined to downtown streets. It’s in grocery store parking lots, hotel rooms, and the backseats of cars. Today’s unhoused neighbors are working families, students, veterans, and individuals who’ve experienced just one unexpected setback. Atlanta’s affordable housing crisis—compounded by systemic failures and a shortage of 70,000 affordable homes—has left thousands teetering on […]

The post Hope Atlanta at 125: Answering the Call, Building a Stronger Future appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Saporta Report:

There is an interesting side benefit to reading about history and it has to do with being able to predict the future. Well, not so much “the” future as “a” future. At various stages along the path of historical research, one becomes familiar with the players in a particular story. When a new character is […]

The post The Chief Engineer appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Politics News:

Georgia lawmakers said repeatedly that a student-tracking database had been removed from a school safety bill, but parts of that plan survive. The Senate and House gave final approval to House Bill 268 on […]

From the Saporta Report:

A flurry of pundits, several polls and the president himself have all agreed that the last election came down to the price of eggs and bread. Did it?

The post In new administration, retribution trumps the price of eggs appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Politics News:

Georgia makes it harder than any other state for an individual to prove they are legally exempt from the death penalty because of an intellectual disability. A bill that would […]

From the Saporta Report:

Although she was only mayor for two terms, from 2002 to 2010, Shirley Franklin has been a force in Atlanta dating from first term of Mayor Maynard Jackson, elected in 1973, when she served as his commissioner of cultural affairs. On Thursday, March 27, Franklin was honored with the naming of several blocks of Central […]

The post Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin finally getting her due appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Saporta Report:

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The post Delta turns 100 – Hartfield Jackson International Airport- various dates appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Saporta Report:

“The Cross, the Candle, and the Crown” tells the story of Morehouse, one of Atlanta’s historically Black colleges. The book chronicles the history of the all-male institution, from its humble beginnings in a bedroom to the upper echelon of excellence located in the West End.  Barksdale, a Morehouse graduate, was asked by former Morehouse president […]

The post New book gives narrative perspective of Morehouse College appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Politics News:

U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams stepped down as chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia on Monday, five months after Kamala Harris’ loss to Donald Trump in the southern swing state […]

From WABE Politics News:

Unless something out of the ordinary happens, the Georgia Legislature only meets for 40 days each year over the course of about three months. The last day of the session […]

From WABE Local News:

Night of Ideas Atlanta is an annual event that fosters late-night discussions addressing specific global issues. This year, WABE partnered with Villa Albertine, the Goat Farm Arts Center and Night […]