Atlanta News

From WABE Politics News:

Georgia U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath on Monday announced that she’s suspending her exploratory bid for governor in 2026, casting uncertainty on the Democratic field. McBath might still run for governor […]

From the Atlanta Tribune:

As it celebrates its 50th anniversary, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) will hold a grand opening celebration on Thursday, April 3, at 10 a.m. for the Calvin Smyre Education Conference Center (CSECC), the newest building on the MSM campus, located at 720 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30310. The state-of-the-art facility is named for the […]

The post We Analyzed Racial Justice Statements from the 500 Largest US Companies and Found that DEI Officials Really Did Have an Influence appeared first on Atlanta Tribune.

From WABE Arts and Culture News:

Wussy MAG presents a weekend full of drag shows, dance parties, panels and workshops during their annual “WussyFest” celebration. The inimitable Pope of Trash, John Waters, will inaugurate the festivities […]

From the Atlanta Tribune:

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The executive order is chillingly titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” It declares that the Smithsonian, once a symbol of “American excellence,” has become tainted by narratives that portray “American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.” By Stacy M. Brown Even the most cynical observers knew this day […]

The post Trump Orders Purge of Black History from Smithsonian, Targets African American Museum appeared first on Atlanta Tribune.

From the New York Times:

Five years after the pandemic began, interest in the anti-parasitic drug is rising again as right-wing influencers promote it — and spread misinformation about it.

From WABE Arts and Culture News:

Wars can rewrite history, not only in terms of politics but sometimes with the erasure of cultural treasures. Such a loss threatens the art legacy of Ukraine, now three years […]

From WABE Local News:

A few years ago, Hyundai Motor Group triumphantly announced it would be opening a new plant near Savannah, Ga. — a plant that would exclusively make electric vehicles. “We heard the clarion call of […]

From the Saporta Report:

Atlanta restaurateur I. Pano Karatassos will be recognized at the Culinary Institute of America’s 2025 Leadership Awards. Karatassos is one of five who will receive the Augie Award. Named after French legendary chef Auguste Escoffier, the award honors people who have shown leadership and innovation in the culinary field. The awards ceremony in New York City. The […]

The post Icon of Atlanta restaurant scene honored by Culinary Institute of America appeared first on SaportaReport.

Arts Atlanta:

Jonathan Biss will perform former Atlantan Alvin Singleton’s “Bed-Stuy Sonata for Piano,” along with two Schubert sonatas, at Spivey Hall. :: Last year, pianist Jonathan Biss premiered a series of commissions hand-selected from three Black composers — an artist toward the beginning of his career; a jazz drummer taking the classical world by storm with...

From WABE Politics News:

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday instructed the Justice Department to dismiss a lawsuit challenging a sweeping election overhaul that Georgia Republican lawmakers passed in the wake of President […]

MARTA sheds new light on safer, tech-enabled railcar fleet Josh Green Mon, 03/31/2025 - 08:14 Anyone with a passing interest in Atlanta transit has probably seen the state-of-the-art aesthetics of MARTA’s new railcar fleet. But did you know each train will be implanted with microphones, placed strategically to pick up sudden, loud noises and alert operators?

MARTA shares that factoid and others about its next-generation CQ400 trains as part of its second monthly installment of Behind the Ride series.

Like accessibility, safety will be paramount for the new railcar fleet, according to MARTA. 

Following a high-profile January unveiling at State of MARTA 2025, the CQ400 trains are undergoing final testing as MARTA formulates plans to introduce them to the public. They will mark “a significant step forward in transit modernization,” per the agency’s latest column. 

One of the new CQ400 railcars on MARTA's tracks. Courtesy of MARTA

Connie Krisak, MARTA’s senior director of rail vehicle procurement, relays that each detail of the new trains was designed with functionality and the rider experience in mind, from placement of emergency call buttons to seating arrangements. 

MARTA credits Krisak with pushing seasoned railcar manufacturer Stadler US Inc. to deliver “groundbreaking” railcars to Atlanta—ones with designs influenced by thousands of rider surveys collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, regarding every aspect from digital signage to seat positions to lighting.

Krisak describes the resulting new interiors as “comfortable and intuitive,” encased with “bold MARTA branding” on the exteriors, all meant to serve Atlantans for decades to come. 

Beyond the microphones dotted around railcars, other safety upgrades will include LED lighting and enhanced Communications-Based Train Controlcapabilities, per MARTA. 

In terms of functionality, the new CQ400 trains will each be a four-car set with open gangways in between, allowing MARTA riders to pass between more than one car at once. That will make inter-car movement for passengers and security staff easier. 

Inside the more open and digitized new CQ400 trains bound for MARTA's system. Courtesy of MARTA

Charging stations, digital maps, computerized service information, and forward and inward-facing seats are also included. One goal for MARTA is to provide more room for bikes, strollers, luggage, and people in wheelchairs, officials have said.  

According to MARTA, the front exterior of each railcar will have a lighted “smile” in either red, gold, blue, or green that clearly denotes the color of each approaching rail line.

Testing on the first two Stadler vehicles to arrive in Atlanta in January is expected to take roughly a year. (They’re the first models of their kind to operate in the U.S., making the testing phase time-consuming but critical, MARTA officials previously told Urbanize Atlanta.) However, MARTA heads have said additional trains are en route that don’t require such a long testing period. 

That means, should all go as planned, the first new MARTA train will go into revenue service in July, the transit agency said in January.

How the new MARTA railcars' open gangway designs allow for passenger travel throughout the train. Courtesy of MARTA

MARTA entered a contract in 2019 to purchase $646 million worth of modernized new railcars from Stadler—funded via MARTA’s capital improvement program—marking the largest procurement deal ever for both the veteran train builder and transit agency. 

MARTA launched an initiative in 2021 called “Your Ride, You Decide” that let people vote on four exterior options for the new fleet. (The winning design is meant to evoke speed, officials have said.) Stadler continues to build out the fleet to MARTA’s specifications in Salt Lake City. 

Currently, many of MARTA’s 300 railcars date to the agency’s 1970s beginnings and are prone to breakdowns, agency leaders have said.

A juxtaposition of MARTA's first CQ400 train to be operational on tracks (left) and a current railcar. Courtesy of MARTA

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One of the new CQ400 railcars on MARTA's tracks. Courtesy of MARTA

Inside the more open and digitized new CQ400 trains bound for MARTA's system. Courtesy of MARTA

A juxtaposition of MARTA's first CQ400 train to be operational on tracks (left) and a current railcar. Courtesy of MARTA

How the new MARTA railcars' open gangway designs allow for passenger travel throughout the train. Courtesy of MARTA

Courtesy of MARTA

The front exteriors of railcars will have a lighted “smile” in either red, gold, blue, or green that denotes the color of each approaching rail line, per MARTA. Courtesy of MARTA

Subtitle Atlanta transit system's CQ400 trains are undergoing final testing

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From the Atlanta Daily World:

Companies with DEI officials were more likely to take action following 2020’s racial justice protests, research shows. Wong Yu Liang/Getty Images by Donald T. Tomaskovic-Devey, UMass Amherst; Jorge Quesada Velazco, UMass Amherst, and Kevin L. Young, UMass Amherst In 2020, American businesses responded to an unprecedented wave of racial justice protests with an equally unprecedented surge … Continued

The post We Analyzed Racial Justice Statements from the 500 Largest US Companies and Found that DEI Officials Really Did Have an Influence appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

Celebrities such as Tyler James Williams of “Abbott Elementary,” TV and radio personality Rickey Smiley, and actors/gospel couple David and Tamela Mann lent their support toward energizing the students’ career aspirations while also joining them on magical experiences that only happen at The Most Magical Place on Earth Disney Dreamers Academy wrapped up its 18th year … Continued

The post Disney Dreamers Academy Concludes 18th Year with Magical Commencement and Life-Changing Opportunities at Walt Disney World Resort appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent Target continues to face mounting financial and reputational fallout after reversing course on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The retail giant has lost more than $12.4 billion in revenue, seen its stock plunge by $27.27 per share, and is grappling with multiple lawsuits linked to its … Continued

The post DEI Rollback Costs Target Billions and Loyalty appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

We are sad to report that ATL rapper Young Scooter reportedly died today (Mar. 28) as he celebrated his 39th birthday. FOX 5 Atlanta reports that Atlanta Police responded to a 911 call about a dispute involving a weapon on William Nye Drive in Southeast Atlanta. Officers were dispatched to the street’s 200 block after reports of gunfire … Continued

The post Young Scooter Dead After Fleeing Police In Southeast Atlanta appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From WABE Politics News:

President Donald Trump says Wednesday will be “Liberation Day” — a moment when he plans to roll out a set of tariffs that he promises will free the United States from foreign goods. The details […]

From the Atlanta Tribune:

by Dr. Quinton T. Ross,Jr., He appeared to many to be the typical college student. A promising work-study student, for much of his college time he had solid grades and maintained a GPA well above the requirement of his academic scholarships. However, there had been a noticeable change in his attendance over a few recent […]

The post Politics aside, universities must continue to advocate for students appeared first on Atlanta Tribune.

From WABE Politics News:

Mary Favors is still plagued by nightmares from the days her husband beat her, choked her and verbally and sexually abused her. Now, she is in prison for killing him. […]

From the Atlanta Daily World:

In targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the federal government, President Donald Trump has seemingly begun to roll back decades of civil rights progress under the belief that DEI discriminates against white people.   By Dorothy Boulware To paraphrase the American philosopher Thomas Paine, these are times that try the souls of Black America. A … Continued

The post Under Trump 2.0, it’s Hard — But Not Impossible — to Find Hope appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent The question being asked all over social media, in homes, offices, and even behind closed doors in Washington: If former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had leaked war plans over Signal, would Republicans already be demanding his resignation? “Imagine the uproar if Lloyd Austin had been discussing war … Continued

The post Could Gen. Lloyd Austin III Have Survived Leaking War Plans? appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

by Dr. Quinton T. Ross,Jr., He appeared to many to be the typical college student. A promising work-study student, for much of his college time he had solid grades and maintained a GPA well above the requirement of his academic scholarships. However, there had been a noticeable change in his attendance over a few recent … Continued

The post Politics aside, universities must continue to advocate for students appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

Photo: Getty Images Marvin Sapp is catching heat on social media after video showed him directing ushers to close the doors of a church until he received a $40,000 offering. In the now-viral video, Sapp appeared to be onstage speaking to a crowd of at least 1,000 churchgoers, urging them all to “sow a seed” … Continued

The post Marvin Sapp Slammed For Closing Church Doors To Hit $40,000 Offering appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent Target continues to face mounting financial and reputational fallout after reversing course on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The retail giant has lost more than $12.4 billion in revenue, seen its stock plunge by $27.27 per share, and is grappling with multiple lawsuits linked to its … Continued

The post DEI Rollback Costs Target Billions and Loyalty appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

Liberation struggle: Soweto students protest in 1976 against having to use the Afrikaans language at school. Mike Mzileni/AFP/Getty Images by Xolisa Guzula, University of Cape Town and Athambile Masola, University of Cape Town A new book, Together Apart: The Story of Living in Apartheid, has just been published in South Africa. Intended for young people but … Continued

The post What is apartheid? New book for young readers explains South Africa’s racist system appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

Photo: Getty Images Pastor T.D. Jakes has revealed that the life-threatening medical emergency he suffered during a church sermon last year was a “massive” heart attack. During an interview with TODAY on Wednesday (March 26), Jakes, a pastor at The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, opened up about suffering a heart attack onstage during his … Continued

The post T.D. Jakes Reveals He Suffered ‘Massive’ Heart Attack During Church Sermon appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.