Atlanta News

From the Saporta Report:

Social Security is often called “the third rail of American politics,” a term that harkens back to the old streetcar days when most city folks understood that touching the third rail of a trolley line could kill you.

The post With swagger, DOGE approaches the third rail appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Saporta Report:

Learn more about Althea’s impact on affordable housing in Atlanta as we celebrate Women’s History Month. What inspired you to practice law? I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since elementary school, but not in the Perry Mason way. My childhood sheroes were lawyers like Barbara Jordan, Patricia Roberts Harris and Constance Baker Motley. Inspired by […]

The post Celebrating Women: Althea Broughton, First Woman to Serve as General Counsel for Atlanta Habitat Board of Directors appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Arts and Culture News:

The “City Lights” series “Bookmarked” continues with literary contributor Alison Law as she discusses two significant events in Atlanta’s springtime offerings for readers. The Revival: Lost Southern Voices Festival, of […]

From WABE Local News:

Aimee Zangandou says no one dreams of becoming a refugee. She can still remember vividly when she and her family arrived in Georgia. The year was 1997. She says her […]

From WABE Local News:

Georgia lawmakers are weeks away from Sine Die for the 2025 legislative session. As state officials work to get legislation across the finish line, the American Civil Liberties Union is […]

From WABE Local News:

A judge has ordered Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to pay more than $54,000 in attorneys’ fees and to turn over documents after finding that her office violated Georgia’s Open Records […]

From the Saporta Report:

Windy weather couldn’t stop thousands of Atlantans from joining the 2025 St. Patrick’s Parade on March 15 in Midtown. The 141st annual parade celebrated the city’s deep-rooted ties with Ireland through Irish heritage groups, music and green-clad floats. After the parade, attendees celebrated at the Luck of the Square Festival in Colony Square. The event […]

The post PHOTOS: Atlanta brings the green to annual St. Patrick’s Parade appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Politics News:

The Georgia Public Service Commission is scheduled to begin hearing testimony later this month from Georgia Power officials about how the state’s largest utility plans to spend billions of dollars […]

Wedge-shaped project tops out near Beltline, MARTA station Josh Green Mon, 03/17/2025 - 14:13 Another three dozen housing units are quickly taking shape in West End on a lot that had been vacant for well over a decade near the Atlanta Beltline and a MARTA station. 

The wedge-shaped infill project stands in the shadow of elevated MARTA tracks at 889 Lee St. SW, less than a block north of the mixed-use Lee + White warehouse district, and the Beltline’s Westside Trail beyond that.

A Chevron gas station borders one edge of the site, and a street called Rose Circle the other. MARTA’s West End station is about two blocks farther north.

Filings with Atlanta’s Department of City Planning indicate the project will include 36 apartments and 39 parking spaces on what had been a grassy, empty lot. 

Duluth-based United Family Homes is developing the project, according to building permit filings. Inquiries to that company for construction updates and details on forthcoming rentals have not been returned. 

“Lee Street in [Southwest] Atlanta represents a tremendous challenge to area residents—and an opportunity for a safe connection for people outside of cars,” reads a description of the project on the company’s website.  

How the topped-out, three-story project meets Lee Street between West End's MARTA station and the Lee + White district today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Projected look of facades in the 800 block of Lee Street.Gamble + Gamble Architects

Site plans indicate the project was designed by seasoned Atlanta firm Gamble + Gamble Architects, whose work includes the Hotel Clermont renovation and more recently the Lyric Lofts building in Castleberry Hill and Walker Place Townhomes in Edgewood. 

The vacant .85 acres in question last traded for $676,000 in 2019, according to Fulton County property records. An Alpharetta-based LLC called United Apartments at Lee Street is listed as the owner today. Land development at the site started more than two years ago. 

Southernmost flank of the 36-unit project today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

The .85-acre construction site in relation to MARTA's Gold and Red lines, Lee + White, and the Beltline. Google Maps

As reported on these pages last week, another West End housing development—23 townhomes in two phases—is also underway on the opposite side of the Lee + White district along White Street. 

Find more photos and context in the gallery above. 

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• West End news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)

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The .85-acre construction site in relation to MARTA's Gold and Red lines, Lee + White, and the Beltline. Google Maps

How the topped-out, three-story project meets Lee Street between West End's MARTA station and the Lee + White district today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

How 36 units are being wedged into an oddly shaped site at 889 Lee St. Gamble + Gamble Architects

Projected look of facades in the 800 block of Lee Street.Gamble + Gamble Architects

Southernmost flank of the 36-unit project today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Entry to the community's parking area off Lee Street. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

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From WABE Politics News:

The stiff-armed, fascist salute used to have a fairly narrow meaning. “I think generally most people still find the Sieg Heil to be indicative and reminiscent of World War II, the Holocaust,” said […]

Census: Atlanta drops two spots on biggest metros list Josh Green Mon, 03/17/2025 - 12:50 Tough news for ATL zealots: We’re not No. 6 anymore. 

The metro areas of both Miami and Washington D.C. have leapfrogged metro Atlanta in terms of overall population, bumping Georgia’s capital city back to No. 8 on the list of largest metros in the country, according to Vintage 2024 estimates of population totals and components of change recently published by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Last year, the 2022-2023 version of the same report showed metro Atlanta had surpassed both Miami and Washington D.C.—after having overtaken metro Philadelphia the year prior—to become the sixth largest U.S. metro, and the biggest in the Southeast. That marked an impressing jump for Atlanta from being the ninth largest metro at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic—but alas, it was short-lived, per the new Census tabulations.   

Those estimates put Greater Miami as the sixth largest U.S. metro, after it notched more than 123,000 new residents over the year ending July 1. Washington D.C. brought in another 90,600 people, good for No. 7, per the Census findings. 

Metro Atlanta’s 29-county region hardly stagnated, however, adding more than 75,000 people, or a 1.19 percent population bump. 

Big picture, Census officials found that even metros where populations had dipped during the pandemic were on the rebound between July 2023 and a year later; all 387 metro areas in the country saw positive net international migration, accounting for nearly 2.7 million people. 

“While births continue to contribute to overall growth, rising net international migration is offsetting the ongoing net domestic outmigration we see in many of these [metro] areas,” noted Kristie Wilder, a Census demographer, in the report released Thursday. 

The top 10 largest U.S. metros right now, per Census estimates released last week. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began five years ago, the population across the City of Atlanta and metro counties has climbed by nearly 5 percent, adding more than 290,000 people, per the Census data. (Contrast that against the metro with the highest rate of increase among top 10 cities, Dallas, which has added more than 676,000 residents; or the one that’s shrunk the most, Los Angeles, where the population had dipped by 119,200 people, as of July.) 

There is a bright spot in the Census findings, as Peach State growth patterns are concerned. 

Two of the top 10 fastest growing counties in the U.S. are in Georgia, in terms percentage growth rates, and both are located in the northern exurbs. 

Situated northwest of Gwinnett County, Jackson County (No. 4) grew by 5.8 percent over the year in question. 

Meanwhile, Dawson County—where Atlanta’s sprawl meets the North Georgia Mountains, due north of the capital city—grew by 6.4 percent, which was good for No. 1 in the country among counties with at least 20,000 residents. (And who says proximity to outlet malls isn’t a selling point?)

Top 10 counties across the country in terms of percentage growth over the year ending July 1, 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates.

On the flipside, Clayton County’s reduction of 1,677 residents landed it on the dubious top 10 (No. 6) of counties that saw numeric decline. According to Census findings, 297,700 people now call Clayton home. 

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• Report: ATL home prices ballooned nearly 60 percent since pandemic(Urbanize Atlanta) 

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Top 10 counties across the country in terms of percentage growth over the year ending July 1, 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates.

The top 10 largest U.S. metros right now, per Census estimates released last week. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates.

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From WABE Local News:

Earlier this year, Michael Woolfolk attended a legislative committee in Georgia where lawmakers considered for a third year whether to compensate the 45-year-old for the 19 years he spent behind […]

From WABE Arts and Culture News:

Four of our areas’ post-punk and garage rock bands are bringing their talents to Buena Vista, Georgia, on March 22 to perform at Pasaquan, the immersive, seven-acre folk art paradise […]

From the Saporta Report:

By Stacey Koehnke, MedShare CEO & Executive Director Maternal and child health is a cornerstone of public health, reflecting the overall health and well-being of a community. Unfortunately, current maternal and child health outcomes around the world, while improving, still reveal significant challenges and disparities that require urgent attention and action.  MedShare has a long […]

The post Maternal and Child Health: A Critical Public Health Priority appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Saporta Report:

Broadcast journalist and author Hoda Kotb will be the keynote speaker at the Atlanta Women’s Foundation annual fundraising luncheon this fall.  The Atlanta Women’s Foundation dedicates millions of dollars to leadership opportunities and solutions to challenges facing women and girls in Atlanta communities. Kotb is scheduled to speak at the nonprofit’s “Numbers to Big to […]

The post Hoda Kotb to be featured keynote at Atlanta Women’s Foundation luncheon appeared first on SaportaReport.

Arts Atlanta:

From Schrödinger’s Cat to African inspired dance, the work of seven emerging choreographers will be presented in this year’s Choreographer Career Development Initiative showcase on March 21 and March 22. :: Alexandra Light, a principal dancer with Texas Ballet Theater in Fort Worth, was in New York creating a piece for The Steps Conservatory dancers...

From the Atlanta Tribune:

The tariff wars affect everyone, especially the low income (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Because I lack a degree in psychology or pathology, I cannot speculate about the motives of the 47th President who, on March 4, em­barked on a tariff war with our neighbors and closest allies, Mexico and Canada. But I can emphatically say that the 475 President’s […]

The post Julianne Malveaux: Are we funding our oppression? appeared first on Atlanta Tribune.

From the Atlanta Tribune:

The daughter of former Atlanta Mayor and Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young has died, the family confirmed on Saturday. Lisa Young Alston died on Friday, the family’s statement said. “The Young and Alston families deeply appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love and support from across the community as we deal with the news […]

The post Daughter of Former Atlanta Mayor, UN Ambassador Andrew Young Dies appeared first on Atlanta Tribune.

From the Atlanta Tribune:

As part of a statewide Lobby Day, legislators, impacted individuals, and advocates held a press conference to call out extreme restrictions on reproductive healthcare, demand Medicaid expansion, and push for stronger protections for IVF access. Last Thursday, lawmakers, reproductive rights advocates, healthcare providers, and impacted individuals gathered at the Georgia State Capitol to expose the […]

The post Georgia Lawmakers, Advocates, and Impacted Individuals Declare a Crisis of Care, Demand Action on Reproductive Freedom appeared first on Atlanta Tribune.

From the Atlanta Tribune:

FEDERAL JOB CUTS under Trump threaten the Black middle class, disproportionately affecting Black employees across agencies. Credit: Aaron Kittredge/Pexels by ReShonda Tate Houston Defender For decades, the feder­al government has been a pillar of economic se­curity for Black work­ers, providing steady employment, benefits and opportunities often denied in the private sector. But sweeping job cuts […]

The post Federal Job Cuts Threaten Black Middle Class appeared first on Atlanta Tribune.

From WABE Arts and Culture News:

Atlanta’s dance scene is vibrant and eclectic, and we are honored to highlight some of the many local dancers who move us with their movements in our ongoing series “Speaking […]

From the Saporta Report:

By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager Home, community, resilience, a place to dream – these are just a few words that neighbors use to describe Four Corners Park. Four Corners Park is a nearly five-acre park nestled in Atlanta’s Peoplestown neighborhood. The park is home to the Rick McDevitt Youth Center, […]

The post Community reaction to Park Pride Grant makes a great headline: “This is real now.” appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Local News:

Cash would flow directly into the hands of Ohio parents under a proposal from Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. As part of multibillion-dollar budget negotiations this session, Ohio lawmakers will consider […]

From the Saporta Report:

Homelessness isn’t just a humanitarian issue; it’s an economic one. When people lose housing, businesses lose employees, healthcare costs rise, and public services are strained. The cost of inaction is high, but investing in housing strengthens Atlanta’s economy. At Hope Atlanta, we see this firsthand every day. It’s the father working two jobs who still […]

The post The Business Case for Solving Homelessness in Atlanta appeared first on SaportaReport.

Arts Atlanta:

Call and Response, at the Michael C. Carlos Museum through June 22, is one of the most gorgeous and profound exhibitions you are likely to see this year. Carlos Museum Director Henry Kim is correct when he calls it one of the most important shows the museum has presented. Both edgy and appealing, it gives...