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Axios Atlanta
College Park council meeting sparks AG review
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's office is stepping in after residents say College Park elected officials violated transparency laws at a recent meeting.Why it matters: If you made a list of metro Atlanta's most dysfunctional city governments, College Park might rank No. 1.Mayor Bianca Motley Broom is embroiled in a lawsuit with the city council, and bickering over whether Broom can weigh in on legislative items has resulted in meetings ending early or dragging on for hours.Councilmember Jamelle McKenzie has been targeted by a resident-led recall effort.Catch up quick: In a special-called meeting last Friday, the council voted to censure...
Nearly 1,000 animals were brought into Fulton shelter in July
Fulton County Animal Services staff are overwhelmed with the number of intakes its facility is experiencing this summer.Why it matters: Despite opening a 50,000-square-foot facility late last year, a spike in the number of animals coming into the new shelter means it's running low on space."It's been crowded since day one," Erica Beard, director of client services for LifeLine Animal Project, which manages the Fulton and Dekalb shelters, tells Axios.Zoom in: Beard says intake numbers usually rise in the summer, particularly after the Fourth of July when pets frightened by fireworks run away from home.However, the situation is dire because...
Georgia Bulldogs ranked no. 1 in AP Top 25 preseason poll
The Georgia Bulldogs are the No. 1 college football team marching toward game day in the AP's Top 25 preseason poll.Why it matters: The ranking marks the second year in a row that the Bulldogs have led the poll.Catch up quick: Georgia won back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022, and appeared on their way to a third-straight championship before falling to Alabama in the SEC Championship last year. That loss left them on the outside looking in at the four-team College Football Playoff.The intrigue: There's more room for a misstep like that this year, because the playoffs are expanding from four teams to 12.Zoom out: The SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC dominated the top 25 list, the AP notes. The SEC leads the pack with nine ranked teams.Between the lines: Only 11 teams have started the season as the preseason No. 1 and won the national title since the poll launched in 1950. The most recent was Alabama in 2017.What's next: Georgia faces No. 14 Clemson on Aug. 31 at noon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.Sign up for Axios Atlanta for free.
Star Bar's Rotknee Presents makes sleepy Monday nights hilarious
Every Monday night in Little Five Points, Rodney "Rotknee" Leete conjures up comedy magic at the Star Community Bar.Why it matters: For more than 20 years, Leete has hosted Rotknee Presents, a free all-star evening of rising talents and surprise appearances by established stars who crack up crowds of comedy enthusiasts.Yes, and: Sprinkled throughout the audience are the occasional first dates that didn't expect an evening of expletives.It's all good fun — and the city's longest-running comedy show, Leete tells Axios.How it works: Every Thursday starting at 5pm, comedians interested in performing call Leete's phone to snag one of 10...
3 takeaways from the Atlanta Falcons preseason opener
The journey to the regular season kicked off Friday as the Atlanta Falcons opened their preseason with a 20-13 loss against the Miami Dolphins. Why it matters: It was the first time fans got to see the new look team under new head coach Raheem Morris. Yes, but: Given that it was the first preseason game of the year, Morris sat most players that would have a meaningful impact this season, including new quarterback Kirk Cousins. Here are three takeaways we learned from the Falcons matchup against the Dolphins:Michael Penix Jr. has a bright futureThe Falcons were the story of...
State lawmaker says no drugs were involved in Atlanta DUI arrest
A state representative arrested on several charges, including multiple counts of driving under the influence, after police say he hit a cyclist last week in Atlanta says he was not impaired at the time of the collision. Why it matters: The collision, which the Georgia State Patrol says occurred in the bike lane, underscores that while Atlanta's made strides to become more bicyclist friendly, sharing the roads with cars still poses a danger to people traveling on two wheels.Driving the news: Atlanta Municipal Court records show Devan Seabaugh (R-Marietta) faces six counts of DUI — including separate charges for driving...
You know pickleball. But can you play padel?
Padel, an immensely popular racquet sport you've probably never heard of and don't know how to pronounce, is establishing a foothold in metro Atlanta.Why it matters: Invented in Mexico in 1969, "paddle" or "pah-dell" combines tennis, squash and racquetball and is growing in popularity in the U.S., particularly in Florida, Texas and along the east coast.The latest: In December, Kevin Ye and Andrew Herring's company PATL partnered with ITA Atlanta to open four courts and start offering clinics and lessons at the racquet sports complex in Chamblee.The PATL courts are the only public options for the padel curious and serious...
New Georgia election rule requires county to probe election results
Georgia progressives say the state election board's new rule requiring counties to conduct a "reasonable inquiry" before certifying the results could wreak havoc in the November election and beyond.Why it matters: Georgia is home to 159 counties, which means Georgia has 159 county election boards. Those boards are required by law to certify the results of elections.Opponents of the measure say Georgia law is clear that county election boards "shall" certify results, meaning they can't exercise discretion.Threat level: A single county board's inquiry — the new rule does not define what that entails — could delay or halt the certification...
Weekend events: Summer Wine Fest, a vintage pop-up and rap legends
Here's a quick rundown of what's happening this weekend around Atlanta:🤣 Drag queen performer Alyssa Edwards holds court for the Glitz and Giggles Tour at Buckhead Theatre. (Fri.)🪵 The International Woodworking Festival wraps up at the Georgia World Congress Center. (through Fri.)🎂 Krog Street Market celebrates its 10th anniversary with a party featuring music and children's activities. (Sat.)🎸 Northside Tavern hosts Tribute, a celebration of the Allman Brothers Band. (Fri.-Sat.)🎤 An Evening of Hip-Hop featuring Too Short, 8 Ball & MJG, Scarface and Trick Daddy will take you down memory late at Mable House Barnes Amphitheater. (Sat.)🍷 Atlanta Summer Wine...
Cobb Superior Court under judicial emergency over clerk's software issues
Cobb County's chief judge issued a judicial emergency in the Superior Court due to issues stemming from a software change in the clerk's office.Why it matters: Chief Judge Gregory Poole, in consultation with the 10 other judges, said problems in the Superior Court Clerk's Office have the potential to interfere with peoples' due process and other constitutional rights, according to a press release from the court.How it works: A judicial emergency is allowed under state law when a system can't function normally, and the public can't use the system or "meet deadlines imposed on them by a court."It grants relief...
MARTA goes underwater and gets to work
MARTA's expansion to the Atlantic Ocean is going exactly to plan.Why it matters: Reef habitats are beginning to develop on decommissioned rail cars that the transit agency gave to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and dumped off the coast of Savannah.Zoom in: DNR divers recently made their first visit to the railcars and saw signs of corals, sponges, and other "encrusting organisms" taking hold, MARTA said in a statement.The intrigue: "You'll notice one of the railcar roofs has collapsed, which is typical," Cameron Brinton, a DNR marine biologist."[We'll] see more changes to the railcars over time as they become part of the essential marine habitat for sea creatures, including popular sport fish and endangered sea turtles."Zoom out: Other items added to the ocean floor over the past 50 years include "M-60 battle tanks, barges, tugboats, New York City subway cars, and other manmade structures."Sign up for Axios Atlanta for free.
MARTA goes underwater and gets to work
MARTA's expansion to the Atlantic Ocean is going exactly to plan.Why it matters: Reef habitats are beginning to develop on decommissioned rail cars that the transit agency gave to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and dumped off the coast of Savannah.Zoom in: DNR divers recently made their first visit to the railcars and saw signs of corals, sponges, and other "encrusting organisms" taking hold, MARTA said in a statement.The intrigue: "You'll notice one of the railcar roofs has collapsed, which is typical," Cameron Brinton, a DNR marine biologist."[We'll] see more changes to the railcars over time as they become part of the essential marine habitat for sea creatures, including popular sport fish and endangered sea turtles."Zoom out: Other items added to the ocean floor over the past 50 years include "M-60 battle tanks, barges, tugboats, New York City subway cars, and other manmade structures."Sign up for Axios Atlanta for free.
Tropical Storm Debby moves off the Georgia coast, but flood risks remain
Tropical Storm Debby moved out into the Atlantic off the coast of Georgia Tuesday — but people living in the eastern part of the state are not finished with it yet. Why it matters: Sun is in the forecast for Metro Atlanta on Wednesday but our friends in southeastern Georgia remain on alert this week as the deadly storm prepares to make landfall once again. State of play: Debby made a slow trek Tuesday out of Georgia and over the Atlantic. From there, the storm will regroup and regain some strength before arriving on the shore of South Carolina on...
Caleb Wiley's soccer career is just beginning, Atlanta United coach says
The Paris Olympics are over for the United States men's soccer team, but for Atlanta's Caleb Wiley, international stardom is just beginning.Why it matters: Atlanta United's 19-year-old defender just joined the English football league's Chelsea F.C. for nearly $11 million.CBS Sports reports Wiley is expected to spend the 2024-25 season on loan at Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg to obtain more experience during his six-year contract.Catch up quick: Wiley played for the USMNT at the 2024 Olympics, where the team advanced to the knockout round for the first time in more than two decades.The USMNT then lost against Morocco 4-0 last...
Metro Atlanta's stubborn economic mobility issues persist, new study says
Metro Atlanta kids born into low-income households are still finding broken ladders to climb out of poverty, according to a new report from the team that sounded the alarm on economic mobility a decade ago.Why it matters: Metro Atlanta is one of the country's economic powerhouses, but the prosperity has yet to reach children born into poverty.How it works: The paper published last month by Harvard economist Raj Chetty uses anonymized federal census data and tax returns to track people born into low-income families in 1978 and 1992, and examines their income in adulthood at 27 years old.By the numbers:...
Metro Atlanta home sellers keep chopping prices
Data: Redfin; Chart: Axios VisualsNearly 34% of metro Atlanta houses for sale saw price cuts recently, according to Redfin data.Why it matters: Home sellers across the country are increasingly offering discounts to entice buyers hampered by high housing costs.Flashback: Price cuts surged nationwide in 2022, partly because rising mortgage rates caused home shoppers to back out of the market.What they're saying: "A housing market that for years has been defined by fast sales and few options is starting to look more like it did before the pandemic in terms of competition among buyers and their negotiating power," Zillow chief economist Skylar Olsen said.What's next: Many real estate agents expect competition to heat up once summer vacation ends and kids are back in school.Sign up for Axios Atlanta for free.
Atlanta "blight tax" comes up for City Council vote
The owners of Atlanta's most busted-up and blighted homes could see new penalties.The latest: The Atlanta City Council will vote Monday to create a so-called "blight tax" that would increase the fines negligent owners must pay for sitting on blighted eyesores.Why it matters: Vacant and dilapidated homes are magnets for crime, are dangerous to children and reduce residents' quality of life.Zoom in: Under the measure introduced by Council member Byron Amos and supported by Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta municipal court judges could increase "specific blighted properties' tax bills" up to 25 times the current city tax rate.Property owners who fix up their blighted properties could be eligible for a discounted tax rate.Large property owners must sign on to a "redevelopment plan that addresses neighborhood objectives around connectivity, transportation and public amenities that benefit the entire community," the mayor's office said in a statement.Caveat: Occupied properties would be exempt from the tax to prevent displacement.In the weeds: The item is on the Council's consent agenda, a package of legislation that received unanimous support during the committee process and is approved with a single vote.Items can be removed from the agenda for individual consideration.Sign up for Axios Atlanta for free.
Mariah Carey's Christmas tour coming to Atlanta
All Atlanta wants for Christmas is … Mariah Carey.The big picture: The "Fantasy" singer just announced a new nationwide tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her "Christmas Time" album, including the holiday classic "All I Want for Christmas is You."Driving the news: Carey plays at Atlanta's State Farm Arena on Nov. 23. The 20-city tour kicks off at Southern California's Yaamava' Theater on Nov. 6.Tickets go on sale Aug. 9 at 10am, but fans can purchase them early through Verizon Up on Aug. 6.What they're saying: Carey teased the "grandest holiday spectacle to date" that includes "many surprises," per a news release.Fun fact: Carey hasn't performed in Georgia in years, but don't forget that she used to live in metro Atlanta. She sold her Sandy Springs mansion for $4.3 million last year, according to the AJC.Sign up for Axios Atlanta for free.
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