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Axios Atlanta
Renting is expensive in metro Atlanta
Data: U.S. Census Bureau; Chart: Axios VisualsNearly a third of metro Atlanta renters now spend more than half of their household income on housing, according to new data from the Census Bureau.Why it matters: An excessive rent burden can make it harder to afford other basic needs, like groceries and transportation — or to save for a down payment that can turn rent checks to a landlord into mortgage payments towards home equity.By the numbers: Atlanta renters are faring worse than the average renter nationwide, with 29.3% using more than half of their income to make payments.That's higher than the...
Poll: Harris, Trump virtually tied in Georgia
Data: AJC poll; Chart: Dani Alberti/Axios VisualsThe battle between former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris to win Georgia could be close, according to a new Atlanta-Journal Constitution/University of Georgia poll.Why it matters: The poll of likely Georgia voters, released Wednesday, shows Trump leading Harris 47% to 44% — within the margin of error of 3.1 percentage points — with less than two months before the election.Roughly 7% of voters say they are undecided, and third-party candidates received below 1%.12% of Black voters — a crucial group for Democrats — say they are undecided.The big picture: In a July AJC...
One year later, public safety training center referendum at legal standstill
The Atlanta Public Safety Training Center is almost built and a legal battle opposing it is in limbo, but opponents aren't ready to back down yet.Why it matters: Despite the legal standstill, the city is pressing ahead with construction and plans to open the training center by the end of the year.The latest: "Everything is on hold" until the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals rules on whether organizers should have more time to collect signatures for the petition, said Jeff Filipovits, the attorney representing the plaintiffs.The deadline has already passed for the referendum to appear on the Nov. 5...
Alicia Keys and Swizz Beats honor "Giants" at High Museum of Art
Dirt bikers in flight with arms outstretched. An otherworldly "soundsuit." Perfectly timed photos of everyday New Yorkers stretching back decades.Driving the news: The powerful works by Black artists are now on display in "Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys," the High Museum of Art's exhibition of groundbreaking, overlooked and, in many cases, oversized works by Black artists.Zoom in: The exhibition runs through Jan. 19 and includes roughly 115 photos, installations and other media by Gordon Parks, Kehinde Wiley, Esther Malangu and more. The private collection numbers more than 1,000, Keys and Swizz Beatz, whose real name is Kasseem Dean, told CNN's Victor Blackwell.What they're saying: "Not only the works are oversized," Keys, who attended the exhibition's Friday opening with Beatz, told Blackwell. "But also the creators of the works are giants. They're masters and they're incredible.""[The exhibition explores the] idea of accessing your own giant, being unafraid to be as big as possible, take up space in the room. Be present, be powerful, be you."
Gesundheit! Atlanta's fall allergy season ramps up
Data: Pollen.com; Chart: Axios VisualsIf you're feeling run down lately, a plant — not an illness — may be to blame.Why it matters: Climate change is making Atlanta's allergy seasons longer and more intense. This fall is a prime example.Driving the news: It's not unusual for weed pollen to spike this time of year, causing fatigue, itchy eyes, sneezing and scratchy throats.By the numbers: The amount of pollen in local air has been medium-high nearly every day since Aug. 13, according to Pollen.com. Ragweeds, chenopods and nettle are the top allergens.After a sharp dip in early September, counts have spiked.Relief...
ELEVATE returns to celebrate City Hall's arts and culture history
ELEVATE, Atlanta's annual arts and culture festival, is going back in time to explore City Hall efforts to weave art into public spaces and civic identity.Why it matters: An Atlanta without the arts is not an Atlanta where we want to live.Catch up quick: 50 years ago, then Mayor Maynard Jackson created the Office of Cultural Affairs. Since then, the city has become one of the biggest boosters of the arts in Georgia and the South.Zoom in: From Fri., Sept. 20, to Sun., Oct. 13, ELEVATE will host free weekend events including:A panel discussion featuring Michael Lomax, who founded the OCA, and former Mayor Shirley Franklin, who also served as the cultural affairs commissionerNew and restored murals painted by artists from Atlanta's sister cities Lagos, Nigeria, and Toulouse, France and sculpture works in Freedom Park and Grant Park; andExhibitions featuring prominent Atlanta artists from the past 50 years and retrospectives about the city's cinema and jazz history.Fun fact: The city is awarding 2,500 tickets to 50 Atlanta cultural venues hosting arts events throughout the fall.Visit ELEVATE's website for more details
Atlanta fall temperatures are getting warmer amid climate change
Data: Climate Central; Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosFall is getting warmer across the continental U.S., a new analysis finds, including in metro Atlanta.Why it matters: Warmer autumns mean more demand for cooling (and thus higher energy use), longer wildfire seasons, big changes for farmers and gardeners, etc.Driving the news: Fall temperatures rose 3.1°F on average in metro Atlanta between 1970 and 2023, according to a new Climate Central report.The nonprofit climate research group's analysis is based on average temperatures across 234 locations between September and November of each year.Zoom in: Albany led Georgia metros with the largest increase (3.8°F), followed by Atlanta, Columbus (1.7°F), Augusta (1.6°F) and Savannah (1.2°F).Zoom out: Reno (+7.7°F), El Paso (+6.1°F) and Las Vegas (+6.1°F) saw the biggest increases in average fall temperature among U.S. cities.Between the lines: The fall trends are consistent with climate science findings showing how the planet is responding to human-caused increases in greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide.All other seasons are also warming.The latest: A record-smashing September heat wave recently hit the Western U.S. from Phoenix up to Seattle, Axios' Andrew Freedman reports.What's next: Expect above-normal temperatures across much of the country this fall, per NOAA's seasonal outlook.
Uber, Waymo to debut driverless cars in Atlanta in 2025
Atlanta residents fetching an Uber will soon have the option to ride in a self-driving vehicle. Why it matters: Uber long ago gave up on developing its own robotaxis, which is difficult and expensive. Instead, Uber is partnering with other tech companies that can bring driverless cars to its platform.
The true story behind Peacock's "Fright Night: Million-Dollar Heist"
On Oct. 26, 1970, roughly 200 people walked up to a house on Atlanta's westside to celebrate Muhammad Ali's return to the ring. Little did they know the evening would end in an infamous armed robbery.Driving the news: "Fight Night: The Million-Dollar Heist," a limited series based on the true events and a 2020 podcast of the same name, started streaming this week on Peacock.Context: Ali, who had been blacklisted from boxing over his objection to the Vietnam War, defeated Jerry Quarry at a sold-out Atlanta Municipal Auditorium.Zoom in: After Ali's fight, high-profile New York mobsters, hustlers and their entourages...
Falcons look to rebound in primetime and UGA starts SEC play
Disappointing may be an understatement to describe the Atlanta Falcons' first game of the 2024 NFL season. Now, they'll get a chance to erase those memories with a primetime matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Why it matters: The Falcons opened their season with a flat performance at home and will be 0-2 if they don't figure things out quickly.State of play: Hopes were high for Atlanta after a spending spree this offseason that revamped the offense and brought in much needed defensive talent. But after scoring just 10 points last Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers and seeing their $180 million...
Georgia gun safety reform should include parental responsibility, focus group says
Lawmakers hoping to prevent school shootings should look to parents and mental health services first, according to the latest Engagious/Sago focus group of Georgia swing voters.Why it matters: The fatal shootings of two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School have spurred new calls for Gov. Brian Kemp and lawmakers on the state and federal level to pass meaningful gun safety reforms.Zoom in: Axios sat in on two Engagious/Sago online focus groups Wednesday night with 11 Georgians who voted for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020. Eight are independents and three are Democrats.All said they support proposals to...
Atlanta weekend events: Food and wine, arts festivals
Don't let the forecast of rain stop you from making the most of your weekend. Get out there with these events:🏀 The Atlanta Dream will play the Washington Mystics at Gateway Center Arena. (Fri)🎤 CeeLo Green takes the stage at The Bowl at Sugar Hill in Gwinnett County. (Fri)🍷 The Atlanta Food and Wine Festival returns to the Historic Fourth Ward Park. (Fri-Sun)🌮 Midnight Market Foodie Festival will be held at the Pinnacle Lot at Atlantic Station. (Fri-Sat) 🎸 The Springs Cinema & Taphouse hosts the inaugural Sandy Springs Jam Fest featuring musicians from Atlanta and around Georgia. (Sat)👻 Six...
Landmark Condominium residents say short-term rentals come with noise, partying
A Downtown condominium tower has almost everything: great location, swimming pool and prime views of Atlanta's skyline. But permanent residents say the building's glut of short-term rental units are ruining their peace, quiet and investments.Why it matters: The Landmark condominium high-rise along the Downtown Connector has become more hotel than home and a cautionary tale about the effect large numbers of short-term rentals can have, residents say.Driving the news: The Landmark's homeowners association on Thursday will hold its first election for new officers in two years. Residents hope to earn spots to counterbalance the role that investor owners play in...
Democrats renew push for stricter gun laws after mass school shooting
It's been a week since police say a 14-year-old killed four people and injured nine others in a mass shooting at a Georgia high school, once again thrusting the issue of gun violence into the national spotlight and reigniting the debate about how to prevent it among lawmakers.Why it matters: The Sept. 4 shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County was the deadliest school shooting in Georgia's history, the New York Times reports.In 2022, firearms injuries were the leading cause of death among children and teens ages 1-19, according to the CDC.The big picture: Firearm restrictions have been rolled...
Larry David's upcoming tour swings through Atlanta
Larry David, the lovingly curmudgeonly comedian who helped create two of the greatest TV shows of all time, is coming to the Fox Theatre on Oct. 24. Why it matters: Consider this pretty prettttttty pretttttty good news. Zoom in: The 10-stop "Conversation with Larry David" tour features the comedian discussing...
The quest for a pedestrian friendly Peachtree Street continues
A proposal to prep Peachtree Street in South Downtown for an influx of new residents and World Cup fans wants your input.Why it matters: Downtown leaders are flooring the gas pedal to make the historic area turned government-heavy district into a flourishing community that's friendlier to people on foot.Driving the news: The Atlanta Downtown Improvement District is holding an open house Wednesday at 5pm at the Atlanta City Studio to collect feedback about the project.Zoom in: The three-block project calls for reducing the number of traffic lanes from four to two, rebuilding and widening sidewalks, upgrading ADA curb ramps and crosswalks and new landscaping and seating.Construction would take a total of three months, or roughly eight weeks per block, officials said.Zoom out: The project does not include bike lanes. Downtown officials say the design reflects the "corridor's intended role as a destination rather than serving through traffic."The big picture: The goal, ADID officials said, is to create a pedestrian-oriented street with space for outdoor dining and designated spots for commercial deliveries and passenger drop-off zones.
The Colonnade's new owners say don't expect any changes
The new owners of The Colonnade, the Cheshire Bridge Road church of fried chicken and near-perfect martinis, say they're sticking to traditions.Why it matters: The Colonnade is Atlanta's second-oldest restaurant and hallowed ground for Atlanta's LGBTQ communities and connoisseurs of hefty Southern cooking.The restaurant is located on a fast-developing corridor, and the fact its next chapter doesn't involve a wrecking ball followed by apartments is nothing short of a miracle.Zoom in: Longtime regulars Paul Donahue and Lewis Jeffries took ownership of the 97-year-old restaurant yesterday and will open for service on Wednesday, Sept. 11 (the restaurant is closed Mondays and...
How you can help Apalachee High School shooting survivors, families
Corneliu Caprar wasn't surprised to learn his friend and teacher Cristina Irimie brought a cake to class last Wednesday so she could celebrate her birthday with her students.Though it's a Romanian tradition where the birthday person organizes celebrations and gives out goodies, Caprar said Irimie, who was one of four people killed in last week's mass shooting at Apalachee High School, always held space in her heart for her students."How many times have you had the teachers doing that for you?" he asked.Driving the news: Caprar and the church he attended with Irimie, Saints Constantine and Helen Romanian Orthodox Church...
Chattahoochee Riverkeeper files Clean Water Act lawsuit against Atlanta
The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is taking Atlanta back to court over pollution from the city's largest wastewater plant into our most famous waterway.Why it matters: The nonprofit's federal lawsuit, filed Friday, could force additional city investment in Atlanta's aging wastewater and drinking water infrastructure.Zoom in: According to the Riverkeeper, the R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation plant repeatedly discharged excessive amounts of poorly treated wastewater containing harmful levels of E. coli and chemicals into the Chattahoochee.From July 2023 to July 2024, the plant off Bolton Road on Atlanta's far westside violated permitted limits at least 79 times, the nonprofit says.Water sampling by the...
Woman sues city that denied permit to open hair braiding business
A business owner is suing a metro Atlanta city over its refusal to allow her to open a hair braiding shop based on its proximity to a similar establishment.Why it matters: Awa Diagne's quest to open her African braiding shop runs counter to South Fulton leaders' desire to limit what they say is an "oversaturation" of beauty salons in parts of the city.Driving the news: The lawsuit was filed late last month in Fulton County Superior Court by Awa Diagne, who was denied a special use permit by the city of South Fulton to open the shop.The lawsuit argues that...
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