While the Trump administration has been ordered by two courts to use emergency funds to pay SNAP recipients, the ripple effects of potentially halting payments to 42 million people extend beyond the program participants. Goodwill of North Georgia is preparing to bear the full cost of its SNAP Employment and Training program — at a […]
Author Archives: Adrianne Murchison
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Atlanta food bank directs $5M to feed SNAP families and federal workers
As the federal government shutdown stretches on, the Atlanta Community Food Bank is stepping in to help families who may soon lose access to SNAP benefits. The nonprofit has moved $5 million from its reserves to help food pantries provide for metro Atlanta residents impacted by the suspension of government services, including SNAP recipients and […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Social media post alleges criminal acts within College Park’s administration
College Park residents have wondered whether a municipality can break laws without facing repercussions — and whether elected officials such as Councilman Roderick Gay, who has been at the center of numerous controversies involving financial decisions, alleged intimidation and, most recently, leaving the scene of a car collision, can avoid investigation. Since March 2024, residents, […]
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Pinnacle accelerator program names startups for $500K investment
Pinnacle Atlanta Innovation Accelerator has selected five unique businesses for its first 12-week cohort. Each business is receiving $100,000 and access to investors and industry experts — resources valued at a combined $1 million. Managing Director Keena Pierre said the cohort represents some of the most promising fintech founders in Atlanta’s growing innovation ecosystem. “We […]
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Marietta company creates shield against space debris
A Marietta materials company is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space protection. Atomic-6, known for its work in aerospace and defense composites, has introduced Space Armor tiles, a product that shields satellites and astronauts from dangerous space debris while preserving vital communications. According to a statement, Space Armor can stop debris traveling at […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park councilman accused of driving away from car accident
College Park Councilman Roderick Gay is under scrutiny following a car accident that occurred Saturday, Oct. 11, at Phillips Park — the same day as the Citywide Festival held in his ward. According to a police report, Gay was driving his personal vehicle, a BMW, when he backed into a parked Chevrolet Camaro, striking the side […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Goodwill of North Georgia celebrates new specialized trainee program
Joshua Parker hopes to one day open his own HVAC business. While attending a job fair, the 31-year-old was introduced to Goodwill of North Georgia’s career services and soon discovered a training program that is helping him earn certifications and gain hands-on experience toward achieving that goal. Parker joined Goodwill’s new Certified Electric Heat Pump […]
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Music center to expand with third location for voice and instrument lessons
The Music Studio Atlanta, a large privately owned music school that provides lessons for a wide range of instruments, is opening a third location in Alpharetta in the coming weeks. Founder Cecilia Rowe opened her first studio in Vinings in 2011 and a second in East Cobb in 2022. The Music Studio Atlanta offers both […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Teen to host ‘Hoops for Hunger’ basketball challenge in Roswell
A Sandy Springs teenager is turning his love of basketball into a community event for a cause. Fifteen-year-old Christian Milteer will host the “High Schoolers Hoops for Hunger 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament & Food Drive” on Saturday to benefit North Fulton Community Charities. The tournament is organized through The Empowerment Workshop and will be held from […]
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College Park mayor says ‘the math ain’t mathing’ on council’s questionable spending
How public money is spent — and how it’s requested — is raising new questions in College Park, where city officials are offering no answers. “There is a problem with the money,” Mayor Bianca Motley Broom said. During the Oct. 6 city council meeting, Mayor Bianca Motley Broom received no response when she raised concerns […]
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Crime theme and tax issue surround candidate’s exit from Sandy Springs race
Lauren Locke, who was running for the Sandy Springs City Council District 2 seat against incumbent Dr. Melody Kelley, has withdrawn from the race. She campaigned on a message of crime and safety that echoed strategies used by some north Fulton candidates four years ago. The former candidate said she left the race under “extreme […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Judge facing misconduct allegations presides over College Park business case
What happens when the judge in your court case faces serious legal trouble of their own? It’s a question now confronting College Park business owner Roderick Rogers. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shermela Williams, who has presided over Rogers’ legal dispute with the city of College Park, is facing multiple misconduct allegations brought by the […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Nonprofit pushes North Fulton leaders on affordable housing for working families
The Drake House, a Roswell nonprofit offering a housing program for single mothers in crisis, is calling on North Fulton leaders to figure out a solution to the lack of affordable housing for working families. On Oct. 21, the organization and HouseATL are co-hosting a conversation with journalist Brian Goldstone, whose recent book “There Is […]
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Sandy Springs celebrates 20 years, reflects on the push for cityhood
Back in the fall of 2005, Sandy Springs leaders were preparing for the moment the clock struck 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 1. That was the instant the community officially became a city. Next week, Sandy Springs will celebrate 20 years of cityhood with an anniversary party for about 500 guests on City Green at City […]
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Sandy Springs to showcase Kathy Rennell Forbes exhbit
The work of artist Kathy Rennell Forbes will be on exhibit in Sandy Springs in October. Forbes is an international artist and instructor known for her impressionistic works in watercolor, acrylic and oil, with pieces held in collections worldwide, including the French Olympic Committee in Paris and Universal Studios in California. Locally, she has conducted […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Johns Creek reverses course on care of historic Black cemetery
Johns Creek is reversing course on its stewardship of a historic cemetery where formerly enslaved people and their descendants are buried. The city offered to transfer ownership of the property to a nonprofit descendant group to preserve and maintain the site, but in doing so declined to provide funding for those responsibilities. Since Johns Creek […]
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24-hour live podcast shines light on Georgia Appleseed’s fight for children
Just before noon last Friday, I hit record on my podcast mixer and kicked off a 24-hour live broadcast of Let’s Start Healing, with guests joining me for nearly the entire journey. I’ve always been drawn to endurance challenges, but this one carried a deeper purpose. I chose to hold the podcast marathon on Sept. […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Dr. Mehmet Oz discusses Medicaid and health data sharing at Atlanta conference
The Trump administration’s digital health system was a topic of discussion at the 12th annual Health Connect South conference, held Wednesday at the Georgia Aquarium. Dr. Mehmet Oz, director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price led a keynote conversation on Medicaid, work requirements, and […]
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College Park responds to lawsuit’s claims of unlawful actions by official
College Park is denying claims brought forth in a whistleblower lawsuit that alleges unlawful actions by a city councilman. SaportaReport received the city’s response through Councilman Roderick Gay. The councilman directed code enforcement officers to write illegal citations to property owners in the Ward 4 district that he presides over, the lawsuit states. Former code […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Fired College Park employee files whistleblower lawsuit, cites council member
A former College Park code enforcement supervisor has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging retaliatory termination and misconduct by an elected official. Last Friday, Attorney J. Matthew Maquire filed the lawsuit under the Georgia Whistleblower Act on behalf of Jerry Silver in Fulton County Superior Court. The act protects public employees from retaliation if […]
