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 […]
Author Archives: Adrianne Murchison
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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 […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Atlanta’s new cultural affairs director brings global vision and passion for culture
Loving arts and culture while growing up in New London, Connecticut, Adriane V. Jefferson did not set out to become Atlanta’s executive director of Cultural Affairs by age 39. But she kept saying yes to the small inclinations that spoke to her creativity and community. Each step — including earning a bachelor’s degree in popular […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
UPS Impact Summit highlights power of small business
The importance of entrepreneurs and small businesses in the U.S. economy was in the spotlight Wednesday during the fourth annual UPS Impact Summit, held at the company’s headquarters in Sandy Springs. The event featured panels of UPS executives, small business owners, and civic leaders discussing both the opportunities and challenges facing entrepreneurs. UPS CEO Carol […]
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Educators highlight teacher burnout and retention challenges at Atlanta Panel
Educators are speaking out about burnout, lack of support and feeling unseen. The educators were giving voice to struggles shared by workers in many professions today. RedefinED Atlanta hosted the event, titled “A City Changing: Investing in the Educator Experience,” at the Commerce Club last Thursday. The nonprofit convened an audience of educators and advocates […]
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Conflict of interest concerns sink proposed College Park contract
A proposal to award a $40,000 contract to a former College Park city council candidate was denied Monday following sharp comments from city leaders, and criticism from a resident who questioned whether the proposed contract amounted to a payoff for the candidate exiting the race. Mayor Bianca Motley Broom, in a post previewing the council […]
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Fulton Superior Court reschedules hearing in College Park zoning fight
The Fulton County Superior Court hearing involving Rogers Repair Shop, originally scheduled for Aug. 26, did not take place and has been rescheduled for Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. Rogers Repair Shop, located at 2525 Riverdale Road, has been closed for several months. Owner Roderick Rogers says that the city has refused to renew his […]
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Authors, journalists and political leaders to appear at MJCCA book festival
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta has released its full lineup for this year’s book festival. The 34th Edition of the Book Festival of the MJCAA features a mix of political leaders, journalists, historians, chefs, and novelists who will not only share their latest works but also weigh in on today’s cultural and political […]
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Health Connect South conference to gather top healthcare leaders
The 12th annual Health Connect South conference will take place Sept. 17 at the Georgia Aquarium, bringing together more than 50 prominent speakers and moderators and an expected 1,000 attendees. The gathering has become one of the Southeast’s largest forums for advancing innovation and collaboration in healthcare. Notable speakers include Corwin Harper, president of Kaiser […]
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Arts and authors at the Marcus Jewish Community Center
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta is preparing for a full fall season of programming that blends live performance, storytelling, and nationally recognized authors. The 2025 Arts & Authors lineup includes the 34th annual book festival of the MJCCA. The Arts & Authors season opened in August and continues with two events on Sept. […]
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College Park business owner fighting to survive zoning battle, and two alleged arson attacks
A long-operating automotive repair shop in College Park has been shuttered since February, and its owner, Roderick Rogers, is fighting to keep his business alive. Rogers, who owns Rogers Repair Shop, said the city has refused to renew his business license and has sought to close the business down permanently. His attorney, Erin Coleman, said […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Contentious vote approves $1.1B plan to overhaul Fulton jail
During a Wednesday meeting, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a $1.1 billion plan to overhaul its troubled jail system, despite opposition from two board members and community leaders. The plan includes building a new special-purpose facility to house vulnerable inmate populations and renovating the county’s main jail on Rice Street. The […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Metro mayors urge corporations, philanthropists to recognize the whole metro region
If the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern is successfully completed, Sandy Springs can boast more Fortune 500 companies than the city of Atlanta, says Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, including the New York Stock Exchange, which has been headquartered there for years. But, Paul adds, many of those firms headquartered in the […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Roswell mourns former Councilman Marcelo Zapata
Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson led a moment of silence Monday in honor of former Councilman Marcelo Zapata during the City Council meeting. Wilson learned earlier that day that Zapata died on August 1 in Argentina. Zapata, first elected to city council in 2015, resigned in 2022 due to undisclosed serious health issues. He is being […]
