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 […]
Author Archives: Adrianne Murchison
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 […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Housing advocates call for reducing barriers to affordable housing
Rising construction costs, restrictive local policies, and regulatory hurdles are widening Georgia’s housing affordability gap, according to housing advocates and builders, and policymakers. During a recent meeting of the Georgia Healthy Housing Coalition, Shawn Stafford, president of Stafford Builders & Consultants, said theft and vandalism at construction sites are driving up costs. Stolen materials, from […]
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Fulton County Honors Goodwill of North Georgia for 100 Years of Service
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday recognized Goodwill of North Georgia for a century of service, adding to the nonprofit’s growing list of accolades. Commissioner Bob Ellis presented the organization with a proclamation declaring “Goodwill of North Georgia Appreciation Day.” Founded in 1925 as Goodwill Industries of Atlanta, the nonprofit began in a […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Week of homelessness on Atlanta streets gives pastor new insight
Last May, Pastor Mayo Sowell of LIIV Atlanta church left his home, phone, and wallet behind to live for a week on the streets of Atlanta. He carried only a GoPro camera, a Bible, a journal, the clothes on his back, and a determination to better understand life for the city’s unhoused residents. The father […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Ex-Roswell leaders accuse city of illegalities tied to Mimosa Hall and beyond
A group of former elected officials gathered at Heart of Roswell Park on Canton Street Wednesday to voice criticism of Mayor Kurt Wilson and city council. Led by former Mayor Jere Wood, the group of 10 described the city as “in crisis,” pointing to the removal of 35 specimen trees at Mimosa Hall as the […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Fulton inches closer to releasing funds for staff overtime pay at jail
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office could be a step closer to receiving $6.4 million in supplemental funding to cover overtime pay and staffing incentives for the troubled county jail — months after commissioners first approved the funds. The sheriff’s office and county administration are “in current talks” to receive the funds, said Natalie Ammons, the […]
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Survivors of gun violence push for more funds and support services for victims
Survivors of gun violence and public safety advocates will gather Saturday and later this month to raise awareness of victim compensation programs that could reimburse families paying for funeral costs, counseling, lost wages and other expenses in the wake of tragedy. Saturday’s event by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice will be held from 11 […]
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National Hispanic Chamber to hold annual conference in Atlanta
The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will hold its 46th annual national conference in Atlanta in September, bringing the largest gathering of Hispanic and small business leaders back to the city for the first time in roughly 25 years. More than 2,000 entrepreneurs, executives, policymakers, and local leaders are expected to attend, according to a […]
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Decatur middle school serving refugee girls names new CEO and Head of School
Global Village Project, a Decatur-based middle school serving refugee girls, has selected Allison Almand Ezell as its new CEO and head of school. She succeeds Elizabeth Elango following a six-month national search. Ezell has been part of the Global Village Project community for eight years, first as a volunteer and most recently as director of […]
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Author’s own life lessons inspire children’s book story
After years of corporate success, career pivots, and personal soul-searching, former Atlantan Danny Blue has turned his journey into inspiration for children and adults with his debut book, “Coalie and the Great Mystery.” The story, written for ages 5 to 12, explores themes of self-confidence, perseverance, and courage. It follows Coalie, a timid boy made […]
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King family responds to MLK Jr. files and says now do Epstein’s
As more than 200,000 government documents related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were released this week, his children are reminding the public that while their father’s death has long captivated the nation, it remains, first and foremost, a deeply personal loss. In a joint statement Monday, Dr. Bernice King and Martin […]
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Invest Atlanta moves affordable housing development projects forward
During a Thursday meeting, Invest Atlanta — the city’s development authority — took another step toward increasing affordable housing options in local neighborhoods, approving funding measures tied to new mixed-use developments. The board approved a $5 million acquisition loan for a 26-acre redevelopment project located across from Greenbriar Mall. Mural Real Estate Partners is planning […]
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College Park: blurred lines led to $471K Keller Williams payment
College Park is seeking the return of payments made to Keller Williams real estate brokers — including a controversial $471,690 payout issued in February — as officials continue to unravel how the funds were approved. City Attorney Winston Denmark sent a demand letter on June 23 to Keller Williams brokers Nichole Menzies and Phyllis Minter […]
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Emory University’s Karida Brown on ‘The Battle for the Black Mind’
As schools face political pressure over curriculum and Black history, and the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, Karida Brown, Ph.D., says the battle for the Black mind is not new. An Emory University Professor of Sociology, Brown spent eight years researching her new book, “The Battle for the Black Mind,” a historical account […]
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Animal shelters offer special adoptions as housing crisis drives pet surrenders
Fulton and DeKalb County animal shelters are seeing a sharp rise in pet surrenders this summer compared to last year. LifeLine Animal Project, which manages the shelters, says the increase in intakes is tied to housing issues that pet owners are facing. The animal shelters are currently offering special promotions for the adoption of cats […]
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Considering what’s really lost by removing 35 trees at historic Roswell site
The removal of 35 specimen trees from Roswell’s Mimosa Hall has stirred deep emotions. Some of the trees, believed to be as old as 150 years, were cleared to make way for the redevelopment of the grounds and the Founders Park project. Roswell plans to add 12 new native trees as part of a native […]
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Angry Roswell residents push for investigation over loss of historic trees
Roswell residents say they feel blindsided by the removal of more than 35 specimen trees on the grounds of Mimosa Hall — and frustrated, once again, by being left out of key city decisions. City council held an open mic forum on June 30 when emotions ran high over the loss of trees as old […]
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Fayette middle schooler wins state civics bee, eyes $50K national prize
A middle school student from Fayette County has won the Georgia State Finals of the National Civics Bee and will advance to the national championship competition in Washington, D.C. this fall. Kaden Jawwaad, a student at Bennett’s Mill Middle School, topped nearly two dozen participants in the state finals, earning a $1,000 prize. The competition […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Duluth nonprofit named finalist for Bill Bolling leadership award
A nonprofit that supports single parents in reaching their educational and economic goals is a finalist for the 2025 Bill Bolling Nonprofit Leader Award. Duluth-based H.O.P.E. Inc. was recently named a finalist for the award. The honor is part of the annual TechBridge Award Series, which celebrates organizations focused on technology innovation and equity across […]
