Atlanta City Council approved the redevelopment of Amsterdam Walk on Monday. It’s a decision that goes against the wishes of nearby residents and several neighborhood organizations. The council voted 8-6 in favor of the project, which will transform the shopping center into a large-scale mixed-use development with 1,100 housing units and roughly 1,400 parking spaces. […]
Author Archives: Adrianne Murchison
Posted inColumns
Neighbors opposed to Amsterdam Walk project are primed for City Council meeting
Residents near Amsterdam Walk say they’re prepared to speak out against a large-scale redevelopment project during Monday’s Atlanta City Council meeting. While public comment rules limit what they can say, they plan to make their concerns clear, warning that the proposed redevelopment plans by Portman Holdings are too large for the surrounding neighborhood and would […]
Posted inColumns
Georgia Chamber advises businesses to be prepared for disruptions amid tariff uncertainty
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is urging businesses across the state to prepare for disruptions stemming from ongoing trade tensions and shifting tariff policies in Washington. In a virtual press conference Wednesday, Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark said the state’s economy is already beginning to feel the ripple effects of trade uncertainty, with multiple […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Chattahoochee Hills Mayor talks south Fulton County’s development challenges and pathways
Last February, during a packed city council meeting in Union City, residents urged officials to reject more data centers and warehouses in their community. They asked for walkable neighborhoods, shopping, restaurants, and amenities similar to Alpharetta in north Fulton County. But reaching that goal isn’t easy for cities on the south side of Fulton County. […]
Posted inColumns
When a campaign story creates backlash and conversation on race
In a recent SaportaReport story about the Sandy Springs mayoral race, I referred to candidate Dontaye Carter as “Black.” The sentence came just before a few lines on his platform, which includes a call for greater city support of minority-owned businesses and deeper engagement with Sandy Springs’ diverse communities. That single word — Black — […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Grady Health System begins construction on new ER facilty in South Fulton
Gov. Brian Kemp, Fulton County leaders and elected officials across the Southside celebrated the groundbreaking for a new Grady Health System emergency facility in Union City on Wednesday. When completed, the facility will be a significant step in returning emergency care to residents in South Fulton County, who say their community has been underserved. Since […]
Posted inColumns
Sandy Springs mayoral race draws multiple challengers
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul is seeking a fourth term in office, but this year’s election could prove to be his most competitive. All six city council seats, along with the mayor’s, are up for reelection. Among Paul’s four challengers are Councilmembers Jody Reichel and Andy Bauman, who say it’s time for new leadership. Both […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Georgia journalists’ film following superfans of murder trials debuts on Amazon Prime
Veteran Georgia journalists Neil Gordon and Mike Petchenik’s new true crime docuseries is now available to stream on Amazon Prime. The duo published the book “Trial Watchers,” last year and produced the documentary under the same title. They focus on murder trial enthusiasts who travel to the U.S. to attend courtroom proceedings on some of […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Move to stop hate speech in Sandy Springs sparks new concerns
In an effort to curb hate speech and regulate flyer distribution, Sandy Springs has approved new ordinances that some say may violate First Amendment rights. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Georgia First Amendment Foundation both say that the new laws infringe on freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Flyers and pamphlets […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Star of touching Netflix documentary to appear at autism summit
An Atlanta teenager featured in the award-winning Netflix documentary “Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World” will participate in the upcoming Autism Awareness Summit at the Atlanta City Hall Atrium on April 16. Makayla Cain, who has a rare form of autism and is nonverbal, communicates using voice technology and her own unique forms of […]
Posted inColumns
Icon of Atlanta restaurant scene honored by Culinary Institute of America
Atlanta restaurateur I. Pano Karatassos will be recognized at the Culinary Institute of America’s 2025 Leadership Awards. Karatassos is one of five who will receive the Augie Award. Named after French legendary chef Auguste Escoffier, the award honors people who have shown leadership and innovation in the culinary field. The awards ceremony will take place in New […]
Posted inColumns
Roswell OKs $15M deal for parking deck to keep Canton Steet a destination
Roswell has signed a construction team to build its long-anticipated parking deck, which is part of an effort to keep pace with neighboring cities in attracting dining and entertainment. The north Fulton City awarded a nearly $15 million contract to Winter Construction to build the Green Street Parking Deck. The triangular site is located at […]
Posted inColumns
Celebrated chef retires to pursue first love: painting, drawing
Gerry Klaskala has been one of Atlanta’s most celebrated chefs for decades. He’s been the creative force behind such restaurants as Canoe and Buckhead’s Aria. Now, after 25 years at Aria’s helm, he’s trading his chef’s whites for a paintbrush. “It’s time,” the chef and restaurateur said. “It’s been a great, great ride. I’m satisfied.” […]
Posted inColumns
Goodwill North Georgia highlights successes for women in careers programs
In recognition of Women’s History Month, Goodwill of North Georgia is highlighting its efforts to expand economic opportunity for women through workforce development programs. According to the nonprofit, more than 10,000 women secured employment in Fiscal Year 2024 with support from its career services and training programs. In total, over 25,000 women received assistance through […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Book events with Sen. Chuck Schumer, Amanda Knox, Journalist Anne Applebaum
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta will host three authors with perspectives on some of the urgent and controversial issues of today. Separate events will feature Amanda Knox, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, and journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Anne Applebaum discussing their latest books and more. “These events exemplify the mission of our Arts & […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Fulton County Executive Airport expanding to meet global demand
As Atlanta prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Fulton County is modernizing its executive airport to meet increased demand and its competition with nearby facilities like Peachtree-DeKalb Airport and Cobb County International Airport Port at McCollum Field. The Fulton County Executive Airport sits on 900 acres. In the near term, the airport is […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Daffodils honoring children of the Holocaust exceeds 1 million plantings
The Daffodil Project, in partnership with the civic organization Central Atlanta Progress, is celebrating a significant milestone: the planting of 1.1 million daffodils worldwide. The plantings serve as a living memorial to the 1.5 million children who died in the Holocaust, with the project’s ultimate goal of reaching that number. The Daffodil Project was founded […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park considers public comment changes amid controversy over investigation
Public comment during College Park City Council meetings has often been contentious, with residents voicing frustration over government transparency and city policies. Now, city officials are planning to introduce a new policy aimed at maintaining decorum — one that could limit what the public can say, particularly regarding city employees or lawsuits. According to a […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Hoda Kotb to be featured keynote at Atlanta Women’s Foundation luncheon
Broadcast journalist and author Hoda Kotb will be the keynote speaker at the Atlanta Women’s Foundation annual fundraising luncheon this fall. The Atlanta Women’s Foundation dedicates millions of dollars to leadership opportunities and solutions to challenges facing women and girls in Atlanta communities. Kotb is scheduled to speak at the nonprofit’s “Numbers to Big to […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Lawsuit to stop lithium-ion plant in College Park dismissed, residents consider appeal
A Fulton County Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by three residents who are fighting the building of a lithium-ion battery storage facility project that abuts their neighborhood. The residents are considering an appeal. Attorney Linda Dunlavy filed the lawsuit last October on behalf of South Fulton residents Carmen Miller, Steven Mack and […]
