Author Archives: David Pendered

David Pendered, Managing Editor, is an Atlanta journalist with more than 30 years experience reporting on the region’s urban affairs, from Atlanta City Hall to the state Capitol. Since 2008, he has written for print and digital publications, and advised on media and governmental affairs. Previously, he spent more than 26 years with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and won awards for his coverage of schools and urban development. David graduated from North Carolina State University and was a Western Knight Center Fellow.

nasa space lights stars

Shaping the news in 2020: Predictions for journalism

by David Pendered January 6, 2020 4:59 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:46 pm

Editor’s Note: This is the first of four stories this week that look at topics and trends likely to appear on devices and news platforms in metro Atlanta in 2020.

Journalism that appears this year in metro Atlanta on screens small and large, on radio and in print, will inform and engage with elements that will be like fresh air to some readers – including more diversity in voices in stories, more podcasts, more visual stories, and more stories that percolate up from neighborhoods, according to a collection of predictions gathered by an affiliate of Harvard College.

New partnership unites Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, OUT Georgia Business Alliance

by David Pendered January 5, 2020 7:10 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:46 pm

The Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and OUT Georgia Business Alliance, formerly known as the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, have created a partnership to improve their services to members and the community.

East Point, first time buyers

Fulton County’s first test of downsizing: Handing some HUD grants to cities

by David Pendered December 23, 2019 5:41 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:46 pm

Fulton County has relinquished its role as a pass-through agency for about $1.5 million a year in federal funding for programs ranging from help for the homeless, to down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, to the Alpharetta YMCA. The issue may be the first test of will to downsize the role of county government now that much of the county is within a city.

Federal program extended to foster jobs in low-income areas: A partial win for advocates

by David Pendered December 23, 2019 4:28 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:46 pm

A threatened federal program that has helped fund redevelopments throughout Atlanta has been taken off life support – for another year. The Flatiron Building, Christo Rey Atlanta High School, Grady Memorial Hospital and the Tyler Perry studio are among the projects Invest Atlanta has funded through the New Market Tax Credit program.

census, poverty, children

Poverty rates among local children exceed that of adults, elderly: Census

by David Pendered December 23, 2019 4:10 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:46 pm

The poverty rate for children in metro Atlanta is in the double digits. The elderly don’t fare much better, in the latest Census estimate that focused on poverty among older U.S. residents.

Tiger Woods, bmw 2019 championship

Atlanta to sell beer on city golf courses to ‘enhance’ golfing experience, make money

by David Pendered December 23, 2019 4:02 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:46 pm

Golfers may soon be able to buy beer at Atlanta’s courses. The move intends to “enhance the customer experience,” and comes as Atlanta has invested in golf course upgrades in an era in which golf’s future is as uncertain as Tiger’s playing days.

Sandy Springs, sidewalks, marta

ARC’s mobility plan offers ‘glimmer of hope’ as residents struggle to move about

by David Pendered December 23, 2019 3:53 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:46 pm

A glimmer of hope is one key component of the 30-year plan for spending $174 billion to improve mobility in metro Atlanta.

sandy springs, North Springs Center

Sandy Springs embarks on mixed income housing; wants nothing like ATL BeltLine

by David Pendered December 22, 2019 6:17 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:47 pm

Sandy Springs’ city officials have called for mixed income housing development to be on the site of a zombie shopping center, and have hired a consultant to help devise a plan to with input and support from city residents. Mayor Rusty Paul has specifically warned against any outcome that looks anything like the sky-high housing market typical along the Atlanta BeltLine.

Free house, furniture is prize in benefit for Atlanta Mission: No donation required

by David Pendered December 22, 2019 5:59 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:47 pm

In the midst of a shortage of affordable housing, only about 1,200 folks have entered a sweepstakes to win a new $406,000 house – with furniture – in Atlanta’s West Highlands neighborhood. There’s no minimum donation, and the goal is to raise money for a new shelter for homeless women and children.

Apalachicola River, headwater

Georgia prevails over Florida in advisory on water war; Florida’s Ag commissioner won’t back down

by David Pendered December 22, 2019 5:48 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:47 pm

Georgia will not be required to release more water into Florida’s Apalachicola River if the U.S. Supreme Court abides by a report released Thursday by a special master appointed by the court to consider the case. Florida’s agriculture commissioner vowed to continue her state’s fight.

grass

Workers at organic weed killer plant exposed to amputation, electrical risks: OSHA

by David Pendered December 22, 2019 5:37 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:47 pm

Workers at a Gainesville chemical plant that says it produces organic weed and bug killers were exposed to conditions that threatened amputations, fire and electrical hazards, according to a citation from the federal workplace safety agency – which critics contends has been hobbled by the Trump administration.

right whale, entangled

Isakson: A common thread in conservation of right whales off Georgia’s coast

by David Pendered December 22, 2019 5:29 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:47 pm

Bipartisan support now surrounds the endangered right whales off Georgia’s coast. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp proclaimed December as Right Whale Awareness Month. Former Democratic Gov. Joe Frank Harris signed legislation that made the right whale the state’s marine mammal in 1985.

buckhead apartment, modera

Atlanta’s ‘Superstar’ status as high tech center brings spiraling housing costs, traffic: Brookings Institute

by David Pendered December 9, 2019 5:21 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:47 pm

Atlanta has made the list of “Superstar Metro Areas” for the number of jobs in the innovation sector. Long commutes and sky-high housing costs come with that badge of honor, according to a report released Monday by the Brookings Institute that recommends a set of national policy solutions.

Plant Vogtle, October 2019

Plant Vogtle: Age discrimination a new wrinkle in Westinghouse bankruptcy

by David Pendered December 8, 2019 5:08 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:47 pm

Timothy Ellis claims he was fired in a clear case of age discrimination. Otherwise, Ellis is just one of many caught in the grinder as Westinghouse Electric Co. declared bankruptcy and lost its job building Plant Vogtle, the nuclear facility near Augusta.

manatee

Imperial Sugar, site of deadly 2008 explosion, helps rescue two chilly manatees

by David Pendered December 7, 2019 4:52 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:46 pm

Almost 12 years after a deadly explosion at a sugar plant near Savannah, the Imperial Sugar refinery is being commended for helping to rescue a manatee and her calf. The two animals were transported to SeaWorld Orlando for treatment and are to be released.

Georgia's WIN List, slate, 12:5:19

Abortion galvanized as 2020 campaign issue as Georgia’s WIN List unveils slate

by David Pendered December 5, 2019 10:22 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:46 pm

Georgia’s WIN List announced Thursday its slate of 12 women who are running for the state Legislature – pro-abortion rights candidates who are expected to spark Democrats’ energy and turnout as Gov. Brian Kemp’s anti-abortion Republican pick for the U.S. Senate will be trying to retain her seat in 2020.

Legal business hasn’t recovered: Hiring rates down, firms seek shorter office leases

by David Pendered December 4, 2019 7:45 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:46 pm

The lawyering business isn’t hiring at the same rate it was before the Great Recession, and a pair of mixed reports released this week on metro Atlanta show that even though some local firms are hiring, the sector is taking a conservative position with office space.

Atlanta BeltLine, SW trail, 2015, tunnel

Georgia’s estimated $34-plus billion in heirs property could ease wealth, housing gap

by David Pendered December 2, 2019 2:54 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:46 pm

In Georgia alone, an estimated $34-plus billion in property has no owner with a clear title. If the value were unlocked, this heirs property – most of it presumed to be in black hands – could help address the black-white divide in homeownership and issues related to poverty, according to an emerging body of research by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and others.

right whale, fisheries.noaa

Isakson’s support for right whale conservation part of broadening bipartisan effort

by David Pendered December 1, 2019 12:56 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:46 pm

When Sen. Johnny Isakson announced he was co-sponsoring federal legislation to provide $50 million, over 10 years, to help conserve endangered right whales, he cited an event during his days the Georgia Legislature in explaining why he picked support of this issue as one of his final acts in public office.

East Side Trolley Trail

East Side Trolley Greenway, Highland Avenue pedestrian remake move to land acquisition phase

by David Pendered November 28, 2019 9:37 pmFebruary 17, 2023 3:46 pm

Land acquisition is about to begin in and southeast of Inman Park for two awaited projects – the pedestrian corridor along Highland Avenue, near Inman Park Village, and the East Side Trolley Greenway project that’s to stretch from the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail and connect with an existing PATH trail near Coan Park.