By Hannah E. Jones The Grady Health Foundation, in partnership with Georgia Music Accord and WSB-TV, is bringing its leaders and some of the state’s most recognized musicians right to your living room. Music Heals: A Celebration of Grady will feature presentations about Grady and its mission, along with performances from CeeLo Green, the Indigo […]
Author Archives: Hannah E. Jones
Hannah Jones is a Georgia State University graduate, with a major in journalism and minor in public policy. She began studying journalism in high school and has since served as a reporter and editor for two newspapers. Hannah managed the Arts and Living section of The Signal, Georgia State’s independent award-winning newspaper. She has a passion for environmental issues, urban life and telling a good story. Hannah can be reached at hannah@saportareport.com.
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Reporter’s Notebook: NPU system reform ideas are ‘fair and worthy,’ says City Council Zoning chair
This week, 132 years ago, Decatur Female Seminary was founded, and would later become Agnes Scott College. The seminary began in a three-story house with 63 students and four teachers in 1889. George Washington Scott, a primary benefactor, later named the school after his grandmother Agnes Irvine Scott. Agnes Scott now has 1,115 students and […]
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The Trust for Public Land’s plan to use schoolyards as public parks
Can you walk to a park from where you live? How long does it take to get there? The City of Atlanta has 416 parks, according to the Trust for Public Land. That puts 72 percent of residents within walking distance of a park, higher than the national average of 55 percent, but still leaves 136,058 […]
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Reporter’s Notebook: Atlanta’s role in global health fueled by Emory University’s research grants
The City of Decatur school system is giving employees until the end of October to get the COVID-19 shot, according to WABE, and appears to be Georgia’s first school district to implement this mandate. Staff can also complete the exemption process, which replaces the vaccination requirement with a daily rapid test. Gov. Brian Kemp isn’t […]
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Park(ing) Day in Downtown celebrates people-focused public space
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect the new date for the Park(ing) Day event, which was rescheduled to Sept. 30 due to a rain delay on Sept. 17. How would Atlanta roads look if people were given the same priority as cars? Are there other ways to design our shared space to […]
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Reporter’s Notebook: Honoring Sept. 11 first responders at the Atlanta History Center
Even though the Atlanta heat is bound to hang around for another month, the start of September brings joy into the hearts of fall lovers and spooky season enthusiasts. The folks at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens are already creating their autumn paradise. Every year, community members and local organizations can submit a scarecrow to display […]
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Celebrating the art world’s favorite mystery — The art of Banksy
Who is Banksy? For most of us, Banksy isn’t a person but an idea. Each art piece urges us to go against the status quo, and by separating themselves from the constraints of fame, Banksy is truly embodying the messages in their work. There is no Banksy — just the art. “Banksy is the first […]
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Reporter’s Notebook: Sen. Warnock speaks to Atlanta Rotary
The Atlanta Jazz Festival is this weekend, which promises two fun-filled days for any music lover. Whether you want to visit Piedmont Park in person or tune in from your couch, all your listening needs will be covered. Visit their website to check out the schedule, and those who want to attend virtually can stream […]
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Atlanta Music Project kicks off 12th year of fostering next generation of musicians
When walking into a packed stadium, you’re usually making your way through the throngs of people to find your seat. But for the choir students at the Atlanta Music Project (AMP), the folks in the crowd aren’t your fellow attendees but your audience. The young singers are prepped for the biggest concert of their blossoming […]
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Reporter’s Notebook: Highly-anticipated Atlanta Pride festival canceled
On Tuesday, Aug. 24, the City Schools of Decatur board discussed the possibility of requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for staff and students. No vote is needed to require staff to get the shot, but the board would need to vote on a policy requiring student vaccinations. A drafted policy regarding staff vaccination will be ready […]
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Sorry Piedmont, Westside Park is the new top dog
For 117 years, Piedmont Park has been Atlanta’s largest green oasis, offering an escape from the bustle of city life. Now, Westside Park has come to take the crown with nearly 100 more acres than Midtown’s favorite park. Westside boasts views of the skyline, walking and cycling paths and a 35-acre aquatic footprint in the […]
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Reporter’s Notebook: ATL City Council votes to install cameras in parks, delays controversial public safety training campus
Feeling cooped up after all the rain this week? Head outside and enjoy some fresh air this weekend at the Piedmont Park Arts Festival. The two-day event will feature 250 artists, live music and classic festival eats. On to other local news: ATL City Council: Install cameras in parks, table the controversial public safety training […]
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Atlanta Habitat opens ReStore in South Fulton — biggest expansion in history
By Hannah E. Jones A new Atlanta Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Service Center in the City of South Fulton has opened its doors. Habitat is a nonprofit that works to improve housing and empower residents to reach their homeownership goals. The new center, the largest expansion in the institution’s 38-year history, reflects the organization’s […]
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Reporter’s Notebook: Atlanta mayoral field reaches 19 and counting
The City of Atlanta has adopted an updated COVID response plan, the COVID-19 Resilience Plan. The report tracks the pandemic status through seven-day averages for new cases and the rate of positive COVID tests and COVID-related hospitalizations. Community vaccination rates are another main focus of the report. The city’s status is represented through a color-coordinated […]
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Rethinking housing and land use
In a time where housing prices are through the roof, and eviction moratoriums dominate the headlines, different approaches to homeownership could pave the way for a brighter housing future. The folks at the Atlanta Land Trust are using a model they believe can be implemented nationally to create affordable housing — permanently. Here’s how it […]
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Reporter’s Notebook: Atlanta Mayor talks crime and COVID
School might be back in session, but that doesn’t mean the summer fun has to end! This weekend, the 85th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival is coming to Piedmont Park. The festivities include a 5K race, booths from over 200 artists and a variety of live performances. On to other news around the metro area: Atlanta […]
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Switchboard: A place for self-reflection and meeting your anonymous neighbor
How can we build community during a time when we feel so far apart? Lauren Russell’s solution: a community audio diary. Switchboard is open for anyone to anonymously leave a voicemail or send a text message, which is posted to their Instagram page. Russell started Switchboard last November because she was “really curious about connecting […]
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Reporter’s Notebook: Kanye West has … not left the building
Yesterday, July 28, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms implemented a city-wide mask mandate for people in public places and private businesses. The decision was made based on recent CDC recommendations that folks, vaccinated or not, wear a mask in areas of substantial or high transmission. CDC data shows that Fulton and DeKalb County are designated […]
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Civil Rights Tours and memories of iconic activists: Tom Houck’s love story with Atlanta
By Allison Joyner and Hannah E. Jones Tom Houck experienced key moments of the Civil Rights Movement firsthand, and since those fateful days he has been keeping the spirit of racial justice alive in Atlanta through his civil rights bus tour. Houck started the tour six years ago, spending his days driving around the city […]
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Reporter’s Notebook: Atlanta Anti-Violence Council’s recommendations total $70 million
The 1996 Summer Olympics was an unforgettable time for Atlanta, with the world’s top athletes and eager fans flooding the city. The Olympic rings are still proudly displayed in Centennial Park. The Tokyo games start Friday at 7 a.m. U.S. East Coast time, and the Atlanta History Center is opening early for a public viewing […]
