The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will discontinue its daily print edition and go to a weekend print edition, but it will continue its digital news operation seven days a week, according to interviews with a half dozen people close to the newspaper.
Author Archives: Maria Saporta
Maria Saporta, executive editor, is a longtime Atlanta business, civic and urban affairs journalist with a deep knowledge of our city, our region and state. From 2008 to 2020, she wrote weekly columns and news stories for the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Prior to that, she spent 27 years with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, becoming its business columnist in 1991. Maria received her Master’s degree in urban studies from Georgia State and her Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University. Maria was born in Atlanta to European parents and has two young adult children. She launched SaportaReport in February 2009.
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MARTA’s on-demand Reach pilot program ending Aug. 31 despite rise in ridership
MARTA Reach, six-month pilot program of on-demand transit, ended Aug. 31 – after ridership in the program increased by 50 percent in the last month.
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Atlanta BeltLine selects preferred route for complicated section of the Northwest Trail
When the 22-mile Atlanta BeltLine corridor was first proposed more than 20 years ago, the Northwest section always was viewed as the most difficult segment to complete the circle.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
A redeveloped and revitalized Civic Center stirs our imagination
By Maria Saporta Selecting a team to redevelop the Civic Center property is just the beginning of what could be a turning point for intown Atlanta. The board of the Atlanta Housing Authority voted unanimously on Aug. 24 to begin formal negotiations with the redevelopment team of Washington, D.C.-based Republic Properties, Camden, N.J.-based Michaels Organization […]
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FTA administrator touts $19.3 million grant to MARTA for electric buses
Riding an all-electric bus, MARTA leaders Tuesday celebrated receiving a recent grant of $19.3 million from the Federal Transit Administration to purchase a total of 25 electric buses and install the charging infrastructure.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Cristo Rey Atlanta’s high school students succeed because of local employers
Excitement filled the gymnasium of the Cristo Rey Atlanta at its downtown campus on Aug. 19. It was Draft Day.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
T. Dallas Smith & Co. succession story was set in stone on day one
The moment he started his firm in March 2007, T. Dallas Smith knew this day would come. Smith, who is on the eve of turning 60, is handing over the role of president of T. Dallas Smith & Co. to Leonte Benton, 38, who has been with Smith since the inception of the firm.
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New film-TV agency seeks to build ecosystem in Georgia with local writers
It’s the dawning of a new age for the film and television industry in Georgia – where there is a complete ecosystem that includes writers, financiers, directors, producers and the agents who represent them.
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Blank Foundation names two new members of its executive team
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has made two key additions to its management team – Wendy Feliz and Diana Champ Davis.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Charlie Loudermilk, Andrew Young friendship helped define Atlanta
Atlanta lost one of its most colorful leaders with the passing of Charlie Loudermilk, 95, on Aug. 3. Loudermilk, founder of Aaron’s, became a fixture in Atlanta for decades – as a philanthropist, as a booster of Buckhead, as chair of the MARTA board, as an advocate for the Republican Party and as a prankster with a playful personality.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Google’s Atlanta presence expanding in stature and office space
Google celebrated its love for Atlanta when opened its new Midtown office space on July 27. In its new office space, the technology company clearly has embraced Atlanta and Georgia – spotlighting its role as a center for civil and human rights for all as well as its multicultural offerings of music and entertainment.
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Atlanta’s Joe Handy to become CEO of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
“I’m going back to the fishes,” Joe Handy said Thursday about his upcoming move to become CEO of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Oct. 3.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
At long last, there’s hope for historic preservation on the Westside
A $1 million grant from the National Park Service to renovate two historic homes in Vine City is a sign that finally Atlanta is grasping the value of preserving our unique Black history on the Westside.
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NPS grant of $1 million to help restore two historic homes in Vine City
Two historic, but dilapidated homes in Atlanta’s Vine City, will be preserved thanks to a $1 million grant from the National Park Service.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Atlanta’s transit decisions today will impact our future
Transit decisions being made in Atlanta today will impact our city for generations.
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Beloved Benefit raises $6.3 million for local nonprofits
By Maria Saporta After a two-year hiatus, the 2022 Beloved Benefit filled the field of Mercedes-Benz Stadium with more than 2,000 attendees representing all sides of Atlanta. The July 7 dinner, hosted and presented by Atlanta philanthropists Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons, and Dan Cathy, chairman of Chick-fil-A, has raised a total of […]
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Beloved Benefit shines light on one of metro Atlanta’s top challenges
We must galvanize to improve economic mobility in our region By Maria Saporta It’s a common theme. Atlanta has the worst income inequality in the country, and it has one of the lowest economic mobility numbers in the country. At the Beloved Benefit dinner on July 7, there was a newspaper journal at everyone’s seat […]
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Atlanta-based CodeHouse working to diversify tech industry
There’s no denying a diversity gap exists in the technology industry. But in recent years tech companies have focused efforts to increase diversity within their ranks.
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Auburn Avenue’s Front Porch project to offer affordable housing and retail spaces
With a focus on equity and the revitalization of Auburn Avenue, a ceremonial groundbreaking was held Wednesday for Front Porch, a $30 million project spearheaded by the nonprofit Historic District Development Corp.
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True Colors and Ballethnic receiving major grants as part of South Arts initiative
Two Atlanta arts organizations each will receive a $300,000 over three years through a partnership between the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and South Arts as well as other partners.
