The Georgia Historical Society will unveil a new historical marker honoring H. J. Russell & Company on April 29. The recognition is part of the Georgia Business History Initiative, which highlights companies that have helped shape the state’s economy and history. The marker will be unveiled at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs at 504 […]
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Black Effect Podcast Festival delivered live shows and creator strategy to diverse crowd
The fourth annual Black Effect Podcast Festival brought a mix of entertainment, live podcast tapings and industry insight to Pullman Yards, drawing content creators and fans from across the Southeast. The event took place on April 25. Throughout the day, speakers shared similar themes: be yourself, stay consistent, create with purpose, and explore the growing […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
First Impressions
It was not long after 3-railroad lines were connected to a central point in north Georgia that people began beating a path to Atlanta. Word had spread of the abundant opportunities and cheap land and those seeking better lives were arriving to the young city every day. There were, of course, those looking for work […]
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College Park council approves new constraint on mayor not outlined in charter
College Park City Council has approved another measure that constrains the mayor’s authority. During a Monday meeting, council unanimously approved a measure permanently preventing Mayor Bianca Motley Broom from placing any item on a regular meeting agenda seeking approval to spend her community enhancement funds. The move follows several actions by council since 2024 when […]
Posted inGabi Hart
Outside Atlanta’s ICE office, protesters call attention to detention, deportation and dissent
On the evening of Jan. 23, protesters gathered outside the ICE Field Office downtown as part of a coordinated national action calling for an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] practices and drawing attention to recent detentions and deportations. Among those in attendance was Georgia state Rep. Ruwa Romman, who said showing up alongside […]
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College Park mayor says ‘the math ain’t mathing’ on council’s questionable spending
How public money is spent — and how it’s requested — is raising new questions in College Park, where city officials are offering no answers. “There is a problem with the money,” Mayor Bianca Motley Broom said. During the Oct. 6 city council meeting, Mayor Bianca Motley Broom received no response when she raised concerns […]
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Crime theme and tax issue surround candidate’s exit from Sandy Springs race
Lauren Locke, who was running for the Sandy Springs City Council District 2 seat against incumbent Dr. Melody Kelley, has withdrawn from the race. She campaigned on a message of crime and safety that echoed strategies used by some north Fulton candidates four years ago. The former candidate said she left the race under “extreme […]
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24-hour live podcast shines light on Georgia Appleseed’s fight for children
Just before noon last Friday, I hit record on my podcast mixer and kicked off a 24-hour live broadcast of Let’s Start Healing, with guests joining me for nearly the entire journey. I’ve always been drawn to endurance challenges, but this one carried a deeper purpose. I chose to hold the podcast marathon on Sept. […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
They Just Wanted Some Gum
One of the most sought-after attributes in our fast-paced, never enough time lives is convenience. As with the mousetrap, create something truly convenient and the world will beat a path to your door. The microwave oven, overnight shipping and drive-thru windows come to mind and, if you think about it, you’d probably agree with the […]
Posted inColumns
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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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 […]
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Condemnation of Chelsea Gardens apartments spark residents’ fear and outcry
Chelsea Gardens apartment residents continue to plead for help as they face eviction from their homes. Residents spoke out for the second time at Monday’s College Park City Council meeting. During public comment, resident Dontavious Moore said workers are tearing apart unoccupied units while residents are still living in nearby apartments. Water service interruptions have […]
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Woman-owned motorcycle dealership to hold open house and stunt show Sunday
Motorcyclist Candy Hunter enjoys the thrill of the open road and says she is steering one of the largest independent motorcycle dealerships in the world. As owner of WOW Motorcycles in Marietta, Hunter is forging a path in a male-dominated industry. Last year, Hunter bought WOW Motorcycles from Guido Adriaessens, who founded the business in […]
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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 […]
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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.” […]
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‘Ragtime: The Musical’ is Sandy Springs theater company’s biggest production
City Springs Theatre Company brings its own production of “Ragtime: The Musical” to the stage this week. The musical is set in New York City during the turn of the century, with fictional and real people from history as characters. The storyline weaves the lives of three very different families, including a “stifled” upper-class housewife, […]
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Like ’em or not, data centers bring revenue government leaders say
Local government and business leaders say data centers are a central part of conversations on economic development in south Metro Atlanta. With big tech companies expected to invest $320 billion in artificial intelligence in 2025, there’s an increasing need for data centers, and that means revenue for the tax base. During the South Metro Development […]
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MARTA hears questions and concerns around bus network redesign
MARTA is hosting the final virtual and in-person meetings this week in a series of public engagement sessions about the draft plan for the agency’s NextGen Bus Network. The new network will triple the number of residents with access to bus service at least every 15 minutes, improve transit options for communities of color and […]
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Political disrupter Marianne Williamson shares why love can save the nation
Political and spiritual activist Marianne Williamson remains unwavering despite not reaching her goal in two separate runs for U.S. President (2020 and 2024) and an unsuccessful race to become chair of the Democratic National Committee. During those campaigns, and now, she is calling upon people — from politicians to everyday working men and women — […]
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East Point parents cite unfair process in plan to close elementary school
The Fulton County School Board approved the first reading of motions Thursday to permanently close two elementary schools. Despite great pushback from families, Superintendent Mike Looney supports closing Parklane Elementary in East Point and Spalding Drive Elementary in Sandy Springs. Looney says the system can save money by closing the schools that operate in outdated […]
