By Al McRae, president, Bank of America Atlanta They call it the beautiful game for a reason. At its highest level, the sport is art. The precise geometry of a pass toward the goal. The graceful curve of a corner kick. Beyond physical aesthetics, the beauty of soccer is its ability to unite communities all […]
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Posted inDelaney Tarr
Inside SoDo, Atlanta’s ‘once in a lifetime’ project
It’s the kind of project that happens once in a city’s lifetime. Ten city blocks, 58 buildings, 16 acres and one developer all working to revitalize a historic piece of downtown. South Downtown, nicknamed SoDo, is one of Atlanta’s most ambitious projects. Downtown is a hub for tourism, sports and conferences, but many of its […]
Posted inColumns
As Dunwoody Toastmasters turns 40, members share stories of growth
Just over a year ago, Osayuki Uwumarogie walked away from a presentation at work feeling defeated. Determined to improve her public speaking skills, Uwumarogie joined the Dunwoody Toastmasters Club. In May, she won first place in the Toastmasters District Table Topics Contest, a competition that challenges participants to deliver impromptu speeches in response to a […]
Posted inGabi Hart
Hidden in Plain Sight: Atlanta Leaders Warn Human Trafficking Often Goes Unnoticed
Trigger warning: This story discusses sex trafficking and labor trafficking. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or the Georgia Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-363-4842. Human trafficking is often imagined as kidnappings by strangers and dramatic rescue operations. Advocates say the reality is often hidden in […]
Posted inColumns
Retiring ACLU leader Andrea Young says democracy is at stake in November
On a day dedicated to celebrating her retirement as executive director of ACLU Georgia, part of Andrea Young’s attention remained fixed on the work. After nearly a decade leading the organization, Young said she is stepping away from her role, but not from her commitment to the issues that have defined much of her career: […]
Posted inColumns
‘Backrooms’ is disquieting, but runs into third act issues
Have you ever seen something ostensibly normal – say, three shopping carts in the middle of an abandoned parking lot, or an empty, kitschy furniture store – and stared at it just a little too long? Long enough that the banality of it all suddenly becomes sinister, or the layout suddenly looks slightly off? In 2019, […]
Posted inHigher Education
Christopher L. Augostini named 22nd president of Emory University
The Emory University Board of Trustees announced today that Christopher L. Augostini, the university’s current executive vice president and chief operating officer, has been elected by unanimous vote to serve as Emory’s 22nd president. He will assume his duties on September 1, 2026. The appointment by the Board of Trustees concludes a national search conducted […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Pitts, advocates push for misdemeanor jail policy before World Cup
Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts and criminal justice advocates are calling for Sheriff Patrick Labat’s new misdemeanor jail booking policy to take effect sooner than July 1. The change, they said, is needed to address overcrowding at the Rice Street jail and prevent vulnerable people from unnecessarily entering the system. An additional factor is […]
Posted inGuest Column
Building bridges for a better society
It was an evening of insight, relevance and inspiration. A memorable Black and Jewish America Fireside Chat featuring a powerful and engaging conversation between renowned literary critic, professor and filmmaker Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax, held at The Temple, the oldest synagogue in Atlanta. Nearly 500 guests […]
Posted inGuest Column
‘Food Is Medicine’ works; now we need systems that support it
For decades, “Food Is Medicine” was viewed primarily as a compassionate community service. Today, it is rapidly becoming one of the most important conversations in American healthcare. That shift is happening because the research is now catching up to what community-based organizations like Open Hand have seen firsthand for years: when people living with serious […]
Posted inReporter's Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Atlanta’s little-known past; Press Club debates; Egbert Perry honored
Filmmaker Lance Russell digs into the lesser-known chapters of Atlanta’s past Filmmaker, YouTube creator and SaportaReport partner Lance Russell will deliver a free presentation exploring the overlooked, surprising and quirky corners of Atlanta’s history this evening, Thursday, May 28, at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Philip’s Child Hall. Russell is the creator of […]
Posted inCommon Chords
Midnight has teeth: Howlin’ Wolf and the sound of staying upright on ‘Moanin’ In The Moonlight’
Some artists announce themselves. Howlin’ Wolf sounded like something already in motion, low and distant at first, until you realized it was thunder walking on two legs. Born Chester Burnett near West Point, Miss., he started in the hill country, but the story bends west. At thirteen, he ran from an abusive home, crossing into […]
Posted inLatest News
Georgia continues to bear severe drought as it heads into the summer
Georgia, alongside much of the Southeast, has been experiencing varying levels of intense drought. The latest from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows 100 percent of Georgia is in drought, with most of Metro Atlanta under extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) designations, and smaller swaths of the state falling under D2 (severe drought) or […]
Posted inAtlanta Way 2.0
Sustainability & Atlanta’s data center boom
Earlier this month, a QTS-built data center in Fayette County was draining an additional 30 million gallons of water for months without penalty. Headlines like this constantly pop up across the country, leaving people unsure about the impact of data centers on their communities. With a strong plurality of Georgia voters (47 percent) opposing the […]
Posted inColumns
Roswell ends controversial consulting deal after years of resident criticism
Roswell appears to be ending a controversial business relationship that has drawn criticism from residents over the past three years. City council voted Monday to terminate a master services agreement with Seer World LLC. Residents have argued that former Mayor Kurt Wilson and Seer worked together on economic development initiatives without public transparency. Wilson has […]
Posted inDelaney Tarr
The Rialto celebrates dual milestones with some major changes
For 110 years, downtown Atlanta has been home to some version of the Rialto Center for the Arts — a movie theater, a shuttered building and now an arts and culture hub all on the same corner. Now the theater team is looking to the future. 2026 also marks a 30-year anniversary. In 1996, Georgia […]
Posted inDesign and Our City
A Reflection on Our World in Design
By Victoria Walsh As architects, it is easy to fall into echo chambers — speaking to the same audiences about the same trends, materials, and ideas that shape our profession. But on April 16, 2026, those conversations broke out of the studio and into the broader world, bringing together voices from academia, medicine, the justice […]
Posted inLatest News
Justin Cutler to exit as Atlanta Parks and Rec commissioner
After four years Atlanta Parks and Recreation Commissioner Justin Cutler is set to exit the role, according to park insiders. He will host a going away party later this week. Cutler joined in 2022, in the midst of some major Atlanta park improvements. He brought over 20 years of local government experience from places like […]
Posted inGabi Hart
Free World Cup celebration to coming to Pittsburgh Yards
As Atlanta prepares to welcome global visitors for the World Cup, the Atlanta Beltline is planning a two-day festival designed to celebrate the city’s culture, food, music and community spirit along the Southside Trail. Atlanta Beltline Fest will take place June 20-21 at Pittsburgh Yards and will feature live match screenings, musical performances, local vendors […]
Posted inColumns
Tangled up in Trump: The Republican primaries at midpoint
t goes without saying that President Donald Trump is tangled up every which way in this year’s elections in Georgia. The question is what difference that’s going to make.
