As we have so often observed, there is a reason for everything…you just have to know the story. That is not true, at least, when it comes to Martin and Susan DeFoor. You may recognize the name, the DeFoors gave rise to one of Atlanta’s many streets named after ferry proprietors. Unfortunately, Atlanta history remembers […]
Tag: Atlanta
Posted inStories of Atlanta
But was his mother proud?
Cities always like to put their best foot forward and Atlanta is no exception. Our city’s efforts at boosterism are well documented and, while Atlantans may have been guilty of going overboard on some rare occasions, that sort of larger-than-life confidence is exactly the quality that has enabled the city to reach and capture that […]
Posted inLatest News
Updated: Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signs face mask mandate
“Atlanta is going to do it today.”
Posted inStories of Atlanta
The Transportation Affair
Atlanta hooked its star to the burgeoning railroad industry and, as a result, became the first great inland city of America. The railroads and Atlanta grew together as rail travel came to dominate the American landscape. But it turns out that Atlanta’s love affair wasn’t so much with the railroads as it was with transportation. […]
Posted inMaggie Lee
Atlanta mayor, City Council endorse police “transformation.” Details and timeline yet to come.
There’s been a tension: Atlanta leaders do want police, but they want a “transformation” too.
Posted inSean Keenan
Edgewood Avenue businesses grapple with car clubs, tightly packed parties
Edgewood Avenue, historic Sweet Auburn’s nightlife epicenter has long played host to lively street parties that promise blaring music, fast cars and, sometimes, violence.
Posted inStories of Atlanta
Chance or skill?
It is illegal in Mobile, Alabama to spray Silly String. In West Virginia, if you’ve ever fought a duel with a deadly weapon, you can forget about running for office, that would be illegal…as would entering a mine in Wyoming should you be intoxicated. And, if you’re under the age of 18 in the State […]
Posted inLatest News
Court hands big win to city, would-be developer in Atlanta’s Gulch
Dislike of deal doesn’t make it illegal, says court.
Posted inLatest News
Reporter’s Notebook June 26: Another week of COVID, and reflecting on inclusion and fairness
Some new faces, and familiar ones, at major Atlanta nonprofits.
Posted inStories of Atlanta
Three train town
By the end of 1845, people in the region had begun to believe that there just might be something to the young town of Atlanta. Any who remained skeptical of the hype found it harder to do so with the arrival of the first Macon and Western train. It’s the tale of a 3-train town […]
Posted inLatest News
Atlanta City Council approves budget. It does not defund the police.
But there’s a lot less money for the jail.
Posted inLatest News
Reporter’s Notebook June 19: awards, new jobs and investigations
Happy Juneteenth!
Posted inSean Keenan
Police don’t need to join hands with protesters; they need to snitch on “bad apples”
On June 1, I penned an essay outlining my perspective on the first night of recent Black Lives Matter protests in Atlanta. Titled Atlanta missed the mark during the protests, but police and demonstrators can learn from the turmoil, the column appealed for unity between law enforcement and the people demanding accountability and justice for cops.
Posted inLatest News
Report to Atlanta mayor: Close the jail and don’t punish poverty
“It is in everyone’s interest to allow all people to have economic opportunity.”
Posted inStories of Atlanta
A one in five chance
It was a new camera and the photographer only had 5 flash bulbs, yet there he was, on that fateful night, witnessing what would become the most devastating hotel fire in American history. Arnold Hardy ended up getting detained by the police that evening but not before he made history as we tell in this […]
Posted inMaggie Lee
‘Defund the police’ didn’t pop up overnight. A metro Atlanta activist explains.
“Millions of children go to school where there are many cops, but not one nurse.”
Posted inLatest News
Past sale of Underground Atlanta, other assets eases Atlanta’s budget during pandemic
Atlanta’s past sale of trophy properties, such as Underground Atlanta, has helped ease pressure on the city’s upcoming budget and put Atlanta ahead of other governments that have kept assets such as public golf courses – another item Atlanta unloaded.
Posted inLatest News
Reporter’s Notebook June 12: Elections and policing
Some election results are still unknown.
Posted inLatest News
Atlanta mayor hits pause on budget; public safety spending in the air
Pressure is on to get the city jail shut.
