Atlanta

Since last week felt like a small tsunami of news, we’re revisiting a story that will affect Georgians for the next decade: the new congressional maps that passed along party lines. 

What’s next: Gov. Brian Kemp has not yet signed these into law. Multiple organizations have promised to sue as soon as he does. 

Here’s the skinny on the proposed changes affecting metro Atlanta: 

6th: As we’ve reported, the map turns the suburban district that Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath flipped in 2018, into a Republican stronghold that reaches into rural north Georgia. McBath has opted to run in the new 7th district instead. 

Expect an active Republican primary in the district formerly represented by Newt Gingrich. 

7th: The district Democratic Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux flipped in 2020 will become a safe Democratic seat. However, Bourdeaux, a centrist, now faces increased primary pressure from the left, including from fellow incumbent McBath. 

14th: The deep red northwest Georgia seat held by far right Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene now stretches into a Democratic corner of Southwest Cobb County. Greene was just as unhappy about this as her new Democratic constituents. 

9th: Similarly, the deep red northeast Georgia district represented by Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde will now reach into Gwinnett County and exclude Clyde’s own Jackson County. 

Clyde has vowed to run again, but blamed the change on state lawmakers “punishing elected officials for being too conservative.”

One more time for the people in the back: The Constitution does not require members of Congress to live in their districts. But there’s no rule against it becoming a campaign issue. 

Want more? Maggie Lee has put together some interesting visualizations of the changes for Atlanta Civic Circle. 

Elsewhere: Per FiveThirtyEight, nearly all other Georgia incumbents have seen their districts’ Republican leanings strengthen. 

Just Democratic Rep. Sanford Bishop and Republican Rep. Rick Allen’s districts have dropped a few percentage points. 

Georgia's new districts, explained

Here’s the skinny on the proposed Congressional changes affecting metro Atlanta.

Illustration of the state of Georgia with changing districts within it. 

Since last week felt like a small tsunami of news, we’re revisiting a story that will affect Georgians for the next decade: the <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="new congressional maps" data-vars-click-url="https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/reapportionment-document-library/congress-prop1-2021-packet.pdf?sfvrsn=104b7388_2" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/reapportionment-document-library/congress-prop1-2021-packet.pdf?sfvrsn=104b7388_2" target="_blank">new congressional maps</a> that passed along party lines. What’s next: Gov. Brian Kemp has not yet signed these into law. Multiple organizations have promised to sue as soon as he does. Here’s the skinny on the <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="proposed changes" data-vars-click-url="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/redistricting-2022-maps/georgia/republican_proposal/" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/redistricting-2022-maps/georgia/republican_proposal/" target="_blank">proposed changes</a> affecting metro Atlanta:

Politics

As the trial of the accused killers of Ahmaud Arbery winds down, hundreds of Black pastors from around the country are expected at the Glynn County Courthouse later this morning.

Catch-up quick: Al Sharpton called on pastors to join him in Brunswick after Kevin Gough, a defense attorney, protested Sharpton’s appearance in court.

Speaking to the judge last week Gough said: “we don’t want any more Black pastors coming in here…sitting with the victim’s family, trying to influence the jurors in this case.” The judge denied Gough’s request. 

What they’re saying: “We believe that everybody has a right to come down," said Glynn County Sheriff Neal Jump, who manages the courthouse security. "This courthouse is the people’s courthouse. And what one person says does not speak for me or any other people in Glynn County.” 

What we’re watching: Several people told Axios they are concerned that a large group and any disruptive noise might give defense attorneys grounds to ask for a mistrial.

These visiting pastors will join a group of local interfaith clergy who have been taking turns at the courthouse every day of the trial to offer prayer to anyone in need.  

“We know the whole world is watching us. We know they’re waiting to see if we as a community can come together beyond this moment that is pulling us apart,” said Rabbi Rachael Bergman of Temple Beth Tefilloh in Brunswick.

Pastors to gather in Glynn County after defense attorney's comments

Al Sharpton called on pastors to join him in Brunswick after Kevin Gough, a defense attorney, protested Sharpton’s appearance in court.

Group of people praying in front of Glynn County Courthouse

An interfaith prayer service at the Glynn County Courthouse Wednesday. Hundreds of other pastors are expected to show up today. Photo: Emma Hurt/Axios.

As the trial of the accused killers of Ahmaud Arbery winds down, hundreds of Black pastors from around the country are expected at the Glynn County Courthouse later this morning.Catch-up quick: Al Sharpton <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="called" data-vars-click-url="https://nationalactionnetwork.net/newnews/thursday-over-one-hundred-black-pastors-will-join-rev-al-sharpton-the-family-of-ahmaud-arbery-lawyers-for-a-wall-of-prayer-in-front-of-glynn-county-courthouse/" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nationalactionnetwork.net/newnews/thursday-over-one-hundred-black-pastors-will-join-rev-al-sharpton-the-family-of-ahmaud-arbery-lawyers-for-a-wall-of-prayer-in-front-of-glynn-county-courthouse/" target="_blank">called</a> on pastors to join him in Brunswick after Kevin Gough, a defense attorney, protested Sharpton’s appearance in court.

News

Time is tight, and smaller turkeys are in short supply. You need some help brainstorming interesting side dishes to impress your in-laws at the family dinner or best buddies at Friendsgiving. 

We’ve all been there — and some of us are there again as we type — so we reached out to some of Atlanta’s most creative chefs for their go-to Thanksgiving dishes. 

What she says: “There are still some hibiscus pods looming around this time of year grown by some Georgia farms (usually you can plan a month ahead by finding them in abundance at the farmers markets).”

2 cups of packed fresh hibiscus (core removed) 

Put everything in a pot and slow cook on low heat for about an hour. Hydrating lightly as needed until the pods are dissolved. Season with a pinch of salt.

What he says: "Rather than cutting hunks out of a casserole dish I wanted to serve individual portions, baked in a muffin tin, that would give each diner the perfect balance of crusty edge to moist center. I added chopped pecans and dried fruit for crunch and tang." 

1 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing tins 

8 cups of crumbled cornbread (note: Steven has a recipe in Root to Leaf) 

¾ cups coarsely chopped dried sour cherries 

1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves 

Heat the oven to 325℉. Grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin with butter; set aside. Crumble the cornbread into medium-fine pieces into a large bowl. Add the cherries and pecans and set aside. 

Heat two tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, shallot, sage and thyme, and cook until the onion is translucent, about five minutes. Add the stock and let simmer for five minutes. Pour the vegetable mixture over the cornbread and mix to combine; let cool slightly. Stir in the eggs and season with salt and pepper. 

Using your hands or a large spoon, place the heaping mound of the cornbread mixture in each muffin cup. Gently press and pat each mound into a domed shape. Keep in mind this batter does not rise. Bake until set, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool, then remove from the muffin tins. To reheat, wrap each muffin individually in aluminum foil and return to the oven until hot.

What she says: "This delicious rice is named after my grandmother. She devised it as a way to make me eat spinach, and it worked! Over the years, I added some of my favorite flavors — vinegary artichokes, the combination of cheeses — until the result becomes like the best spinach and artichoke dip you ever had, but with rice, and I love anything with rice."

3 cups cooked white rice, chilled 2 large eggs, beaten

1⁄2 cup chopped red bell pepper 1 cup chopped red onion

12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 cloves garlic, minced

1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a deep casserole or 13 by 9-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, stir together the cold rice and beaten eggs.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the celery, peppers, onions and spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, for two to three minutes, until the onions are translucent and the spinach is wilted. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan and garlic. 

Cook for five to seven minutes, stirring occasionally until the cream cheese has melted and all of the ingredients are well combined.

Add the spinach-cheese mixture to the rice. With a wooden spoon, stir in the black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and salt.

Pour into the prepared casserole, and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Atlanta chefs share their most creative Thanksgiving side dishes

We reached out to some of Atlanta’s most creative chefs for their go-to Thanksgiving dishes.

Time is tight, and <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="smaller turkeys are in short supply" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/supply-chain-labor-shortage-turkey-thanksgiving-a2a58295-82f9-40f3-bac4-27f97332a64b.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&amp;stream=top" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/supply-chain-labor-shortage-turkey-thanksgiving-a2a58295-82f9-40f3-bac4-27f97332a64b.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&amp;stream=top" target="_self">smaller turkeys are in short supply</a>. You need some help brainstorming interesting side dishes to impress your in-laws at the family dinner or best buddies at Friendsgiving. We’ve all been there — and some of us are there again as we type — so we reached out to some of Atlanta’s most creative chefs for their go-to Thanksgiving dishes.

Food and Drink

Defense attorneys have finished presenting evidence in the murder trial of the three men accused of murdering Ahmaud Arbery. 

Closing arguments are set for Monday, and as a verdict draws nearer, the possibility of protests does as well. 

Driving the news: Glynn County has set up a Unified Command that has been preparing for six months. The group is a coordination between local agencies including the Glynn County and Brunswick City police and fire departments and the county sheriff.

“If there's not justice in this case, all bets are off. I don't know what will happen,” said Glynn County Commissioner Allen Booker. 

“The young Black men who see themselves as Ahmaud Arbery, they know that they could be next if justice is not served.”

“We recognize that there is some apprehension in our community about what the outcome of this trial might be,” said Jeremiah Bergquist, Glynn County police officer and incident commander for the Unified Command. 

“We all have the same goal: maintain the peace while protecting the constitutional rights of those coming here as well as those who live and work here,” he said. 

Bergquist said while they expect an increasing number of people in the county as the trial winds down, there's been “no intel” on any violent or destructive gatherings. 

Glynn County Sheriff Neal Jump, who’s in charge of the courthouse grounds, said they’ve had no problems with any groups so far and that he doesn’t “foresee” needing additional law enforcement help. 

He said his office has been reaching out proactively to visiting groups like Al Sharpton’s team in advance of their trips.

Details: Unified Command, along with the Department of Justice's Community Relations Service, opened a new community center in a local historic school building to give visiting protestors or groups a place to come to get information about things like permits. 

What about the DOJ? The department's Community Relations Service arm is on the ground in Glynn, as it has been in many other communities facing conflict. 

Yes, but: Elijah Bobby Henderson, a local social justice advocate, isn't convinced there will be large protests. He pointed to the city’s 35% poverty rate and the state's 3% unemployment rate. 

“People here work. They work for meager wages. They have two and three jobs. Nobody's taking time off their job...to go protest and tear stuff up,” he said. “They're not letting their kids do it either.” 

He also highlighted the relative calm in the community back in May 2020 when the video of Arbery's death first surfaced. 

As closing arguments near, Glynn County preps for protests

As a verdict draws nearer in the murder trial of the three men accused of murdering Ahmaud Arbery, the possibility of protests does as well.

Hundreds of clergy and laypeople at the Glynn County Courthouse Thursday. Photo: Emma Hurt/Axios

Defense attorneys have <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="finished presenting evidence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2021/11/18/defense-rests-case-trial-ahmaud-arbery-killers" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2021/11/18/defense-rests-case-trial-ahmaud-arbery-killers" target="_self">finished presenting evidence</a> in the murder trial of the three men accused of murdering Ahmaud Arbery. <ul><li>Closing arguments are set for Monday, and as a verdict draws nearer, the possibility of protests does as well. </li></ul>

After Georgia Republicans passed a new congressional map today that flips her Democratic suburban district into a Republican one, Rep. Lucy McBath announced she’ll switch to campaign in a neighboring district represented by fellow Georgia Democrat Rep. Carolyn Bourdeuax. 

The new district will reach up into deeply conservative North Georgia and lean Republican by 24 percentage points, according to FiveThirtyEight. 

Why it matters: McBath flipped Georgia’s 6th District, a longtime Republican stronghold in 2018. Bourdeaux flipped Georgia’s 7th District in 2020. Both districts were seen as prime examples of metro Atlanta’s dramatically changing electorate. 

What she’s saying: McBath said in a statement it’s “no mystery why Republicans and the NRA have decided I’m their top target. As a Black woman, activist, and mother on a mission, they would like nothing more than to stop me from speaking truth to power about the gun lobby and Republican Party in Congress.”

Yes, but: On the way to fighting Republicans, McBath will have to fight her fellow Georgia Democratic congresswoman, Bourdeaux, who is not backing down. 

Bordeaux has campaigned for the seat in five elections. 

“The people of the 7th deserve a representative that understands and cares about their needs and has a record of fighting for them in Washington,” she said in a statement. “It’s my hard-fought greatness to serve the people of Gwinnett and GA’s 7th District, and I look forward to continuing to do so.”

Of note: Neither McBath nor Bourdeaux lives in the newly created district. It is not required for members of Congress to live in their districts. 

Team Bourdeaux points out that the new Georgia 7th is 60% made up of Bourdeaux’s current constituents. 

Team McBath points out that the new 7th is 67% minority voters. 

Big picture: Under the newly proposed district lines, Republicans are set to increase their majority of Georgia’s congressional seats to 9-5. 

Democratic voting rights attorney Marc Elias has promised the state will be sued once Gov. Brian Kemp signs the map.  

Meanwhile, the RNC’s Georgia Press Secretary Garrison Douglas said McBath’s decision “shows just how desperate she and the Democrats are to hold onto power, and Republicans stand ready to defeat whoever comes out on top.”

National

Rep. Lucy McBath switches district after new GOP map

McBath will also have to fight her fellow Georgia Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux, who is not backing down.

Greg Nash/The Hill/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Photo: Greg Nash for The Hill/Bloomberg via Getty Images

After Georgia Republicans <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="passed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ajc.com/politics/georgia-passes-map-that-aims-to-gain-republicans-a-seat-in-congress/Z4BGWXEWMRFENFZFPQKXGOXJCE/" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ajc.com/politics/georgia-passes-map-that-aims-to-gain-republicans-a-seat-in-congress/Z4BGWXEWMRFENFZFPQKXGOXJCE/" target="_blank">passed</a> a new congressional map today that flips her Democratic suburban district into a Republican one, Rep. Lucy McBath announced she’ll switch to campaign in a neighboring district represented by fellow Georgia Democrat Rep. Carolyn Bourdeuax. <ul><li>The new district will reach up into deeply conservative North Georgia and lean Republican by 24 percentage points, <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="according to FiveThirtyEight. " data-vars-click-url="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/redistricting-2022-maps/georgia/republican_proposal/" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/redistricting-2022-maps/georgia/republican_proposal/" target="_blank">according to FiveThirtyEight. </a></li></ul>Why it matters: McBath <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="flipped" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/full-list-2018-midterm-election-seats-flipped-34d99826-0929-41c6-a1f0-e4d02861c835.html" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/full-list-2018-midterm-election-seats-flipped-34d99826-0929-41c6-a1f0-e4d02861c835.html" target="_self">flipped</a> Georgia’s 6th District, a longtime Republican stronghold in 2018. Bourdeaux flipped Georgia’s 7th District in 2020. Both districts were seen as prime examples of metro Atlanta’s dramatically changing electorate.

Emma Hurt

Featured stories

Georgia's new districts, explained

Atlanta chefs share their most creative Thanksgiving side dishes

Rep. Lucy McBath switches district after new GOP map

As closing arguments near, Glynn County preps for protests

Pastors to gather in Glynn County after defense attorney's comments