Atlanta

blue

Axios Atlanta Partners

Axios Atlanta Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Atlanta Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Atlanta with Kristal Dixon and Thomas Wheatley.

Axios Atlanta

Standard

Atlanta Members

Membership

Georgia election results: GOP gubernatorial primary heads to runoff

The winner of the runoff will face Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Politics

Georgia&#x27;s Republican gubernatorial primary is headed to a runoff next month after no candidate secured a majority of the vote.<ul><li>The winner of the runoff will face Keisha Lance Bottoms, who clinched the Democratic nomination with 57% of the vote. </li></ul>Why it matters: Incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited, so Georgia voters will elect a new governor this year.

Georgia primary results: Supreme Court, lieutenant governor

Candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, lieutenant governor and more must get voters back to the polls

Here&#x27;s what happened in Tuesday&#x27;s down-ballot races:🧑‍⚖️ Judicial races: Former Democratic state Sen. Jen Jordan&#x27;s and plaintiff attorney Miracle Rankin&#x27;s efforts to oust Republican-backed Georgia Supreme Court Justices Charlie Bethel and Sarah Warren failed.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump election interference case" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/26/georgia-drops-trump-election-prosecution" data-vars-content-id="c26131f2-8e29-4899-8496-07243b7d5fd9" data-vars-headline="Georgia primary results: Supreme Court, lieutenant governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/26/georgia-drops-trump-election-prosecution" target="_self">Trump election interference case</a> prosecutor Will Wooten also lost his bid to unseat Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Trenton Brown. Brown was part of the appellate panel that disqualified Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.</li></ul>

Falling Water Park could be Atlanta's next fishing hole

Plans call for trails, boardwalks and fishing access near Campbellton Road and Therrell High.

Things to Do

An effort to turn a hidden forest and pond on the outer edge of southwest Atlanta into a new park is gaining momentum.Why it matters: The proposed Falling Water Park connects the community to 26.3 acres of deep woods and water a short walk from Campbellton Road.

Weekend events: Atlanta Jazz Festival, MomoCon, Brew at the Zoo

Memorial Day weekend will be packed with things to do around Atlanta.

It&#x27;s Memorial Day weekend in Atlanta, and there&#x27;s something to do for every cosplayer, beer lover and jazz fan in your life.Here are some events to add to your plans: 🧝 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MomoCon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.momocon.com/" data-vars-content-id="29901d5d-d8a8-4df2-9e1c-ff1bff962852" data-vars-headline="Weekend events: Atlanta Jazz Festival, MomoCon, Brew at the Zoo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.momocon.com/" target="_blank">MomoCon</a> is back for its 21st year at the Georgia World Congress Center.

DeKalb culinary students can sharpen skills with food truck program

The DeKalb County School District is the ninth system in the country to receive an Intuit food truck.

Education

DeKalb County culinary students have a new way to show off their cooking skills while learning what it takes to become an entrepreneur. Why it matters: Programs that spark an interest or cultivate a talent can encourage students to explore a potential career path once they graduate.

AI-powered charter school planned for Cobb County

Power Public Schools plans to open in August 2027, initially serving sixth- and seventh-grade students.

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="work" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/13/ai-anthropic-chatbot-remote-work-jobs" data-vars-content-id="d65a2e6b-1241-4574-a471-4bf99b8d5ff3" data-vars-headline="AI-powered charter school planned for Cobb County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/13/ai-anthropic-chatbot-remote-work-jobs" target="_self">work</a>, get <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="around our cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/02/27/waymo-speeds-across-america-and-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="d65a2e6b-1241-4574-a471-4bf99b8d5ff3" data-vars-headline="AI-powered charter school planned for Cobb County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/02/27/waymo-speeds-across-america-and-atlanta" target="_self">around our cities</a>, and plan <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="life-changing events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/29/wedding-planning-ai" data-vars-content-id="d65a2e6b-1241-4574-a471-4bf99b8d5ff3" data-vars-headline="AI-powered charter school planned for Cobb County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/29/wedding-planning-ai" target="_self">life-changing events</a>.<ul><li>The founder of a new charter school opening next year in Cobb County wants to use AI to change the way students learn.</li></ul>Why it matters: The school reflects a broader push to integrate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI into classrooms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/09/15/ai-schools-classroom-students-parents-georgia" data-vars-content-id="d65a2e6b-1241-4574-a471-4bf99b8d5ff3" data-vars-headline="AI-powered charter school planned for Cobb County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/09/15/ai-schools-classroom-students-parents-georgia" target="_self">AI into classrooms</a> — raising both innovation opportunities and concerns about student data privacy.

DeKalb wants feedback on proposal to close 27 schools

Public input meetings will be held in February and March to get parent, student and stakeholder feedback.

Another metro Atlanta district is weighing a plan that would close more than two dozen schools, redrawing boundaries for thousands of students.Why it matters: The DeKalb County School District is grappling with a decline in enrollment. Fewer students mean fewer state dollars to fund programs, which could lead to budgetary shortfalls and cuts.

More people in Atlanta have bachelor's degrees, census data show

The share of metro Atlanta residents 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher rose from 39% to 42% between the 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 periods.

The share of metro Atlanta residents 25 and older with a bachelor&#x27;s degree or higher rose from 39% to 42% between the 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 periods. How it works: That&#x27;s based on the Census Bureau&#x27;s latest five-year American Community Survey estimates.

Cobb and DeKalb schools warn students over planned ICE protests

Jan. 30 has been dubbed by activists as National Shutdown day — a protest to oppose ICE funding.

At least two metro Atlanta school districts are warning students they could face discipline if they participate in planned walkouts Friday to protest ICE. Why it matters: The warnings could test the limits of school discipline policies against students&#x27; First Amendment rights — which one advocate says don&#x27;t &quot;end at the schoolhouse gate.&quot;<ul><li>&quot;It really means that students have a constitutional right to participate in protest during the school day,&quot; said Nora Benavidez, senior counsel at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Free Press" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freepress.net/" data-vars-content-id="84088612-fb09-426d-9b54-31452bcb9ade" data-vars-headline="Cobb and DeKalb schools warn students over planned ICE protests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freepress.net/" target="_blank">Free Press</a> and board member of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Georgia First Amendment Foundation" data-vars-click-url="https://gfaf.org/" data-vars-content-id="84088612-fb09-426d-9b54-31452bcb9ade" data-vars-headline="Cobb and DeKalb schools warn students over planned ICE protests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gfaf.org/" target="_blank">Georgia First Amendment Foundation</a>.</li></ul>

Atlanta BOE adopts plan to close several elementary schools

Several parents and community members spoke in opposition to the plan.

The Atlanta Board of Education will move ahead with a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="controversial plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/11/03/aps-school-closure-consolidation-plan" data-vars-content-id="999556c4-fb3d-4e7f-9c67-16fe9e58a006" data-vars-headline="Atlanta BOE adopts plan to close several elementary schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/11/03/aps-school-closure-consolidation-plan" target="_self">controversial plan</a> to close several elementary schools and repurpose those buildings.Why it matters: Schools aren&#x27;t just buildings — they&#x27;re community hubs where families, neighbors, teachers and alumni build relationships over generations. The upcoming closures could dismantle those relationships — and the communities they serve, critics argue.

APS' school closure proposal met with resistance from community

The Atlanta Board of Education heard from several parents and community members who asked them to keep the schools open.

Parents and community volunteers are criticizing Atlanta Public Schools&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/11/03/aps-school-closure-consolidation-plan" data-vars-content-id="775059da-b4ca-4f99-b8c4-836fee365b20" data-vars-headline="APS&#x27; school closure proposal met with resistance from community" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/11/03/aps-school-closure-consolidation-plan" target="_self">proposal</a> to close several elementary school and consolidate their student populations into other facilities.Why it matters: Schools often serve as anchors in neighborhoods, and a closure could sever the relationships formed between students and their peers and parents and educators.

Judge tosses expulsion of student who warned friends about shooting threat

The Cobb County School District said it expelled the student because he intended to cause "chaos and panic" at school.

A Cobb County judge has overturned the expulsion of a student who shared a threatening message after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Apalachee High School" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/04/georgia-school-shooting" data-vars-content-id="4e2e692b-0a21-4bf4-9807-a17ef140a8fc" data-vars-headline="Judge tosses expulsion of student who warned friends about shooting threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/04/georgia-school-shooting" target="_self">Apalachee High School</a> tragedy.Why it matters: The ruling found there was no evidence the student &quot;intentionally created&quot; a disruption to the learning environment, said the student&#x27;s attorney, Michael Tafelski, of the Southern Poverty Law Center.<ul><li>Judge Robert Leonard also ruled that the Cobb County Board of Education misinterpreted and improperly enforced its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="policy on school disruption" data-vars-click-url="https://media.cobbk12.org/media/WWWCobb/medialib/f67e1628175.pdf" data-vars-content-id="4e2e692b-0a21-4bf4-9807-a17ef140a8fc" data-vars-headline="Judge tosses expulsion of student who warned friends about shooting threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://media.cobbk12.org/media/WWWCobb/medialib/f67e1628175.pdf" target="_blank">policy on school disruption</a>.</li></ul>

APS releases proposal to close several elementary schools

The school system has around 70,000 seats, but about 50,000 students. Fewer students means less state funding and higher costs.

Several elementary schools could close as part of a plan to consolidate buildings amid a drop in enrollment across Atlanta Public Schools. Why it matters: APS has 70,000 seats, but around 50,000 students.

Decatur parents fight to stop possible school closure

City Schools of Decatur says it's facing a decline in enrollment and is reviewing how its K-2 schools are being utilized.

City Schools of Decatur board members are weighing whether to close a K–2 school as part of a consolidation plan, and parents and stakeholders are calling on the district to halt the process.Why it matters: The school district, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="like others" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/03/education-enrollment-cliff-schools" data-vars-content-id="c807a9e4-0c46-4ed9-ae4c-ac1ddaff1658" data-vars-headline="Decatur parents fight to stop possible school closure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/03/education-enrollment-cliff-schools" target="_self">like others</a> across the state and country, is facing a decline in enrollment.

Georgia's child care deserts

Nearly half of Georgia kids lack nearby child care

Axios What's Next

A chart showing the change in the share of population over 25 that has attained a bachelor's degree or higher by metro area from 2015-2019 to 2020-2024. Overall, there's been a 3.6% increase in degree holders. The largest increases have been in Durham, N.C. (8.1%), New Haven, Conn. (7%) and Austin (6.1%). In the Atlanta metro area, there's been an increase from 38.6% to 42.2%.

Education 📚

DeKalb culinary students can sharpen skills with food truck program

Nearly half of Georgia kids lack nearby child care

AI-powered charter school planned for Cobb County

DeKalb wants feedback on proposal to close 27 schools

More people in Atlanta have bachelor's degrees, census data show