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Why Wall Street is betting against the Atlanta Braves

Short interest has roughly doubled even as the publicly traded team's stock hits record highs.

Business

A Major League Baseball labor dispute and the prospect of a lockout has Wall Street short sellers betting against the Atlanta Braves, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bloomberg reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-21/mlb-lockout-fears-spur-rush-of-shorts-into-atlanta-braves-shares" data-vars-content-id="4e82e0af-0bcd-4eb6-b7ad-4da1654e48b0" data-vars-headline="Why Wall Street is betting against the Atlanta Braves" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-21/mlb-lockout-fears-spur-rush-of-shorts-into-atlanta-braves-shares" target="_blank">Bloomberg reports</a>.Why it matters: The Braves are the only publicly traded professional baseball team in the United States, making the franchise one of the few places where sellers and investors can gain direct exposure to shifts and shake-ups in the sports world.

Clayton police to end drug search program at Atlanta airport after lawsuit

Eric André and Clayton English sued Clayton County police officers in 2022, alleging the department's Airport Interdiction Unit compelled passengers to consent to searches.

News

The Clayton County Police Department has agreed to disband one of its units at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport nearly four years after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two comedians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2022/10/13/eric-andre-sues-cops-over-racial-profiling-at-atlanta-airport" data-vars-content-id="1564fab9-2839-4f59-b5ab-3e2b65914a97" data-vars-headline="Clayton police to end drug search program at Atlanta airport after lawsuit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2022/10/13/eric-andre-sues-cops-over-racial-profiling-at-atlanta-airport" target="_self">two comedians</a> alleged the unit coerced passengers to undergo unconstitutional searches.The latest: Clayton County has settled <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the lawsuit" data-vars-click-url="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58a33e881b631bc60d4f8b31/t/63459147ec332f2e79d80282/1665503559954/Andre+English+-+Complaint.pdf" data-vars-content-id="1564fab9-2839-4f59-b5ab-3e2b65914a97" data-vars-headline="Clayton police to end drug search program at Atlanta airport after lawsuit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58a33e881b631bc60d4f8b31/t/63459147ec332f2e79d80282/1665503559954/Andre+English+-+Complaint.pdf" target="_blank">the lawsuit</a> brought by Eric André and Clayton English, who in 2022 accused officers of using the department&#x27;s Airport Interdiction Unit to compel passengers — most of whom were people of color — to consent to searches between fall 2020 and spring 2021, lawyers for the two men said Tuesday.

Atlanta mayor blasts DNC over 2028 convention snub

Mayor Andre Dickens says dropping Atlanta sends a troubling message to Black and Southern voters.

Politics

Mayor Andre Dickens accused the Democratic National Committee of &quot;abandoning&quot; Atlanta, the South and Black voters by excluding the city from the 2028 presidential convention <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shortlist" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/19/democrats-2028-convention-cities" data-vars-content-id="00d258f9-b9c3-4fad-a112-0960bdd42776" data-vars-headline="Atlanta mayor blasts DNC over 2028 convention snub" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/19/democrats-2028-convention-cities" target="_self">shortlist</a>.Why it matters: Dickens&#x27; letter Thursday to DNC chairman Ken Martin is a blistering rebuke after losing a four-day event that draws tourists and national political attention — and which Atlanta hasn&#x27;t hosted in nearly 40 years.<ul><li>No Southern cities are now in the running to host the convention, leaving only Boston, Denver and Philadelphia.</li></ul>

Weekender: Toro y Moi, BronzeLens, Summer Shade Festival

Film festivals, live music, reptiles and college football fill Atlanta's weekend calendar.

Things to Do

Let the weekend begin! Here&#x27;s what is happening around town:🎞️ The 17th annual BronzeLens Film Festival opens with the documentary &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Love, Patrick" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lovepatrickthemovie.com/teaser" data-vars-content-id="27b40b79-0d30-453b-87b8-3828d7c8f2af" data-vars-headline="Weekender: Toro y Moi, BronzeLens, Summer Shade Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lovepatrickthemovie.com/teaser" target="_blank">Love, Patrick</a>&quot; about the groundbreaking fashion designer Patrick Kelly. (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fri.-Sun." data-vars-click-url="https://bronzelens.eventive.org/pass/buy" data-vars-content-id="27b40b79-0d30-453b-87b8-3828d7c8f2af" data-vars-headline="Weekender: Toro y Moi, BronzeLens, Summer Shade Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bronzelens.eventive.org/pass/buy" target="_blank">Fri.-Sun.</a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=")" data-vars-click-url="https://bronzelens.eventive.org/pass/buy" data-vars-content-id="27b40b79-0d30-453b-87b8-3828d7c8f2af" data-vars-headline="Weekender: Toro y Moi, BronzeLens, Summer Shade Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bronzelens.eventive.org/pass/buy" target="_blank">)</a>🧑‍💻 The ASIFAC Animation Festival and conference goes deep on art and motion at Georgia State University and Cinefest. (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fri.-Sat." data-vars-click-url="https://www.asifa-south.com/asifac-festival" data-vars-content-id="27b40b79-0d30-453b-87b8-3828d7c8f2af" data-vars-headline="Weekender: Toro y Moi, BronzeLens, Summer Shade Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.asifa-south.com/asifac-festival" target="_blank">Fri.-Sat.</a>)

Georgia schools test drones to confront active shooters

Supporters see a faster emergency response. Critics call the technology unproven and reactive.

Education

Georgia is spending $550,000 to test technology that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dispatches drones" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/07/16/colorado-school-turns-to-drones-for-active-shooter-defense" data-vars-content-id="eda05809-50c9-4499-b07b-1a82af505390" data-vars-headline="Georgia schools test drones to confront active shooters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/07/16/colorado-school-turns-to-drones-for-active-shooter-defense" target="_self">dispatches drones</a> equipped with pepper gel and strobe lights to stop active shooters.Why it matters: Texas-based Mithril Defense&#x27;s Campus Guardian Angel drones push the multibillion-dollar school safety industry beyond cameras and weapon detectors toward privately operated systems capable of using force inside schools.

Classes resume Monday for Atlanta and other metro school districts

Monday, Aug. 3 is the first day of school for Atlanta Public Schools, City Schools of Decatur, and the Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Henry county school systems.

About 739,000 metro Atlanta public school students are returning to the classroom this week for the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Why it matters: You&#x27;ll have to watch out for little ones waiting on their assigned school buses, parents who are navigating school drop-off and pickup lines and remember to slow down in school zones.

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.

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>

Education 📚

Georgia schools test drones to confront active shooters

Classes resume Monday for Atlanta and other metro school districts

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