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Cobb, Atlanta police crack down on "teen takeovers"

Officers arrested more than a dozen people on the Beltline Saturday night

News

Cobb County and Atlanta police were on high alert this weekend over concerns that large, loosely organized &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="teen takeovers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/04/17/teen-takeover-chicago" data-vars-content-id="305acd59-4e19-464b-8443-358f876e21e3" data-vars-headline="Cobb, Atlanta police crack down on &quot;teen takeovers&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/04/17/teen-takeover-chicago" target="_self">teen takeovers</a>&quot; promoted on social media would wreak havoc at Cumberland Mall and other locations.Why it matters: Social media-fueled gatherings of young people in public spaces have led to property damage and violence in some cities, prompting heightened law enforcement scrutiny.

Father of teen charged in mass shooting guilty of 2nd-degree murder

Prosecutors said Colin Gray knew his son was obsessed with school shooters and allowed him to keep an AR-style rifle in his bedroom.

The father of the teenager charged in the 2024 mass shooting at <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="17408b10-c4b5-46c7-9206-6378d5fd7747" data-vars-headline="Father of teen charged in mass shooting guilty of 2nd-degree murder" 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> was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder and other charges.The latest: A trial jury took less than two hours to return guilty verdicts on all charges filed against Colin Gray, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the AJC reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/03/colin-gray-convicted-in-apalachee-high-school-shooting/" data-vars-content-id="17408b10-c4b5-46c7-9206-6378d5fd7747" data-vars-headline="Father of teen charged in mass shooting guilty of 2nd-degree murder" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/03/colin-gray-convicted-in-apalachee-high-school-shooting/" target="_blank">the AJC reports</a>.<ul><li>Gray was convicted of second-degree murder in the deaths of students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Associated Press reports" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-school-shooting-trial-colin-gray-e9afe6e8289f474aa474242ee4bdca67" data-vars-content-id="17408b10-c4b5-46c7-9206-6378d5fd7747" data-vars-headline="Father of teen charged in mass shooting guilty of 2nd-degree murder" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-school-shooting-trial-colin-gray-e9afe6e8289f474aa474242ee4bdca67" target="_blank">Associated Press reports</a>.</li></ul>

Black Effect Podcast Festival returns to Atlanta with Charlamagne Tha God

The Black Effect Podcast Festival returns to Atlanta on April 25 at Pullman Yards, hosted by Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy.

Culture

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Black Effect Podcast Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://blackeffect.com/podcastfestival/" data-vars-content-id="67b04ceb-5213-470b-83d0-dc19c1b0f161" data-vars-headline="Black Effect Podcast Festival returns to Atlanta with Charlamagne Tha God" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://blackeffect.com/podcastfestival/" target="_blank">Black Effect Podcast Festival</a> is coming back to Atlanta for its fourth year.Why it matters: Atlanta is cementing its role as a national hub for Black media and culture and this festival puts the city at the center of the podcast boom.

Wayfair to open new Atlanta store on March 31

The store replaces the former Walmart on Howell Mill Road.

Business

Wayfair will open its highly anticipated Atlanta storefront later this month.Why it matters: The location, which will be the company&#x27;s second brick-and-mortar store, fills a major hole at The District at Howell Mill shopping center that&#x27;s been vacant since late 2022 when Walmart closed.

Chairman: Fulton is Trump's testing ground for 2026 election efforts

Chairman Robb Pitts warns an FBI raid could be related to an effort to suppress and shape the 2026 vote.

Election

Fulton County is a test case for President Trump&#x27;s efforts to tilt the 2026 election and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reshape" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/mail-in-voting-trump-pew-poll" data-vars-content-id="3d9bad53-ce8c-4b0a-bc77-5af8981f4e91" data-vars-headline="Chairman: Fulton is Trump&#x27;s testing ground for 2026 election efforts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/mail-in-voting-trump-pew-poll" target="_self">reshape</a> the way <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Americans vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/21/trump-redistricting-republican-100-seats-mail-voting" data-vars-content-id="3d9bad53-ce8c-4b0a-bc77-5af8981f4e91" data-vars-headline="Chairman: Fulton is Trump&#x27;s testing ground for 2026 election efforts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/21/trump-redistricting-republican-100-seats-mail-voting" target="_self">Americans vote</a>, county Chairman Robb Pitts said Wednesday.Why it matters: The Jan. 28 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FBI raid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/29/kash-patel-fbi-georgia-fulton-county-raid-ballots" data-vars-content-id="3d9bad53-ce8c-4b0a-bc77-5af8981f4e91" data-vars-headline="Chairman: Fulton is Trump&#x27;s testing ground for 2026 election efforts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/29/kash-patel-fbi-georgia-fulton-county-raid-ballots" target="_self">FBI raid</a> of the Fulton County office and Trump&#x27;s recent comments that Republicans should &quot;nationalize&quot; elections have renewed concerns the president is seeking retribution over 2020 — and have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="raised" data-vars-click-url="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/trump-administrations-campaign-undermine-next-election" data-vars-content-id="3d9bad53-ce8c-4b0a-bc77-5af8981f4e91" data-vars-headline="Chairman: Fulton is Trump&#x27;s testing ground for 2026 election efforts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/trump-administrations-campaign-undermine-next-election" target="_blank">raised</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="alarms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/opinion/trump-midterms-election-security.html" data-vars-content-id="3d9bad53-ce8c-4b0a-bc77-5af8981f4e91" data-vars-headline="Chairman: Fulton is Trump&#x27;s testing ground for 2026 election efforts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/opinion/trump-midterms-election-security.html" target="_blank">alarms</a> about 2026 interference, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Avery Lotz reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/trump-nationalize-election-2020-fraud-claims" data-vars-content-id="3d9bad53-ce8c-4b0a-bc77-5af8981f4e91" data-vars-headline="Chairman: Fulton is Trump&#x27;s testing ground for 2026 election efforts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/trump-nationalize-election-2020-fraud-claims" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Avery Lotz reports</a>.<ul><li>Control of Congress is on the line in this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="critical midterm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/2026-midterm-elections" data-vars-content-id="3d9bad53-ce8c-4b0a-bc77-5af8981f4e91" data-vars-headline="Chairman: Fulton is Trump&#x27;s testing ground for 2026 election efforts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/2026-midterm-elections" target="_self">critical midterm</a>, which could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="derail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/01/mike-johnson-texas-special-election-menefee" data-vars-content-id="3d9bad53-ce8c-4b0a-bc77-5af8981f4e91" data-vars-headline="Chairman: Fulton is Trump&#x27;s testing ground for 2026 election efforts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/01/mike-johnson-texas-special-election-menefee" target="_self">derail</a> Trump&#x27;s MAGA agenda. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democrats have" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/02/01/taylor-rehmet-leigh-wambsganss-texas-senate" data-vars-content-id="3d9bad53-ce8c-4b0a-bc77-5af8981f4e91" data-vars-headline="Chairman: Fulton is Trump&#x27;s testing ground for 2026 election efforts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/02/01/taylor-rehmet-leigh-wambsganss-texas-senate" target="_self">Democrats have</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outperformed Republicans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/06/inside-tuesdays-blowout-democrats-breakthroughs" data-vars-content-id="3d9bad53-ce8c-4b0a-bc77-5af8981f4e91" data-vars-headline="Chairman: Fulton is Trump&#x27;s testing ground for 2026 election efforts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/06/inside-tuesdays-blowout-democrats-breakthroughs" target="_self">outperformed Republicans</a> in recent races.</li></ul>

Fulton DA Fani Willis defends election-interference case before Senate committee

Willis accused Republican lawmakers of using the investigation to boost their 2026 campaigns.

Fulton County District Attorney <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fani Willis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/11/06/fani-willis-fulton-district-attorney-election-result" data-vars-content-id="0b75826d-e72a-4498-90dd-7afe19416e17" data-vars-headline="Fulton DA Fani Willis defends election-interference case before Senate committee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/11/06/fani-willis-fulton-district-attorney-election-result" target="_self">Fani Willis</a> blasted a Georgia Senate committee investigating her now-closed election-interference case against President Trump in a long-awaited appearance Wednesday.Why it matters: Georgia Republicans — including the four on the panel who are seeking statewide office — are making Willis and the sprawling RICO case into a 2026 election season issue.

Atlanta City Council president race heats up with clash over training center

The contest between Marci Collier Overstreet and Rohit Malhotra has become a rare citywide flashpoint.

Politics

Atlanta City Council president <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="races" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/08/25/2025-atlanta-municipal-elections-who-qualified-for-the-ballot" data-vars-content-id="f456ed3c-c600-4686-a60b-c11b3f020979" data-vars-headline="Atlanta City Council president race heats up with clash over training center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/08/25/2025-atlanta-municipal-elections-who-qualified-for-the-ballot" target="_self">races</a> tend to be snoozers. Not this year.Why it matters: The contest between Council member Marci Collier Overstreet and civic nonprofit founder Rohit Malhotra has become a rare citywide flashpoint — a test of the political ripples from Atlanta&#x27;s public safety training center, also <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="known by opponents as &quot;Cop City&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/04/30/atlanta-public-safety-training-center-opens" data-vars-content-id="f456ed3c-c600-4686-a60b-c11b3f020979" data-vars-headline="Atlanta City Council president race heats up with clash over training center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/04/30/atlanta-public-safety-training-center-opens" target="_self">known by opponents as &quot;Cop City&quot;</a>.

Fulton County delays appointing GOP nominees to elections board

The county commission tabled nominations until the Court of Appeals issues a judgment on its appeal of a contempt of court ruling.

Fulton County commissioners will let the appeals process play out before considering whether to approve or reject two controversial Republican nominees to its Board of Registration and Elections.Why it matters: Julie Adams and Jason Frazier, the nominees submitted by the Fulton County Republican Party, are accused by opponents of being election conspiracy theorists and deniers.

Georgia runoff to decide Democratic PSC candidate

Voters choose the Public Service Commission Democratic nominee today.

Climate

Georgia voters will decide Tuesday which Democrat will get a shot at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="influencing energy policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/05/28/psc-elections-will-guide-electricity-rates-and-clean-energy-future" data-vars-content-id="d47281d0-3a07-4107-9fdb-9e440c6be3d6" data-vars-headline="Georgia runoff to decide Democratic PSC candidate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/05/28/psc-elections-will-guide-electricity-rates-and-clean-energy-future" target="_self">influencing energy policy</a> and energy bills. Why it matters: The Georgia Public Service Commission has authority to set electricity rates and promote clean energy. <ul><li>Nearly every debate involving solar power, high energy bills and kilowatt-chugging data centers will involve the regulatory agency&#x27;s five commissioners.</li></ul>

Georgia to cut nearly 480,000 names from voter rolls

Georgia plans to remove nearly 480,000 inactive voters from the rolls this summer. Check your status and update your registration if needed.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger plans to remove nearly 480,000 names from Georgia&#x27;s voter rolls before the end of summer.Why it matters: Purges are necessary maintenance to secure the integrity of elections and use reputable government data to create the removal list, proponents like Raffensperger <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="argue" data-vars-click-url="https://sos.ga.gov/news/secretary-raffensperger-continues-multi-step-list-maintenance-audit" data-vars-content-id="7e4cbae4-de9d-4659-8b14-727abad5099c" data-vars-headline="Georgia to cut nearly 480,000 names from voter rolls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sos.ga.gov/news/secretary-raffensperger-continues-multi-step-list-maintenance-audit" target="_blank">argue</a>.

Former state House Democratic leader eyes attorney general race

Bob Trammell has filed paperwork to begin fundraising for a potential campaign.

Bob Trammell, a lawyer and former leader of the Democrats in the state House of Representatives, is exploring a run for Georgia attorney general.Why it matters: Trammell is the first Democrat to officially consider the job.

PSC elections will guide electricity rates and clean energy future

Two Georgia Public Service Commission races will decide who oversees state's electricity rates and clean energy future.

Early voting has begun to pick who should serve on the Georgia Public Service Commission, the state regulator that decides how much you pay to turn on your lights.Why it matters: In addition to electricity and natural gas rates, the five-member commission regulates telecom companies and has major say over the future of clean energy in Georgia.

Early voting starts Saturday for City Council runoff election

The runoff for the Post 3 At Large seat is on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Everyone might be suffering from major election fatigue, but Atlanta residents have one more race they have to decide before they can tune out for a little while.Why it matters: Voters will choose between two candidates — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eshé Collins" data-vars-click-url="https://www.collins4atlanta.com/" data-vars-content-id="f0239979-152e-4055-9f8d-41d3f220d8f0" data-vars-headline="Early voting starts Saturday for City Council runoff election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.collins4atlanta.com/" target="_blank">Eshé Collins</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nicole &quot;Nikki&quot; Evans Jones" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nicoleevansjonesforatlanta.com/" data-vars-content-id="f0239979-152e-4055-9f8d-41d3f220d8f0" data-vars-headline="Early voting starts Saturday for City Council runoff election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nicoleevansjonesforatlanta.com/" target="_blank">Nicole &quot;Nikki&quot; Evans Jones</a> — to serve out the unexpired term of the Post 3 at-large seat on the City Council.

What Trump's election could mean for student debt in Georgia

Around 1.7 million Georgians owe just over $70.1 billion in student loans

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President-elect Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/37440811.5164/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzLXBvbGljeS9kb25hbGQtdHJ1bXA_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9yaWNobW9uZCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/628d54b6b6584c3ca20ec6fbBfedca01e" data-vars-content-id="08730f48-71a8-4c74-a760-a0792bd41e9c" data-vars-headline="What Trump&#x27;s election could mean for student debt in Georgia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/37440811.5164/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzLXBvbGljeS9kb25hbGQtdHJ1bXA_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9yaWNobW9uZCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/628d54b6b6584c3ca20ec6fbBfedca01e" target="_self">President-elect Trump</a> could do away with his predecessor&#x27;s years-long efforts to erase <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="student debt" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/37440811.5164/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDkvMTgvc3R1ZGVudC1sb2FuLWRlYWRsaW5lLXJlcGF5bWVudD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3JpY2htb25kJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/628d54b6b6584c3ca20ec6fbB79f7df16" data-vars-content-id="08730f48-71a8-4c74-a760-a0792bd41e9c" data-vars-headline="What Trump&#x27;s election could mean for student debt in Georgia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/37440811.5164/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDkvMTgvc3R1ZGVudC1sb2FuLWRlYWRsaW5lLXJlcGF5bWVudD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3JpY2htb25kJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/628d54b6b6584c3ca20ec6fbB79f7df16" target="_self">student debt</a>.Why it matters: Georgians have the third-highest amount of average student debt per borrower in the nation.

Election 🗳️

Chairman: Fulton is Trump's testing ground for 2026 election efforts

Fulton DA Fani Willis defends election-interference case before Senate committee

Atlanta City Council president race heats up with clash over training center

Fulton County delays appointing GOP nominees to elections board

Georgia runoff to decide Democratic PSC candidate