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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.

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.

Georgia bill targets drones over prisons and jails

State officials say federal airspace rules prevent them from stopping drone smuggling.

A new Georgia bill would make it illegal to fly drones or other unmanned aircraft over state prisons and jails — responding to contraband deliveries that prison officials say largely can&#x27;t be stopped under federal rules.Why it matters: Georgia prisons and local jails are under-maintained and short-staffed, and drone deliveries of weapons, drugs and other contraband contribute to unsafe conditions in their facilities, prison officials say.

The Strokes, Wu-Tang Clan and Gorillaz lead Shaky Knees

The 3-day Piedmont Park festival returns with Gorillaz, Wu-Tang Clan and rising indie acts.

Music

Rising bands Geese and Fontaines D.C. will join legends LCD Soundsystem and Pavement and dozens of other acts at Shaky Knees in September.Why it matters: Now in its 13th year, the weekend festival stretching across multiple stages in Piedmont Park is one of the Southeast&#x27;s top music events.<ul><li>This year&#x27;s line-up is really solid.</li></ul>

Georgia outdoor gear tax to fund $33 million for new parks, trails

The state's voter-approved outdoor gear tax will send $33 million to parks, trails and conservation projects.

That backpack you bought last year helped raise $33 million that will soon <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fund new parks, trails and conservation projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/03/21/georgia-outdoor-tax-funding-awards" data-vars-content-id="22b9ed7a-b56b-41fd-9c2c-33b8018d7e6d" data-vars-headline="Georgia outdoor gear tax to fund $33 million for new parks, trails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/03/21/georgia-outdoor-tax-funding-awards" target="_self">fund new parks, trails and conservation projects</a> across Georgia — including a new Atlanta nature preserve.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program" data-vars-click-url="https://gadnr.org/gosp" data-vars-content-id="22b9ed7a-b56b-41fd-9c2c-33b8018d7e6d" data-vars-headline="Georgia outdoor gear tax to fund $33 million for new parks, trails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gadnr.org/gosp" target="_blank">Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program</a>, which has raised more than $110 million since Georgia voters overwhelmingly approved the tax on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outdoor recreation goods" data-vars-click-url="https://georgiaconservancy.org/gosa/#:~:text=The%20Georgia%20Outdoor%20Stewardship%20Act%20(GOSA)%20was,in%20acquiring%20and%20improving%20parks%20and%20trails**" data-vars-content-id="22b9ed7a-b56b-41fd-9c2c-33b8018d7e6d" data-vars-headline="Georgia outdoor gear tax to fund $33 million for new parks, trails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://georgiaconservancy.org/gosa/#:~:text=The%20Georgia%20Outdoor%20Stewardship%20Act%20(GOSA)%20was,in%20acquiring%20and%20improving%20parks%20and%20trails**" target="_blank">outdoor recreation goods</a>, has become one of the state&#x27;s tools for expanding access to parks and protecting natural areas.

Atlanta settles lawsuit over pollution into Chattahoochee River

Atlanta will continue investing in improvements at the R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation Center as part of a consent decree.

Environment

The city of Atlanta has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pollution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/07/03/chattahoochee-riverkeeper-clean-water-act-lawsuit-threat" data-vars-content-id="fbd846ce-84ef-4b83-9fd4-7323741f19da" data-vars-headline="Atlanta settles lawsuit over pollution into Chattahoochee River" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/07/03/chattahoochee-riverkeeper-clean-water-act-lawsuit-threat" target="_self">pollution</a> from its largest wastewater plant into the Chattahoochee River.Why it matters: The city will continue investing in improvements at the R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation Center, which sits along the river off Bolton Road in northwest Atlanta.

When to expect peak fall foliage in Georgia

Peak fall foliage changes will begin to pop up around metro Atlanta in early November.

Things to Do

It may feel like we&#x27;re in the thick of summer — but it&#x27;s never too early to map out when Georgia&#x27;s fall foliage will hit its peak this year.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/fall-warming-temperatures-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="b6d6ba35-4c42-4ef9-884f-f5d1cab239e4" data-vars-headline="When to expect peak fall foliage in Georgia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/fall-warming-temperatures-climate-change" target="_self">fall</a> color change starts in the North and high elevations in the U.S., before making its way South, according to travel brand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SmokyMountains.com" data-vars-click-url="https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/" data-vars-content-id="b6d6ba35-4c42-4ef9-884f-f5d1cab239e4" data-vars-headline="When to expect peak fall foliage in Georgia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/" target="_blank">SmokyMountains.com</a>.

That loud boom over the Southeast? It was likely a fireball

A meteor likely passed over the metro region before exploding, leaving fragments in South Carolina, an atmospheric scientist says.

Energy & Climate

Thursday&#x27;s loud, rolling rumble — and, for some, a sudden flash and white streak in the sky — might have been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a fireball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2019/03/23/nasa-instruments-image-fireball-bering-sea" data-vars-content-id="0eadf447-5c68-408b-9529-fdf78952207b" data-vars-headline="That loud boom over the Southeast? It was likely a fireball" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2019/03/23/nasa-instruments-image-fireball-bering-sea" target="_self">a fireball</a> from a meteor passing over metro Atlanta.Why it matters: More than 100 people from Georgia and parts of South Carolina and Florida reported to the American Meteor Society a potential fireball around 12:30pm.

Climate risks hit Black homeowners hardest in Atlanta

The effects of the climate crisis are not colorblind, Zillow finds.

Minority homeowners in metro Atlanta are particularly vulnerable to certain major <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate risks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/09/02/epa-report-climate-change-marginalized-communities" data-vars-content-id="a2c6ec51-208d-40e9-b1c5-91ce9c8cb9e2" data-vars-headline="Climate risks hit Black homeowners hardest in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/09/02/epa-report-climate-change-marginalized-communities" target="_self">climate risks</a>, a Zillow analysis finds.Why it matters: The findings reflect history and a legacy of redlining and economic disparities that still shape where people live — and how they&#x27;re affected by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/energy-climate/climate-change" data-vars-content-id="a2c6ec51-208d-40e9-b1c5-91ce9c8cb9e2" data-vars-headline="Climate risks hit Black homeowners hardest in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/energy-climate/climate-change" target="_self">climate change</a>.

Big gaps in who recycles in Atlanta

An audit says poor data and weak enforcement are sending Atlanta recyclables — especially from multifamily homes — straight to the landfill.

Up to half of Atlanta homes — especially multifamily units — may be sending recyclables to landfills, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per a new city audit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlaudit.org/recycling---june-2025.html" data-vars-content-id="a3ff1621-96ea-484f-aa47-79c1afef660c" data-vars-headline="Big gaps in who recycles in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlaudit.org/recycling---june-2025.html" target="_blank">per a new city audit</a>.Why it matters: Poor data, lack of enforcement and unclear goals weaken Atlanta&#x27;s recycling program and threaten sustainability efforts, auditors found.

Controversial Okefenokee mine blocked by land sale

A six-year fight to stop mining near the Okefenokee ends in a $60 million land deal.

Climate

A six-year battle to block a controversial mine near the Okefenokee Swamp is over after a nonprofit land conservation group bought the proposed site.Why it matters: Scientists and environmental advocates said Twin Pines Minerals&#x27; proposed titanium and zirconium mine posed an existential threat to the swamp, one of Georgia&#x27;s natural wonders.

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.

Bike lanes, pickleball courts and more trees planned for Piedmont Park

The updated comprehensive plan was released Thursday by the Piedmont Park Conservancy.

The look and feel of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Piedmont Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/02/07/piedmont-park-comprehensive-plan" data-vars-content-id="59be74db-25af-4611-9952-09b5cd36f569" data-vars-headline="Bike lanes, pickleball courts and more trees planned for Piedmont Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/02/07/piedmont-park-comprehensive-plan" target="_self">Piedmont Park</a> will evolve significantly over the next decade as the nonprofit that manages one of Atlanta&#x27;s most popular green spaces plans to add paths, trees, courts and play areas.Why it matters: While the park looks good in its current state, &quot;it could look great,&quot; Piedmont Park Conservancy president and CEO Doug Widener told Axios in a phone interview. <ul><li>&quot;Someone said you could do whatever you wanted to but get the basics right first,&quot; he said.</li></ul>

Uber opens early sign-up for robotaxi riders in Atlanta

Interested users could get early access to Waymo's self-driving service

Transit

Uber users who prefer quiet rides, take note.Driving the news: Starting today, you can sign up to try <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Uber&#x27;s autonomous service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/09/13/uber-waymo-self-driving-cars-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="208590c2-0811-4a36-bd46-2913f506629a" data-vars-headline="Uber opens early sign-up for robotaxi riders in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/09/13/uber-waymo-self-driving-cars-atlanta" target="_self">Uber&#x27;s autonomous service</a> using Waymo vehicles — the one where no one is sitting behind the steering wheel — that&#x27;s coming to Atlanta this summer.