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

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Why do drivers in Atlanta back into parking spaces?

Backing into a parking space makes it easier to leave busy events and if something goes awry, Kristal says.

Culture

👋🏽 Kristal here.Back in October, I was parking my car near a coffee shop when my passenger, Axios publisher <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nicholas Johnston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-johnston-127a4b17/" data-vars-content-id="684e224b-50ec-424a-9e10-93250b894d5e" data-vars-headline="Why do drivers in Atlanta back into parking spaces?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-johnston-127a4b17/" target="_blank">Nicholas Johnston</a>, asked a question that seemed to come out of the blue: &quot;Why does everyone back in here?&quot;Zoom in: At first, I didn&#x27;t know how to answer Nick, who lives in Washington, D.C., because I never thought about it. <ul><li>After backing into the space and putting my car in park, I noticed nearly every vehicle had been backed in by drivers.</li></ul>A few days ago I was scrolling on social media and came across a reel of someone hating on drivers who back into parking spaces and it reminded me of Nick&#x27;s question. The more I thought about it, the more I realized drivers in Atlanta do back into parking spaces quite a bit. <ul><li>When I was driving a two-door Honda Civic, I rarely backed into a parking space. I now drive a four-door Honda Accord and I almost always back into parking spaces. </li></ul>Yes, but: Backing in makes it easier to leave a busy function or depart if something pops off (this is what I told Nick when he asked). <ul><li>It also makes more sense if you have a larger car, or if you&#x27;re parking in places that have narrow spaces. </li></ul>(Don&#x27;t come at me complaining about how much time it takes; the more you do it, the more efficient you become at backing in! Plus, waiting another 30 seconds won&#x27;t kill you.)Flashback: When I was little, seeing a person back into a parking space added a certain kind of swagger to the driver. <ul><li>In my juvenile eyes, a person was cool if they could back into a parking space (AND parallel park, which I can do). </li></ul>But I want to hear from you, Atlanta. Do you back in or drive forward into parking spaces? Why (or why not)? <ul><li>Or do you scream at the top of your lungs when you&#x27;re behind a driver who insists on backing in? </li><li>Hit reply and tell us!</li></ul>

Crossover Day 2026: Data centers, income taxes and mugshots

From income tax cuts to AI safety, key Georgia bills are still alive.

News

Taxes, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/30/georgia-ai-data-centers" data-vars-content-id="5c28fd43-f5e4-476f-b849-e0ca345a9cfe" data-vars-headline="Crossover Day 2026: Data centers, income taxes and mugshots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/30/georgia-ai-data-centers" target="_self">data centers</a> and even psychedelics remain on Georgia lawmakers&#x27; agendas as the legislative session moves toward its final weeks.Why it matters: This past Friday marked Crossover Day — the deadline for bills to pass either chamber and stay alive before lawmakers adjourn April 2.

NBA cancels Hawks' Magic City Night after backlash

The NBA canceled the Atlanta Hawks' planned "Magic City Night" promotion days after the idea went viral and sparked backlash online.

Sports

The NBA late Monday canceled the Atlanta Hawks&#x27; planned &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Magic City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/08/15/magic-city-documentary-debuts-today-on-starz" data-vars-content-id="1fd2b3af-e5ac-42f3-b04a-3764ba2cb1b3" data-vars-headline="NBA cancels Hawks&#x27; Magic City Night after backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/08/15/magic-city-documentary-debuts-today-on-starz" target="_self">Magic City</a> Night&quot; promotion after backlash, commissioner Adam Silver said.Driving the news: The league pulled the plug just days after the team announced the idea and it quickly went viral online.

Dunaway Gardens prepares to host Sundance and playwright labs

The Sundance Institute Episodic Lab program runs for six days in May.

After decades of success as a Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tena Clark" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tenaclark.com/" data-vars-content-id="6d2633d9-a092-453c-8f66-dbf51a93efb3" data-vars-headline="Dunaway Gardens prepares to host Sundance and playwright labs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tenaclark.com/" target="_blank">Tena Clark</a> is turning her focus to the next generation.<ul><li>Clark is helping aspiring creatives break into the entertainment industry by hosting two residencies at a former go-to hub for artists and actors.</li></ul>Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dunaway Gardens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dunawaygardensfoundation.org/" data-vars-content-id="6d2633d9-a092-453c-8f66-dbf51a93efb3" data-vars-headline="Dunaway Gardens prepares to host Sundance and playwright labs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dunawaygardensfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Dunaway Gardens</a>, Clark&#x27;s sprawling property in Coweta County, will host its first-ever Playwright Lab this spring.

Atlanta radio station invites residents to share L5P memories

WRFG is hosting a listening booth to capture L5P stories and preserve its community legacy.

Neighborhoods

Every Atlantan, if you&#x27;ve lived here long enough, has a Little Five Points memory. What&#x27;s yours?Why it matters: The colorful storefronts, head shops and murals make great photos, but residents, activists, artists and others who molded the community are what keeps L5P interesting.

Cabbagetown neighbors rally to rebuild amphitheater

Residents aim to create a stage that weaves together folk music, local identity and stormwater management.

Cabbagetown residents are raising cash to turn the historic neighborhood&#x27;s amphitheater into a performance space echoing the popular area&#x27;s working-class and musical past.Driving the news: The nonprofit — Cabbagetown Initiative — is raising $200,000 to build the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Joyce Brookshire Memorial Amphitheatre" data-vars-click-url="https://cabbagetown.com/joyce" data-vars-content-id="190a80f8-6f92-4d13-82ba-6ac0b6e2d332" data-vars-headline="Cabbagetown neighbors rally to rebuild amphitheater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cabbagetown.com/joyce" target="_blank">Joyce Brookshire Memorial Amphitheatre</a> in the community&#x27;s central park.

Community pool proposal floated for APS land in Virginia-Highland

A plan to bring a year-round community pool wades into public discussion this week

A proposal to open a community pool on Atlanta Public Schools-owned property in Virginia-Highland is wading into public discussion.Driving the news: The Virginia-Highland Civic Association is holding a residents-only meeting Tuesday evening to educate the public and solicit feedback on the project.

The "homebuyers love letter" is a bad idea

The handwritten, heartstring-tugging notes could pose legal liability for sellers and agents

Real Estate

Homebuyers are still offering over the asking price, agreeing to be responsible for needed repair projects and making other concessions to strike a deal on their dream home.Yes, but: What shouldn&#x27;t be on the list is the &quot;love letter&quot; to the current owner detailing your vision for their house.

Lake Claire home for sale includes two fireplaces and zero corners

A Lake Claire neighborhood home is on the market.

It may not be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="guitar-shaped" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2022/08/02/guitar-shaped-house-fayetteville-georgia" data-vars-content-id="b3bdeddc-78b2-40e0-b2d8-b6edf1a3a981" data-vars-headline="Lake Claire home for sale includes two fireplaces and zero corners" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2022/08/02/guitar-shaped-house-fayetteville-georgia" target="_self">guitar-shaped</a>, but the design of this Atlanta home will certainly create some noise among your friends.What&#x27;s happening: A three-bedroom, three-bath <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="house" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/GA/Atlanta/581-Harold-Ave-NE-30307/home/23728187" data-vars-content-id="b3bdeddc-78b2-40e0-b2d8-b6edf1a3a981" data-vars-headline="Lake Claire home for sale includes two fireplaces and zero corners" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/GA/Atlanta/581-Harold-Ave-NE-30307/home/23728187" target="_blank">house</a> in Lake Claire is on the market for $695,000.

Study shines a light on gentrification and Atlanta's solar energy boom

A new study analyzes residential rooftop installations, demographics and property sales

The rapid rise of rooftop solar panels in Atlanta&#x27;s poorer and majority-Black neighborhoods has been driven by gentrification, not necessarily higher rates of adoption of clean energy among Black people, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to a new study" data-vars-click-url="https://taylorshelton.info/publication/powered-by-gentrification/" data-vars-content-id="44c97205-34fc-4457-977d-09c2ad0eeb7a" data-vars-headline="Study shines a light on gentrification and Atlanta&#x27;s solar energy boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://taylorshelton.info/publication/powered-by-gentrification/" target="_blank">according to a new study</a>.Why it matters: Solar energy can reduce a person&#x27;s carbon footprint and lower a home&#x27;s monthly utility bill — once you get past the installation and setup costs.<ul><li>But that benefit might not be felt by people who could use those cost savings the most.</li></ul>