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

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>

Fulton County approves massive Rice Street jail renovation plan

County commissioners approved a proposal that calls for building a new facility and making major improvements to Rice Street.

Fulton County&#x27;s commissioners are embarking on a long-range plan to improve its troubled jail and build a new facility to house vulnerable detainees.Why it matters: Wednesday&#x27;s decision by the county, which is under a federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="consent decree" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/03/fulton-jail-consent-decree" data-vars-content-id="ba6285ff-aacb-43c7-b349-888bb1f83c61" data-vars-headline="Fulton County approves massive Rice Street jail renovation plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/03/fulton-jail-consent-decree" target="_self">consent decree</a> to improve poor conditions at the main jail known as Rice Street, is the latest in a series of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="initiatives" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/06/17/fulton-county-billion-dollar-jail" data-vars-content-id="ba6285ff-aacb-43c7-b349-888bb1f83c61" data-vars-headline="Fulton County approves massive Rice Street jail renovation plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/06/17/fulton-county-billion-dollar-jail" target="_self">initiatives</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/07/12/fulton-county-jail-conditions" data-vars-content-id="ba6285ff-aacb-43c7-b349-888bb1f83c61" data-vars-headline="Fulton County approves massive Rice Street jail renovation plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/07/12/fulton-county-jail-conditions" target="_self">plans</a> put forth over the years to solve its myriad problems.

Fulton proposes to renovate Rice Street jail, build mental health facility

Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts said it would take about five years to build the mental health facility for detainees.

Fulton County leaders are expected to consider a plan Wednesday that would build a &quot;special purpose facility&quot; to house detainees with mental health issues and renovate its long-troubled Rice Street jail.Why it matters: The Fulton County Jail is under a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal consent decree" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/03/fulton-jail-consent-decree" data-vars-content-id="ba728677-c62d-4f62-b198-8b297ffd37f4" data-vars-headline="Fulton proposes to renovate Rice Street jail, build mental health facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/03/fulton-jail-consent-decree" target="_self">federal consent decree</a>, a legally binding document that requires the county to improve the facility&#x27;s poor conditions, which were identified by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Department of Justice investigators" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/11/14/doj-investigation-grave-safety-failures-unconstitutional-conditions-at-fulton-county-jail" data-vars-content-id="ba728677-c62d-4f62-b198-8b297ffd37f4" data-vars-headline="Fulton proposes to renovate Rice Street jail, build mental health facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/11/14/doj-investigation-grave-safety-failures-unconstitutional-conditions-at-fulton-county-jail" target="_self">U.S. Department of Justice investigators</a> following a civil rights <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="investigation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/13/doj-georgia-fulton-county-jail-investigation" data-vars-content-id="ba728677-c62d-4f62-b198-8b297ffd37f4" data-vars-headline="Fulton proposes to renovate Rice Street jail, build mental health facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/13/doj-georgia-fulton-county-jail-investigation" target="_self">investigation</a>.

Grand jury declines to indict ex-cop in tasing death of Atlanta deacon

Johnny Hollman Sr. died Aug. 10, 2023, after he was tased by former Atlanta officer Kiran Kimbrough during an accident investigation.

Public Safety

The family of an Atlanta man who died after he was tased by an officer during a crash investigation said they will continue to seek justice after a Fulton County grand jury decided not to indict the former cop.Why it matters: Sunday marks two years since Johnny Hollman Sr. died after he was fatally tased by Kiran Kimbrough, who was later <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fired" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2023/10/10/police-officer-fired-johnny-hollman-death" data-vars-content-id="b6a6ec7f-a75b-437c-a602-2fe372e5646d" data-vars-headline="Grand jury declines to indict ex-cop in tasing death of Atlanta deacon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2023/10/10/police-officer-fired-johnny-hollman-death" target="_self">fired</a> by the Atlanta Police Department for not following the agency&#x27;s protocols.

1 year after shooting, mother of man killed by APD cop still seeks justice

Valerie Anderson is calling on the Atlanta Police Department to fire Melvin Potter, who shot and killed her son outside a bar in South Fulton.

Tuesday marks one year since an off-duty Atlanta police officer shot and killed Devon Anderson outside a bar in South Fulton.Why it matters: Since Anderson&#x27;s death, his mother, Valerie, has repeatedly called for the Atlanta Police Department to fire Melvin Potter, the officer who pulled the trigger.

Despite violent weekend, Atlanta touts drop in homicides

Police Chief Schierbaum said detectives are investigating 12 shootings that killed two people and injured 29 since Friday.

Despite Atlanta&#x27;s weekend of a dozen shootings that left two people dead and more than two dozen injured, officials say the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homicide rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/02/20/homicides-in-atlanta-other-large-cities-fell-in-2024" data-vars-content-id="a42ded08-3242-4b7f-8f35-3a4c1650fb85" data-vars-headline="Despite violent weekend, Atlanta touts drop in homicides" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/02/20/homicides-in-atlanta-other-large-cities-fell-in-2024" target="_self">homicide rate</a> is moving in the right direction.Driving the news: Chief Darin Schierbaum and Mayor Andre Dickens addressed the weekend shootings during a news conference Monday at Atlanta Police Department&#x27;s public safety headquarters.<ul><li>&quot;We haven&#x27;t had a weekend like this in a long time, maybe two years or more,&quot; Dickens said, adding the summer months are often the most challenging when it comes to gun violence in Atlanta communities.</li></ul>

Family, advocacy groups call on ICE to free detained Atlanta reporter

Guevara is the only journalist in the U.S. currently detained after an arrest in connection with his work as a reporter.

Katherine Guevara spent years watching her father, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mario Guevara" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/17/mario-guevara-journalist-arrested-ice-deportation-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="0064786b-0252-48cc-a847-e8810a809fd0" data-vars-headline="Family, advocacy groups call on ICE to free detained Atlanta reporter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/17/mario-guevara-journalist-arrested-ice-deportation-atlanta" target="_self">Mario Guevara</a>, help others through his work as a reporter.Zoom in: Her father chased stories that mattered to Atlanta&#x27;s Hispanic residents, not for recognition, but because journalism was a form of service, she said.<ul><li>&quot;For more than 20 years, I have witnessed his unwavering dedication and selfless commitment to serving the community,&quot; she said. </li><li>But for the last 41 days, Mario Guevara has been unable to pursue leads since his June 14 arrest while covering a protest against immigration enforcement tactics in DeKalb County. </li></ul>Why it matters: Guevara, a native of El Salvador who faces deportation from the country, is the only journalist in the U.S. currently detained after an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="arrest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/15/ice-protest-arrests-dekalb-atlanta-georgia" data-vars-content-id="0064786b-0252-48cc-a847-e8810a809fd0" data-vars-headline="Family, advocacy groups call on ICE to free detained Atlanta reporter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/15/ice-protest-arrests-dekalb-atlanta-georgia" target="_self">arrest</a> in connection with his work as a reporter, said Katherine Jacobsen, a program coordinator for Committee to Protect Journalists. <ul><li>&quot;This case ... sends a clear, chilling message to reporters, especially those in this country who are not U.S. citizens, that they too could very well find themselves at risk in the same way Mario has,&quot; Jacobsen said during a press conference Tuesday. </li></ul>The latest: Guevara&#x27;s daughter and son, Oscar, were joined by their father&#x27;s attorney, Democratic state lawmakers and other advocacy organizations calling for the reporter&#x27;s release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention.<ul><li>State Sen. Josh McLaurin (D-Sandy Springs) said Tuesday the constitutional right to freedom of speech and the press isn&#x27;t about whether &quot;you agree with someone&#x27;s opinions [or] the substance of their reporting.&quot;</li><li>&quot;It&#x27;s about their right to collect information and disseminate that information to communities who rely on it to make deliberative, informed decisions about their democracy,&quot; he said.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: Nora Benavidez, a member of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, said Guevara&#x27;s case is &quot;emblematic of the disturbing path that the United States is on.&quot; <ul><li>&quot;If the exercise of those rights is now penalized like it is with Mario Guevara simply because those in power dislike the message or the messenger, that means that our basic freedoms are not free.&quot; </li></ul>Catch up quick: Guevara, a prominent Spanish-speaking journalist who runs the independent media outlet <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MG News" data-vars-click-url="https://noticiasmg.com/" data-vars-content-id="0064786b-0252-48cc-a847-e8810a809fd0" data-vars-headline="Family, advocacy groups call on ICE to free detained Atlanta reporter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://noticiasmg.com/" target="_blank">MG News</a>, was charged with obstruction, pedestrian walking in or along a roadway and unlawful assembly while covering a protest on Chamblee Tucker Road.<ul><li>Federal immigration officials placed a hold on his detention at the DeKalb County Jail, meaning they would take him into custody once he was released from the facility.</li><li>He was released from the DeKalb County Jail on June 18, but the Gwinnett County Sheriff&#x27;s Office charged him with misdemeanor traffic offenses stemming from an incident that happened about a month before his arrest.</li><li>Both <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DeKalb" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1128461455981854&amp;set=a.220964253398250" data-vars-content-id="0064786b-0252-48cc-a847-e8810a809fd0" data-vars-headline="Family, advocacy groups call on ICE to free detained Atlanta reporter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1128461455981854&amp;set=a.220964253398250" target="_blank">DeKalb</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gwinnett" data-vars-click-url="https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/journalist-mario-guevara-charges-dropped-gwinnett-county-arrested-no-kings-protest/85-eb72aee8-270d-4f8c-995b-057cc69767b5" data-vars-content-id="0064786b-0252-48cc-a847-e8810a809fd0" data-vars-headline="Family, advocacy groups call on ICE to free detained Atlanta reporter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/journalist-mario-guevara-charges-dropped-gwinnett-county-arrested-no-kings-protest/85-eb72aee8-270d-4f8c-995b-057cc69767b5" target="_blank">Gwinnett</a> counties dropped charges against Guevara, but his attorney Giovanni Diaz said his client&#x27;s phone was seized by the Gwinnett sheriff&#x27;s office when they executed a search warrant.</li><li>An immigration judge has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ordered" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/07/01/journalist-mario-guevara-ice-custody-released-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="0064786b-0252-48cc-a847-e8810a809fd0" data-vars-headline="Family, advocacy groups call on ICE to free detained Atlanta reporter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/07/01/journalist-mario-guevara-ice-custody-released-atlanta" target="_self">ordered</a> Guevara released on a $7,500 bond, but the federal government has appealed that ruling, meaning he remains at the immigration detention facility in Folkston.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Diaz said the firm will continue working to get Guevara released from ICE&#x27;s custody. <ul><li>He also said his office will file a motion to recover his client&#x27;s cellphone.</li></ul>

Atlanta councilman, daughter hit by vehicle during bike ride

Dozier said he and his daughter were pedaling home from an Atlanta United game last week when they were hit.

Atlanta City Council member Jason Dozier and his daughter were both hit by a vehicle while riding their bikes last week.The latest: Dozier said Tuesday in a statement that he and his daughter were hit by a car as they pedaled home from an Atlanta United game. The pair suffered injuries from the collision. <ul><li>Axios reached out to the Atlanta Police Department for details about the incident, but has not heard back from the agency.</li></ul>

Atlanta police offer experienced cops $10K to join force ahead of World Cup

APD wants to fill ranks with trained officers as the 2026 World Cup brings global crowds to town.

The Atlanta Police Department hopes a $10,000 bonus will attract more experienced officers to join its ranks as the city <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prepares" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/12/2026-fifa-world-cup-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="1e2d6ab7-1fce-4aa8-be37-55a125c5ca0f" data-vars-headline="Atlanta police offer experienced cops $10K to join force ahead of World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/12/2026-fifa-world-cup-atlanta" target="_self">prepares</a> for the 2026 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/02/04/2026-world-cup-atlanta-matches" data-vars-content-id="1e2d6ab7-1fce-4aa8-be37-55a125c5ca0f" data-vars-headline="Atlanta police offer experienced cops $10K to join force ahead of World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/02/04/2026-world-cup-atlanta-matches" target="_self">FIFA World Cup</a>.Why it matters: With Atlanta set to host eight matches next year, the police department will need more men and women on the ground to handle the influx of visitors traveling to the city for the major sporting event.

Atlanta to shut camp where unhoused man was killed during clearing

Cornelius Taylor was killed when Department of Public Works crews were using heavy machinery to clear the site.

Politics

The city of Atlanta will permanently shut down the homeless encampment in Old Fourth Ward where a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="man was killed during a clearing operation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/21/homeless-man-death-encampment" data-vars-content-id="17d7e2db-3dc8-4990-83f1-0f08770c66a5" data-vars-headline="Atlanta to shut camp where unhoused man was killed during clearing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/21/homeless-man-death-encampment" target="_self">man was killed during a clearing operation</a>.Why it matters: The clearing of the camp on Old Wheat Street, which resulted in the death of Cornelius Taylor, led to advocates calling for a moratorium on encampment clearings and the city appointing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="90-Day Homelessness Task Force" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/mayor-s-office/the-mayor-s-cabinet/city-of-atlanta-90-day-homelessness-task-force" data-vars-content-id="17d7e2db-3dc8-4990-83f1-0f08770c66a5" data-vars-headline="Atlanta to shut camp where unhoused man was killed during clearing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/mayor-s-office/the-mayor-s-cabinet/city-of-atlanta-90-day-homelessness-task-force" target="_blank">90-Day Homelessness Task Force</a>.

Police clash with ICE protesters in DeKalb

More than 10,000 rallied in Atlanta as police clashed with ICE protesters and detained at least eight, including a local immigration reporter.

At least eight people, including a journalist, were arrested in DeKalb County over the weekend during a protest against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Immigration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration" data-vars-content-id="20ed414d-4e87-4354-85e1-722e6ec44769" data-vars-headline="Police clash with ICE protesters in DeKalb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration" target="_self">Immigration</a> and Customs Enforcement raids.Why it matters: That protest occurred on the same day as the &quot;No Kings&quot; rallies held in Atlanta and across the country.

Public Safety

New Orleans jailbreak saga ends as final escapee captured in Atlanta

Fulton County approves massive Rice Street jail renovation plan

Fulton proposes to renovate Rice Street jail, build mental health facility

Grand jury declines to indict ex-cop in tasing death of Atlanta deacon

1 year after shooting, mother of man killed by APD cop still seeks justice