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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Atlanta. Written by Kristal Dixon and Thomas Wheatley.

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Atlanta seeks lifetime license suspensions for speeding

The Atlanta City Council wants lifetime license suspensions for the worst driving offenders.

News

Restaurant group wants investigation into 2018 sinkhole at Piedmont Park

Be Our Guest Investments accuses Piedmont Park Conservancy of covering up the issue before anyone could determine the cause of the sinkhole.

The traditional Georgia accent is fading away

The speech pattern used by white English speakers "peaked" among people born around World War II

Georgia teacher fired for having book about gender identity in classroom

She is one of — if not the — first educator in Georgia to lose her job in relation to  a 2022 state law

Education

A Georgia ghost town has ties to the state's Gold Rush

Auraria lost out to Dahlonega and faded over time

Things to Do

There are thousands of abandoned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;ghost&quot; towns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/abandonedplaces/ghost-towns.htm" data-vars-content-id="63a689aa-d51a-4a1a-b533-f821469461ad" data-vars-headline="A Georgia ghost town has ties to the state&#x27;s Gold Rush" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/abandonedplaces/ghost-towns.htm" target="_blank">&quot;ghost&quot; towns</a> across the United States, including one in Georgia that&#x27;s considered one of the country&#x27;s first &quot;Gold Rush&quot; communities.Why it matters: While many of them are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="no more than memories" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/28/3d-digital-models-are-resurrecting-lost-neighborhoods" data-vars-content-id="63a689aa-d51a-4a1a-b533-f821469461ad" data-vars-headline="A Georgia ghost town has ties to the state&#x27;s Gold Rush" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/28/3d-digital-models-are-resurrecting-lost-neighborhoods" target="_self">no more than memories</a>, a few hundred still have free-standing structures or museums you can visit.

Weekender: Drive-By Truckers, Dave Attell, and computer history

Atlanta doesn't have an ocean but we have plenty of fun things to do

Atlanta doesn&#x27;t have an ocean, but by gosh we have many fun things to do. Go enjoy the weekend.

Animated illustration of two neutral emojis, one big and one smaller, smiling, and sunglasses appearing over their faces. 

Write Club's "combative philanthropic literary bloodsport" returns

The diabolical minds behind "combative philanthropic literary bloodsport" return

Write Club, the monthly literary slugfest where creative Atlanta writers tap gloves and battle for a good cause, returns tonight.What&#x27;s happening: Once a month, Write Club takes over 7 Stages in Little Five Points for a hand-to-hand combat of words, wits and wonder.How it works: Two writers have six minutes each to read stories they&#x27;ve written beforehand about opposing ideas assigned by Write Club producers Nick Tecosky, Mykal June, Dani Herd and Jon Carr.<ul><li>Think high vs. low, light vs. dark, fresh vs. canned. You get the idea.</li><li>In gladiator fashion, the audience&#x27;s applause decides the winner. Nonprofits receive a share of the evening&#x27;s proceeds.</li></ul>Yes, but: Each combatant has seven minutes. Hard stop and man, it hurts when that buzzer sounds.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;It&#x27;s the tenderest bloodsport!&quot; Tecosky told Axios. &quot;A dynamic event. And all the cool kids are doing it. Aren&#x27;t you a cool kid?&quot;🥇 Thomas&#x27; thought bubble: I have a 1-0 record in Write Club battles. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="My winning story" data-vars-click-url="https://archive.org/details/WcaEp26-AddVSubtract" data-vars-content-id="698df1ab-4ff2-44dc-a39a-048f73103aa0" data-vars-headline="Write Club&#x27;s &quot;combative philanthropic literary bloodsport&quot; returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://archive.org/details/WcaEp26-AddVSubtract" target="_blank">My winning story</a> was a fictitious yarn about befriending the lead singer of Sugar Ray and finding my place in the world.<ul><li>Never have I felt so alive.</li></ul>Details: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tonight&#x27;s Write Club theme is Feast of Pain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/writeclub-atlanta-feast-of-pain-tickets-744742885017" data-vars-content-id="698df1ab-4ff2-44dc-a39a-048f73103aa0" data-vars-headline="Write Club&#x27;s &quot;combative philanthropic literary bloodsport&quot; returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/writeclub-atlanta-feast-of-pain-tickets-744742885017" target="_blank">Tonight&#x27;s Write Club theme is Feast of Pain</a>. Doors open at 7:30pm.

A man in a coat jacket stretches out his arms while telling a story to a bright packed theater with stadium-style seating

Hip-hop influencers discuss Atlanta's creative impact

Hip-hop's growth mirrors the Black experience as Atlanta became an international hub.

Several hip-hop influencers filled Atlanta&#x27;s Center Stage on Thursday to reflect on the city&#x27;s impact on the genre and the world at large.Why it matters: The rise of Atlanta hip-hop mirrors the Black community&#x27;s experience as the city transformed into an international hub for culture.<ul><li>FunkJazz Kafé CEO and musicologist Jason Orr put it like this: &quot;It&#x27;s the community that builds and makes movements,&quot; which includes the culture writers, fashion designers, and visual artists that uplift our musicians.</li></ul>

The cost to attend a Hawks game creeps up

A family of four will spend an average of $204.26 at an Atlanta Hawks game this season.

Attending an NBA game could cost you more this year.Why it matters: A family of four will spend, on average, $204.26 at an Atlanta Hawks game this season for four of the cheapest available tickets, a parking spot, two beers, two sodas and four hot dogs.<ul><li>That&#x27;s up from $190.58 during the 2022-23 season.</li></ul>

Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles a basketball in a game against the Charlotte Hornets.

It's leaf-raking season in Atlanta. Here's what you need to know.

Break out the rake? Or let the leaves lie?

Fall is in full swing, and leaf season is upon us.Why it matters: It&#x27;s time to decide whether you&#x27;re going to break out the rake or leaf blower — or let the leaves lie.

Illustration of a pile of leaves that is being raked to reveal an Axios logo. 

Zoo pandas are not quite a black-and-white issue

By the end of the year, the only place in the country with giant pandas will be Zoo Atlanta

One by one, giant pandas housed at zoos across the U.S. are returning to China as long-standing loan agreements come to an end, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Nashville&#x27;s Nate Rau writes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/10/19/giant-pandas-leaving-zoos-nashville-road-trip" data-vars-content-id="7e864003-b59b-4ac8-bdb4-62fa0bc0b01b" data-vars-headline="Zoo pandas are not quite a black-and-white issue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/10/19/giant-pandas-leaving-zoos-nashville-road-trip" target="_self">Axios Nashville&#x27;s Nate Rau writes</a>.Why it matters: By the end of the year, the only place in the country with pandas will be Zoo Atlanta, and their four bears are also headed back to China soon.<ul><li>The only other facility in the U.S. with pandas today is the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington. But the three bears there will board a special FedEx jet bound for China before mid-November, weeks ahead of their Dec. 7 lease expiration date, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios D.C.&#x27;s Anna Spiegel writes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/10/26/pandas-leaving-dc-national-zoo" data-vars-content-id="7e864003-b59b-4ac8-bdb4-62fa0bc0b01b" data-vars-headline="Zoo pandas are not quite a black-and-white issue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/10/26/pandas-leaving-dc-national-zoo" target="_self">Axios D.C.&#x27;s Anna Spiegel writes</a>.</li></ul>

Little Five Points Halloween Parade, Kosher BBQ return

Plus, frights at Fernbank and Boo at the Zoo

Too early for Halloween events? It&#x27;s never too early for Halloween events. Here are some fun options, plus some not-so-scary happenings.👻 Head to Euclid and Moreland avenues on Saturday for the always enjoyable <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Little Five Points Halloween Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.l5phalloween.com/" data-vars-content-id="404498ec-5ca0-4c9f-8b5f-744197267d12" data-vars-headline="Little Five Points Halloween Parade, Kosher BBQ return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.l5phalloween.com/" target="_blank">Little Five Points Halloween Festival</a>.<ul><li>The Sunday march down Moreland — an unabashedly PG-13 parade featuring gory make-up and creative frighty floats — starts at 2pm near DeKalb Avenue and ends at Freedom Park.</li></ul>

A large puppet of a skeleton with a large skull covered in cobwebs waves at a parade crowd

Tiki Thai offers another Asian fusion option in Atlanta

Tiki Thai is located in the Howell Mill Square shopping center.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tiki Thai" data-vars-click-url="https://tikithaiatlanta.com/" data-vars-content-id="884b22df-0645-49eb-80cc-c2cbaf166e6f" data-vars-headline="Tiki Thai offers another Asian fusion option in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tikithaiatlanta.com/" target="_blank">Tiki Thai</a> is now open in Berkeley Park&#x27;s Howell Mill Square shopping center. <ul><li>The Axios Atlanta team checked it out last week. Kristal here with my thoughts on the new Asian fusion restaurant.</li></ul>The atmosphere: It has an unexpected, yet pleasant vibe. The restaurant&#x27;s dark lighting made me feel like I was in a tiki bar-themed nightclub, which meant it was a bit hard to see the menu.

Atlanta Pride Parade celebrates local LGBTQ

More than 300 organizations and 100 floats are signed up to march in the parade in Midtown.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Atlanta Pride" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlantapride.org/" data-vars-content-id="83efd88a-739e-4b06-8b71-51fab5c72947" data-vars-headline="Atlanta Pride Parade celebrates local LGBTQ" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlantapride.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Pride</a> takes over Piedmont Park — most of the city, really — for a weekend of concerts, dancing and parties. And if you&#x27;re going to make it to one event, don&#x27;t miss Sunday&#x27;s parade.Driving the news: More than 300 organizations and 100 floats are registered to march in the roughly two-mile parade in Midtown.

Women wearing bright yellow shirts and a young child wave during a parade while helping to hold a large rainbow flag

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Politics & Policy

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.

Things to Do 🗓