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Kemp weighs special session as ballot law deadline looms

Election officials have a July 1 deadline to stop using QR codes to count ballots.

News

Pressure is building for Gov. Brian Kemp to call a special legislative session to delay a major overhaul of Georgia&#x27;s voting system before the elections.Why it matters: Calling lawmakers back is rare, logistically complex and politically fraught — especially this year, as officials face tight election timelines and an expected debate over voting security.

90th Dogwood Festival returns to Piedmont Park with entrance fee

Executive director Brian Hill told Axios the Dogwood Festival is charging a "nominal entrance fee to be able to keep the festival alive."

Things to Do

The popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Atlanta Dogwood Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://dogwood.org/" data-vars-content-id="fdef238c-6953-4059-8d40-604e1ed84add" data-vars-headline="90th Dogwood Festival returns to Piedmont Park with entrance fee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dogwood.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Dogwood Festival</a> returns to Piedmont Park this weekend, and for the first time will charge visitors a small fee to attend.Why it matters: The three-day festival was in &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grave risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/08/26/dogwood-festival-piedmont-park-shutting-down-fundraising" data-vars-content-id="fdef238c-6953-4059-8d40-604e1ed84add" data-vars-headline="90th Dogwood Festival returns to Piedmont Park with entrance fee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/08/26/dogwood-festival-piedmont-park-shutting-down-fundraising" target="_self">grave risk</a>&quot; of not returning due to budget constraints fueled by the pandemic, rising costs and falling sponsorships.

APD offers $15K reward for info in teen's fatal shooting at Piedmont Park

16-year-old Tianah Robinson was shot and killed Saturday night at the park.

Public Safety

The city of Atlanta is offering a $15,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the fatal shooting of a teenager Saturday night at Piedmont Park.The latest: Atlanta police are reviewing license plate readers, cameras and cellphone videos to identify suspects in the shooting that killed 16-year-old Tianah Robinson and injured 15-year-old Italia Wilson, said assistant chief Carven Tyus.

Edibles.com opens first store near Atlanta Beltline

The store, which is located near the Atlanta Beltline, will feature a variety of CBD and hemp-derived products.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Edibles.com" data-vars-click-url="https://edibles.com/" data-vars-content-id="10a3f09a-9f17-4399-b056-a4b3c375ecbd" data-vars-headline="Edibles.com opens first store near Atlanta Beltline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://edibles.com/" target="_blank">Edibles.com</a> has opened its first retail store near the Atlanta Beltline&#x27;s Eastside Trail in Inman Park.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Edible Brands" data-vars-click-url="https://ediblebrands.com/" data-vars-content-id="10a3f09a-9f17-4399-b056-a4b3c375ecbd" data-vars-headline="Edibles.com opens first store near Atlanta Beltline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ediblebrands.com/" target="_blank">Edible Brands</a>, the parent company that established Edibles.com last year, said in a news release it&#x27;s ready to expand its operations to include brick-and-mortar stores.

A new model is replacing traditional car buying and leasing in Atlanta

Multi-year car loans assume your life stays the same, but a more flexible model is emerging.

Partners

Buying or leasing a car still runs on a decades-old model — even as everything else about how we live has changed.The background: Work arrangements have grown more flexible and many households relocate more often than they did a generation ago, particularly in fast-growing metros like Atlanta, where tens of thousands of new residents arrive each year.<ul><li>For many drivers, especially those still figuring out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="how long they&#x27;ll stay in the area" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/11/19/young-people-in-atlanta-thinking-about-leaving" data-vars-content-id="9368c14e-ba10-4779-a870-c20db1ed2a58" data-vars-headline="A new model is replacing traditional car buying and leasing 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/2025/11/19/young-people-in-atlanta-thinking-about-leaving" target="_self">how long they&#x27;ll stay in the area</a>, committing to a multi-year car loan or lease no longer fits the way they live.</li><li>And yet, in a city like Atlanta, having access to a car is still essential for getting to work, running errands and navigating the region&#x27;s wide geographic footprint.</li></ul>

Cobb lawmaker wants 8-year freeze on transit tax votes

The bill would block counties from retrying failed transit sales tax referendums for eight years.

Transit

A Cobb County state lawmaker wants metro Atlanta counties to wait eight years before asking voters to approve another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transit sales tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/11/06/cobb-gwinnett-msplost-transit-tax" data-vars-content-id="28869e52-a63b-40a9-bbc1-92a3d51e08ff" data-vars-headline="Cobb lawmaker wants 8-year freeze on transit tax votes" 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/cobb-gwinnett-msplost-transit-tax" target="_self">transit sales tax</a> after a failed referendum.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The bill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73366" data-vars-content-id="28869e52-a63b-40a9-bbc1-92a3d51e08ff" data-vars-headline="Cobb lawmaker wants 8-year freeze on transit tax votes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73366" target="_blank">The bill</a> from state Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta) could dash local governments&#x27; transit dreams and delay meaningful investment in bus and rail service for nearly a decade.

Family of man killed while crossing Peachtree plead for crosswalk

Pradeep Sood, 67, was walking in a faded crosswalk between AmericasMart and Peachtree Center when he was struck by a vehicle on Feb. 11, 2025.

Family members of a man who was fatally struck while crossing Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta last year want the city to make good on its promise to make the thoroughfare safer for pedestrians.Why it matters: The death of Pradeep Sood, 67, reignited the long-running struggle over Atlanta&#x27;s desire to make city streets more accessible to pedestrians while also keeping vehicular traffic flowing efficiently.

Report: Waymo cars passed Atlanta school buses at least 6 times

Waymo has issued a software recall in response to a federal safety probe.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo autonomous vehicles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/12/11/atlanta-self-driving-waymo-uber-ride-experience" data-vars-content-id="ada240bd-44d9-4d97-b8c6-dad9bda98067" data-vars-headline="Report: Waymo cars passed Atlanta school buses at least 6 times" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/12/11/atlanta-self-driving-waymo-uber-ride-experience" target="_self">Waymo autonomous vehicles</a> are coming under scrutiny after the robotaxis passed stopped school buses on several occasions in Atlanta.Why it matters: The latest mishap raises questions on how effectively self-driving vehicles can respond to a variety of issues that crop up on city streets.

I rode in a driverless Waymo in Atlanta. It was awesome

A smooth ride, a robot voice and total autonomy — here's what to expect in your first Waymo.

As a Gen X-er, growing up I dreamed about a future with flying cars. Back in October, I experienced the next best thing — a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="self-driving Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/waymo-robotaxis-seattle-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="2a7fb9fb-f6a5-402e-b9a3-7e384f2e86dc" data-vars-headline="I rode in a driverless Waymo in Atlanta. It was awesome" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/waymo-robotaxis-seattle-minneapolis" target="_self">self-driving Waymo</a>.Why it matters: The car drove itself, y&#x27;all.

Report: Traffic deaths outnumbered homicides last year in metro Atlanta

Vehicle collisions were responsible for 425 deaths last year in Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties, a 9.6% decrease from 2023 when 470 people died in roadway crashes.

More people were killed in vehicle collisions than homicides last year in metro Atlanta&#x27;s five core counties, according to a pedestrian-safety advocacy organization.Why it matters: Gun deaths and homicides are more complex to solve, but simple design changes can make streets safer, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Propel ATL" data-vars-click-url="https://www.letspropelatl.org/" data-vars-content-id="54976d84-e4bf-4403-a1ff-42e9518655c8" data-vars-headline="Report: Traffic deaths outnumbered homicides last year in metro Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.letspropelatl.org/" target="_blank">Propel ATL</a> executive director Rebecca Serna told Axios.

We're spending more time stuck in traffic in Atlanta

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute's 2025 Urban Mobility Report found there's been a noticeable rise in midday traffic in cities across the country.

The average person commuting in Atlanta is spending 87 hours annually <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stuck in traffic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/08/slowest-driving-cities-america-list" data-vars-content-id="29ecf779-d2dd-4a5a-81ec-68be1ca4af9b" data-vars-headline="We&#x27;re spending more time stuck in traffic in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/08/slowest-driving-cities-america-list" target="_self">stuck in traffic</a> amid changes in when and why people drive, a new report finds.Why it matters: The findings put some hard data behind a common feeling among many drivers: Traffic has been getting worse — or at least different — since the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 pandemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" data-vars-content-id="29ecf779-d2dd-4a5a-81ec-68be1ca4af9b" data-vars-headline="We&#x27;re spending more time stuck in traffic in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" target="_self">COVID-19 pandemic</a>.

MARTA riders push for more reliable buses and better stops

A new survey of 900 regular riders outlines frustrations of people who use the system.

MARTA riders are sounding off <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in a new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.letspropelatl.org/voicesfromthebus" data-vars-content-id="03497067-ac52-4bde-8493-8429dd5c7122" data-vars-headline="MARTA riders push for more reliable buses and better stops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.letspropelatl.org/voicesfromthebus" target="_blank">in a new report</a> about &quot;ghost buses,&quot; waiting in the rain and other frustrations.Why it matters: MARTA bus ridership still hasn&#x27;t recovered from pre-pandemic levels.

Program offers discounted bike and scooter rides to some Atlanta residents

The initiative offers 50% discounts on Bird bikes and scooters to all Atlanta Housing residents.

Atlanta Housing is partnering with Bird to launch a program offering discounted e‑bike and e‑scooter rides to residents of its developments.Why it matters: Reliable transportation — and the costs needed to maintain it — are often a barrier for people getting to and from work.

Reducing e-scooter injuries demands designing safer streets

E-scooter injuries surge nationwide, doubling among children

The U.S. is seeing an alarming rise in electric scooter injuries — particularly among children, according to data compiled by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ERideHero" data-vars-click-url="https://eridehero.com/" data-vars-content-id="25105e5f-b6c2-4594-b21d-118fe95a3782" data-vars-headline="Reducing e-scooter injuries demands designing safer streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eridehero.com/" target="_blank">ERideHero</a>, a consumer guide to electric micro-mobility.Why it matters: E-scooters, despite their well-publicized <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="boom and bust" data-vars-click-url="https://gadallon.substack.com/p/the-rise-and-reckoning-of-scooter" data-vars-content-id="25105e5f-b6c2-4594-b21d-118fe95a3782" data-vars-headline="Reducing e-scooter injuries demands designing safer streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gadallon.substack.com/p/the-rise-and-reckoning-of-scooter" target="_blank">boom and bust</a> history, have become mainstream in many cities, yet lack the safety guardrails that govern other types of transportation.The big picture: Some 81 million people took trips on shared e-scooters in the U.S. last year, according to the North American Bikeshare &amp; Scootershare Association.<ul><li>Approximately 150,000 shared scooters are deployed across the U.S. on a daily basis.</li></ul>By the numbers: E-scooter injuries in the U.S. rose by 80% to nearly 116,000 in 2024, according to ERideHero&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2025 Electric Scooter Accident Report" data-vars-click-url="https://eridehero.com/electric-scooter-accident-report-2025/" data-vars-content-id="25105e5f-b6c2-4594-b21d-118fe95a3782" data-vars-headline="Reducing e-scooter injuries demands designing safer streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eridehero.com/electric-scooter-accident-report-2025/" target="_blank">2025 Electric Scooter Accident Report</a>.<ul><li>Accidents among children more than doubled, with nearly 18,000 kids under 15 getting hurt — many suffering head trauma.</li><li>People between 15-24 suffered the most e-scooter injuries, accounting for more than 23%. </li><li>68% of those injured were male, and over 10,000 injuries involved driving under the influence.</li><li>eRideHero&#x27;s analysis is based on data sourced from the Consumer Product Safety Commission&#x27;s NEISS database, which tracks consumer product-related injuries from a sample of over 100 American hospital ER departments.</li></ul>Zoom in: From 2020 to present day, four people have died and 43 people were seriously injured in crashes involving scooters in Atlanta, according to the city&#x27;s Vision Zero <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="database" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/dd914dcf7ae74cd0b6df025190c39df3" data-vars-content-id="25105e5f-b6c2-4594-b21d-118fe95a3782" data-vars-headline="Reducing e-scooter injuries demands designing safer streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/dd914dcf7ae74cd0b6df025190c39df3" target="_blank">database</a>.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;I think we&#x27;re seeing the consequences of treating e-scooters like toys instead of vehicles,&quot; says Rasmus Barslund, founder of ERideHero.<ul><li>&quot;We&#x27;re seeing adult-sized scooters marketed to young kids on Amazon — machines that can reach high speeds being given to children who lack the cognitive development to judge speed and distance safely.&quot;</li><li>Plus, he said, there&#x27;s no safety culture around e-scooters. &quot;We basically put motor vehicles on sidewalks and expected everyone to figure it out for themselves.&quot;</li></ul>The industry is responding with safety tips and other programs.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.li.me/why/safety" data-vars-content-id="25105e5f-b6c2-4594-b21d-118fe95a3782" data-vars-headline="Reducing e-scooter injuries demands designing safer streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.li.me/why/safety" target="_blank">Lime</a>, a leading scooter company, for instance, offers an in-person safety course for first-time riders and strongly encourages the use of helmets.</li></ul>In the weeds: Cities could reduce scooter injuries by designing and building streets that are safe for everyone, Shayna Pollock, the principal and founder of policy firm Shift Mobility, told Axios.<ul><li>Other policies include reducing speed limits in high-density areas like downtowns and requiring users to corral their vehicles rather than wherever they please.</li></ul>

Transit 🚗

A new model is replacing traditional car buying and leasing in Atlanta

Cobb lawmaker wants 8-year freeze on transit tax votes

Family of man killed while crossing Peachtree plead for crosswalk

Report: Waymo cars passed Atlanta school buses at least 6 times

I rode in a driverless Waymo in Atlanta. It was awesome