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Georgia U.S. Rep. David Scott dies after decades in politics

Scott served nearly 25 years in Congress and decades in Georgia politics.

News

Democratic U.S. Rep. David Scott of Georgia has died at age 80 after more than five decades in public office, his staff announced Wednesday.Driving the news: Scott served in Congress for more than two decades and had qualified to run for his 13th consecutive term representing the south metro Atlanta district.<ul><li>His health was a growing concern for colleagues in recent years, and he was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ousted from his leadership role" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/16/angie-craig-david-scott-steering-agriculture-democrats" data-vars-content-id="4cbe02aa-a1f7-47db-b3e8-469c7710ab1e" data-vars-headline="Georgia U.S. Rep. David Scott dies after decades in politics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/16/angie-craig-david-scott-steering-agriculture-democrats" target="_self">ousted from his leadership role</a> on the House Agriculture Committee after the 2024 election. He was the committee&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first Black chairman" data-vars-click-url="https://davidscott.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399460" data-vars-content-id="4cbe02aa-a1f7-47db-b3e8-469c7710ab1e" data-vars-headline="Georgia U.S. Rep. David Scott dies after decades in politics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://davidscott.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399460" target="_blank">first Black chairman</a>.</li></ul>

Test drive: MARTA's new rapid bus line

The route runs from South Downtown to the Atlanta Beltline's Southeast Trail.

Transit

MARTA&#x27;s long-awaited <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bus rapid transit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/21/marta-bus-rapid-transit-camera-enforcement" data-vars-content-id="a7ba0191-d094-4e37-b9d0-d57eb2930a61" data-vars-headline="Test drive: MARTA&#x27;s new rapid bus line" 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/marta-bus-rapid-transit-camera-enforcement" target="_self">bus rapid transit</a> route from South Downtown to the Atlanta Beltline&#x27;s Southeast Trail is up and running. <ul><li>And even in its unfinished first phase, it&#x27;s a fast and easy ride.</li></ul>

After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement

The proposal to renew its contract with the Atlanta-based company had been delayed twice over concerns about security.

Public Safety

After months of delays, security concerns and community angst, Dunwoody leaders approved a new contract with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock Safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/all-deals/2026/04/13/flock-safety-fundraising-surveillance-tech" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/all-deals/2026/04/13/flock-safety-fundraising-surveillance-tech" target="_self">Flock Safety</a> to continue operating license plate reader cameras in the city.Why it matters: While the Atlanta-based company remains generally popular among law enforcement agencies and governments, some cities are ending agreements over privacy issues and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/" target="_blank">concerns</a> about how federal immigration authorities can use collected information to track down and detain undocumented people.Driving the news: Dunwoody council members unanimously approved its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="master services agreement" data-vars-click-url="https://dunwoodyga.hylandcloud.com/211agendaonline/Documents/ViewDocument/Flock%20Master%20Services%20Agreement.pdf?meetingId=2913&amp;documentType=Agenda&amp;itemId=31254&amp;publishId=39283&amp;isSection=false" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dunwoodyga.hylandcloud.com/211agendaonline/Documents/ViewDocument/Flock%20Master%20Services%20Agreement.pdf?meetingId=2913&amp;documentType=Agenda&amp;itemId=31254&amp;publishId=39283&amp;isSection=false" target="_blank">master services agreement</a> with Flock, a $15,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contract" data-vars-click-url="https://dunwoodyga.hylandcloud.com/211agendaonline/Documents/ViewDocument/2026%200413%20(a)%20Flock%20OS911%20Contract.pdf.pdf?meetingId=2913&amp;documentType=Agenda&amp;itemId=31108&amp;publishId=39285&amp;isSection=false" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dunwoodyga.hylandcloud.com/211agendaonline/Documents/ViewDocument/2026%200413%20(a)%20Flock%20OS911%20Contract.pdf.pdf?meetingId=2913&amp;documentType=Agenda&amp;itemId=31108&amp;publishId=39285&amp;isSection=false" target="_blank">contract</a> to implement its OS 911 system for the police department, and an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="agreement" data-vars-click-url="https://dunwoodyga.hylandcloud.com/211agendaonline/Documents/ViewDocument/2026%200413%20(b)%20Flock-Dunwoody%20PD%2C%20DFR%20Expansion%20Agreement.pdf.pdf?meetingId=2913&amp;documentType=Agenda&amp;itemId=31109&amp;publishId=39288&amp;isSection=false" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dunwoodyga.hylandcloud.com/211agendaonline/Documents/ViewDocument/2026%200413%20(b)%20Flock-Dunwoody%20PD%2C%20DFR%20Expansion%20Agreement.pdf.pdf?meetingId=2913&amp;documentType=Agenda&amp;itemId=31109&amp;publishId=39288&amp;isSection=false" target="_blank">agreement</a> to use its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Drone as First Responder program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/03/25/fulton-sheriffs-office-drone-jail-contraband-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/03/25/fulton-sheriffs-office-drone-jail-contraband-atlanta" target="_self">Drone as First Responder program</a> for $200,000. Catch up quick: The vote to approve the 12-month agreement with Flock had been delayed in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="February" data-vars-click-url="https://atlpresscollective.com/2026/02/25/dunwoody-flock-contract-911/" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://atlpresscollective.com/2026/02/25/dunwoody-flock-contract-911/" target="_blank">February</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="March" data-vars-click-url="https://atlpresscollective.com/2026/03/26/dunwoody-flock-safety-contract-march-update/" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://atlpresscollective.com/2026/03/26/dunwoody-flock-safety-contract-march-update/" target="_blank">March</a> after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="YouTuber" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/@BennJordan/videos" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/@BennJordan/videos" target="_blank">YouTuber</a> Benn Jordan showed Dunwoody leaders how he was able to hack into the camera system.What they&#x27;re saying: Jordan, who lives in Mableton, told Axios cities like Dunwoody should &quot;make sure that you have an independent security audit before having a surveillance vendor.&quot; <ul><li>During Monday&#x27;s Council meeting, resident Jason Hunyar alleged, based on public records he requested, that a Flock employee &quot;initiated&quot; viewing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a live camera feed" data-vars-click-url="https://jasonhunyar.substack.com/p/why-are-flock-employees-watching-720" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://jasonhunyar.substack.com/p/why-are-flock-employees-watching-720" target="_blank">a live camera feed</a> at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlantajcc.org/" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlantajcc.org/" target="_blank">Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta</a>.</li><li>Flock employees <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="accessed cameras" data-vars-click-url="https://atlpresscollective.com/2026/04/14/dunwoody-flock-safety-contract-passed/" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://atlpresscollective.com/2026/04/14/dunwoody-flock-safety-contract-passed/" target="_blank">accessed cameras</a> in the fitness center, pool area and gymnastics room, Hunyar said.</li><li>Fellow Dunwoody resident Jessica Burbank told Council members Flock is &quot;building a national network of surveillance cameras.&quot; </li><li>&quot;I think it&#x27;s time to carefully consider if this is really how we want to live in America,&quot; she said.</li></ul>The other side: Mayor Lynn Deutsch said she was &quot;concerned and perplexed&quot; when the camera at MJCCA was accessed by a Flock employee. <ul><li>Deutsch said Flock&#x27;s previous agreement with Dunwoody allowed the company to use the city&#x27;s network of cameras for demonstrations.</li><li>The agreement approved Monday no longer contains that provision, and Flock spokesperson Holly Beilin told Axios the company sent a letter of apology to MJCCA.</li><li>Chris Castaldo, Flock&#x27;s chief information security officer, addressed in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blog published last month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-cybersecurity-how-we-protect-customer-community-data" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-cybersecurity-how-we-protect-customer-community-data" target="_blank">blog published last month</a> security concerns and how it protects data collected by license plate readers.</li></ul>The big picture: Beilin said concerns over license plate reader technology are part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="larger national conversation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/doorbell-cams-and-surveillance-tech-face-growing-public-backlash" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/doorbell-cams-and-surveillance-tech-face-growing-public-backlash" target="_self">larger national conversation</a> over surveillance, data, privacy and security.<ul><li>&quot;That being said, we have to build trust with communities so that they understand that this data is secure and that it&#x27;s being used in a way that aligns with their values,&quot; Beilin told Axios.</li><li>Flock now <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has new compliance tools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.flocksafety.com/trust/compliance-tools" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.flocksafety.com/trust/compliance-tools" target="_blank">has new compliance tools</a> that allow clients to tweak settings to prohibit immigration-related searches or get flags when unusual search patterns are made by users, for example.</li></ul>Zoom out: Cities across the country are cutting ties with Flock.<ul><li>Denver Mayor Mike Johnston <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="said in February" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/24/denver-replace-flock-surveillance-axon-license-plate-readers" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/24/denver-replace-flock-surveillance-axon-license-plate-readers" target="_self">said in February</a> the city would not renew its contract with the Atlanta-based company, and instead <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="approved" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/01/axon-license-plate-reader-contract-approved" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/01/axon-license-plate-reader-contract-approved" target="_self">approved</a> a contract with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/18/new-proposed-license-plate-reader-company-dhs-ties" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/18/new-proposed-license-plate-reader-company-dhs-ties" target="_self">Axon</a> to provide license plate reader technology.</li><li>City Council members in San Diego late last year <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urged" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/12/city-council-flock-alternatives-license-plate-reader-police-surveillance" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/12/city-council-flock-alternatives-license-plate-reader-police-surveillance" target="_self">urged</a> the police department to seek alternatives to Flock for its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="citywide license plate reader program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/10/san-diego-police-flock-license-plate-surveillance-cameras" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/10/san-diego-police-flock-license-plate-surveillance-cameras" target="_self">citywide license plate reader program</a> but ended up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="maintaining" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/10/san-diego-police-flock-license-plate-surveillance-cameras" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/10/san-diego-police-flock-license-plate-surveillance-cameras" target="_self">maintaining</a> its contract with the company.</li><li>Several cities in California, including Santa Cruz and Mountain View, have ended agreements with Flock, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to the Guardian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/06/flock-cameras-privacy-concerns" data-vars-content-id="70f9a713-cacc-46a1-9d30-ae5cef34bbf6" data-vars-headline="After delays and security concerns, Dunwoody approves Flock agreement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/06/flock-cameras-privacy-concerns" target="_blank">according to the Guardian</a>.</li></ul>What we&#x27;re watching: Whether cities that have agreements with Flock will begin to feel pressure from residents who have concerns about the technology.

Georgia Tech turns dorms into World Cup stays

With 500,000 visitors expected, Tech is offering $237-a-night rooms near Atlanta's Fan Zone.

Georgia Tech is joining your neighbors (and maybe you) and getting in on the FIFA World Cup <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home-sharing bandwagon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/04/10/airbnb-fifa-world-cup-rentals-cost" data-vars-content-id="a9433540-7fc5-4044-a199-4b1373b35f5d" data-vars-headline="Georgia Tech turns dorms into World Cup stays" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/04/10/airbnb-fifa-world-cup-rentals-cost" target="_self">home-sharing bandwagon</a>.Why it matters: Atlanta&#x27;s host committee expects hundreds of thousands of people to visit the city during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the six-week tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/12/2026-fifa-world-cup-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="a9433540-7fc5-4044-a199-4b1373b35f5d" data-vars-headline="Georgia Tech turns dorms into World Cup stays" 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">the six-week tournament</a>, which starts on June 11.<ul><li>Those visitors need a place to sleep. As with college students, sometimes anywhere will suffice.</li></ul>

Kemp declares state of emergency over South Georgia wildfires

91 counties in central and south Georgia are under a burn ban through May 22.

Wildfires

Ninety-one counties are under a state of emergency as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/04/13/georgia-wildfires-increasing-la-nina-drought-hurricane-helene-debris" data-vars-content-id="b62e6df4-47d6-433b-a5ac-893f196a93e7" data-vars-headline="Kemp declares state of emergency over South Georgia wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/04/13/georgia-wildfires-increasing-la-nina-drought-hurricane-helene-debris" target="_self">wildfires</a> continue to burn in South Georgia.Why it matters: The state of emergency declared by Gov. Brian Kemp, which runs for 30 days, allows agencies to deploy resources to affected areas.