Axios Atlanta

June 30, 2023
Welcome to Friday, y'all!
π€οΈ Today's weather: Mostly sunny and even hotter. High around 95.
Situational awareness: A group of Georgia parents sued to block the law banning gender-affirming care for minors from going into effect tomorrow.
- Many similar bans across the country have already faced trouble in the courts. (Axios)
π Happy birthday to our Axios Atlanta member Chris Pomar! And an early happy birthday to member Cathy Wooten!
Today's newsletter is 963 words β a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Some news from Emma ...
πππ Photo: Axios
Dear Axios Atlanta readers: I have a confession. I no longer live in Atlanta.
- And I am departing this newsletter as a lead author.
Driving the news: Earlier this month, my husband and I moved to Colorado. Since that's going to make the commute to the Gold Dome difficult, I must bid farewell to Axios Atlanta and move to a new role editing and helping other Axios cities.
Why it matters: This is so bittersweet!! Thomas, Kristal and I launched Axios Atlanta from scratch in the fall of 2021, and we've come a long way. (We've even become an Atlanta company.)
- We've broken news. We've, hopefully, made you laugh. We've taught you some things.
- We have learned much from you all, too. (Including grammar corrections and suggestions β Thanks as always for those.)
The big picture: As I step away from what's now been five years of covering Georgia politics and the city of Atlanta, I'm struck by All. The. News. We've. Lived.
- Since then, Georgia has landed firmly at the top of the list of national battleground states. It elected a Democratic president and Democratic Senators for the first time in decades.
- Since 2018, Atlanta has gotten a taste of what it's like to win a professional sports championship. (UGA has had its share of big wins, too.)
- There has been all the horrific news, too. The murder of Ahmaud Arbery. Of Secoriea Turner. The Atlanta spa shooting rampage. The tens of thousands of COVID deaths.
Am I leaving in protest of the now-endless stream of runoffs? Because Ponce is swallowing cars? Because Proof Bakeshop closed?
- That's for you to decide, dear reader.
But one thing is for sure: The Atlanta story is not likely to get any less boring anytime soon.
- Iβll miss the crazy stuff that makes Atlanta, well, Atlanta. But Iβm already learning that Colorado is (literally) wild, too.
What's next: I'll still be around. I expect you'll even see me pop into this newsletter.
- I look forward to seeing you then.
P.S. Know someone who should apply for my job? Hit reply, and tell us.
A new career is waiting for you
πΌ Check out who's hiring now.
- Director of Student Life and Engagement at Spelman College.
- Advancement Coordinator at Zoo Atlanta.
- Digital Content Producer at Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.
Hiring? Use code FIRST50 for $50 off your first job post.
2. Go forth, and prepare for the 4th
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
If you're a sucker for explosions in the sky, start planning now. Firework extravaganzas abound β starting this weekend.
π Fireworks and parades! The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra plays a ticketed fireworks spectacular at Centennial Olympic Park on Saturday. Kennesaw pays tribute on Monday, as does Johns Creek. Marietta, Woodstock, Avondale Estates and others also have events lined up.
π Of note: Ponce City Market is promising panoramic views on its rooftop of the best fireworks displays across town.
- Read the AJC's roundup of metro city celebrations
πΈ Music! Indie band Eels at Variety Playhouse (Friday). KRS One, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD and others at Mable House (Saturday and Sunday). British rockers The Struts play The Eastern (Saturday)
πΆ Kiddos! The High Museum gives caregivers and their young ones ages fifteen months through three years a chance to connect with art at the monthly Toddler Saturday. This month's activity: printmaking with stamps.
3. Five-ish Points: Noah's Ark reopens its doors
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
π¦ Several months after a bird flu outbreak forced it to close, Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary is ready to embark on a new chapter. (AJC)
β½οΈ DeKalb County has passed a law that requires gas stations to upgrade their security cameras (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
π¦ A UPS strike is "inevitable" according to Teamsters Union General President Sean M. OβBrien. (Axios)
πͺ¦ Oakland Cemetery launches a new program that teaches youth how to maintain and care for a historic cemetery. (Saporta Report)
π― Christine King Farris, a retired Spelman College professor, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s last living sibling, dies at 95. (Associated Press)
π₯ Here are nine places around metro Atlanta where you can get the best Dim Sum. (Eater)
4. We're not crying, you're crying
We asked Emma's husband to send a photo that captures her spirit, and yep, this works. Photo: Courtesy of Hurst Williamson
As you can guess, we will greatly miss Emma, an OG Axios Atlanta teammate, intrepid reporter and nonstop idea machine.
- We will miss the morning huddles, coffee shop work days and seeing her name on the byline alongside ours. And while we have no doubt that Emma could make it work, writing about a city 1,400 miles away is a tall order.
The big picture: We're thrilled for Emma and her husband and are rooting 'em on.
- She didn't know we were going to make her farewell today's 1 big thing or that we were going to sing her praises. We do what we want.
Thomas: Emma's the best at dreaming up big ideas, creating a plan, and delivering them with grace. That's tremendously fun to watch, and the newsletter you read every day is filled with her voice.
- She's been a supporter, advocate and champion for my work and well-being. I'm glad I have such a funny, curious and helpful friend.
Kristal: I am so glad I got to know and work with Emma during the last 22 months. She has been encouraging, thoughtful and is always willing to help me out when I come across any sticky situations.
- Emma is a natural at writing about complicated topics and making it clear why those topics should matter to readers. I'm proud to call her a friend and will miss her dearly.
Jen: After working with Emma for a year I can confidently confirm she is a superstar. She accomplishes more in an hour than most of us do in a week, and that's an understatement. Above all, she's a kind-hearted and fun colleague and friend.
- Though she's left the city, I implore all of our Axios Atlanta readers to keep her on their radar. She's gonna do big things.
Michael: Emma's one of the best political reporters you'll ever meet, and her Axios work over the past two years chasing Georgia politicians around speaks for itself.
- But she's someone who can do it all. She's widened her lens journalistically (and geographically!) and, along the way, found something most of us spend our lives searching for: balance.
π Kristal's eyes are sweating. She will miss having Emma on the Atlanta team.
π Emma did not want to write that 1 Big Thing. Sending all the love!
β·οΈ Thomas wants to know when Emma stole his ski suit.
This newsletter was edited by Jen Ashley and copy edited by Natasha Danielle Smith and Alex Perry.
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