The Trump administration is launching an investigation into MARTA after two violent events on the transit system, including the seemingly unprovoked fatal stabbing of a 66-year-old train passenger.

Why it matters: Concerns about MARTA's safety are drawing federal scrutiny and becoming a political flashpoint.

• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's probe comes as the transit agency tries to reassure the public that the buses and trains are safe to ride before, during and after the FIFA 2026 World Cup.

Zoom in: Citing National Transit Database data, Duffy said MARTA's rate of "personal security events" — including assaults, robberies and rapes involving employees and riders — is nearly double the national average.

• An AJC analysis using crimes per vehicle mile traveled — rather than per passenger trip — found MARTA's rate was roughly in line with the national average.

State of play: USDOT's Federal Transit Administration is demanding MARTA provide information about the agency's crime and fare evasion mitigation strategies and public safety and personal security spending.

• Officials say they will also investigate MARTA's efforts to protect transit workers from violence.

Threat level: Since taking office, Duffy has launched similar investigations, audits and information requests involving transit agencies in New York, Washington, Chicago and other large cities.

• The MARTA announcement did not include any information about potential penalties, such as loss of federal funding.

Zoom out: Republican gubernatorial candidates Rick Jackson and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones voiced support for the investigation, with Jones saying that if he were elected, he would deploy state troopers on MARTA trains.

• Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms said she would tap state funding to increase the number of MARTA police officers, the AJC reports.

The intrigue: Michael Collins, director of social justice coalition Play Fair ATL, told Fox 5 that "the White House was using the tragic loss of our community member for cheap political points."

• He urged MARTA to invest in transit ambassador programs and capital improvements that create a safer environment without over-policing.

What they're saying: MARTA spokesperson Stephany Fisher said in a statement to Axios that the agency looked forward to sharing the "significant investments in personnel, technology, and operational measures."

What's next: MARTA has 15 days to provide the requested information.

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The city of Atlanta and the Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative are again at odds over changes to their contract that the latter contends will affect how they serve clients.

Why it matters: The dispute over the contract, which expired at the end of December, means PAD has not been able to accept new clients who are referred to the Center for Diversion Services.

• And since late March, PAD has not been operating in the center, executive director Moki Macias told Axios.

How it works: Located in a separate space at the city's Downtown jail, the center is a 24/7 drop-off for people experiencing mental health issues, housing instability or substance use disorders.

• Grady Health System primarily operates the center.

What they're saying: Macias said the contract changes impose a 12-month limit on care navigation efforts and require case managers to max out at 20 clients to help stay within the $5 million budget.

• "The idea that recovery should happen on an arbitrary, top-down timeline is not person-centered and it's not evidence-based," Macias said.

Caveat: The contract dispute does not affect PAD's community response efforts, such as when someone calls 311 and requests help.

The other side: The city, in a statement, accused PAD of "abandoning their role in the Diversion Center partnership," but said there have been no service disruptions because Grady stepped in to assume those responsibilities.

• A city spokesperson said Grady on March 19 informed Mayor Andre Dickens' administration that PAD did not sign a document outlining tasks and responsibilities it would handle and "packed their boxes and left.

What's next: Macias, who said the city's statement is "patently false," told Axios a Justice Policy Board meeting is scheduled for June 11 and hopes diversion partners will be able to resolve the issue soon.

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Saturday marks 82 years since D-Day, a pivotal WWII battle where Allied troops invaded Normandy to begin liberating western Europe of Nazi Germany rule.

By the numbers: As of 2025, there were 45,418 living World War II veterans residing in the United States, according to the National World War II Museum.

• 977 of those veterans live in Georgia.

🏬 Business owners said they have weeks to vacate Northlake Mall after the owner said they will terminate leases with merchants. (WSB)

🇺🇸 Seventeen cannons that experts believe sank to the bottom of the Savannah River during the American Revolution will go on display at the Savannah History Museum starting on the Fourth of July weekend. (AP)

👀 A complaint filed with the Atlanta City Council alleges a study that recommended autonomous vehicles as "the preferred solution" for Beltline transit options was biased. (AJC)

Officials are investigating reports of petroleum leaking into the headwaters of Flint River at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. (GPB)