Atlanta News

From WABE Politics News:

Georgia Republicans on Saturday elected to the Republican National Committee a conservative activist who helped organize the Jan. 6, 2021, pro-Trump rally that led to a mob storming the U.S. […]

From WABE Politics News:

President Joe Biden on Sunday told the graduating class at Morehouse College that he heard their voices of protest over the Israel-Hamas war, and that scenes from the conflict in […]

From the Atlanta Daily World:

! President Joe Biden is making his rounds with Black voters across the country. Today, President Biden is in Detroit to deliver the keynote address for the Detroit NAACP’s 69th Annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner. After landing in Detroit shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, Biden made his way straight to Detroit’s CRED … Continued

The post President Joe Biden Meets with Black Detroiter’s at CRED Café Ahead of NAACP Keynote Address appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

! First reported by HBCU Buzz, the unprecedented financial commitment represents a substantial increase from the previously reported over $7 billion, encompassing significant additional actions already undertaken. The total exceeds $16 billion, inclusive of over $11.4 billion allocated between FY2021 and FY2023 through Federal grants, contracting awards, and debt relief tailored specifically for HBCUs. By Stacy … Continued

The post Biden-Harris Administration Propels Historically Black Colleges and Universities with Record $16 Billion Investment appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the New York Times:

In a commencement speech at Morehouse, the historically Black men’s college in Atlanta, President Biden condemned white supremacy and “extremist forces aligned against the meaning and message of Morehouse.”

From WABE Local News:

Officials at Georgia’s Kennesaw State University say a student was killed in a weekend shooting outside a residence complex on campus, leading to a brief lockdown and the arrest of […]

From the Atlanta Daily World:

! Photo: Getty Images President Joe Biden is set to receive an honorary doctorate from Morehouse College amid controversy over him delivering the commencement address at the school’s upcoming graduation ceremony. According to NBC News, Morehouse faculty voted 50-38 in favor of awarding Biden an honorary degree, but roughly a dozen members abstained from the vote … Continued

The post President Biden To Receive Honorary Doctorate From Morehouse College appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

! Photo: Getty Images The city of Colorado Springs has agreed to pay $2.1 million to a Black man who was beaten by police officers during a traffic stop, per CBS News. Navy veteran Dalvin Gadson was pulled over in October 2022 for allegedly driving too slow and not having license plates on his car. Body … Continued

The post Black Navy Veteran Who Was Beaten By White Cops Gets $2.1 Million appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

! Photo: Getty Images Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) launched a personal attack against Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D), sparking chaos during a House Oversight Committee meeting. On Thursday (May 16) night, lawmakers gathered for a House Oversight Committee meeting over whether Attorney General Merrick Garland should be held in contempt of Congress for declining to hand … Continued

The post Marjorie Taylor Greene Attacks Jasmine Crockett’s Appearance, Chaos Erupts appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the New York Times:

The president’s appearance at the historically Black college in Atlanta drew some respectful but noticeable protest over U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

! The Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium (Southern Black Girls) are excited to announce special programming features for the upcoming 2024 Black Girls Dream Conference. The two-day experience that drew in over 1300 Black girls and women from all over the 13 southern United States last year, will take place Friday, June 7 – Saturday, … Continued

The post Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium Announces Exciting Features for 2024 Black Girls Dream Conference appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

! “Black Vote, Black Power,” a collaboration between Keith Boykin and Word In Black,  examines the issues, the candidates, and what’s at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election. by Keith Boykin Cardi says she’s not voting. But if voting didn’t matter, Republicans wouldn’t be trying so hard to stop us from doing it. In … Continued

The post Why I Want Cardi B to Vote appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

!   Morehouse College is proud to announce the academic accomplishments of its 2024 valedictorian, DeAngelo Fletcher, and salutatorian, Dwayne Terrell II, who will be honored at the College’s 140th Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 19, at 9 a.m.      Valedictorian DeAngelo Fletcher is a psychology major from Chicago, Illinois, who is passionate about youth psychiatry. In addition to being … Continued

The post Morehouse College Announces Valedictorian, Salutatorian Leading 2024 Graduating Class appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From WABE Local News:

The 140th Morehouse College Commencement is taking place on Sunday, May 19 at 9 a.m. on the school’s Century Campus. President Joe Biden will deliver the commencement address at the […]

From the New York Times:

The president’s appearance at the historically Black college in Atlanta was not welcomed by all on campus, amid dissatisfaction with U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

!   Be a Catalyst for Change Today!” Visit Frankskikids.org to support The 2024 Planet Green Science Expeditions. The Frank Ski Kids Foundation winners with Frank Ski & Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock.   Photo credit: ExclusiveAccess.net Atlanta’s icon, Frank Ski, hosted an afternoon to remember in Atlanta on Sunday, May 5th, 2024! The 20th Annual Frank … Continued

The post Join the Movement: Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders with The Frank Ski Kids Foundation appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the New York Times:

The president’s appearance at the historically Black college in Atlanta was not welcomed by all on campus, amid dissatisfaction with U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza.

From WABE Politics News:

As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative […]

From the New York Times:

The president, who is trailing key states in recent polling, tried to cast the election as a struggle for democracy itself.

From the New York Times:

The president, who is trailing key states in recent polling, tried to cast the election as a struggle for democracy itself.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

! Photo: Getty Images An Oakland, California high school student has raked in over 100 college acceptances. According to NBC Bay Area, Helms Ategeka, a Head-Royce School student, garnered $5.3 million in scholarships from 122 colleges. “I feel really lucky that there are people out there, that there are institutions out there that see the value … Continued

The post Black Teen Accepted Into 122 Schools, Earns Over $5 Million In Scholarships appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the New York Times:

Officials had tried to reach him for nearly a month. He was the last of the 18 defendants to be served, and he is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.

From WABE Politics News:

A media personality who co-founded a conservative political action committee has been appointed to a seat on the Georgia State Election Board, which is responsible for developing election rules, investigating […]

From the Atlanta Daily World:

!   Florida A&M University officials have launched an investigation into a $237 million donation that was seemingly fraudulent, The Root reports. The investigation comes after FAMU announced earlier this month that it had received a $237 million gift from Batterson Farms Corp. CEO Gregory Gerami. The historic donation was placed on hold and ultimately “ceased” … Continued

The post Florida A&M Launches Investigation Into $237 Million ‘Gift’ Deemed Hoax appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the New York Times:

His narrow win there in 2020 was seen as a sign of Georgia’s emergence as a battleground state. But in 2024, President Biden faces a much different climate there.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

!   Authored by activist, speaker, and educator Keith Strickland with Lucas L. Johnson, Youth Change Agent delves into the pressing issues that plague today’s youth, from drug abuse and gun violence to risky sexual behavior and destructive materialism. In addition to presenting tips and techniques for productive conversations with young individuals, the book tackles crucial … Continued

The post Dr. Keith Strickland To Release New Book, ‘Youth Change Agent’ appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From WABE Arts and Culture News:

The last U.S. zoo with pandas in its care expects to say goodbye to the four giant bears this fall. Zoo Atlanta is making preparations to return panda parents Lun […]

From WABE Arts and Culture News:

Since the 1970s, the London-born artist Judy Pfaff has been constructing a kaleidoscopic world of shape, texture and color through sculpture, installation, drawing, painting and collage. Her installations jump out from gallery […]

From the Atlanta Daily World:

!Fulton delegates from l to r: Develop Fulton Chairman Brandon Beach; Fulton County Chairman Rob Pitts; Develop Fulton Vice Chair Kwanza Hall; College Park City Councilman Joseph Carn; Director of Economic Development for the City of Fairburn Sylvia Abernathy; and East Point City Councilman Joshua Butler. A delegation of business leaders and government representatives recently led a week-long economic development tour to Korea with plans to ignite international investment in Fulton County. Develop Fulton, a major collaborator behind the overseas initiative, aims to position the county, particularly South Fulton, as the epicenter of unlocked business expansion opportunities in the United States. … Continued

The post Develop Fulton Launches International Business Development Efforts, Showcasing South Fulton as Prime Hub for Groundbreaking Growth in the U.S. appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Saporta Report:

! Today is Endangered Species Day, a day on which hundreds of thousands of people around the world celebrate, learn, and take action to protect threatened and endangered species. Since the founding of this day in 2006, the biodiversity crisis that threatens millions of plant and animal species has only gotten worse, with 44,000 species threatened […]

The post Supporting Nature’s Resiliency on Endangered Species Day appeared first on SaportaReport.

Construction timeline released for $13M greenspace upgrades Josh Green Fri, 05/17/2024 - 13:42 For devoted patrons of Dresden Park, the growing-pains phase is about to begin.

According to the City of Chamblee, the popular greenspace is set to officially close May 28—or the day after Memorial Day Weekend—for at least 14 months of construction that aims to provide an upgraded greenspace with modernized facilities.

Construction is now expected to continue through the spring of next year, with a grand opening forecasted sometime in summer 2025.

Nearly $13 million in park upgrades are planned, starting with demolition of existing Dresden Park structures.

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-02/Dresden%20Park%20View%20Entry%20View_2023-05-10.jpeg?itok=5pIbBsh6 "Courtesy City of Chamblee") Entries and overall architecture for the planned Dresden Park Community Center. Courtesy City of Chamblee

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-02/Dresden%20Park%20Master%20Plan.png?itok=d1iPMf82 "Courtesy City of Chamblee") Final masterplan for the 24-acre greenspace. Courtesy City of Chamblee

Dresden Park is tucked off Buford Highway, just south of DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, at 2301 Dresden Drive. At 24 acres, the greenspace is 2 acres larger than Centennial Olympic Park downtown. City officials finalized a contract in February with Integrated Construction and Nobility to remake the park.

Revitalization plans call for a new modern-style community center, a rectangular field with artificial turf and a multi-use field, a dog park, tennis courts, a large playground, a walking trail, a pavilion, and a new concessions building. Infrastructure upgrades such as new lighting, terraced seating, restrooms, and a new parking lot are also planned.

The bulk of park upgrades is being paid for with COVID-19 relief funding—specifically, $10.8 million from American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, funds. The Chamblee City Council approved another $2 million to pay for the larger community building earlier this year, nudging the total renovation budget up to $12.8 million.

Chamblee Mayor Brian Mock has called the ARPA funding “likely a once in a lifetime opportunity” that will create “the crown jewel of the neighborhood” for an area that’s been underserved.

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-02/Dresden%20Park%20pavillion%20.png?itok=ierQsIpQ "Courtesy City of Chamblee") Example of a planned Dresden Park pavilion. Courtesy City of Chamblee

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-02/Dresden%20Park%20Community%20Room_2023-10-03.jpg?itok=LBYTceX7 "Courtesy City of Chamblee") Interior layout for a Dresden Park community room. Courtesy City of Chamblee

Until summer 2025, programming usually held at Dresden Park will be moved to Keswick Park and other privately owned field locations. Chamblee officials are urging parkgoers to use other city greenspaces for picnics and family outings, too.

In recent years, other parts of Chamblee have seen an award-winning municipal facility take shape and a multi-use trail system grow as developers pack in hundreds of new housing options near the ITP city’s historic core.

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-02/Dresden%20Park%20map.png?itok=eGIJL_Ir "Google Maps ") The park's 2301 Dresden Drive location (in red) near the City of Chamblee's southeastern border. Google Maps

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• Chamblee news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)

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2301 Dresden Drive Chamblee Dresden Park Atlanta Parks Greenspaces Chamblee Parks Park Upgrades American Rescue Plan Act Chamblee City Council Atlanta Greenspaces ITP Parks Parks and Rec Parks and Recreation Dresden Park Community Center City of Chamblee Integrated Construction and Nobility Keswick Park DeKalb-Peachtree Airport

Images

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-02/Dresden%20Park%20Master%20Plan.png?itok=d1iPMf82 "Courtesy City of Chamblee") Final masterplan for the 24-acre greenspace. Courtesy City of Chamblee

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-02/Dresden%20Park%20map.png?itok=eGIJL_Ir "Google Maps ") The park's 2301 Dresden Drive location (in red) near the City of Chamblee's southeastern border. Google Maps

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-02/Dresden%20Park%20pavillion%20.png?itok=ierQsIpQ "Courtesy City of Chamblee") Example of a planned Dresden Park pavilion. Courtesy City of Chamblee

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-02/Dresden%20Park%20View%20Entry%20View_2023-05-10.jpeg?itok=5pIbBsh6 "Courtesy City of Chamblee") Entries and overall architecture for the planned Dresden Park Community Center. Courtesy City of Chamblee

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-02/Dresden%20Park%20Community%20Room_2023-10-03.jpg?itok=LBYTceX7 "Courtesy City of Chamblee") Interior layout for a Dresden Park community room. Courtesy City of Chamblee

Subtitle Overhaul will close Chamblee's popular Dresden Park for 14 months, at least

Neighborhood Chamblee

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Image !An image showing park upgrades with modern new buildings near large fields and trees under blue skies near tall trees.

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From the Atlanta Daily World:

! by Dr. Donald Suggs The fact that exit polls showed that Donald Trump received 9 percent of the Black vote in 2016, the highest number since George Bush in 2000, and then won 12 percent in the presidential race in 2020 should be a cause for concern. Moreover, some recent polls surprisingly showed that if … Continued

The post Dr. Donald Suggs: Wake up, Black voters. Don’t let Trump’s lies fool you appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Saporta Report:

! The Tunnel to Towers Foundation  broke ground on a residential facility for homeless veterans in Mableton, Ga., at a former hotel that will soon be home to nearly 100 veterans during a May 17 ceremony. Just yards away from the looming Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia theme park sits the shuttered Wingate by Wyndham […]

The post ‘Atlanta Veterans Village’ breaks ground in Mableton appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Politics News:

A federal judge on Thursday rejected a lawsuit by a former Democratic congressman running for Georgia state Supreme Court who claimed a state agency was unconstitutionally trying to block him […]

Move over, Spaghetti Junction. Here comes the ‘Perimeter Pretzel’ Josh Green Fri, 05/17/2024 - 08:02 After seven years of construction and “profound delays” for car commuters, the $800-million remake of Interstate 285’s interchange with Ga. Highway 400 is almost fully baked—and in true Hotlanta fashion, it’s trying to make a questionable nickname stick.

You know Spaghetti Junction. The Grady Curve. The Cobb Cloverleaf. The downtown Connector. And just maybe the Brookwood Split.

Now it’s time to meet, uh… the “Perimeter Pretzel.”

That’s the official moniker a Perimeter Community Improvement Districts branding campaign has applied to the I-285/400 interchange, which was previously considered one of Georgia’s worst traffic bottlenecks. (Official slogan right now: “Hungry for a smoother commute? Knot much longer.”)

The Top End Perimeter project near the King and Queen office high-rises does include twists and turns of 12 miles of new connecting lanes, less hectic exits, reconstructed bridges, and a new multi-use pathway that will connect to Buckhead’s PATH400 trail. Apart from repaving work and punch-list items, it’s all but finished, according to PCID. The agency points out that GoTo Foods, owner of pretzel maker Auntie Anne’s, is actually headquarter in Perimeter, making the pretzel moniker even more fitting.

The nickname could also be apt because it’s a mouthful, the interchange took a lot of dough to make, and let’s be honest, it’s cheesy AF.

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-05/Perimeter%20Pretzel%203.png?itok=BcziAKW2 "Perimeter Community Improvement Districts") Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

The project is part of GDOT’s “Transform 285/400” overhaul that began construction in 2017 and was supposed to have wrapped in summer 2020, until the scope was expanded to include new bridges on nearby connecting roads and other components. Now, the finished interchanged is expected to be only slightly smaller than Spaghetti Junction. Its goal is to open up a tangle of roadways used by more than 400,000 drivers per day—although it was originally designed to handle just 100,000.

The branding campaign also includes a “hyper-real sneak peek” video into how the Pretzel will function that’s sure to leave a salty taste in transit enthusiasts' mouths.

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-05/Perimeter%20Pretzel%201.png?itok=Z3tTylvQ "Perimeter Community Improvement Districts ") Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-05/Perimeter%20Pretzel%207.png?itok=Y0tCN9CY "Perimeter Community Improvement Districts ") Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

This being an era of beefs, the video begins with Pretzel proponents dissing the problematic traffic “over by Spaghetti Junction” and extolling the virtues of “the addition of all those connecting lanes” in Sandy Springs.

One narrator to the other: “I actually passed through the Pretzel on my commute this morning. The new lanes are a huge improvement,” she says cheerily. “No more left-hand turns. No more awkward merges. No more bottlenecks. I have to say—it just works… It’s exciting to hear there’s so much going on in the community.”

The male counterpart responds: “It really does feel like this place is getting the new and exciting chapter it deserves.”

H/T to Rough Draft Atlanta for sharing the day-brightening Pretzel video in a recent newsletter. The same publication ran a reader poll in 2019 with other suggestions—“GDOT Knot,” “Traffic Twister,” and “Rush-Hour Ramen”—that saw the Perimeter Pretzel moniker come out on top.

Any other suggestions for what metro Atlantans might call this twisty thing?

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• Sandy Springs news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)

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Perimeter Central Perimeter Dunwoody Brookhaven Atlanta Interstates Atlanta Construction Ga. Highway 400 Interstate 285 Perimeter Pretzel Atlanta Pretzel Perimeter Construction GDOT Georgia Department of Transportation Perimeter Community Improvement Districts Cobb Cloverleaf Spaghetti Junction

Images

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-05/Perimeter%20Pretzel%203.png?itok=BcziAKW2 "Perimeter Community Improvement Districts") Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-05/Perimeter%20Pretzel%202.png?itok=J1RSNLbj "Perimeter Community Improvement Districts ") Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-05/Perimeter%20Pretzel%204.png?itok=Jt9zlh1Q "Perimeter Community Improvement Districts ") Where the checklist of "Perimeter Pretzel" construction items stands today. Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-05/Perimeter%20Pretzel%207.png?itok=Y0tCN9CY "Perimeter Community Improvement Districts ") Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-05/Perimeter%20Pretzel%206.png?itok=rTTD5w1g "Perimeter Community Improvement Districts ") Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-05/Perimeter%20Pretzel%205.png?itok=PYJkLZwu "Perimeter Community Improvement Districts ") Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

[!](https://atlanta.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/2024-05/Perimeter%20Pretzel%201.png?itok=Z3tTylvQ "Perimeter Community Improvement Districts ") Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

Subtitle Cheesy moniker is part of campaign to rebrand $800M Interstate 285, Ga. Highway 400 overhaul

Neighborhood Sandy Springs

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Image !An image showing an giant new interchange on Atlanta's northside with two major interstates.

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From WABE Politics News:

In the lull between the last classes of the school year and the start of finals season, a trio of seniors convene on one of the Morehouse quads: Jordan Washington, […]

From WABE Politics News:

The Justice Department on Thursday formally moved to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a historic shift in generations of U.S. drug policy. A proposed rule sent to the federal register […]

From WABE Local News:

Another primary? Yup.  Just 10 weeks have passed since Georgia voters went to the polls for the presidential primary. That vote was unsurprisingly clinched by President Joe Biden and former […]

From the Atlanta Daily World:

! On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that separating children in public schools on the basis of race was unconstitutional. In Atlanta, several years would past before the ruling would go into effect.  In 1961, nine Black students integrated four all-white schools in the Atlanta Public Schools system. Known as the Atlanta Nine, … Continued

The post 70 Years After Brown V. Board Of Education, How Have Atlanta Schools Been Impacted? appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

! College Park Elementary School recently hosted a memorable culinary celebration event, thanks to a partnership between Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, iHeartMedia, The Atlanta Dream and Common Threads, a national nutrition education nonprofit.  This 2-day event was part of an ongoing initiative to provide students, families, and staff with valuable cooking and nutrition education, … Continued

The post Culinary Celebration At College Park Elementary School Promotes Healthy Eating And Etiquette Education appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.