Gov. Brian Kemp signed a series of public safety bills Wednesday, including a controversial measure aimed at illegal immigration. House Bill 1105, which the Republican-controlled General Assembly passed primarily along party lines, requires local sheriffs and the Georgia Department of Corrections to notify the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) when they have a suspected illegal immigrant in custody. The bill gained momentum after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was murdered on the University of Georgia campus in Athens. A 26-year-old Venezuelan man allegedly in ..read more

As unrest continued at college campuses across America on Wednesday, protests flared again at Emory University after social media posts encouraged protesters to gather at the quad in support of the pro-Palestinian movement. At 2 p.m., reports by The Emory Wheel said 50 people were marching through the Haygood-Hopkins gate on campus, holding signs, and chanting about divesting from Israel and Israeli companies. A student called for the resignation of Ilya Nemenman, the chair of the University Senate Committee for Open Expression. At about 3:50 p.m., a group entered the Oxford Road building. Ami ..read more

A band shell for the lawn at Heritage Springs would get partial funding of $1.75 million if the Sandy Springs City Council adds it to the city’s FY 2025 capital budget. (Provided by Sandy Springs) Sandy Springs City Council began its budget deliberations by hearing staff recommendations to give all employees a 5 percent cost of living pay increase. The budget would also cover an estimated 12 percent increase in employee health insurance premiums. Those budget assumptions were part of the $37.3 million FY 2025 operating budget. “As you all are aware each year we are very conservative budgeters ..read more

Mayor Andre Dickens spoke at the Buckhead Coalition’s annual luncheon in January. (Photo by Dyana Bagby) Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is proposing an $853.8 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2025, the largest in the city’s history. The proposed spending plan is an 8.1% increase over the $790 million general fund budget approved for fiscal year 2024, formerly Atlanta’s largest budget ever. The Atlanta City Council must approve a budget by June 30 before the new fiscal year begins on July 1. The council started holding budget sessions today, May 1, that will run through May 21. The sess ..read more

The Hambidge Center in Rabun Gap, Georgia. (Photo by Isadora Pennington) The hot sun beat down on my arm through the open window of my Subaru. Wind whipped my hair across my forehead and around my neck like a wild improvisational dancer. With music barely audible over the rush of my car’s tires on the pavement, I had plenty of time to think and reflect on my journey. I was on my way to The Hambidge Center. As I neared my destination, the weather outside cooled and the roads became increasingly hilly. I had been forewarned that I’d lose reception as I neared the Center so I relied on my GPS to ..read more

Brookhaven Mayor John Park has declared that “time is up” on DeKalb County’s poor ambulance response times in the city. Nearly a year ago, Brookhaven City Manager Christian Sigman suggested that DeKalb County allow Brookhaven to either establish its own EMS or enforce performance standards.  Now, Brookhaven plans to petition the state to let it sidestep DeKalb’s ambulance services contract with American Medical Rescue, making it the second city in the county to do so.  The city of Dunwoody expanded ambulance coverage in 2019 and approved a supplemental ambulance contract for $566,000 ..read more

Courtesy of Georgia Power The second of two new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle has entered full commercial operation, Georgia Power officials announced Monday. Unit 4, which went online nine months after the completion of Unit 3 at the plant south of Augusta, can produce enough electricity to power an estimated 500,000 homes and businesses. “The new Vogtle units are a key piece of our strategy to meet the energy needs of our customers not only tomorrow, but 20 years from now,” said Kim Greene, Georgia Power’s chairman, president and CEO. “I’m so proud of the teams who have worked tirelessly ..read more

Graphic supplied by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. An initiative to raise awareness and provide resources about the construction industry and its high suicide rates will make a stop in Dunwoody with the Construction Hike for Hope on May 5 at Brook Run Park.  Starting at 10 a.m. and hosted by the Georgia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the hike is one of several working to engage the construction industry on the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.  According to walk organizer David Wessin, the construction industry has one of ..read more

Courtesy Google Maps QuikTrip is closing its Midtown store at Peachtree and 6th Streets on May 3 because of crime and declining sales, according to a statement from the company. The pilot store, which opened eight years ago, was the first QT location without a gas station. QT said it would continue to open new locations and is in the process of identifying a new Atlanta location for a full-service QT that “we hope to have online within the next 2-3 years.” The shopping center formerly known as Piedmont Peachtree Crossing, has been rebranded Buckhead Landing and has announced a slate of new ret ..read more

Much of Sunday’s debate between the two Democrats challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Marietta, in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District focused on McBath’s absence from the stage. McBath, who declined to participate in the debate sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club, was represented by an empty podium. “It’s important that we have leadership that is present and willing to speak,” said Cobb County Commissioner Jerica Richardson. “It’s a sign of immature leadership,” added state Rep. Mandisha Thomas of South Fulton. “You have to show up for the people you represent.” Richardson and Tho ..read more