As a lifelong Atlantan, state Sen. Emanuel Jones, D-Decatur, has experienced MARTA’s past.
Now, he’s positioned to help shape its future.
Read MoreJones: State Has Role in Atlanta’s Regional Transit Future
Tag: Atlanta
Atlanta Police Say 35 Detained, 23 Arrested after Mob Attacks Officers, Destroys Construction Equipment
The Atlanta Police Department said 35 people are in custody after a violent mob attacked police officers and destroyed construction equipment at the site of the proposed law enforcement training center.
Police said Sunday “a group of violent agitators used the cover of a peaceful protest of the proposed Atlanta Public Safety Training Center to conduct a coordinated attack on construction equipment and police officers.”
Read MoreAtlanta Suburb’s Secession over Rising Crime Moves Forward
One of the wealthiest suburbs in the city of Atlanta is pursuing secession from the city, citing the rise in violent crime under the city’s Democratic leadership.
According to the Washington Free Beacon, state-level and local Republican lawmakers passed two bills on Wednesday formally proposing that the neighborhood of Buckhead be turned into its own “Buckhead City.” The bills are currently being considered by the State Senate.
Read MoreGeorgia Legislation Would Incorporate a Portion of Atlanta as Buckhead City
A group of Georgia lawmakers has introduced legislation to incorporate a portion of Atlanta as Buckhead City.
Senate Bill 114 has been assigned to the Senate Committee on State and Local Governmental Operations-General. A similar measure failed during the last session.
Read MoreTrump Releases Video Statement on His Plan for Dealing with Atlanta Riots
Former President Donald Trump released a video statement Friday prompted by the riots in Atlanta, calling out the perpetrators and declaring what his actions would be as president under the same circumstances. Protests against the construction of a new police training facility on January 18 turned violent days later when a man allegedly shot a state trooper during a law enforcement operation at the site. When police shot back, the man died, The Georgia Star News reported. Seven out-of-state people were arrested and charged with domestic terrorism and criminal trespass, and a handgun, pellet guns, edged weapons, fireworks, gas masks, and a blow torch were recovered.
Read MoreGovernor Kemp, Atlanta Mayor, and Other Officials Condemn Violence in Atlanta
Georgia state and Atlanta officials criticized a violent protest in the city on Saturday; Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said that some business’ windows were broken and a police car was set on fire, but said that no citizens or officers were injured.
Read MoreMass Transit Could Be Expanding in Georgia, but Critics Say Costs Aren’t Justified
Atlanta once had a robust transportation network, with streetcars rumbling along the city’s streets and interurban lines connecting suburbs like Marietta and Stone Mountain.
But 75 years ago, the lines shuttered, replaced by new forms of transportation: Automobiles.
Read MoreGeorgia’s Most Dangerous Roads are All in Atlanta: Study
A new analysis has identified the most dangerous roads in Georgia, all in the metro Atlanta area.
Moreover, a fifth of deadly crashes involved drunken driving, while a similar amount (19%) were connected to speeding, the analysis from MoneyGeek, a personal finance technology company, revealed.
Read MoreAtlanta Starts Two Guaranteed-Income Pilot Programs
The city of Atlanta launched its guaranteed income pilot program earlier this year in the wake of the COVID pandemic that gives $500 a month to 300 Atlanta residents.
According to the city, the guaranteed income program “is meant to supplement rather than replace the existing social safety net and can be a critical tool for improving racial and gender equity.”
Read MoreLarge Inflation Increases in Atlanta Impact Warnock’s Senate Bid
Federal data shows the Atlanta area has the country’s second highest local metropolitan inflation reading. As the national Consumer Price Index climbed an average of 8.3% over the past year, that of Atlanta climbed a whopping 11.7% during the same time period
Read MoreGeorgia’s MARTA Plans to Extend Atlanta Streetcar Line Eastward
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority plans to spend $176 to 215 million to extend Atlanta’s streetcar line eastward.
The agency plans to use money from the More MARTA Atlanta half-penny sales tax voters in Atlanta approved in November 2016 to fund the two-mile extension, which won’t open until 2027. The agency expects to start construction in 2024.
Read MoreGovernor Kemp Appoints Bill Hamrick to Statewide Business Court Bench
Governor Brian P. Kemp (R) tapped Bill Hamrick to serve as the Georgia State Business Court Judge on Wednesday.
“Having served with Judge Hamrick in the State Senate when I first entered public life, I witnessed firsthand his dedication to the law, to its fair application, and to our state,” Governor Kemp said.
Read MoreMark Gonsalves Questions Lucy McBath on Atlanta Host City Flip-Flop
GA-07 Republican nominee Mark Gonsalves challenged his opponent, Lucy McBath, on her change in position with respect to the viability of Atlanta as a host city for large public events.
“Lucy McBath and her fellow DC Democrats don’t take the people they represent seriously. Atlanta wasn’t good enough to host the MLB All-Star game, but it’s suddenly good enough to host the DNC? Lucy advocates for her state only when it’s convenient to Democrat causes,” Gonsalves said.
Read MoreKemp Leads GOP Gubernatorial Group in Response Against Tax Proposals
Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster led Republican governors in a response today in opposition to the $740 billion spending proposal to fix inflation.
“The Democrats’ solution to a 40-year high inflation is passing another reckless tax and spending spree to the tune of $74 billion, affecting Americans in every tax bracket,” the Republican gubernatorial coalition said in a statement Thursday.
Read MoreHerschel Walker Challenges Raphael Warnock to October Debate in Savannah
Georgia Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walker publicly challenged incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock to a debate in Savannah on Tuesday.
“Senator Warnock, I’m ready to debate. In fact, I just accepted a debate in your backyard, Savannah, where you’ve got home-field advantage, and it’s going to be broadcast statewide. I’m not a politician, I don’t look like a politician, I don’t sound like a politician, and frankly, I’m tired of politicians,” Walker said.
Read MoreGovernor Kemp Extends Gas Tax Suspension, Supply Chain State of Emergency
Governor Brian Kemp (R) signed two executive orders on Wednesday that extended the gas tax suspension and renewed the state of emergency for supply chain disruptions. These executive orders will be effective through September 12th.
“I have extended the temporary suspension of the state’s motor fuel tax to alleviate the financial burden placed on Georgians due to the federal government’s gross mishandling of inflation,” Gov. Kemp said.
Read MoreAtlanta Mayor Courts Democrats for 2024 DNC Convention
City of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and other Georgia Democrats welcomed DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison in a tour of State Farm Arena on Friday as part of their attempt to win the bid for Georgia’s capital to host the 2024 DNC National Convention.
“This week, Atlanta welcomed Democratic National Convention officials to promote its bid to host the 2024 convention. Our city is clearly the place to be!” The City of Atlanta Government said in a Facebook post on Friday.
Read MoreBrian Kemp Extends Lead Over Abrams to Eight Points in Latest Poll
A poll published Friday by Beacon Research, found that Governor Brian Kemp (R) has extended his lead over Democrat nominee for Governor, Stacey Abrams, by eight points.
“I’m not surprised about his lead over Abrams. I know for a fact a lot of people are disgusted about the Democrat policies,” Barrow County GOP Executive Committee Rep. Laura Petcu (04) told The Georgia Star News on Friday.
Read MoreGA-7 Candidate Mark Gonsalves Discusses Growing Hispanic Influence on GOP
Republican GA-07 nominee Mark Gonsalves spoke with The Georgia Star News at length on Thursday about the ever-increasing influence the Spanish-speaking populace has on the Republican Party.
“What the Hispanic communities have come to realize is that what they work so hard for here is really being squandered in Washington D.C., that their hard work is not being treated with a level of respect,” Gonsalves said.
Read MoreHerschel Walker Goes After Warnock Before Law Enforcement Press Conference with Newt Gingrich
Georgia Senate Nominee for the Republican Party, Herschel Walker, released several statements on Thursday where he criticized his opponent, incumbent Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock (D), on law enforcement support, crime rates, and his history of support for Joe Biden in the days that lead up to Friday’s press conference with U.S. Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich.
“Raphael Warnock has consistently worked to support criminals instead of keeping our communities safe,” spokeswoman Mallory Blount said. “Crime is rising across the country and Georgia is no exception Atlanta has one of the highest crime rates in the country and Georgians are sick and tired of it. Warnock has done more for Joe Biden than law-abiding Georgians and it is time Georgia had a Senator who takes public safety seriously.”
Read MoreKay Kirkpatrick Assesses State-Run Veteran Nursing Homes for Improvements
The Georgia State Senate’s office announced that State Senator Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta), chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security, has been appointed to the new Subcommittee on Veteran Nursing Facilities.
“I am honored to serve as chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security as we work to ensure our service members get the best quality of life possible,” Congresswoman Kirkpatrick said.
Read MoreAndrew Clyde Confronts NPR About Its ‘Disinformation Reporting Team’
U.S. Representative Andrew Clyde (R-GA-09) led a group fellow congress members in a letter to National Public Radio (NPR) that questioned their newly minted ‘disinformation reporting team.’
“NPR has absolutely no authority to be arbiters of truth, which is why I led 13 colleagues in a letter raising concerns about NPR’s track record of spreading disinformation and demanding answers about the media organization’s new Disinformation Reporting team,” Congressman Clyde said.
Read MoreCongressional Hopeful Rich McCormick Pushes Back Against Biden’s Idea of a ‘Recession’
Georgia 6th Congressional District Republican Nominee Rich McCormick challenged Bidenomics and President Biden’s definition of the word ‘recession’ in a statement on Monday.
“‘Two quarters of declining GDP doesn’t mean we are in a recession’ is the new ‘Inflation is transitory.’ The Biden Administration should try to spend as much time trying to fix the economy as they do making excuses for it,” McCormick said.
Read MoreHerschel Walker Questions Senator Warnock’s History of Support for Joe Biden
Republican Georgia Senate Candidate Herschel Walker challenged his opponent, Senator Raphael Warnock (D), on his track record of supporting President Joe Biden in a statement on Monday.
“Reverend Warnock, since we’re asking questions today: Why do you vote with Biden 96% of the time? Why do you support abortion up until the time of birth? Why do you believe our law enforcement officers are thugs? Why do you believe men should compete against women in sports?” Walker said to Warnock.
Read MoreAtlanta Filmmaker Guilty of $2.5 Million Cryptocurrency Fraud
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced on Thursday that Atlanta-based filmmaker Ryan Felton, 48, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of wire fraud, 10 counts of money laundering, and 2 counts of securities fraud that stemmed from two cryptocurrency-based investment scams.
“The defendant used 21st century technology to perpetrate an age-old fraud: lying to investors to steal their money and fund his own lavish lifestyle,” United States Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said.
Read MoreGA-05 Candidate Christian Zimm Cites Atlanta Veteran Affairs Hospital As Example That Veterans Need Better Healthcare
In a Facebook post on Friday, Georgia 5th Congressional District Republican candidate Christian Zimm criticized the quality of healthcare veterans receive in the metro Atlanta area.
“Veterans in Atlanta are receiving some of the worst care in the country! This is awful, and must be addressed immediately. Our veterans deserve better!” Georgia 5th Congressional District Candidate Christian Zimm said.
Read MoreAtlanta Airport to Receive $40M Federal Grant to Rebuild Concourse
The feds are sending $40 million to help improve a concourse at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration handed down the grant, which is part of more than $968.6 million from the fiscal 2022 Airport Terminal Program for 85 projects nationwide. The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act established the program; it includes $1 billion annually over five years.
Read MoreAtlanta Parks Department Providing Free Meals to Children Through End of July
The Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is teaming up with another Georgia government program to provide free meals to children in the cities parks through the end of July.
“The City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation is pleased to partner with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning’s Bright from the Start program to feed thousands of youth this summer,” DPR said.
Read MoreMore Sworn Law Enforcement Officers in Atlanta, but Arrests Fall 65 Percent from Peak
Despite having the most sworn police officers over the past 10 years, the number of arrests by the Atlanta Police Department plummeted in 2021. The arrest total was down 65% from 2014, according to data provided by the city.
Read MoreAtlanta Police Got More Money, Not Less, After George Floyd’s Death
The head of an Atlanta suburb made national news when he said that his neighborhood is considering seceding from Atlanta due, in part, to the “defund the police” movement’s impact on public safety.
Buckhead City Committee CEO Bill White said June 28 on Fox & Friends First that an increase in crime was the reason for wanting to leave and criticized then-Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms for supporting the defund the police movement. Buckhead has a population of approximately 100,000 people.
Read MoreStudents from Across the Nation Are Competing at SkillsUSA’s National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta This Week
This week, from June 20th-24th, students from across the United States are gathering at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta for SkillsUSA’s 58th annual National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC).
Read MoreAtlanta Wins Bid as Host City for 2026 FIFA World Cup
City of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced on Wednesday that Atlanta, Georgia is one of 16 cities across North America that have a won bid to be a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We have the pleasure of celebrating Atlanta’s selection as a host city of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, because of our strong, bipartisan public-private partnerships and many who have been working for years to put Georgia on the map since we hosted the 1996 Olympics,” Governor Brian P. Kemp said.
Read MoreUniversal Basic Income Program Begins for Black Women in Atlanta
A program announced earlier this year that will provide universal basic income (UBI) for black women in Atlanta has begun, according to a Tuesday report.
The program, which is being piloted by a nonprofit called the Georgia Resilience and Opportunity Fund (GRO), is called “In Her Hands.”
Read MoreNational Integrated Ballistic Information Network Aids ATF-led Operation United Front in Multiple Convictions
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia announced on Thursday that The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) has aided the undercover law enforcement effort, dubbed “Operation United Front,” in the indictment of a third person that was involved in narcotics distribution and the illegal possession of weapons.
“Addressing violent crime in Middle Georgia means utilizing every asset at our disposal, including high-level ballistics technology like ATF’s NIBIN,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary.
Read MoreTwo Indicted on Dark Web Fentanyl Conspiracy Charges Face 10 Years in Prison, $10 Million in Fines
The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of Georgia has indicted two men on federal drug and money laundering charges for their participation in the facilitation of the importation and distribution of illegal narcotics, including fentanyl.
“Pills in the underground drug market and on the Dark Web are often diluted with dangerous and deadly substances like fentanyl, as was the case in this investigation,” said Robert J. Murphy, the special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Atlanta Field Division.
Read MoreBuckhead Public Safety Task Force Issues Final Report, Plan to Halt Crime
The Buckhead Public Safety Task Force (Legislative Reference No. 22-R-3001) issued its final report on Friday, with recommendations and a plan to curb crime in the northernmost Atlanta district, wherein the city stated a new police precinct will open up in June.
“Task Force participants were able to hear from a broad spectrum of public safety stakeholders, and I look forward to seeing that expertise translated into a meaningful action plan,” said District 7 Council member Howard Shook.
Read MoreJohn Fredericks-Led ‘Team Trump Georgia Bus Tour’ Kicks Off, Highlighting Election Fraud and the Goal to Turn Georgia Counties Red
The Team Trump Georgia Bus Tour, a state-wide circuit supporting Trump-endorsed political candidates, hit the road Monday morning at Wild Wings restaurant in Dunwoody, Georgia.
DeKalb County Republican Party Chairman Marci McCarthy stated, “We’re thrilled to be here in welcoming the John Fredericks Georgia Trump Bus Tour here in DeKalb County, Georgia! We’re the kickoff stop, and we are going to vote DeKalb red.”
Garland Favorito, the head of the Georgia-based election integrity group, VoterGA, added, “It’s really got to change now or we’re going to lose Georgia, and if we lose Georgia we’re going to lose America, and if we lose America we’re going to lose the world. So this is huge.”
Read MoreCommentary: Republican Election Integrity Efforts Work
After the serious election integrity issues of 2020, Republican leaders and the Republican National Committee have not been idle, but responded on behalf of voters to ensure that free, fair, and transparent elections remain a hallmark of American democracy. Joe Biden and Democrats predictably have done everything under the sun to smear these efforts, even calling those everyday Americans who oppose the efforts racist. But now, over a year later, the results are in, and Democrats have been totally wrong.
Georgia and Texas are perfect examples. Almost a year ago, after the passage of SB 202 – a highly popular Republican-led election integrity law which expanded early voting, poll watching, and voter ID requirements – Democrats pulled out all thestops and started lying. They said the law was “racist,” would “suppress” voter turnout, and even backed a boycott meant to hurt small businesses, many of them black-owned.
Essentially, they shamefully tried to stir up chaos along racial lines. But on Election Day, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution depicted a different scene entirely, writing that voters saw “short lines,” “few problems,” and no “obstacles at the polls.” It is time for all race-baiting Democrat politicians to stop their lies and admit their claims aren’t based in reality.
Read MoreCEO of Buckhead City Committee Bill White: ‘A Vote for Burt Jones Is a Vote to Get Buckhead City on the Ballot’
Live from Virginia Friday morning on The John Fredericks Show, host Fredericks welcomed CEO of Buckhead City, Georgia, Bill White to the show to discuss candidates who support the right to vote in Buckhead City.
Read MoreTrump, Perdue Back Buckhead City’s Escape from Atlanta
The man running to unseat Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp in the May 24 Republican primary told The Georgia Star News and The Star News Network that Kemp failed Georgians out in many ways, and one of them was when Kemp refused to back the separation of Buckhead City from Atlanta.
“Look, this is a governor that has sold us out,” said former senator David A. Perdue Jr., the man President Donald J. Trump endorsed to defeat Kemp.
Read MorePerdue Tells The Star News Network: I Am Running For Governor Because Kemp ‘Sold Us Out’
Neil W. McCabe, the national political editor of The Star News Network, interviewed former U.S. Senator David A. Perdue Jr. about his challenge to Gov. Brian P. Kemp in the May 24 GOP primary.
Perdue said with the backing of President Donald J. Trump, he is working to unite the Georgia Republican Party after Kemp triggered a schism over his refusal to address irregularities in the 2020 election.
Read MoreFive Atlanta Residents Charged with Fraud in Alleged COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program Scheme
Federal officials in Atlanta have charged 22 people nationwide, including Georgia, with wire fraud conspiracy and other charges in an alleged scheme to obtain nearly $4 million in COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. This, according to a press release that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia published this week.
Read MoreSouth Korean Native Describes His American Dream, First Making $1.80 an Hour, Now Running Successful Atlanta Business
NORCROSS — Sunny Park immigrated to the United States from South Korea in 1983, and, after his arrival, made $1.80 an hour working in a kitchen. Despite that meager salary, Park was ambitious and aspired to pay at least $1 million in taxes every year. And for that, people told him that he was crazy.
Read MoreBuckhead Announces New Political Action Committee in Effort to Separate from Atlanta
BUCKHEAD, Georgia — Buckhead City Committee CEO Bill White announced Monday that his group has a new Political Action Committee (PAC), effective February 1. White announced the news at a fundraiser at Buckhead’s Bistro Niko restaurant. Monday night’s fundraiser had a sell-out crowd. Almost 300 people attended, White said. The event had a minimum ticket donation requirement of $250 per person.
Read MoreThieves Reportedly Targeting Trains, Delivery Trucks in Atlanta, Los Angeles
Criminals have reportedly opened up a new lucrative front in the ongoing package-theft epidemic throughout the U.S., targeting shipping infrastructure to steal goods before they even get to consumers’ porches.
UPS Chief Executive Carol Tome told CNBC this week that one of the company’s 18-wheeler shipping trucks was robbed several weeks ago in December. “[The driver] was stopped at gunpoint,” she said. “He was zip-tied, thrown into the back of his feeder car, and they took the packages.”
Read MoreBuckhead City Committee Leader Says His Inside Sources Contradict Information Put Out by Atlanta Mayor and Police Department
Staff for Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and the Atlanta Police Department (APD) accused Buckhead City Committee leader Bill White of misinforming the public about alleged corruption and mismanagement practices within their agencies. White told The Georgia Star News on Friday that several APD sources feed him information and that those sources are reliable. White said he knows those sources’ identifies, but he will keep them anonymous.
Read MoreAtlanta Public Schools Say COVID-19 Will Force Them to Operate Virtually Starting Monday
Atlanta Public School (APS) officials announced Saturday that will operate virtually next week for all students and all staff. This, after APS officials said they had reviewed district and community COVID-19 data. They did not elaborate.
Read MoreGeorgia Gubernatorial Candidate Vernon Jones Responds After Atlanta Mayor Bashes Leader of Buckhead City Committee
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Monday questioned whether former President Donald Trump is somehow tied to an effort to remove Buckhead from the much larger and crime-plagued city that she oversees. Bottoms specifically criticized Bill White, who leads the Buckhead City Committee.
Read MoreNew Atlanta Violence Reduction Director Lacks Law Enforcement Background
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms this week identified the person who will lead the city’s new Office of Violence Reduction, and that person has a background not in law enforcement but in public health. Bottoms, in a press release, announced the Office of Violence Reduction will fall under the purview of Jacquel Clemons Moore.
Read MoreFormer Georgia State Rep. Beth Beskin Launches New Talk Radio Program to Discuss Atlanta and Georgia Politics
Former Georgia State Representative Beth Beskin is scheduled to launch a new weekly talk radio show on Saturday, December 4, where she promises to give listeners a front row seat to Peach State politics. The Beth Beskin Show will broadcast live each Saturday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on WMLB AM 1690 in Atlanta. Listeners who live outside of the Metro Atlanta area may listen by downloading the Freedom WMLB AM 1690 App.
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