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Atlanta Mayor Seeks Condemnation of Five Blighted Properties to Combat Urban Decay

Atlanta Mayor Seeks Condemnation of Five Blighted Properties to Combat Urban Decay

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens' administration is requesting a specially called City Council meeting to initiate condemnation proceedings for five blighted properties on the city's Westside. These properties, located in communities such as Brookview Heights, English Avenue, and Vine City, have been identified as long-standing burdens on residents. The proposed resolutions would authorize the mayor's office to use Georgia law to condemn these properties to remedy blight. Among the targeted sites are long-shuttered houses near Rodney Cook Sr. Park, a multifamily building in English Avenue, and a former Texaco gas station that has been closed for over a decade. This action aligns with the administration's Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, which aims to channel over $5 billion in Tax Allocation District spending towards infrastructure improvements and affordable housing. The mayor's office clarified that condemnation does not mean the city will own the properties, but rather that any acquisition would be base...
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Waffle House Employee 'Rockstar Riley' Fired After Viral Rap Video About Employer

Waffle House Employee 'Rockstar Riley' Fired After Viral Rap Video About Employer

Waffle House Employee 'Rockstar Riley' Fired After Viral Rap Video About Employer
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Georgia Children Found Safe, Kidnapping Suspect Linked to Previous Alabama Case

Georgia Children Found Safe, Kidnapping Suspect Linked to Previous Alabama Case

Two young sisters, 4-year-old Zola Cooper and 11-month-old Norah Cooper, who were the subjects of a Georgia AMBER Alert, have been found safe. Their accused kidnapper, 42-year-old Lakesha Brown, is now in custody. Atlanta police confirmed that Brown has ties to Alabama and was involved in a similar kidnapping case approximately five years ago, which was extensively covered by ABC 33/40. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation issued the AMBER Alert after the children were reportedly abducted by their babysitter, Brown. Atlanta police located the children and Brown in a trailer in the Atlanta area after receiving information about her possible whereabouts. Officers heard a baby crying inside the trailer, leading to the recovery of both children and Brown's apprehension. The children appeared to be in good health and were transported to a medical facility for evaluation, while Brown was taken to Atlanta police headquarters for further investigation. Authorities currently do not have a motive for the abduction.
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I-285 Reopening Delayed by Contractor in Atlanta, Causing Significant Traffic Disruptions

I-285 Reopening Delayed by Contractor in Atlanta, Causing Significant Traffic Disruptions

Interstate 285 in Southwest Atlanta experienced a significant delay in its reopening on Monday morning, causing approximately two and a half hours of unexpected traffic disruption. The interstate had been closed for construction from Friday at 7 p.m. until Monday morning. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) reported that the contractor, Webber, failed to meet the scheduled reopening deadline of 5 a.m. on Monday. Despite assurances from Webber as late as Sunday night that the deadline would be met, the road did not reopen until around 7:30 a.m. This delay impacted numerous commuters, including Bruce Price, who missed an important meeting with his contractor, and Shannon Byrd-Crossley, who was late for work. GDOT issued an apology for the delay and indicated that it would re-evaluate the production rates provided by the contractor to prevent future closure extensions.
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Birmingham Woman Accused in Atlanta Child Kidnapping, Faces Prior Alabama Charges

Birmingham Woman Accused in Atlanta Child Kidnapping, Faces Prior Alabama Charges

Lakesha Brown, a woman from Birmingham, Alabama, has been taken into custody in Atlanta after two Georgia children, abducted by their babysitter, were found safe. The Atlanta Police Department located the children and Brown on Monday at a location on Sylvan Road. State investigators reported that Brown, who had gained the mother's trust over approximately a year, abducted the children on Saturday around 6 p.m. from James P. Brawley Drive NW. The mother delayed reporting the abduction, initially believing Brown was returning the children or had been in an accident. Brown was already facing charges in a separate kidnapping case in Alabama and had an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court for that case, which reportedly involved similar circumstances. The children appeared to be in good health and were taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Savannah Morning News Savannah Morning News
Medical marijuana could soon be legally delivered to your Georgia home

Medical marijuana could soon be legally delivered to your Georgia home

A public hearing is scheduled to discuss adopting rules that would allow medical marijuana products to be delivered to Georgia patients and caregivers.
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Atlanta Police Rescue Two Girls from Alleged Kidnapper, Suspect Faces Charges

Atlanta Police Rescue Two Girls from Alleged Kidnapper, Suspect Faces Charges

Atlanta police have successfully rescued two young girls, Zola Cooper, 4, and her 11-month-old sister, Norah Cooper, from a trailer described as 'unsuitable for human habitation.' The rescue occurred on Monday, a day after their mother, Elicia Redding, reported them missing. The alleged kidnapper, Lakesha Brown, 42, was found inside the trailer and has been charged with kidnapping. Authorities stated that Brown used a social media moms' group to befriend Redding, presenting herself as part of a support system for mothers needing babysitting services. This tactic is reportedly identical to one she used five years prior when she was accused of kidnapping a 4-day-old newborn in 2021. Brown is currently awaiting trial for that previous kidnapping and has an outstanding warrant in Alabama for failing to appear in court. The alarm was raised when Brown failed to return the girls as expected, initially telling the mother they had been in a car accident. Police received a tip-off, leading them to an apartment comp...
AP News AP News
Georgia Tech sets sights on an ACC title after promising season and major roster turnover

Georgia Tech sets sights on an ACC title after promising season and major roster turnover

Georgia Tech has high hopes for the upcoming football season under coach Brent Key
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Atlanta Drivers Face Significant Delays on I-285 Due to Contractor Missing Reopening Deadline

Atlanta Drivers Face Significant Delays on I-285 Due to Contractor Missing Reopening Deadline

Drivers in Southwest Atlanta experienced a 2.5-hour delay on Interstate 285 after a contractor, Webber, missed the scheduled reopening deadline. The interstate had been closed for construction from Friday at 7 p.m. until Monday morning. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) confirmed that Webber failed to meet the 7:30 a.m. Monday reopening time. This unexpected extension caused considerable frustration and disruption for commuters. One affected driver, Bruce Price, who lives in Johns Creek but is renovating a home in Southwest Atlanta, stated that the delay caused him to miss an important meeting with his contractor, impacting his tight closing schedule. Another driver, Shannon Byrd-Crossley from Cobb County, reported being late for work due to the mix-up. GDOT issued an apology for the delay, noting that Webber had indicated as late as Sunday night that they would meet the deadline. GDOT also stated that it would re-evaluate the production rates provided by the contractor to prevent similar fut...
USA Today USA Today
City of Atlanta to establish 'Data Center Task Force.' What does it do?

City of Atlanta to establish 'Data Center Task Force.' What does it do?

The Atlanta City Council approved the creation of a Data Center Task Force that will bring together 23 members from different offices.
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NABJ Awards Stephen A. Smith 'Thumbs Down' for Commentary on Black Women, Sparking Controversy

NABJ Awards Stephen A. Smith 'Thumbs Down' for Commentary on Black Women, Sparking Controversy

Stephen A. Smith, a prominent sports commentator and media personality, received the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) 'Thumbs Down' award during its annual convention in Atlanta. The award is given to individuals or institutions deemed to have engaged in insensitive or stereotypical commentary. NABJ specifically cited Smith's 'repeated pattern of criticizing prominent Black women in ways that undermine fair representation' across sports, politics, and media. While the organization did not provide specific examples in its announcement, a recent controversy involving U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas was highlighted as context. Smith had previously criticized Crockett's confrontational political style, using language that some perceived as dismissive and leading to accusations of 'tone policing' a Black woman in politics. Smith later apologized to Crockett, acknowledging that his words could be used against her by political opponents, but maintained his right to critique public officials. S...
The Falcons Wire The Falcons Wire
Falcons EDGE Za'Darius Smith picks new uniform number

Falcons EDGE Za'Darius Smith picks new uniform number

Falcons' new EDGE Za'Darius Smith to wear No. 91 for Atlanta