Top of the morning! We made it to Friday, and there’s a three-day weekend ahead of us.
First things first, here is Your AM Rundown, where you’ll get updates on local news to start the day. In 400 words or less, we will bring you up to speed on top stories and other developments you might’ve missed. Here’s what to know for today:
- Morehouse College just announced a $500 million capital campaign. Dubbed “Making Men of Consequence,” the campaign has already raised $200 million in funds going to scholarships for top students, supporting faculty research, and modernizing the 66-acre campus.
- In Tucker, leadership just voted to not recognize Juneteenth at City Hall. In a 5-2 vote, the City Council elected to celebrate 11 holidays in 2022, not including Junteenth, so government buildings will not close in observance. However, the city is planning on having an event to celebrate the federal holiday. Metro cities Avondale Estates, Decatur, Clarkston, Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville will be closed.
- What’s being done about affordable housing in Atlanta and surrounding cities? What does the future look like? These questions and more will be addressed at an upcoming discussion hosted by the Atlanta Regional Housing Forum, featuring Mayor Andre Dickens, Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson, and Clayton County Chairman Jeffrey Turner. The forum, “Taking Stock of Metro Atlanta’s Housing Priorities” is on Wednesday, March 2. You can find more information here.
- An election date has been set for the City of Stonecrest to vote for a new mayor. The news comes after Stonecrest’s first mayor, Jason Lary, pleaded guilty to fraud charges. This week, the City Council voted to have a special election on May 24 to fill Lary’s vacant seat.
- This week, friends, family, colleagues, and students are mourning the loss of Atlanta author and educator Valerie Boyd. The acclaimed Zora Neale Hurston biographer and former Atlanta Journal-Constitution arts editor died at 58, after a five-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
ICYMI: Just when it felt like we had enough area codes — 404, 770, 678, 470 — Verizon has decided Atlanta and the metro area could use one more. Say hello to the 9-4-3! Don’t worry, you can keep your current digits unless you’re adding a new line or service. 943 will officially make its debut in March.
Special note: Our office will be closed on Monday in recognition of Presidents Day. Your AM Rundown will resume on Tuesday, Feb. 22. Until then, send us tips, pitches, or other updates. Hit us up at atltips@capitalbatl.org!
