Top of the morning!

Here is Your AM Rundown, with news updates in 400 words or less. Get caught up on headlines and other developments you might’ve missed. 

Here’s what to know for today: 

  • A Georgia native and Spelman alumna will be the first Black woman ever to serve on the Federal Reserve Bank’s Board of Governors. Lisa Cook, who previously served as a staff economist on the White House Council of Economic Advisers from 2011 to 2012, was an adviser to President Joe Biden’s transitional team in banking regulatory policy.
  • Tucker is the latest city in metro Atlanta to join in the upcoming Juneteenth celebrations by giving city employees a paid day off. The news of the paid holiday comes after City Council members received backlash for previously striking the measure in February. 
  • Recess is now a mandatory part of the elementary school day in Georgia. Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 1283, known as the Quality Basic Education Act, which will prohibit schools from withholding recess for disciplinary punishment or academic reasons. The recess rule is specific to students in kindergarten through fifth grade and will go into effect in the 2022-2023 school year.
  • It’s tax refund season, and some of y’all can expect a little extra from the state this year. Thanks to House Bill 1302, more than $1 billion will be returned to taxpayers who filed in 2020 and 2021 in the form of a one-time rebate. Capital B ATL state and local politics reporter Chauncey Alcorn breaks down everything you need to know about the upcoming tax surplus refunds.

ICYMI:  Let us see what’s your net-net-net worth! Atlanta restaurateur Pinky Cole’s brand, Slutty Vegan, is now reportedly worth $100 million. The rapid growth in income can be credited to a grant totaling $25 million that Cole obtained through private funding. The 100% vegan brand plans to use the funds to continue a massive expansion, opening 20 new locations by 2023.

Got tips, pitches, or other updates to include in Your AM Rundown? Hit us up at atltips@capitalbatl.org.

Sydney Sims is the community engagement reporter for Capital B Atlanta. Twitter @bySydneySims