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:
- Georgia lawmakers are showing their appreciation for public school teachers by adding $2,000 to their salaries in the upcoming school year. The raise is a part of a $30.2 billion state budget that Gov. Brian Kemp approved Thursday, which includes an attempt to curb high turnover rates in state-funded industries. The budget also calls for pay increases for employees in hard-to-fill jobs like corrections and mental health agencies.
- The plot continues to thicken after the latest details in the sudden firing of former DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris. An underlying investigation, conducted by The Young Group law firm, of Watson-Harris and the alleged misappropriation of pandemic relief funds revealed that she was terminated the day after being exonerated. Watson-Harris was terminated on April 26 in a special meeting after state intervention in an ongoing push for immediate renovation at deteriorating Druid Hills High School.
- Our #ATLBudget series in partnership with Atlanta Civic Circle, Axios Atlanta, Canopy Atlanta, and the Center for Civic Innovation is underway, and we want to hear from you! Check out this survey from Canopy to help us better understand what matters to you the most when it comes to city funds!
- South DeKalb Mall has new management, and it has big plans ahead for the metro Atlanta mall. Donna Smiley, lead commercial broker for the project, hopes to bring in new, diverse tenants to fill large spaces such as the former movie theater and Fallas Discount Store to assist in the overall revitalization. The southern DeKalb County mall was sold at auction in late 2021 to Namdar Realty Group after the previous owner, Thor Equities, defaulted on its mortgage loan.
ICYMI: The second annual career fair geared toward teens living in Fulton County is back. County leaders are partnering to provide teens and young adults ages 16 to 24 with a five-week program that will teach work-ready skills and offer job placement opportunities. The event will take place on May 21 at Welcome All Park in South Fulton, and seats can be reserved here.
Got tips, pitches, or other updates to include in Your AM Rundown? Hit us up at atltips@capitalbatl.org.
