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:
- The Atlanta Police Department has a new top cop, who already has plans to upgrade security at parks and recreation centers this summer. Interim Police Chief Darin Schierbaum joined Mayor Andre Dickens on Tuesday to announce plans to closely monitor criminal activity in Atlanta by hiring 15 youth mentors to work alongside the city at recreation centers. Schierbaum moves into the role following the retirement of former Police Chief Rodney Bryant while the city enters a nationwide search for a permanent replacement.
- Efforts to revitalize the site of the former Atlanta Civic Center have stalled once again. Last week, the Atlanta Housing Authority announced that it had selected New York-based Tishman Speyer to develop the massive project. On Tuesday, the developer notified AHA officials that it would be withdrawing its commitment to the 19-acre development, citing timing issues.
- State health officials are looking into what could potentially be the first confirmed case of monkeypox in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed the suspected case of orthopoxvirus — a genus that includes smallpox and monkeypox — in metro Atlanta. In a statement to Capital B Atlanta, Nancy Nydam, the department’s director of communications, said the first case is a male resident with a history of international travel. Nydam also said the department is conducting contract tracing and working alongside the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention to determine if the subject is carrying the monkeypox virus.
- Happy Pride Month! Ahead of Atlanta’s popular Pride parade festival Oct. 7-9, event organizers are asking for the LGBTQ+ community’s help to determine if attendees will be comfortable with Atlanta Police Department officers providing security at this year’s event. Atlanta Pride officials have released an online survey, stating that the topic has been a long-standing issue within the community.
ICYMI: Today is the day! Join us — along with Atlanta Civic Circle, Axios Atlanta, Canopy Atlanta, and the Center for Civic Innovation — for our #ATLBudget event at Georgia Beer Garden to learn more about all the ways you can get involved and have your voice heard. You can RSVP online here.
Got tips, pitches, or other updates to include in Your AM Rundown? Hit us up at atltips@capitalbatl.org.
