The fate of several proposed laws that could impact the lives of Black Georgians will be decided on Wednesday, the 40th and final day of the state’s latest legislative session — aka Sine Die. The term “Sine Die” is a Latin phrase that means “without assigning a day for a further meeting or hearing.” In Georgia, it’s […]
Politics & Policy
Posted inHealth, Social Welfare
With Black Residents at Risk of Losing Medicaid, These Orgs Are Here to Help
Starting next month, millions of Georgia residents will have their Medicaid eligibility reevaluated, and local grassroots organizations are mobilizing to keep Black communities informed. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which, among many things, required states to keep people enrolled on Medicaid through the end of […]
Posted inCity Politics
We Asked All 16 Members of the Atlanta City Council About ‘Cop City.’ Two Responded.
Land clearing is underway in the South River Forest where Atlanta is set to build its new public safety training center, nicknamed “Cop City.” As the community continues to debate the need for the facility, Atlanta City Council members have remained tight-lipped on the issue. Back on Sept. 8, 2021, the council voted 10-4 in […]
Posted inCity Politics
Black Folks Share Their Concerns Ahead of Dickens’ State of the City Address
When Mayor Andre Dickens steps to the podium to deliver his State of the City address, residents like Vanessa Turner hope he’ll talk about his administration’s progress on addressing crime and public safety. The 69-year-old retail sales clerk lives in the Wheat Street Towers retirement community, located in the city’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood. She keeps […]
Posted inState Politics
Crossover Day Is Over. Here’s What You Might’ve Missed.
Georgia lawmakers were up late Monday night. Why? It was Crossover Day, the General Assembly’s deadline for most bills to be passed by either the House or the Senate before becoming new laws by when the legislative session ends on March 29. Text from bills that weren’t passed by the end of Crossover Day can […]
Posted inState Politics
Bye-Bye Parking Boots? A New Law Could Make Them Illegal. We Explain.
It has happened to all of us. Ask a local and they will probably tell you how they have fallen victim to getting parking boots — devices placed on tires to keep vehicles from moving — on their cars multiple times. The private industry of car booting has been problematic and costly for affected residents […]
Posted inState Politics
Why Black Buckhead Residents Say They’re Against Cityhood Push
Jimmy John moved to Buckhead with his wife about a year ago because he wanted to get away from crime in East Atlanta and enjoy a community with better amenities. Today, as Buckhead finds itself grappling with its own perceived crime issues, John wonders how the city becoming independent will fix the problem. “Buckhead becoming […]
Posted inCity Politics, Criminal Justice, Policing
Deadly ‘Cop City’ Shooting Divides Residents, Activists, and Law Enforcement
Marcus Hunter bought a home near South River Forest in 2013. The IT consultant said he and many of his neighbors have become numb to hearing about the conflicts between protesters and law enforcement officers at the future site of a massive public safety training facility, dubbed “Cop City” by activists. “Everybody kinda saw it […]
Posted inCity Politics
Black Atlantans Keep Getting Hit By Cars. This City Lawmaker Is Trying to Change That.
Getting hit by a car is a personal experience that Atlanta City Council member Jason Dozier doesn’t want any of his constituents to endure the way he did years ago. On Jan. 3, Dozier, who represents District 4, introduced a set of proposed changes to zoning laws around the Atlanta BeltLine. If the zoning changes […]
Posted inCity Politics
Black Atlantans Rate Dickens on His First Year As Mayor
Joyland resident Christopher Hill is a retired insurance and real estate professional who has lived in Atlanta since 1992. When Hill got to the southeast Atlanta neighborhood, Maynard Jackson was in his second term of office as mayor. Five administrations later, the 69-year-old stopped to think when asked about how Mayor Andre Dickens had done […]
