Top of the morning, and Happy Valentine’s Day! Welcome to 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 both top stories and other developments you might’ve missed. Here’s what to know for today:
U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Ga., was one of 14 Black women in the U.S. House to sign a letter to President Joe Biden commending him on his commitment to appointing a Black woman to the Supreme Court. “It is therefore of utmost importance that the Administration appoints a Black woman with a strong track record of advancing civil and constitutionally protected rights and whose work has shown dedication to affirming the rights of our country’s most marginalized communities,” read the statement led by activist and Democratic Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri.
- Bye, bye Buckhead cityhood…for now. After Lt. Gov. and Sen. President Goeff Duncan, a Republican, announced his opposition to the movement, Republican Georgia House Speaker David Ralston put the measure on pause saying, “It takes two chambers to pass a bill,” and that the “problem of how we got here is not solved, that being the crime problem.”
Essentially, the GOP leaders want to give Mayor Andre Dickens time to address crime in Atlanta, which is at the heart of the cityhood push. In a statement, Dickens said he was “thankful” for the latest development. “They have given me and my administration the runway we need to take off, and we will continue in our work to move Atlanta forward,” he said.
- Westside of Atlanta, East Lake, and Decatur, get ready for some MARTA rideshare action. Starting March 1, the new on-demand service, MARTA Reach, will kick off its six-month pilot program.
- Good news: Mayor Dickens just announced the relaunch of the Resurgence Grant Fund. Qualifying small businesses and nonprofits can apply for up to $40,000 in reimbursements to cover pandemic-related costs. Applications will be accepted March 1 through April 29.
ICYMI: Meet Temple Lester, the DeKalb County high school student up for Nickelodeon’s “Time Kid of the Year” award.
Got tips, pitches, or other updates to include in Your AM Rundown? Hit us up at atltips@capitalbatl.org.
