Top of the morning! 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:
- Another week, another bomb threat at Spelman College. This marks the third time in a month that the HBCU has been targeted. Authorities found no evidence of explosives. The school canceled classes, closed the campus, and sent notice to students asking that they shelter in place. In a letter to students, Spelman President Mary Schmidt Campbell said the call came in at 10 a.m., and the school is working with the Atlanta Police Department and requested more patrols on campus.
- Just in time for Super Bowl Sunday, Fulton County government announced that Mercedes-Benz Stadium will reopen as a COVID-19 vaccination site. Last year, the home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United served as the state’s largest mass vaccination site. For hours of operation and more information, visit the Fulton County government website.
- Former DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones has had a change of heart. The Democrat-turned-Trump-supporting Republican pulled the plug on his campaign for governor, switching gears to make a run at Congress. Jones announced that he would endorse former U.S. Sen. David Perdue in the race for governor.
- As debates over critical race theory continue to swirl nationwide, Gov. Brian Kemp and other state lawmakers recently introduced the Parents’ Bill of Rights. What’s in it? Language that essentially gives parents the right to access lesson plans and instructional materials. Specifically, it allows parents the, “ability to request information from a principal or superintendent and requires that they provide the requested information,” within three working days. In turn, school staff must provide the parent with a description of the material and a timeline for its delivery, not to exceed 30 days.
ICYMI: Been to the New Black Wall Street Market in Stonecrest? The 125,000-square-foot space opened in late 2021 with local Black entrepreneurs and customers in mind. For Capital B Atlanta, writer Ronda Penrice took a trip to the market, and here’s what she found.
Got tips, pitches, or other updates to include in Your AM Rundown? Hit us up at atltips@capitalbatl.org.
