After over a year in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention, Rodney Taylor has been released from the Stewart Detention Center in Stewart County. The Georgia barber’s family shared the news of his release on social media over the weekend. “Thank you to everyone who protested, called, emailed, shared and donated, your collective efforts made […]
Gwinnett County
Posted inPolitics & Policy
New ICE Detention Center Sparks Racial Profiling Fears in Gwinnett County
News of plans to open an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Oakwood is amplifying fears about racial profiling among some people of color in nearby Gwinnett County. That includes Mulberry, Georgia, resident Tracey Fisher. Fisher serves as district director for the Georgia Federation of Democratic Women. She was one of about 15 people […]
Posted inCommunity
Free Holiday Help in Metro Atlanta: Food, Toys, and Essentials for Families
For many families across metro Atlanta, the holiday season can be a time of joy but also one of financial stress. Rising grocery costs, high utility bills, and unexpected expenses can make it hard for some households to provide meals and gifts for their children. Fortunately, local nonprofits, faith-based organizations and government programs are stepping […]
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice
After 22 Years Behind Bars, a Georgia Man’s Fight for a New Trial Isn’t Over
After spending over 20 years incarcerated for a crime he says he didn’t commit, Danyel Smith had hoped to celebrate his first Thanksgiving at home this November. However, despite a recent victory at the Supreme Court of Georgia, it is likely he will remain incarcerated for the rest of the year. “I jokingly told him […]
Posted inClimate, Health
Where to Cool Down in Atlanta as Heat Temps Soar this Summer
The city is opening cooling centers so Atlanta residents can take extra precautions , as the city and other parts of the state are expected to get dangerously hot weather this Summer. According to the National Weather Service, a heat advisory is in effect from 1 p.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Wednesday for counties across […]
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice
A Georgia Father Claims He Didn’t Kill His Infant Son. Will the State Supreme Court Believe Him?
Ester Clark has been living a nightmare for the past 22 years, ever since her grandson Danyel Smith was sentenced to life behind bars for the death of his infant son — a tragedy they both say he did not cause. “They never tried to find out what really happened,” Clark, 81, told Capital B Atlanta […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Policing
How to Request Body Camera Footage from Atlanta Police
After Atlanta police officer Marquee Kelley fatally shot local activist Oscar Cain Jr. in the back in March 2019 — with his dashboard and body cameras turned off — the department sought ways to bring more transparency and accountability to policing in the city. The Atlanta Police Department had first deployed body cameras in 2016, however a […]
Posted inHousing, Partner Content, Wealth Gap
Atlanta Ranked as Best U.S. City for Black Homebuyers
This story was originally published by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. New research published earlier this month found Atlanta is the best city for Black people who want to get on the housing ladder. But it also reinforced findings on the gulf between white and Black homeownership in the U.S. The report published by Columbia, Missouri-based Mortgage Research […]
Posted inElections, Politics & Policy
Forgot to Register to Vote? Today Is the Deadline in Georgia.
Today is the final day Georgia residents can register to vote in this year’s Nov. 5 presidential election. The Georgia Secretary of State’s Office says eligible residents have until close of business on Oct. 7 to submit their voter registration application online or via U.S. mail. Folks who don’t have internet access can register to […]
Posted inCOVID-19, Health, Partner Content
Uninsured in Atlanta and Need a COVID Shot? You May Need to Call Around.
This story was originally published by Healthbeat. Sign up for their public health newsletters at healthbeat.org/newsletters It’s been over a month since the FDA approved new COVID vaccines, but for uninsured and underinsured Atlantans who rely on the public health system to get the shots at low cost, the process is fraught with conflicting information […]