Category: News

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) announced Thursday that the GWCC/Georgia Dome/CNN Center/Philips Arena/Omni Station – long one of the rail system’s most confusingly named stops – will officially become Sports, Entertainment, and Convention District Station, with the shortened nickname “SEC District Station.”

Loading … MARTA’s Sports, Entertainment, and Convention District Station

The change, effective immediately on all signage, maps, apps, and train announcements, is intended to better reflect the cluster of major venues within walking distance of the station and to help first-time riders and tourists more easily identify the stop.

MARTA made the announcement with a clever social media video that commemorated the eighth anniversary of the implosion of the old Georgia Dome, which has since been replaced by Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“Visitors arriving in Atlanta shouldn’t have to memorize a 30-year history of arena sponsorships to figure out which station serves Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and the Georgia World Congress Center,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood. “This new name instantly tells you exactly what this area is all about – sports, entertainment, and conventions.”

The station, located on the Red and Gold lines just west of Downtown Atlanta, is a primary transit hub for:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC, major concerts, 2025 College Football Playoff events)
• State Farm Arena (Atlanta Hawks, concerts)
• Georgia World Congress Center (major conventions, trade shows, Fan Expo, Dragon Con)
• Centennial Olympic Park
• World of Coca-Cola
• Georgia Aquarium
• College Football Hall of Fame
• CNN Center (studio tours)

The old name, GWCC/CNN Center, had become increasingly outdated as Philips Arena became State Farm Arena in 2018, the Georgia Dome was demolished in 2017, and the Omni Coliseum closed in 1997.

“SEC District” is already being embraced by fans and event organizers. The abbreviation conveniently mirrors the Southeastern Conference (SEC) whose championship football game is played annually at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, though MARTA officials stress the letters officially stand for Sports, Entertainment, and Convention.

New permanent signage is expected to be fully installed by early 2026, with temporary signage and digital updates already in place.

MARTA says the rename is part of a broader effort to make station names more intuitive across the system, especially ahead of Atlanta’s hosting of multiple 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

For more information and updated system maps, visit itsmarta.com.

MARTA is not just for transit, but its name is now associated with several great Atlanta restaurants near stations.

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Lester T. Jones Jr., a 46-year-old Atlanta resident and former senior vice president of financial planning and analysis for the Atlanta Hawks, has been hit with federal wire fraud charges for allegedly siphoning $3.8 million from the NBA franchise over nearly eight years to bankroll an extravagant personal lifestyle.

Prosecutors accuse him of exploiting his trusted position in the team’s finance department to fund luxury vacations abroad, high-end vehicles like a Porsche, designer goods, jewelry, premium event tickets, and lavish gifts—highlighting the vulnerabilities that can arise when insiders wield unchecked access to organizational funds.

Trusted Insider’s Rise and Fall

Jones joined the Hawks in 2016 and quickly ascended to become the team’s most senior accounting executive under the chief financial officer, a role he held for nearly a decade until his departure earlier this year.

In this capacity, he oversaw critical financial operations, including budget management, expense approvals, and control over the franchise’s American Express corporate card account—a position that granted him broad authority to issue multiple cards to himself and authorize reimbursements.

During his tenure, Jones was also romantically involved with another Hawks employee, who has since left the organization; some of the alleged expenditures reportedly included extravagant gifts for this partner.

This insider status made Jones an unlikely suspect, but federal investigators now portray him as a methodical fraudster who capitalized on systemic gaps. Prior to a July 2024 upgrade, the Hawks’ reimbursement processing system did not display corporate credit card transactions, allowing Jones to obscure personal charges by rerouting them to team operations.

The Mechanics of the Alleged Fraud

According to the indictment unsealed last week by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Jones’s scheme unfolded from at least May 2017 through June 2025.

He allegedly submitted or directed the submission of fraudulent expense reports backed by fabricated or altered invoices, manipulated financial records to conceal his tracks, and doctored emails to fabricate legitimacy for bogus transactions, according to the New York Times.

A stark example cited in court documents involves a January 2025 stay at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, unrelated to any team business, which Jones billed to the Hawks for $229,968.76.

To justify it, he allegedly forged an American Express email, recharacterizing the charge as expenses for the “NBA Emirates Cup, Tickets, Credentials, Logistics, Room”—complete with a wry, self-incriminating note in the altered message: “At least I know the Wynn’s number is right.”

Such tactics enabled him to blend personal extravagances seamlessly into legitimate team spending, prosecutors say.

Lavish Spending on the Hawks’ Dime

The pilfered funds fueled a globe-trotting, high-roller existence far removed from the grind of NBA front-office work. Jones reportedly treated himself and his partner to opulent trips to destinations including the Bahamas, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Thailand, and Switzerland.

Closer to home, he splurged on a Porsche, Louis Vuitton accessories, fine jewelry, and premium seats to concerts and sporting events.

These indulgences, prosecutors argue, came at the direct expense of the Hawks’ resources, underscoring a betrayal of fiduciary duty in one of the league’s marquee markets.

Unraveling, Arrest, and Road Ahead

The house of cards began to collapse earlier this year when an internal audit, commissioned by the Hawks, unearthed discrepancies in financial records—prompting a referral to federal authorities.

Jones was arrested in October 2025 and charged with a single count of wire fraud, a felony carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and mandatory forfeiture of any ill-gotten gains or related property.

Appearing in U.S. District Court in Atlanta, he entered a not guilty plea and was released on a $10,000 bond.

His next court date has not been publicly scheduled.The Hawks organization, now owned by a consortium including Grant Hill and Tony Ressler, has remained tight-lipped, with a spokesman declining to comment on the matter.

The scandal arrives amid broader scrutiny of NBA team finances, including recent league-wide pushes for enhanced internal controls following high-profile betting and misconduct cases. For Jones, once a fixture in the Hawks’ fiscal machinery, the allegations serve as a stark reminder of how proximity to power can tempt—and ensnare—even the most embedded professionals.

With a federal government shutdown looming large, DoorDash recently announced a sweeping emergency food response to combat the impending cutoff of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Starting November 1, SNAP payments will be suspended nationwide, affecting over 40 million Americans and putting immense pressure on local food systems already stretched thin.

Door Dash Steps Up for SNAP Beneficiaries

Here at home, the government shutdown could leave nearly 1.4 million Georgians — including thousands in metro Atlanta — scrambling for their next meal.

DoorDash’s response, dubbed the Emergency Food Response, aims to deliver immediate relief through a multi-pronged effort tailored to communities like Atlanta.

The company plans to waive merchant fees for over 300 Project DASH partners nationwide, including Atlanta-area food banks and pantries, enabling the free delivery of an estimated 1 million meals in November alone.

Locally, this builds on longstanding collaborations, such as the City of Atlanta’s 2022 partnership with DoorDash to expand food access via Project DASH, which has since powered millions of deliveries equivalent to 135 million meals across the U.S. 4

In a direct boon for Atlanta SNAP users, DoorDash is partnering with major grocers to cover delivery and service fees on up to 300,000 orders nationwide.

Eligible customers in the Peach State — those with a linked SNAP/EBT card — can shop fee-free at stores like Dollar General (with dozens of locations across metro Atlanta), Sprouts Farmers Market (including spots in Alpharetta and Sandy Springs), and the expanding Wegmans in the North Druid Hills area.

The promo, valid from November 1 through 30, requires a simple code and applies to one order per person, helping families stretch whatever benefits remain on their EBT cards before the full freeze hits. 0

Additionally, DoorDash will donate fresh produce, shelf-stable goods, and essentials from its DashMart warehouses directly to local food banks, targeting high-need Atlanta neighborhoods like those served by the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Feeding America partners.

“No one should go hungry in America — period,” said Max Rettig, DoorDash’s Vice President and Global Head of Public Policy. “Millions of families are worried right now about how they’ll put food on the table. Fighting hunger is core to our mission at DoorDash, and we’re stepping up alongside leading grocers and retailers to help bridge the gap. We know this is a stopgap, not a solution. But doing nothing simply isn’t an option.”

Eric Mitchell, President of the Alliance to End Hunger, echoed the urgency: “The food security of millions of people who rely on SNAP is at dire risk. We know that the only viable solution is to ensure SNAP benefits are being delivered in full to those in need of food assistance as soon as possible. We are thankful for the part that companies and organizations across the country like DoorDash can do to try to fill the gap.”

While the initiative offers a critical buffer, experts warn it’s no substitute for federal action. Atlanta’s SNAP households can still redeem pre-November benefits at authorized retailers until funds run dry, but advocates are urging Congress to restore funding swiftly. 11 DoorDash is calling on Atlantans to join the fight: Donate to the Feeding America network or volunteer at local pantries like the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Final Word

In Georgia alone, more than 687,000 households relied on SNAP last month, with over $272 million in benefits issued to help families afford groceries.

For Atlanta’s working families, seniors, and children — who make up a significant portion of the state’s recipients — the funding cliff represents a dire threat.

For those interested in partnering with Project DASH, reach out to [email protected]. SNAP users can link their EBT cards in the DoorDash app now to prepare — full terms available at help.doordash.com.

As the shutdown drags on, Atlanta’s resilience will be tested, but efforts like DoorDash’s highlight a community unwilling to let hunger win. Stay tuned for updates on local impacts and how you can help.

AtlantaFi.com is committed to covering stories that matter to our city. Have a tip? Email us at tjohnson@atlantafi.com.

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In a mishap that’s drawing national attention to the airline headquartered right here in the Peach State, a veteran Delta Air Lines flight attendant accidentally deployed an emergency evacuation slide on a parked aircraft at Pittsburgh International Airport, causing a nearly four-hour delay and an estimated $70,000 to $100,000 in damages.

The incident, which occurred Saturday evening, October 25, has sparked discussions about crew training and the high stakes of even minor errors in aviation.

Delta Flight Attendant Deploys Slide, Strands Pittsburgh Passengers

The blunder unfolded aboard Delta Flight 3248, an Airbus A220 bound for Salt Lake City, Utah, as the crew prepared for departure around 5 p.m. local time.

While arming the main boarding door—a standard procedure to secure the aircraft for takeoff—the flight attendant, who has 26 years of experience with the carrier, inadvertently raised the door handle.

This triggered the slide’s power-assist system, causing the door to swing open and the bright yellow inflatable slide to burst forth into the jet bridge.

The deployment blocked access to the aircraft, trapping passengers on board and halting operations at the gate. Engineers were called in to carefully deflate and detach the slide before it could be removed, a process that took several hours.

No injuries were reported among the roughly 100 passengers or crew, but the delay pushed the flight’s departure back to 9:11 p.m., forcing many travelers to miss connecting flights and spend the night in hotels arranged by Delta.

For Atlanta-based Delta, the financial hit is significant. Repacking or replacing an emergency slide on an Airbus A220 can run between $50,000 and $100,000, according to industry sources, due to the specialized equipment and FAA-mandated inspections required after deployment.

The airline, which operates out of its massive hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport—the world’s busiest—confirmed the incident in a statement to media outlets.

“Safety is Delta’s top priority, and our aircraft was thoroughly inspected before returning to service,” a spokesperson said.

The flight attendant has reportedly apologized to passengers and is slated for retraining, though Delta has not indicated any disciplinary action.

Social media lit up over the weekend with passenger accounts and photos of the inflated slide spilling into the terminal, turning what should have been a routine cross-country hop into an unexpected adventure.

“We were stuck on the plane for what felt like forever—thank goodness no one was hurt, but Delta owes us big time,” one traveler posted on social media.

Others shared memes about the “slide of shame,” highlighting the human element in an otherwise high-tech industry. Experts note that inadvertent slide deployments, while rare, are a known risk during the “arming” phase of boarding.

“It’s a delicate balance—doors must be secured to prevent slides from firing mid-flight, but one wrong move at the gate can lead to this,” said aviation safety consultant Maria Gonzalez in a recent analysis.

For Delta, which has faced scrutiny over recent operational hiccups, including summer IT outages, this serves as a reminder of the precision required in every procedure.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is aware of the incident but has not launched a formal investigation, as no safety violations were evident.

Passengers affected by the delay are eligible for compensation under Delta’s policies, including meal vouchers and rebooking assistance. As the story continues to trend online, Atlantans traveling with Delta this week might double-check their gate times—just in case.

Final Word

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In a dramatic turn for one of the spirits industry’s most celebrated success stories, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey—the Black- and woman-owned brand that skyrocketed to become America’s second-best-selling Tennessee whiskey—is preparing to offload key non-core assets as part of a court-mandated receivership.

The move, detailed in recent court filings, comes amid ongoing financial restructuring efforts and fresh allegations from founder Fawn Weaver of a targeted “smear campaign” by the company’s lender.

New Troubles Rock Uncle Nearest Brand

For consumers, the news signals potential changes to the brand’s ambitious expansions but reassurance that its flagship whiskeys will remain on shelves.

A Rapid Rise Meets Financial HeadwindsLaunched in 2017 by author and entrepreneur Fawn Weaver, Uncle Nearest honors Nathan “Nearest” Green, the formerly enslaved master distiller who taught Jack Daniel the art of whiskey-making in the late 1800s.

The brand’s story of reclaiming Black contributions to American distilling resonated deeply, propelling it from a niche player to a powerhouse with multiple awards, including “Whiskey of the Year” nods from Whisky Advocate and Robb Report.

Despite a post-pandemic slump in overall alcohol sales, Uncle Nearest reported robust growth, expanding beyond whiskey into vodka and cognac while amassing real estate holdings like a Tennessee farm and a French chateau.

But beneath the accolades lay mounting pressures.

Allegations of Mismanagement

In July 2025, lender Farm Credit Mid-America filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, accusing the company of defaulting on over $108 million in loans.

The complaint alleged misuse of funds, including a $2 million purchase of a Martha’s Vineyard estate in 2023, and the sale of discounted futures contracts.

By August 22, a federal judge placed Uncle Nearest into receivership, appointing Phillip G. Young Jr. to oversee operations and safeguard assets.

Young’s initial report, filed October 1, painted a cautiously optimistic picture: No evidence of financial impropriety by Weaver, her husband Keith, or current management was found, and a 13-week budget showed revenues sufficient to cover operating costs—minus $2.5 million in one-time fees covered by short-term lender funding.

Affects on the Atlanta Market

With non-core assets like the Cognac venture and vodka line on the auction block, how might this financial turbulence touch down in the Peach State?

Here’s a breakdown of the likely effects on Atlanta consumers, retailers, and the local market.

Steady Supply, But Watch for Pricing Tweaks

The good news for Atlanta imbibers: Uncle Nearest’s flagship whiskeys—think the bold 100-proof expression or the barrel-strength 1856—aren’t going anywhere soon.

The receiver’s October report emphasizes the core business’s “long-term viability,” with barrel inventories verified and distribution partnerships intact, including with major Georgia players like Total Wine & More, where bottles fly off shelves at competitive prices.

Atlanta’s robust network of liquor stores, bars, and restaurants (over 250 retail spots stock similar premium whiskeys) should see no immediate shortages, as the restructuring focuses on shedding peripheral holdings rather than disrupting production at the Shelbyville, Tennessee distillery.

That said, asset sales could indirectly nudge pricing.

Liquidating the French Cognac estate and Square One vodka might generate quick cash—potentially $15-25 million from the Cognac alone—to stabilize operations, but it could also mean tighter marketing budgets.

In a market like Atlanta, where premium spirits prices have held steady post-pandemic (Georgia’s overall alcohol sales rebounded 8% in 2024 per state data), a 5-10% uptick isn’t out of the question if operational efficiencies lag.

Local fans grabbing a bottle at Midtown’s Highland Package or Buckhead’s Eagle Wine & Spirits might notice subtle shifts by early 2026.

To date, the receiver has trimmed the workforce by 13% (12 employees), repaired ties with Farm Credit, and verified barrel inventories with partner Tennessee Distilling Group.

Asset Sales on the Horizon: Cognac, Vodka, and Beyond

Central to the restructuring is a strategic divestiture of “non-income-producing” assets, aimed at injecting cash without gutting the core business. High on the list: the nascent Cognac venture.

Uncle Nearest acquired Domaine Saint Martin—a historic vineyard and estate in Cognac, France—in 2023, with plans to debut a premium Cognac line in 2024.

But with launch costs estimated at $15-25 million and the company cash-strapped, the receiver recommends liquidation. One formal offer and two inquiries are already in play, with a court motion for sale expected soon.

Other targets include the vodka arm, Square One Organic Spirits (snapped up in May 2024), and real estate parcels such as the controversial Martha’s Vineyard property, a Bedford County, Tennessee, holding, and additional French assets tied to the chateau.

“A fire sale is not anticipated,” Young’s report noted, emphasizing that these moves could pave the way for a swift exit from receivership by Q1 2026.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy remains a tool in the toolkit for reorganization, but liquidation under Chapter 7 is off the table.

The receiver stressed the brand’s “long-term viability” as a going concern, with its whiskey lineup—anchored by the 100-proof flagship and barrel-proof expressions—proving resilient even in tough markets.

Weaver Fires Back: ‘Smear Campaign’ Allegations Rock the Narrative

The plot thickened today at the Inc. 5000 Conference in Phoenix, where Weaver took the stage for a fireside chat titled “Reclaiming Your Company in Turbulent Times.”

In a candid address, the CEO accused Farm Credit of orchestrating a reputational hit job, spotlighting the Martha’s Vineyard estate as a ploy to sway the Tennessee judge.

“Their hope was that the judge would see it, would accept the smear, and would turn over keys of my company to them,” Weaver declared, dismissing the property as anything but a vacation retreat and highlighting her California roots.

Weaver and Uncle Nearest have countered in court filings that the lender overlooked key context, failed to secure liens on seven of eight collateral properties (including Martha’s Vineyard), and even praised the acquisition during a 2023 visit by Farm Credit execs—complete with a company Gospel Brunch.

She alleged fraud by a former CFO and vowed to submit more evidence, adding, “I still have not filed anything.”

The Weavers have recused themselves from day-to-day management during receivership but remain vocal advocates for the brand’s mission.

What This Means for Consumers: Stability for Whiskey Lovers, Uncertainty for Expansions

For the everyday imbiber, the immediate outlook is steady: Uncle Nearest’s core Tennessee whiskeys, distilled in partnership with Uncle Nearest’s Distillery in Shelbyville and aged to perfection, face no existential threat.

The brand’s distribution remains intact, with bottles available nationwide and online, and its cultural cachet—fueled by collaborations like the Jack Daniel’s diversity push—intact.

“The odds are very good for the company to successfully emerge,” the receiver affirmed, signaling no supply disruptions on the horizon.That said, fans of Uncle Nearest’s bolder forays may feel the pinch.

The Cognac and vodka lines, still in early stages, could change hands, potentially altering branding, availability, or quality under new ownership. Real estate sales might indirectly fund innovations, but they underscore the brand’s pivot back to its whiskey roots amid a cooling premium spirits market.

As Weaver put it in Phoenix: “Every entrepreneur is going to have a moment… The only difference between those who have been the most successful… and those who have failed are those who gave up in the in between.”

For Uncle Nearest, this chapter tests that resilience—and for consumers, it’s a reminder that even the spirits world’s rising stars aren’t immune to turbulence.

Stay tuned as bids roll in and court dates loom; the nearest pour might just taste a little different.

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