Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency.
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Automaker Kia is under renewed pressure to act as thefts of its vehicles continue to rise. In Atlanta, incidents of Kia car thefts have increased 700%, according to a local news report.
Citing Atlanta police statements made at a Public Safety Committee meeting in August 2023, Atlanta News First reported that Kia thefts in Atlanta are on an unprecedented pace.
The developments come several months after Kia and Hyundai reached a $200 million settlement to end a class-action lawsuit brought by car owners whose vehicles had been stolen. The plaintiffs alleged that the automakers made their cars easier to steal.
. In October, an East Point resident initiated a class action lawsuit against the automakers, alleging that newer Kia and Hyundai models lacked immobilizers. Immobilizers are security features that prevent unauthorized individuals from using an unprogrammed key or key fob to steal a vehicle.
Initially, law enforcement attributed this increase in thefts to a social media challenge, wherein criminals stole Kia and Hyundai models and shared their actions using the hashtag #kiaboyz.
On just about any social media site, under the hashtag #kiaboyz, you’ll find some debauchery.
What Is Kia Doing About Car Thefts?
For its part Kia says it’s been working on various technologies and security measures to prevent car thefts. These efforts often include:
Keyless Entry and Start Systems: Implementing advanced keyless entry and start systems with encryption to make it harder for thieves to clone key fobs.
Immobilizers: Installing immobilizer systems that prevent the engine from starting without the correct key or fob.
Alarms and Anti-Theft Systems: Equipping vehicles with alarms, motion sensors, and anti-theft systems to deter thieves.
GPS Tracking: Many manufacturers offer optional GPS tracking systems that can help locate a stolen vehicle.
Remote Shutdown: Some advanced systems allow owners or law enforcement to remotely disable a stolen vehicle.
Secure Software Updates: Regularly updating the vehicle’s software to patch security vulnerabilities and improve overall security.
Collaboration with Law Enforcement: Working closely with law enforcement agencies to recover stolen vehicles and apprehend thieves.
Final Word
Law enforcement in the Atlanta area continues to probe the Kia Boyz but it’s going to take police as well as the public’s help to stop auto thefts in the metro area.
The automobile industry as a whole is going to have to do more to educate customers about best practices for preventing car theft, such as not leaving valuables in the car and locking doors and windows.
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Unfortunate events continue to lead to deaths this year at Lake Lanier.
According to state officials, a 23-year-old man died after falling into the water after slipping off the dock over Labor Day weekend.After the incident, his body was recovered from 17 feet of water. The victim was identified as Gavrie Alexander Whitlock, 23, of Snellville.
The site where Whitlock drowned is Holiday Marina, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Lake Lanier has been linked with some mysterious deaths since its inception in the 1950s. One common misconception was that the lake was built on top of a black town. In fact, Georgia’s Lake Lanier was not built on top of Oscarville, but rather, the construction of Buford Dam, which created the lake, flooded the area where the historic town of Oscarville was located.
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Comedian Dave Chappelle is returning to Atlanta, Georgia this fall to perform one night on his comedy tour.
Chappelle’s Pilot Boy Productions has announced that his documentary tour includes a stop in Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. Here’s how to get tickets.
When Is Dave Chappelle Coming To Atlanta?
Chappelle is set to come to Atlanta on October 31 at State Farm Arena., 2023. His show in downtown Atlanta is being recorded as part of his documentary, which is likely to stream on Netflix.
Event:
Dave Chappelle’s ‘Untitled’ Documentary Show
Date and Time:
October 31, 2023, 7 p.m. ET
Chappelle’s tour has added some additional stops as it grows in popularity. So far he’s added the following dates:
Oct. 17: Milwaukee, WI — Fiserv Forum
Oct. 19: Boston, MA — TD Garden
Oct. 25: Raleigh, NC — PNC Arena
Oct 26: Charlotte, NC — Spectrum Center
Oct 31: Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena
This is a cell phone-free event, according to organizers. This means if you need to use your phone, you’ll need to return to the distribution tent at the entrance. Anyone caught using a cell phone during the show will be immediately ejected.
What To Know Before You Go
State Farm Arena has a strict bag policy for all events held there.
Please note that bags larger than 14″ x 14″ x 6″, including briefcases, purses, luggage, and diaper bags, are not allowed in the arena. Additionally, backpacks and hard-sided bags of any kind are prohibited. However, you are welcome to bring in single-compartment drawstring bags and fashion backpacks or purses that are smaller than 14″ x 14″ x 6″.
Final Word
The comedian is riding a wave of controversy after the release of his latest Netflix special The Closer, in which he takes on the trans community among other topics.
The special has caused a firestorm at Netflix, where trans employees and those who support them have threatened a walkout if the production isn’t pulled.
Chappelle, for his part, has decided to stand his ground. In a short video he released on Instagram, the comedian said that he “will not be summoned” by the trans community. He also had some conditions for a proper sit down.
“To the transgender community, I am more than willing to give you an audience,” he said. “But you will not summon me. I am not bending to anybody’s demands.
Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
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One of the biggest names in the news lately has been Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who has been in the national spotlight for her vigorous prosecution of some high-profile cases.
In 2022, Willis brought RICO charges against local Atlanta rappers Young Thug, Gunna and his YSL organization.
Now she’s back in the media after charges are expected to be filed in Fulton against for President Donald Trump related to the 2020 election. But with all the hoopla surrounding this South Fulton mother of two, you might wonder who is Fani Willis?
How Old Is Fani Willis?
Willis celebrated her 52nd birthday in October 2023. At a private fund-raising event that month, Willis decried the verbal and racist attacks against her.
“I think the craziest ]lie] was that I was sleeping with a gang-banger. Like, what?! I like them old. What are you talking about?” she told the crowd as they laughed.
Fani Willis: Howard Alum Traces Name To African Roots
Willis was born and raised in Inglewood, California, but moved to Washington, D.C., with her father after his divorce. As a former member of the Blac Panthers, he was active in his community. He was also a criminal defense attorney.
Willis was raised in a household that encouraged her to be proud of her blackness. Her name — Fani Taifa — is actually Swahili and means “prosperous” (fani) “People” (taifa).
In 1992, she graduated from Howard University in Washington D.C., and went to grad school at Atlanta’s Emory University School of Law. She graduated in 1996.
In 2000, she was lead prosecutor in the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal, which made regional headlines. She also became inept at applying Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (Rico) Act to many of her cases.
Championing father’s custody rights, Willis made a name for herself as a strong lawyer who specialized in criminal cases, especially those involving juveniles. Five years after graduating from law school, she got a job as Assistant DA in Fulton.
Willis Unseats Longtime Fulton DA Paul Howard
Willis had been a lawyer for nearly a quarter-century before she decided to try to unseat who many people had thought could be unseatable, six-term Fulton DA Paul Howard. But Howard, whom Willis worked under for six years, had been rocked by a number of scandals, all of which he dutifully put out, but workplace issues, including sexual harassment lawsuits, spelled the end of his career.
Willis, who had been asking God if challenging Howard was the right thing to do, soon saw the many problems at the Fulton DA’s Office as her opportunity to change things for the better.
“I have gotten calls from South Fulton, North Fulton, Buckhead just begging me to run,” she said.The office under Howard’s leadership is broken, she told reporters at the time. “I believe I’m the right person to fix it.”
When she defeated Howard in August 2020, a new day had dawned in Atlanta.
““I always knew that I wanted to be the district attorney, but in my mind, I would never run against the sitting DA,” she told South Atlanta magazine, “but the cries got louder and louder and louder… and I just took the leap of faith and did what God called me to do.”
Willis took over for Howard, the first African-American to win election as a district attorney in Georgia. Willis is now the first African-American woman to serve as district attorney in the state.
Photo credit: Fulton County District Attorney’s Office
Willis Takes On Trump
In January 2021, when it was clear that America was turning the page on his presidency, Trump made an illicit phone call to a Georgia election official in search of more than 11,000 votes. Days later, Willis vowed that she would be looking into whether any tampering was done to “influence” the election.
Her quest has led to what many people say is the strongest indictment against Trump. At issue, is the former Republican president’s attempt to seat fake electors to overturn the results of the 2020 election that put President Biden into office.
But Trump has not taken the charges quietly. He has built up a considerable narrative about Willis that he tells to large crowds. According to him, Willis is sleeping with a gang member.
Why is ‘Phoney’ Fani Willis, the severely underperforming D.A. of Fulton County who is being accused of having an ‘affair’; with a gang member of a group that she is prosecuting, leaking my name in regard to a grand jury pertaining to election fraud and irregularities that I say took place in Georgia,” Trump posted on a social media network on August 13.
Willis responded with an email to her staff, swatting the allegations away as “derogatory and false” as she awaits to bring indictments against Trump.
““You may not comment in any way on the ad or any of the negativity that may be expressed against me, your colleagues, this office in the coming days, weeks or months,” Willis wrote. “We have no personal feelings against those we investigate or prosecute and we should not express any.”
Despite the allegations, Trump remains the frontrunner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
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Another summer, another death at one of Georgia’s most popular watering holes: Lake Lanier.
Over the last week of July, a 24-year-old man has died in Lake Lanier, according to authorities.
Thomas Shepard Milner leaped off a dock and into the water and was shocked to death by electricity on Thursday, July 27, 2023, according to a press release from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office is still investigating events around the presumed electrocution as they await the official cause of death from the coroner.
A family friend tried to pull Milner out of the water, but was unsuccessful, according to the sheriff’s office. Finally, a neighbor was able to pull Milner out of the lake, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
The neighbor who helped pull the victim out of the water “reported feeling a burning sensation which they immediately recognized as an electric shock,” according to Atlanta News First.
The victim’s mother told the TV station that the dock had been built less than three years ago and was outfitted with electricity.
Milner would later be pronounced dead at Northside Forsyth Hospital.
Another person, 61-year-old Tracey Stewart, also died on Lake Lanier over the weekend after drowning.
Lake Lanier has been linked with some mysterious deaths since its inception in the 1950s. One common misconception was that the lake was built on top of a black town. In fact, Georgia’s Lake Lanier was not built on top of Oscarville, but rather, the construction of Buford Dam, which created the lake, flooded the area where the historic town of Oscarville was located.
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When you watch the Atlanta Braves game, these days, you’re watching a team that owns itself, so to speak. The winning Major League Baseball franchise has split off from Liberty Media, its owners for the past several years.
The team is now officially owned by Atlanta Braves Holdings, which will also own the ballclub’s associated real estate development project. The sale was completed on July 18, 2023.
You can also now buy stock in the Braves. The company’s stock began trading on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 on the Nasdaq Stock Market, under the symbols “BATRA” and “BATRK”, respectively. Atlanta Braves Holdings Series B common stock will be quoted on the OTC Markets under the symbol “BATRB.
Introducing Atlanta Braves Holdings Inc.
Both parties call the deal The Split-Off and it will allow Liberty Media to refocus its energies on live exhibitions that go well beyond sports. Meanwhile, the Braves will simply have the winningest team in baseball.
Both the Split-Off and Reclassification are subject to, among other things, the approval of Liberty Media’s stockholders at a meeting on on July 17, 2023 and the receipt of certain other approvals and tax opinions.
When Did Liberty Media Buy The Braves?
Liberty Media bought the Braves in 2007 for $1.5 billion. At that time, Time Warner owned the MLB franchise but sought to divest of sports properties. Since that purchase, the value of the Braves has nearly doubled and they are now one of the most pricey franchises in Major League Baseball.Explore Atlanta At Your Own Pace
First, to find all the good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. Downtown Atlanta or Midtown often has something cool going on!
While it’s warm, take advantage of the outdoors. Don’t miss these awesome festivals.
The fun is just starting. Are you a beer drinker? You also may want to visit a craft brewery in the city.
Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:
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Following the Amplify Music Festival, which was held in April, the nonprofit Amplify My Community has given a combined total gift of $25,000 to Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM), Decatur Education Foundation (DEF), and Giving Kitchen, the group recently announced.
Amplify Decatur Music Festival, which is one of the best festivals in metro Atlanta, featured an all-day festival Saturday, April 29 on the Decatur Square with performances by St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Patty Griffin, James McMurtry, The Suffers, Town Mountain, Jackson County Line, and The Sundogs.
Amplify My Community has directed more than $575,000 to community-based nonprofits since 2011 and more than $575,000 in unrestricted gifts to locally oriented anti-homelessness and poverty-focused organizations — including more than $360,000 in Decatur.
“Amplify has proven to be one of the best homegrown music festivals around– with an incredibly talented and musically-diverse line-up, high-quality production, and the best local food and craft beer offerings,” says Drew Robinson, Board President of Amplify My Community. “Thanks largely to Amplify board members Christine Mahin and Mike Killeen as well as the incredible Lenz team, our festival continues to improve year after year. We’re especially excited to expand our beneficiaries this year to include Decatur Education Foundation and Giving Kitchen, in addition to Decatur Cooperative Ministry.”
For more information on upcoming events and to donate to Amplify My Community, please visit AmplifyMyCommunity.org.
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Roosevelt Hall on the Atlanta University Center campus has undergone a $12 million renovation that is finally finished. The project wrapped earlier this month, according to the City of Atlanta.
The renovation is due to a partnership between Atlanta Housing (AH), Choice Neighborhoods and the City of Atlanta.
Roosevelt Hall Renovation Complete
The historic building, located close to Atlanta’s downtown events and activities hub, first served as the Administrative Building for University Homes, America’s first federal public housing project for black families.
A few years after its 1937 completion, the building was christened Roosevelt Hall as a homage to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
A jewel of a building, Roosevelt Hall became a dynamic gathering place for black people as the space featured a handful of storefronts like a diary, grocery store, hair salon and more.
As an AU Center structure, Roosevelt Hall aged badly and soon fell into disrepair, sitting abandoned for a decade after 2008. That is until the City of Atlanta’s Housing Authority hired architectural firm Edwards & Sayward to chart a massive renovation that would restore it to glory.
Where Is Roosevelt Hall Located In Atlanta?
Roosevelt Hall is located at 660 Atlanta Student Movement Boulevard and is the city’s last vestige of University Homes.
Now the historical building’s rich history and cultural significance have been thoughtfully re-imagined, serving the community’s needs and aspirations. The grand reopening marks a remarkable milestone in the ongoing efforts to revitalize Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods.
“The revitalized Roosevelt Hall will stand once again as a vibrant gathering place, positioned to benefit Choice Neighborhoods residents and foster connections with the neighboring Atlanta University Center,” said Eugene E. Jones, Jr. president and CEO of Atlanta Housing. “This visionary project embodies the spirit of progress, inclusivity, and preservation of heritage.”
In honor of its enduring legacy and to commemorate a new chapter in Atlanta’s history, the celebration included recognition of former University Homes residents and featured keynotes from the AH president; Courtney English, Chief Policy Officer and Senior Advisor to the Mayor of the City of Atlanta; and AH Commissioner Rosalind Elliott. The afternoon festivities concluded with a guided tour of the property that offer insights into this monumental project.
Built in 1937, Roosevelt Hall was the central hub of University Homes, the first federally funded public housing project built in the United States for African Americans. Attracting business and civic activity, Roosevelt served as the community center and featured amenities such as a laundromat, library, beauty salon and barbershop. Commissioner Elliott, who grew up in the adjacent John Hopes Homes–built for African Americans in 1941–recalled Roosevelt with fondness.
“It was a special place for all of us who lived in University and John Hope Homes,” she expressed. “Yates and Milton Drugstore was downstairs in the corner. That’s where we got prescriptions filled and my momma bought ribbons for my hair. I also had my birthday parties upstairs in the community room.”
Final Word
What you might not know about Atlanta, is that the projects first surfaced here. Roosevelt Homes was a part of that history.
The renovation boasts an array of modern amenities and community-centric spaces. Residents and visitors will have access to a state-of-the-art library, cutting-edge technology center, two captivating history walls, an enchanting urban garden, versatile community spaces, special events venues, including a scenic rooftop, and a retail area. This comprehensive redesign ensures that Roosevelt becomes a versatile and dynamic centerpiece for the community, fostering educational opportunities, cultural enrichment and social engagement.
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One of Atlanta’s most recognizable faces is joining one of its most trusted media organizations. Legendary journalist Monica Pearson will join the AJC as the host of a new weekly video program and podcast, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution announced.
As an AJC contributor, Pearson will host The Monica Pearson Show. She will also write a regular lifestyle newsletter and column for both AJC.com and the newspaper, in addition to hosting AJC Live events, according to a news release.
The Monica Pearson Show To Premiere On The AJC
Pearson has been an icon in local broadcasting for nearly four decades, spending much of that time informing and entertaining the community on WSB Television. Currently, she hosts Monica Pearson One on One on PeachtreeTV. She will bring her talent and experience to the AJC during a time of investment and innovation.
“This is a full circle moment for me since I started my paid journalism career in 1969 as a reporter for The Louisville Times newspaper in my hometown of Louisville, KY. This is another opportunity for me to do what I love doing, interviewing people. After an interview, my slogan simply is, ‘You know the name and now you will know the person.'”
Pearson’s arrival comes as the AJC is charting a course to transform the storied 155-year-old newspaper into a modern media company. In addition to bolstering the world-class journalism the AJC is known for, the organization is also expanding its content offerings and investing in audio, video, newsletters, and live events. Pearson’s show will live alongside the AJC’s expanded podcast slate, which includes Politically Georgia and Breakdown, and it will mark the first weekly video program in the AJC’s history.
“We’ve established a mission to be the most essential and engaging source of news for the people of Atlanta, Georgia, and the South,” said AJC President and Publisher Andrew Morse, who joined the organization this year. “That effort begins here in our community. And nobody is more Atlanta than Monica. We are thrilled for her to bring her talent to the AJC.”
Pearson has won 33 regional and local Emmy awards for her work, including being inducted into the Atlanta Press Club, National Association of Black Journalists, University of Kentucky Journalism, Georgia Association of Broadcasters, and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. In addition to her broadcast career, she hosts a monthly radio segment, titled “A Monica Moment.”
Pearson’s arrival is just the latest prominent editorial hire for the AJC. Leroy Chapman Jr. was named editor-in-chief in March, becoming the first Black editor in the paper’s history. Earlier this month, Chapman announced the hiring of Sharif Durhams from the Washington Post to be the AJC’s Managing Editor for news.
Things to do in Atlanta on a weekly basis can range from going golfing mid-week to checking out the latest restaurant openings. At AtlantaFi.com, we curate the city for you!
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The upcoming third annual RenderATL is set to take place in Atlanta, Georgia this week. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about the much-anticipated tech event.
What Is RenderATL?
RenderATL is a tech conference that facilitates education, networking and collaboration between people in the tech space, from software engineers to developers, project managers and more.
Originally called the React Javascript Conference, RenderATL has grown to include a thriving ecosystem of tech industry professionals that share their knowledge via panel, workshop, talks and more.
Inviting folks from across the U.S. of all backgrounds, this event also anchors the inaugural Atlanta Tech Week, Atlanta’s first city-wide tech takeover, featuring events at some of Atlanta’s top venues, such as Ponce City Market, Hotel Indigo, and The Gathering Spot. Speakers will represent some of the biggest companies and startups in tech, including Slack, Google, Bumble, Stripe, JET, Expensify, Zillow, Black Ambition, and more.
When Is RenderATL?
RenderATL is happening Wednesday, May 31 to Friday, June 2, 2023. To access the three-day event, which is taking place at Americasmart in downtown Atlanta, you’ll need to buy a ticket.
A ticket gives you access to:
- * Complimentary Workshop Access (first 1,000 ticket holders)
- * Access to the Kaytranada concert on June 2
- * All stages, keynotes, tracks, and Q&A sessions
- * Access to the sponsor exhibition & jobs halls
- * Official RenderATL LAN Parties (conference afterparties)
- * RenderATL 2023 Swagg Bag & T-Shirt
- * Food credits to use with on-site food vendors
Various ticket options are available, including General Admission which allows access to all stages, keynotes, afterparties, and the concert, plus the Peach Pass option which allows access to one day of the conference and unlimited access to all Atlanta Tech Week events or you can just purchase a ticket to the Kaytranada concert.
Where Is RenderATL Taking Place?
RenderATL is taking place at AmericasMart, which is located at 230 John Portman Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30303.
Final Word
Created by tech mogul Justin Samuels, RenderATL is a three-day event bridging the gap between culture and conference. Through notable keynote speakers, incredible Southern cuisine, networking opportunities, games, workshops, parties, and a concert headlined by Kaytranada, RenderATL celebrates not only technology and engineering but community and culture at its core.