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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If you order a package via Amazon.com in Georgia’s largest city, it may be delivered by a robot. Amazon has expanded its fully electric delivery service, Amazon Scout, to Atlanta.
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Amazon Scout is poised to be heavily used as a way to safely get packages to customers.
What Is Amazon Scout?
Amazon Scout is an autonomous delivery device created by Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer.
The automated mechanical device is being billed by Amazon as a robotic delivery person, able to bring packages to your doorstep.
What Does Amazon Scout Do?
Amazon has taken to calling the devices “adora-bots,” which can roll at a walking speed. The delivery system has real people, Amazon Scout Ambassadors, who accompany the devices on routes.
What Cities Have Amazon Scout Down South?
In late July 2020, Amazon announced that two Southern cities have been added to the select locations where Amazon Scout is now operating:
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Franklin, Tennessee
The two cities join some West Coast locations after some field tests were approved by Amazon engineers.
In Atlanta and Franklin, Amazon Scout is delivering Monday through Friday, during daylight hours.
For the customer, there won’t be any difference to their ordering process on Amazon.com. Your packages will be delivered as they normally would or by Amazon Scout.
If you order from Amazon Scout, you won’t have to worry about obstacles on your property. Each delivery device can navigate around pets, pedestrians, and other objects in its path to your doorstep.
Final Thought
Amazon says with the addition of Amazon Scout to the Atlanta market, it is looking to partner with local schools in Atlanta to support STEM and robotics activities, helping to build the next generation of innovators.
Scout will also help the company in its efforts toward net zero carbon by 2040.
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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms have discussed settling the lawsuit he has filed against her.
Bottoms told The Tonight Show that she and Kemp have had some productive talks of late.
“We discussed where we disagree and hopefully we can figure out how to agree to disagree without having to play this out in court. At the end of the day, we want the same thing: We want people to be safe. We want to stop the spread of COVID-19,” she said on the show.
Things got heated between two of Georgia’s most high-profile political leaders when Bottoms tweeted Sunday that Kemp had as for an emergency injunction to “restrain” her from speaking to the media.
Bottoms’ national profile has risen dramatically over the last three months as she has appeared on big TV news shows repeatedly amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to being sued over a mask mandate and voluntary advisory guidelines on COVID-19, Governor Kemp has asked for an emergency injunction to ‘restrain’ me from issuing press statements and speaking to the press. Far more have sacrificed too much more for me to be silent,” she tweeted.
The move comes one week after Kemp filed a lawsuit against Bottoms and the Atlanta City Council related to their mandate requiring residents and visitors to the city to wear masks.
In addition to being sued over a mask mandate and voluntary advisory guidelines on COVID-19, @GovKemp has asked for an emergency injunction to “restrain” me from issuing press statements and speaking to the press. Far more have sacrificed too much more for me to be silent. pic.twitter.com/gWlnZlCtoR
— Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) July 19, 2020
Meanwhile the city of Atlanta has rolled back to Phase 1 of the COVID-19 reopening plan, according to an order issued by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
The mayor is doing what she can to stem the rise of coronavirus in the city despite a hostile reception from the governor and others outside the state’s largest city.
Phase 1 is the initial plan issued by the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in conjunction with the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
For individuals, it means they must:
- Stay at home except for essential trips
- Wear masks or face coverings in public
- Wash your hands frequently
- Practice social distancing
For Businesses, here’s what Phase 1 means:
- To-go and delivery orders only for restaurants
- Teleworking for employees that are able
- Frequent cleaning of public places and spaces
For City Government, Phase 1 means:
- Closure of all non-essential city facilities
- Moratorium on special event applications
In response to Atlanta’s actions, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted that the new rules were just “guidance.”
“Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms’ action today is merely guidance – both non-binding and legally unenforceable. As clearly stated in my executive orders, no local action can be more or less restrictive, and that rule applies statewide,” Kemp tweeted.
“If the Mayor actually wants to flatten the curve in Atlanta, she should start enforcing state restrictions, which she has failed to do.
We ask citizens and businesses alike to comply with the terms of Executive Order 06.29.20.02, which was crafted in conjunction with state public health officials. These common-sense measures will help protect the lives and livelihoods of all Georgians,” Kemp went on to say.
The development comes days after Bottoms tested positive for coronavirus, along with some members of her family.
At the time, she also instituted a public mask policy for Atlanta residents and visitors.
“We will continue to take active measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 infections in Atlanta,” said Mayor Bottoms said in a press release. “Public health experts overwhelmingly agree that wearing a face covering helps slow the spread of this sometimes deadly virus.”
Meanwhile, Georgia officials are being accused of messing with the COVID-19 numbers to make it look like the cases aren’t rising exponentially.
In just 15 days the total number of #COVID19 cases in Georgia is up 49%, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at the state’s data visualization map of cases. The first map is July 2. The second is today. Do you see a 50% case increase? Can you spot how they’re hiding it? 1/ pic.twitter.com/wAgFRmtrPk
— Georgia Person (@andishehnouraee) July 17, 2020
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. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
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One of the biggest news events in Atlanta’s history occurred in 1996. That’s the year Atlanta hosted the Olympic Games.
The city was awarded The Games six years earlier and had built and remodeled extensively. Then the bombing happened. This article is going to clear up one and for all who did the bombing.
Who Did The Atlanta Olympic Bombing In 1996?
Who Was Killed In The Atlanta Olympic Bombing?
The Olympic bombing in Atlanta happened on Saturday, July 27, 1996. While scores of people wee injured, two people are officially determined as having been killed in the Olympic bombing.
- Alice Hawthorne: The 44-year-old woman from Albany, Georgia suffered injuries from the blast in Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.
- Melih Uzunyol, a cameraman from Turkey, died from a heart attack attributed to the event moments after the explosion.
Intense media coverage
Who Committed The Atlanta Olympic Bombing?
Intense pressure was on federal officials to name a suspect in the bombing. Meanwhile, the media had begun doing vignettes of local heroes who had acted swiftly during the bombing.
Three days after the event, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution named a security guard — Richard Jewell as — as a suspect in the bombing. Jewell had earlier been mentioned as a hero for his fast actions in discovering a mysterious backpack.
He had maintained his innocence after a media frenzy swarmed his home and everywhere he lived for three months.
In October 1996, the FBI said that Jewel was no longer a suspect. By that time, federal officials had turned their attention to white supremacist groups.
Jewell sued several media outlets, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and NBC, settling with both.
The following February, Eric Rudolph, 29, is named a suspect by federal authorities. Also a suspect in the bombing of an abortion clinic in Alabama, Rudolph began to draw heavy media attention.
The FBI said that it was Rudolph who made two anonymous 911 calls 30 minutes before the bombing in Centennial Olympic Park.
Where Is Eric Rudolph Now?
Rudolph has been in federal prison for more than 20 years. Today he remains locked up behind bars at the ADX Florence Supermax prison near Florence, Colorado.Richard Jewell died 11 years after the bombing on August 29, 2007. He had been having complications due to diabetes. He was 44 years old.Atlanta has a lot of inspirational people and AtlantaFi.com is going to introduce you to many of them as well as cool places to go, great restaurants and other ATL happenings.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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Just when she needed a high-profile political ally, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has gotten a big one: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The two Democrats have struck a friendship that will pay dividends to Atlanta’s bid to help mitigate the coronavirus pandemic.
Cuomo tweeted Wednesday that he is sending to Atlanta 7,500 test kits, 30,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) and 1,250 gallons of hand sanitizer.
The items are scheduled to arrive on Friday, the governor said.
“When New York was in need, volunteers from around the country came here to help. We vowed to pay that generosity forward,” he said.
Bottoms retweeted the message, adding, “My mother often says, ‘A friend, in need, is a friend indeed.’ We are grateful to have a friend in @NYGovCuomo and the people of NY.”
My mother often says, “A friend, in need, is a friend indeed.” We are grateful to have a friend in @NYGovCumo and the people of NY. #ATLStrong https://t.co/zs2TL5E6eL
— Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) July 15, 2020
The help comes as Bottoms navigates an icy relationship with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who slapped her hand days earlier when the mayor of the state’s largest city instituted a mask mandate.
“Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms’ action today is merely guidance – both non-binding and legally unenforceable. As clearly stated in my executive orders, no local action can be more or less restrictive, and that rule applies statewide,” Kemp tweeted.
“If the Mayor actually wants to flatten the curve in Atlanta, she should start enforcing state restrictions, which she has failed to do.
Meanwhile Georgia’s COVID-19 numbers continue to climb, putting a strain on hospitals.
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. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
- ATLANTA CORONAVIRUS RESOURCE GUIDE: Grants & More
- How To Get Tested For COVID-19 In Atlanta
- Social Distancing Guide: How To Do It
- COVID-9 Protection: How To Make a Face And Face Covering
- Georgia Lockdown & Re-Opening: Everything You Need To Know
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Google is doing what it can to create jobs to underrepresented communities in Georgia and other places. The tech company announced three new Google Career Certificates in high-demand, high-paying fields, including:
- Data Analytics
- Project Management
- User Experience (UX) Design
Google Announces Programs To Help Underserved Communities
The initiative is all part of the Grow with Google economic opportunity program, which we previously wrote about.
With so many people out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Google Career Certificates will equip participants with the essential skills they need to get a job.
The certificates will be available online on the learning platform Coursera and will focus on Data Analytics, Project Management, and User Experience (UX) Design.
Applicants don’t need a degree to enroll.
Along with the certificates, Google says it will fund 100,000 need-based scholarships for those enrolled in any of these Career Certificate programs.
The good news is that Google will consider all of its Career Certificates as the equivalent of a four-year degree for applicable roles at the company.
“College degrees are out of reach for many Americans, and you shouldn’t need a college diploma to have economic security,” said Kent Walker, Senior Vice President of Global Affairs at Google. “We need new, accessible job-training solutions—from enhanced vocational programs to online education—to help America recover and rebuild.”
In addition to those developments, Google also announced that it will give $10 million in grants for the YWCA, NPower and JFF to support job training programs and increase access to digital skills for women, veterans, and underserved Americans.
Atlanta has a lot of inspirational people and AtlantaFi.com is going to introduce you to many of them as well as cool places to go, great restaurants and other ATL happenings.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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The city of Atlanta now requires masks for the general public to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signed the executive order, which covers Hartsfield-Jackson Airport as well, on Wednesday, July 8, 2020.
“We will continue to take active measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 infections in Atlanta,” said Mayor Bottoms said in a press release. “Public health experts overwhelmingly agree that wearing a face covering helps slow the spread of this sometimes deadly virus.”
Masks Mandatory In Atlanta And Other Georgia Cities
East Point also has mandated masks for the general public when they visit businesses. The south Fulton County city joins Savannah and Athens in requiring the use of face masks.
So far the cities and other municipalities that have mandated or about to require masks are:
- Atlanta
- Avondale Estates
- Athens
- Augusta
- Brookhaven
- College Park
- Decatur
- Doraville
- DeKalb County
- Dunwoody
- East Point
- Fairburn
- Hinesville
- Savannath
- South Fulton
- Rome
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is another destination where masks are required, with Delta Air Lines leading the way in enforcement.
Some of the fines for not wearing masks in these jurisdictions range from a warning to a $25 fine to a $75.
In East Point, the new law means that people who patronize restaurants, liquor stores, barbershops, the post office and any other business must wear a mask or face covering.
If you don’t comply, people without a mask could be penalized $75 along with the business.
The “wear a mask” law for East Point goes into effect on Thursday, July 8, 2020. The law won’t be enforced until Monday, July 13, 2020, according to the AJC.
Meanwhile, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has resisted the call to mandate that all state residents wear masks. Last week, he told reporters that requiring people to wear masks was”a step too far.”
Despite that, Georgia’s COVID-19 cases have topped 100,000 and now Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who has been a frequent critic of Kemp’s handling of the virus, has tested positive for COVID-19.
Taking to Twitter, Mayor Bottoms also defended herself against purported reports that she attending a news conference while awaiting a COVID-19 test.
“FINALLY received our test results taken 8 days before. One person in my house was positive then. By the time we tested again, 1 week later, 3 of us had COVID,” she said. “If we had known sooner, we would have immediately quarantined. Perhaps the National Guard can help with testing too.”
The Atlanta fire chief has quarantined himself as a result of Bottoms’ infection, according to local reports.
Want to know how to make a mask? Here’s everything you need to know.
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. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
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Atlanta is among the cities where Uber will start asking passengers to disinfect the backseat of vehicle they ride in. The program is part of a partnership with Clorox to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Among the pilot cities in the Uber-Clorox cleaning program are:
- Atlanta
- Chicago
- New York City
Drivers in those cities will have Clorox Disinfecting Wipes in their vehicles to help keep the backseats clean. Riders can see inside the Uber app whether disinfecting wipes are available for use in the car.
Uber says it will supply up to 200,000 canisters of Clorox wipes per month to supply drivers. The prgroam may add more cities soon.
Uber says it has mandated its drivers to wear face masks and follow all the guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition to drivers, all Uber riders are required to wear face covers or masks.
The new Uber-Clorox program comes as Atlanta and the state contend with a surge in COVID-19 cases. Still, Gov. Brian Kemp has resisted calls to make face masks mandatory.
“Mandating that I think is a bridge too far for me right now,” Kemp told reporters in late June. “We have to have the public buy-in. Over the last several months, the public has done that. I’ve been demonstrating that myself. It’s a good idea if you’re going out in public.
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. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
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After a woman was taken into custody and charged in the Wendy’s fire during the June protest in Atlanta, officials are now looking for a male suspect.
The Atlanta Fire Department released photos of the suspect at the scene of the protest outside Wendy’s on June 9. The unrest was in response to the officer-involved killing of Rayshard Brooks.
“Fire Investigators are seeking the public’s help to identify the person seen in these photos,” the fire department tweeted. “We believe they may have vital information related to the Wendys Fire investigation. Please call 1-800-282-5804 or 404-547-TIPS(8477) to provide information. Rewards of up to $10,000.”
Meanwhile the Wendy’s has become a makeshift shrine and gathering place for the community. Many people have cardoned off the area and made it a no-passing zone.
Protesters are also reportedly demanding that White be released out of custody, although she is scheduled to be arraigned in the coming days.
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. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
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Downtown Atlanta’s State Farm Arena is partnering with Fulton County to turn the venue into Georgia’s largest-ever voting location.
The facility has been temporarily closed for the past several months due to the coronavirus pandemic, but not for much longer.
Starting on July 20, State Farm Arena will become transformed into a huge voting precinct for the August runoff as well as the November general elections.
“We are proud to partner with Fulton County to give all registered Fulton County residents the ability to vote early at our home,” State Farm Arena posted on Twitter.
The move was approved by the Fulton County Board of Registration & Elections.
“The partnership between Fulton County and the Atlanta Hawks is a great example of how the public sector and the private sector can work together to address the issues we saw on June 9,” Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said in a statement.
The June 9 reference was alluding to the looting that took place after a protest in Atlanta.
How Large Is State Farm Arena In Atlanta?
You may be wondering how big is State Farm Arena. The facility can accommodate a field that is 680,000 square feet.
When it comes to capacity, it would take 21,000 people to fill up State Farm Arena. At its peak, State Farm Arena hosts was hosting about 200 events and nearly 2 million guests a year.
Where Is State Farm Arena Located In Atlanta?
State Farm Arena is located at 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303. Here is a map to help you find it.
There are so many Atlanta events popping off every week it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.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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Who is Natalie White?
That’s the question that Atlanta investigators want to know after images of the woman were released by authorities over the past week.
White was arrested outside the law offices of her attorney on June 23 and booked with first-degree arson, according to the AJC.
“Our GCSO Fugitive Unit’s hard work paid off today when they located Natalie White today and notified US Marshals/Fulton Co Sheriff Fugitive Unit, who made the arrest. Great team effort!,” the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office tweeted. “We appreciate ATLFireRescue‘s great investigation, which led to the ID of this suspect.”
Our GCSO Fugitive Unit's hard work paid off today when they located Natalie White today and notified US Marshals/Fulton Co Sheriff Fugitive Unit, who made the arrest. Great team effort! We appreciate @ATLFireRescue's great investigation, which led to the ID of this suspect. pic.twitter.com/i9Y1HNzhlo
— Gwinnett Sheriff's Office (@GwinnettSO) June 23, 2020
So far, police believe Natalie White is one of the people who started the massive fire at the Wendy’s restaurant on University Avenue on June .
That’s the day that people filled the streets after a police officer shot and killed Rayshard Brooks.
There was also a $20,000 reward for anyone with more information about the woman, according to police. It is unclear whether anyone will get to claim the money.
While the arrest brings to a close one of the more mysterious aspects of the unrest in the wake of the Brooks killing, many questions still remain about White.
Here’s What We Know About Natalie White So Far
The Atlanta Fire Department tweeted this announcement on June 20: “An arrest warrant has been issued by Atlanta Fire Investigators for Ms. Natalie White. She has been identified as a suspect in the arson fire that burned down the Wendy’s Restaurant (125 University Ave) on Saturday, June 13th. Call 404-577-TIPS or 1-800-282-5804 with any info.”
Police have released tons of footage of the Brooks arrest and subsequent shooting. In the dialog, Brooks can be heard telling an officer that “Natalie White” is his girlfriend.
“Natalie White, she’s my girlfriend … I can call her now,” he tells officer.
Video of Rayshard Brooks stating to the police that a woman named “Natalie White” was his girlfriendhttps://t.co/gh62ICQ8hG pic.twitter.com/tb43WkfCDm
— John Hernandez (@JohnWillflow) June 22, 2020
Could it be the same Natalie White? This is something that detectives are trying to figure out.
Meanwhile the Wendy’s has become a makeshift shrine and gathering place for the community. Many people have cardoned off the area and made it a no-passing zone.
Protesters are also reportedly demanding that White be released out of custody, although she is scheduled to be arraigned in the coming days.
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. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links: