Atlanta has been a newsmaking town ever since a guy named Tech scorched the place in the name of war. But in 2018, the city made some pretty big headlines for a number of reasons.
Some of the big-time news emanating out of the city this year had to do with real estate issues like The Gulch, and #HQ2, but other major topics centered on the elections and sports. Here are what Atlantans searched in 2018:
What did Atlantans search in 2018?
World Cup (No. 1 in U.S.)
Atlanta became the center of the professional soccer universe when Atlanta United won the MLS Championship, bringing a title home to the city for the first time since 1995.
Hurricane Florence (No. 2 in U.S.)
Hurricane Florence barreled through Florida and sent thousands of people looking for cover into Georgia. The state responded by opening up homes, hotels and giving discounts to scores of people.
Georgia governor race
The contentious gubernatorial race between former Secretary of State Brian Kemp and state lawmaker Stacey Abrams drew national attention for a number of reasons.
Finally, the vote was marred by controversy when Kemp refused to give up his position as Secretary of State until the vote was all but finished. Still, it was a major traffic driver on the internet.
Stacey Abrams
Abrams would have been the state’s first African-American and woman to be governor if she’d have won. Also, some major celebrities like Oprah and Will Ferrell came to Georgia to knock on some doors and gain some significant publicity.
Black Panther (No. 6 U.S.)
The Atlanta-produced movie did gangbusters at the box office, turning the fictional city of Wakanda into a place we all want to visit. The ATL connection has been strong for Marvel, who has filmed several of its films around the city with production being down in Fayetteville.
Hurricane Michael
The second major storm to hit the United States in 2018, Michael caused a second mass exodus of Floridians fleeing to Georgia. When it was all told, Florida saw $4.2 billion in losses from the storm.
Mac Miller (No. 3 U.S.)
The Pittsburgh-born rapper died of an overdose in September 2017, one month before he was to begin a national tour, which would have brought him to Atlanta. Miller, 26, released his last album, “Swimming” in August.
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin died on Aug. 16 from pancreatic cancer in Detroit, Michigan, her hometown. The pastor who gave the eulogy was Atlanta’s own the Rev. Jasper Williams Jr., who presides over Salem Bible Church, formerly Salem Baptist Church, with campuses in Atlanta and Lithonia.
Kate Spade (No. 4 U.S.)
Fashionista Kate Spade, an inspiration of many Atlantans, passed away on June 5 of this year. The fashion designer was found dead in her New York Avenue home. The medical examiner later determined that Spade’s death was a suicide. She was 55.
Mega Million
Who didn’t want some of the big money? The Mega Millions reached upwards of $1 billion this fall, making it something on the minds of many Atlantans. The winner(s) have remained anonymous … (or have they?)
