Tag: Fulton County

Once again, Georgia is at the center of the biggest story in American politics, after former President Donald Trump and 18 others were indicted in an alleged attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. This is the fourth indictment for Trump this year—here is what is unique about the Fulton County case, including that it could be televised and a conviction here would be more difficult to pardon.

Lashawn Thompson was the seventh person to die in custody of Fulton County last year, but his was the death that finally caught the world’s attention. It took a scene so squalid that the deputy who discovered it fled to retch: Thompson was found in a filthy cell on the medical wing of the Rice Street jail, covered in lice and his own waste, his head in a toilet. Just days before, the same deputy had voiced concerns over Thompson’s living conditions.

What do Atlanta Public Schools teachers, “Cop City” forest defenders, the rappers Young Thug and Gunna, and former president Donald Trump have in common? All have been—or may be—prosecuted under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, aka RICO.

Georgia is home to the fourth-highest number of dams in the country: over 5,400. These dams dot the state—in backyards, near playgrounds, beside breweries. They are owned by individuals, homeowners associations, and state organizations. Over a third of the riskiest dams in the state are in the metro Atlanta area. Fulton, home to more than 1 million Georgians, has more high-hazard dams in poor condition than nearly any other county in the state.

Local governments rely on property taxes to maintain infrastructure and provide public services—to fill potholes, pay schoolteachers, and build affordable housing. In Atlanta, funds always seem to come up short. Julian Bene—a retired management consultant who served on the board of Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development agency—believes he knows one reason why: By his estimate, the city, county, and school system are being shorted millions of dollars a year by high-value commercial property owners not paying their fair share in property taxes.

Curious about those ballot questions this midterm? Here’s what they mean, from constitutional amendments to the City of Atlanta special referendum.

The Atlanta Press Club held debates for Georgia's 6th and 7th Congressional Districts on Sunday, where Republican Rich McCormick and Democrat Bob Christian sparred over who could best represent the 6th, and Republican Mark Gonsalves had 15 minutes to himself to discuss his platforms after Democrat Lucy McBath declined to show.

Organizers say the city isn't addressing Buckhead's problems, but opponents say a Buckhead secession could bankrupt Atlanta and send a cold message during a time of renewed focus on equity and race relations.

Despite support from staff and recent voting improvements, the board of registration and elections blames Director Rick Barron for past election struggles

Reporter Johnny Kauffman spent four months embedded in the Fulton County elections department as its staff fought to protect democracy and their own lives—all while the eyes of the world were on Georgia.