AM ATL: The mayor against MARTA

Hello everyone and welcome back. Expect a few morning showers and high temperatures in the mid-80s.

Today’s newsletter features the latest on Donald Trump’s new court bond, two chefs vying for a grand prize and UGA baseball, which is a College World Series victory. Plus: pink flamingos spotted on the Georgian coast!

But first: a new twist in the battle between Atlanta and its transit agency.

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MORE MARTA DRAMA

MARTA’s plan to redevelop the Five Points train station — and restrict access to it for years — was already unpopular. It’s now at the heart of a battle involving Atlanta’s mayor, the transit agency and millions of dollars in allegedly misplaced funds.

As the AJC’s David Wickert reports, Mayor Andre Dickens is urging MARTA’s CEO to delay the Five Points project, which would largely close pedestrian and bus access to the key station until 2028. But why ?

City Council President Doug Shipman said the findings “are consistent with issues that I and other council members raised over a year ago.” These questions emerged in March 2023, after MARTA announced a slimmed-down list of priorities in the city (which includes revamping the Five Points).

At the time, MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood said that “the idea of ​​spreading that peanut butter too thin and doing a little bit in every area wasn’t serving anyone.”

City officials immediately suggested that there should actually be a lot of peanut butter, with the “More MARTA” sales tax expected to raise $2.7 billion over its lifespan.

And even if the full audit is not expected until next month, the first conclusions seem to confirm them.

MARTA said it would comment on the situation later today. Stay tuned and see more of the AJC’s coverage of the issues below.

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THE BEST CHEFS

The prestigious James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards take place tonight. Will Rod Lassiter and Parnass Savang of Talat Market in Summerhill beat out the other finalists for Best Chef: Southeast?

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MORE TOP STORIES

» The convicted Jan. 6 rioter, a candidate for a congressional seat in southwest Georgia, stormed off the stage during a debate with his GOP runoff opponent.

» A 40-year-old Marietta man drowned in Lake Allatoona after falling from a tube.

» Authorities believe a Fort Valley police sergeant shot and killed a man in DeKalb County before fleeing the scene and killing himself.

» Atlanta police say illegal street racing is seeing a new resurgence. The department made six arrests over the weekend.

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WAIT…FLAMINGOS?!

People recently spotted wild flamingos in Georgia for the first time. The birds, which typically reside in the Caribbean and farther south, have appeared on Little St. Simons Island and near Savannah.

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NATION AND WORLD

» Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to be interviewed today by New York probation officials. It’s a necessary step before July’s sentencing in his hush money case.

» An Israeli military operation rescued four hostages from a refugee camp – and left at least 274 Palestinians dead. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken returns to the region today as a ceasefire deal hangs in the balance.

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WIN OR GO HOME

After an embarrassing loss in Saturday’s Super Regional opener, Georgia baseball bounced back to beat NC State 11-2 on Sunday. That means the winner of today’s Game 3 (7 p.m. on ESPN) will go to the College World Series — and the loser will go home empty-handed.

More sports highlights:

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BANANA BULLET HITS BOSTON

The AJC’s Adam Van Brimmer traveled to Boston to report on the Savannah Bananas’ sold-out game at historic Fenway Park.

“I don’t know what to compare them to,” one fan told him, “but they’re really fun.”

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

» Atlanta’s drinking water system suffered as the city spent billions on sewers

» Young Thug trial: a prosecution witness held for contempt, placed in police custody

» ‘Good Day Atlanta’ anchor Sharon Lawson buys Fox 5

» Biden appoints Emory doctor to National Cancer Advisory Council

» Cobb set to join Gwinnett on transit expansion vote

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TO THIS DATE

June 10, 1914

Amid an oppressive heatwave, the Atlanta City Park Board reiterated a rule banning sleeveless swimsuits — for boys and men! – at Piedmont Park. No bare biceps, gentlemen.

Just as interesting: it concerns the bath in the lake at Piedmont Park, where people cooled off until a swimming pool opened in the 1970s.

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

AJC contributor Ryan Fleisher captured Mick Jagger belting out the hits during the Rolling Stones Weekend at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Consider critic Dan Klepal impressed.

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ONE MORE THING

Meanwhile: Atlanta’s own TLC charmed the crowd at Stockbridge Amphitheater this weekend, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their album “CrazySexyCool.”

The AJC’s Leon Stafford loved it, but offered a note to the performers: “The Stockbridge Amphitheater audience is a bit older, and when it’s after 10 p.m. there’s not much interest for filling. »

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Thanks for reading to the bottom of AM ATL. Questions, comments, ideas? Contact me at [email protected].

Till next time.