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Government shutdown threatens Atlanta’s innovation economy

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Government shutdown threatens Atlanta’s innovation economy


In week two of the federal government shutdown, agencies say most new research funding is on hold, a freeze that could slow innovation in Atlanta and beyond.

What they’re saying:

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According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), no new grants are being processed, and most staff are furloughed. Once operating funds are exhausted at the National Science Foundation (NSF), the federal agency that funds most university research outside of medicine, normal operations will cease. Even a brief delay could have lasting effects on innovation within Atlanta’s growing life sciences economy.

“A lot of innovation is reliant on federal funding support, especially grants like the NIH,” said Ashley Cornelison, executive director of Portal Innovations Atlanta. “Companies’ access to that is going to be perhaps limited, and it will be really challenging for innovation to be able to scale. It could have some long-term effects.”

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Portal provides lab space, funding and expert support to help early-stage biotech and medtech startups grow from university research into real companies. The life sciences incubator sits just off the Georgia Institute of Technology campus in Science Square, a public-private partnership on Tech-owned land designed to link university research with private-sector innovation.

One of the companies under the Portal umbrella, Topo DX, is developing faster lab tests to detect infections in hours instead of days, helping patients get the right antibiotics sooner.

“We want to help people, save lives and prevent overuse of antibiotics, which is a huge problem,” said Adam Krueger, co-founder and lead researcher at Topo DX. “Overuse of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance is what they call the ‘silent pandemic.’ It’s a serious killer.”

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Krueger built Topo DX from his research at Georgia Tech, as many Atlanta founders have done. The university routinely ranks among the top U.S. institutions in research activity.

On its website this week, Georgia Tech said the shutdown “is delaying payment for federally funded research activities at Georgia Tech, which represent more than $100 million per month in expenses.” The institute said it will begin implementing mitigation strategies “as early as next week to help ensure business continuity during this shutdown.”

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“There’s a lot of grants that either aren’t being funded or there’s questions about them being continued,” Krueger said. “A lot of people are uncertain about their future and about their research future.”

Topo DX is applying for grants through the NSF but remains mostly privately funded. Krueger said the freeze will likely hit hardest at the seed stage of research.

“Research is all about finding something new, something that hasn’t been proven yet,” he said. “Private funding makes a lot of sense once you’ve proven what you have works. But in the seed stages, it’s high risk, high reward — and that’s where government funding really matters.”

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At Portal, Cornelison said many founders are anxious about the uncertainty.

“They’re concerned about how it will impact not only them and their companies, but the therapies that they might be advancing,” she said.

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Local perspective:

Before the shutdown, Portal began bridging the gap in federal funding with private capital, announcing a $100 million fundraising effort “to help these companies in this difficult time and really bridge them in the absence of what might have been other available resources,” Cornelison said.

The Source: This is an original report by FOX 5’s Alli Levine, who spoke with people who use the loans to fund research. 

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Atlanta, GA

Body of missing 6-month-old found near Clayton County apartment complex

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Body of missing 6-month-old found near Clayton County apartment complex


Police in Clayton County found the body of 6-month-old Nnakai Pratt on Tuesday evening.

Clayton County Medical Examiner Brian Byars confirmed the identity of the body and said that an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

The child’s father, Antonio Pearce, has been arrested on unrelated charges. Police have not yet released additional details about his connection to the case.

Residents say the discovery has left the neighborhood in a state of shock. Meshia, who lives just a few buildings away, told CBS News Atlanta she’s heartbroken over what happened.

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“I am heartbroken as a mother for the mother of the child,” she said. “There are other feelings … anger … That was a helpless baby. I am more mad than anything.”

Meshia said she learned about the tragedy as police swarmed the complex Sunday. Investigators combed through the area, and neighbors say the body was found behind a wooded area near where the infant lived.

The mother of two said her sadness has turned into concern — especially for the baby’s mother, who is now caring for the child’s twin sister.

“This is an all-around bad situation,” she said. “I know things happen, but this should never happen to kids.”

She added that she’s been trying to shield her own children from the painful news as the community comes to grips with the tragedy.

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“We never saw the twins, but we knew he had them,” Meshia said. “We never saw the mother. I just knew he lived in the building across the street from me.”

Neighbors say the community is devastated and searching for strength as the investigation continues.



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How to get Cardi B concert tickets: Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and more

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How to get Cardi B concert tickets: Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and more


It’s official: Cardi B, while co-hosting the talk show “Today with Jenna & Friends,” announced her first headlining tour in six years. This tour supports her second studio album, “Am I the Drama?”, which was released three days later on September 19. The album was extremely well received, debuting at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200, and features collaborations with Summer Walker, Selena Gomez, Kehlani, Dougie F, Lizzo, Cash Cobain, Lourdiz, Janet Jackson, Tyla, Megan Thee Stallion, and Latto.

Since first coming onto the scene in 2015, Cardi B has quickly made a name for herself, winning numerous awards and accolades during the last 10 years. The “Am I the Drama” album was made over six years, during which time Cardi B had taken a step back to focus on motherhood and other media ventures. Her new tour, set to kick off in February, is set to run for 34 stops, finishing off in Atlanta on April 18, 2026.

We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for how to get tickets for Cardi B’s 2026 Little Miss Drama tour. Here’s our breakdown of Cardi B’s tour schedule, purchasing details, and price comparisons between tickets. You can also look at ticket details at your leisure on StubHub and Vivid Seats.

Cardi B’s 2025 tour schedule

Cardi B will kick off her tour in February, starting in Palm Desert, California. The star will then make her way east across the continental US, with her final stop currently scheduled for April 18 in Atlanta.

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How to buy tickets for Cardi B’s 2025 concert tour

Original tickets for Cardi B’s Little Miss Drama tour are available to purchase from Ticketmaster. As the show is in high demand, remaining original tickets are limited in quantity, and availability varies depending on the date and location. VIP packages in particular vary in availability, so it’s recommended to check the specific date and location that you’re most interested in attending for the most accurate availability.

Tickets are also available from verified resale vendors such as StubHub and Vivid Seats. As original tickets are limited in remaining quantities, you may find better seat locations or more advantageous pricing from these sites instead.

How much are Cardi B tickets?

Original tickets are still generally available for all tour stops on Ticketmaster. Prices range from around $75 for the most affordable seats to $1,888 for the highest-priced VIP package (the Imaginary Playerz Meet & Greet Experience). Prices vary depending on the date and location, but an overall average of $150 to $400 can be expected.

Prices from verified resell vendors are currently similar to original tickets; however, depending on the date you’re looking to attend, you may find slightly more ideal seating available. StubHub’s most affordable option ranges from $47 for her February 21 stop in Vancouver to $159 for the March 25 New York show and the April 18 performance in Atlanta. Vivid Seats’ affordable tickets range from $72 for the March 19 show in Cincinnati to $157 for the same March 25 New York concert.

There are three VIP packages available on Ticketmaster for Cardi B’s Little Miss Drama tour.

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The Imaginary Playerz Meet & Greet Experience includes one premium reserved seat in the first five rows, access to a meet & greet experience with Cardi B herself, as well as various other premium amenities such as an invitation to the pre-show party, exclusive merch, and early entry. Tickets for the Imaginary Playerz package have extremely limited remaining availability (as of writing, we were able to find a remaining ticket for the Raleigh show on April 11), but average $1,888.

The Drama Club Experience and Bardi Gang Experience include similar perks, minus the meet-and-greet exclusive. The Bardi Gang Experience averages $660, and the Drama Club Experience averages $960. Please check Ticketmaster for a full list of VIP package perks as well as individual show availability.

Who is opening for Cardi B’s tour?

As of writing, information regarding a possible opener for Cardi B’s 2026 Little Miss Drama tour has not been officially announced. It is possible we may find out more as the tour, which is set to kick off on February 11, 2026, grows closer.

Will there be international tour dates?

Cardi B currently does not have any international performances scheduled for her Little Miss Drama tour, outside of two performances in Canada on March 30 and 31, 2026. As the tour is not set to begin until next year, it is possible she may schedule international performances for later on in 2026.

Who is Cardi B?

Cardi B is an American rapper from New York City who first came onto the scene in 2015. She appeared as a cast member on VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: New York, and quickly grew a following on social media platforms such as Vine and Instagram. Although her career only began 10 years ago, she has been recognized for her numerous achievements in the industry, such as having the most No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 for a female rapper and being the only female rapper to achieve multiple solo number-ones. In addition, she is the highest-certified female rapper of all time in US digital single sales (69 million).

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta United’s Brad Guzan announces retirement

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Atlanta United’s Brad Guzan announces retirement


Atlanta United

Guzan signed with Atlanta United during its inaugural season in 2017.

Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan announced on Tuesday that he will retire after the season’s final match on Saturday. Guzan has been with the team since its inaugural season in 2017. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Atlanta United’s Brad Guzan will retire after Saturday’s match.

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Guzan, 41 years old, announced his retirement Tuesday on social media.

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Doug Roberson

Doug Roberson covers the Atlanta United and Major League Soccer.



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