Atlanta, GA
New Atlanta arts budget highlights shortfall in funding
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The Atlanta City Council passed a $2 million budget on Tuesday to fund arts organizations in metro Atlanta, the same budget as last year.
The state of the arts in Atlanta isn’t good, according to advocates who say funding challenges are making it harder for Atlanta to maintain its position as a cultural center.
“Atlanta likes to call itself the ‘Cultural Capital of the South,’” said Laura Hennighausen of Arts Capital Atlanta. “Unfortunately, we don’t have the capital to make that the case.”
Arts Capital Atlanta is a nonprofit of more than 200 metro arts organizations trying to raise awareness about Georgia’s arts spending. About 50% of the organizations in Arts Capital Atlanta have budgets under $150,000.
The funding crisis stems from the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide spending cuts.
“The difference in Georgia is that most other states reinstated that funding a couple of years later, and Georgia didn’t,” Hennighausen said.
With a budget surplus, the state isn’t hurting for cash, but political considerations have affected funding. Some arts organizations found themselves cut from National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants.
“Anything about the Revolutionary War or the founding fathers is getting preference,” Hennighausen said.
The preference relates to America’s 250th birthday. In Fulton County, there are also new forms to fill out to qualify for funding.
“We now have to fill out an E-Verify immigration affidavit,” she said.
Metro Atlanta’s 11 counties receive $1.96 per capita in funding, below the national average of $5.54.
The battle for funds is constant, with organizations raising money to raise more money.
“I think we always feel like Sisyphus, because we are always fundraising and needing funds to do our work,” Hennighausen said.
Despite the challenges, Hennighausen believes there is reason to hope.
“We did see Fulton County increase its funding last year back to 2020 levels,” she said.
Hennighausen believes continued advocacy can restore emphasis on culture.
“I think most people realize how low we are compared to the rest of the nation,” she said.
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
Atlanta, GA
Buckhead apartment building evacuated due to dangerous carbon monoxide levels
ATLANTA – A Buckhead apartment building was evacuated for a time late Tuesday night due to a carbon monoxide alarm.
What we know:
The incident occurred at an apartment complex in the 2900 block of Pharr Court South.
According to Atlanta Fire Rescue, firefighters are investigating elevated carbon monoxide levels.
The entire building was evacuated as a precaution.
One person was evaluated at the scene for possible carbon monoxide exposure.
Crews ventilated the building while they looked for the source.
Firefighters say they were able to finally locate the source and contain it.
Once readings were back to a safe level, residents were allowed back inside the apartments.
What we don’t know:
It remains unclear how many residents were displaced by the evacuation.
The Source: The details in this article come from the Atlanta Fire Rescue.
Atlanta, GA
2 arrested in deadly drive-by shooting of 7-year-old Atlanta girl, police say
Two suspects in a shooting that left a 7-year-old Atlanta girl dead and her mother injured are now in custody nearly a week after the violence, police say.
The shooting happened around 9:45 p.m. on Feb. 24 at a home on the 2200 block of Tiger Flowers Drive NW.
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute between one of the victim’s family members and the gunman over the phone. Thirty minutes after the argument, the suspect came back and fired shots into the home, police said.
Officers responding to the scene found a 44-year-old woman and her daughter, identified as 7-year-old Zoe Price, shot. Medics rushed the pair to a local hospital, but Price died from her injuries.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the department’s homicide unit secured an arrest warrant for 19-year-old Preston Smith two days after the shooting. Smith turned himself in to the Fulton County Jail on March 2.
Schierbaum said officers executed a search warrant on Feb. 27 at a home on McDaniel Street. On that day, 17-year-old Steven Richardson, who police described as an “accomplice,” turned himself in to authorities.
Both men are charged with murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, three counts of aggravated assault, second-degree criminal damage to property, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and four counts of third-degree cruelty to children. Richardson is also charged with possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 18.
At a press conference to announce the arrests, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens described Price as a bright and compassionate little girl who was “full of energy and full of joy.”
“Her life was cut short in an act of senseless violence, and that loss is not abstract. It is a chair that is going to be missing at the dinner table each night. It is an empty classroom seat next to her friends,” Dickens said.
The mayor called the arrests “a step forward towards justice” for Price’s family and families across the city.
Dickens said that violence, like the act that took Price’s life, would not be tolerated in Atlanta.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Braves News: Top 30 Prospects, Starting Pitching Depth, More
On Monday, the Braves were able to earn another Spring Training victory over the Detroit Tigers. It was a game where the starting pitching depth of the Braves was on full display, as Bryce Elder, Joey Wentz, and Owen Murphy all threw multiple innings. While it is likely unwise to expect big things from any of these three arms this season, they are a part of the “next man up” group for the Braves if injury again impacts the rotation. Each had a solid effort today, a trend that will hopefully continue.
-
World6 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts7 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Denver, CO7 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana1 week agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Oregon5 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling
-
Florida3 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Maryland3 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Culture1 week agoTry This Quiz on Thrilling Books That Became Popular Movies