Atlanta, GA
Two metro Atlanta lawmakers lose reelection bid
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Two Georgia state House incumbents have lost to challengers, another incumbent could face a runoff, and some former lawmakers may be on their way back to the Georgia Capitol after party primaries this week.
Republican Lauren Daniel lost a rematch of her 2022 primary to Noelle Kahaian on Tuesday in a district around Locust Grove in suburban Henry County, while Democrat Teri Anulewicz lost to challenger Gabriel Sanchez in a district around Smyrna in suburban Cobb County. Both districts had been significantly altered during a round of court-ordered redistricting last year.
Another result of that redistricting was Republicans pairing Democratic incumbents Becky Evans and Saira Draper in a DeKalb County district. Draper easily beat Evans in that matchup, although Evans had served longer in the House, in part because the redrawn district included more of Draper’s former territory.
And in far southeast Georgia, Republican Steven Sainz could be headed to a runoff against retired Naval officer and airline pilot Glenn Cook in a district that covers Camden County and part of Glynn County.
Sainz said late ballots could still put him over the top but that he’s operating on the assumption that there will be a runoff. “We plan to win,” Sainz wrote in a text.
Of course, it’s unusual for incumbents to face trouble in legislative primaries. In the Senate, all 11 incumbents who faced primaries won, including six Republicans and five Democrats. In the House 13 Republican and 13 Democratic incumbents turned back challengers.
Among incumbents who won were Sen. Elena Parent, an Atlanta Democrat who beat former state Sen. Nadine Thomas in a redrawn district covering parts of DeKalb and Clayton counties; Sen. Sally Harrell, an Atlanta Democrat who turned back a challenge from David Lubin in a DeKalb County district; and Sen. Ben Watson, a Savannah Republican who beat right-wing GOP challenger Beth Majeroni.
Sanchez ran on a platform of guaranteeing housing and health care to all Georgians, describing himself as a democratic socialist. Sanchez said Wednesday that his policy positions are more important than the label, but that this identity places him on the left wing of the Democratic caucus, whereas Anulewicz was in the middle of her party.
“I really have seen just how much the government doesn’t work for regular working people in Georgia, and we are missing voices who are really going to fight for working people,” said Sanchez, who said he also wanted to represent Hispanic voters in southern Cobb County.
He’s also been active in opposing a new Atlanta public safety training center, called “Cop City” by detractors.
Anulewicz said she would seek other ways to keep working for Georgians and her community.
“My service to my community helped make Georgia a more just and humane society, and for that I will always be proud,” Anulewicz said in a statement.
Kahaian may be further to the right than Daniel, who had focused on children’s and family issues as the mother of a young son, Zane, whom she often brought to the Capitol. Kahaian first rose to notice by working to make it easier for parents to challenge school books that they found inappropriate. She’s also been active in Republican efforts to change election laws after the 2020 election.
Daniel said she felt Kahaian had unfairly tried to make her race about national issues, saying low-turnout party primaries may contribute to a polarized legislature.
“I think it’s a mistake to nationalize a local seat like this, because I don’t think that’s how you serve anybody,” Daniel said.
Kahaian did not return a phone call and text seeking comment on Wednesday.
At least two former lawmakers could be returning to the Capitol’s gold dome. Floyd Griffin, formerly a state senator and Milledgeville mayor, won a Democratic primary in House District 149, covering parts of Baldwin, Bibb and Jones counties. He’ll face Republican incumbent Ken Vance in November in a district that was redrawn to give it a Black majority. And Valencia Stovall, a former House member, is going to a Democratic runoff in state Senate District 34, a Black-majority open seat that covers parts of Clayton and Fayette counties.
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Atlanta, GA
Atlanta's Munir Meghjani and David Perdue broach difficult topics with 'Comedy & Conversations'
![Atlanta's Munir Meghjani and David Perdue broach difficult topics with 'Comedy & Conversations'](https://www.wabe.org/app/uploads/2024/06/convoscomedy-credit-Heather-Lynn-Gonzalez-1440x810.jpg)
“Comedy & Conversations” is an immersive experience where comedy is used as a tool to engage with difficult social topics such as immigration, food insecurity, race and mental health.
Laughter is a universal language, and these shows thoughtfully pair comedians with subject experts for conversations that use humor to make group dialog engaging, understandable and actionable.
Atlanta activist and community leader Munir Meghjani created the series alongside comedian and “What’s Good Atlanta” host David Perdue. The next “Comedy & Conversations” event, “Reconstructing Reconstruction,” occurs at the Margaret Mitchell House at Atlanta History Center Midtown on Thursday, June 27.
The duo joins Summer Evans on “City Lights” to discuss the upcoming show.
Atlanta, GA
Ms. Lauryn Hill bringing tour to metro Atlanta in August
![Ms. Lauryn Hill bringing tour to metro Atlanta in August](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5atlanta.com/www.fox5atlanta.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1280/720/GettyImages-2154081146.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Lauryn Hill attends GRAMMY Museum’s Inaugural GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Gala and Concert presented by City National Bank at The Novo by Microsoft at L.A. Live on May 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sarah Morris/Getty Images for The Recording
ATLANTA – 5-time Grammy winner and iconic figure in hip hop, R&B, and fashion, Ms. Lauryn Hill, is set to reunite with The Fugees for an extended leg of The Miseducation Anniversary Tour. This tour celebrates her landmark album, recently named the best album of all time by Apple Music. Fans can expect performances from “The Miseducation of Ms. Lauryn Hill,” “The Score,” and more.
The tour will cover 21 dates, with a notable stop at the Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta on Aug. 16. YG Marley will join as a supporting act, and The Fugees will co-headline all dates.
Ticket Sales Information:
- Presales: Begin Tuesday, June 25, starting with a Citi presale. Citi cardmembers can access presale tickets through the Citi Entertainment program. Details can be found at Citi Entertainment.
- General Onsale: Starts Friday, June 28 at 10 AM via LiveNation.
VIP Packages: Fans can purchase VIP packages that may include premium tickets, individual photo opportunities with Ms. Lauryn Hill & The Fugees, access to a pre-show VIP Hospitality Lounge, autographed posters, and specially designed gifts. For more information, visit VIP Nation or VIP Nation EU.
A portion of the proceeds ($2 from each ticket) will go to the MLH Fund, supporting mental health, women’s wellness, community small business development, education, and more.
Tour Dates:
- Fri Aug 09: Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
- Sun Aug 11: West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
- Fri Aug 16: Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
- Sun Aug 18: Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
- Wed Aug 21: Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at The Mann
- Fri Aug 23: Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
- Sun Aug 25: Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
- Wed Aug 28: Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
- Fri Aug 30: Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
- Sat Aug 31: Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
- Wed Sep 04: Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater*
- Fri Sep 06: Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
- Sat Sep 07: Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
- Fri Sep 13: Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
- Sun Sep 15: Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
- Tue Sep 17: Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
- Fri Sep 20: Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
- Sat Sep 21: Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
- Sat Oct 12: Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
- Mon Oct 14: London, UK – The O2
- Fri Oct 18: Paris, France – Accor Arena
- Tue Oct 22: Amsterdam, Holland – Ziggo Dome
*Note: The Huntsville, AL date is not a Live Nation event.
Ms. Lauryn Hill’s influence on music, fashion, and culture is profound, with her album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” being inducted into the Library of Congress in 2015 and achieving numerous milestones, including being the first hip hop album to win a Grammy for Album of the Year.
Atlanta, GA
50 Cent Headlining Earn Your Leisure's 4th Annual Invest Fest in Atlanta
![50 Cent Headlining Earn Your Leisure's 4th Annual Invest Fest in Atlanta](https://imagez.tmz.com/image/be/16by9/2024/06/24/bed586661e1948ca9063c539aeff51cd_xl.jpg)
50 Cent will be front and center for the Earn Your Leisure’s Invest Fest in Atlanta — TMZ Hip Hop can reveal the booming businessman is this year’s headliner!!!
The event is right up 50’s alley … he and attorney Ben Crump recently went to Washington, D.C. in the name of Black entrepreneurship, pushing for minority representation in the alcohol biz … and we’re told he’ll speak to that topic and much more during the annual event.
Even more fittingly, 50 will succeed Diddy, who hosted last year’s Invest Fest, and we all know how “competitive” he’s been with Puff for years, and especially lately … in the wake of the latter’s slew of legal issues.
Earn Your Leisure co-founder Troy Millings tells us 50 represents “the powerful blend of culture and business,” — so, recruiting him for the coveted gig was an easy call.
Rashad Bilal believes 50 will leave attendees with invaluable lessons — “We believe [50’s] insights and experiences will inspire and empower our audience to pursue their own paths to financial freedom.”
![](https://imagez.tmz.com/image/64/16by9/2023/07/21/64c4c2518d524ac691fb5d85c761708c_md.jpg)
TMZ.com
The last time we spoke with Troy and Rashad, they dropped gems on artists struggling on the touring circuit — and, fortunately, things have since picked up for everyone!
Invest Fest ’24 is happening from August 23-25 at the Georgia World Congress Center, co-sponsored by Steve Harvey, Matthew Garland and Michael MacDonald.
Expect plenty of other celeb and hip hop participation beyond 50 Cent … as T.I., Monica, Stephen A. Smith, Daymond John, Dee-1 and Pinky Cole are all on the event agenda.
Be there or keep your bank account square!!!
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