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Collins wins Georgia GOP Senate runoff, advances to Ossoff fight

Collins wins Georgia GOP Senate runoff, will face Ossoff

The result sets up one of the nation's most closely watched Senate races.

Politics

Republican Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mike Collins " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/27/mike-collins-georgia-senate-race-trump" data-vars-content-id="ca5bcfa3-dd63-4eab-ab4e-c8090386aff1" data-vars-headline="Collins wins Georgia GOP Senate runoff, advances to Ossoff fight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/27/mike-collins-georgia-senate-race-trump" target="_self">Mike Collins </a>on Tuesday defeated Derek Dooley and will face off against Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) in November.Why it matters: President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="ca5bcfa3-dd63-4eab-ab4e-c8090386aff1" data-vars-headline="Collins wins Georgia GOP Senate runoff, advances to Ossoff fight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> endorsed Collins after the May 19 primary. He now faces a well-funded Democratic incumbent who&#x27;s won a statewide campaign in Georgia before.<ul><li>Republicans view the Georgia Democrat&#x27;s seat as key to maintaining control of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Senate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/gop-senate-midterms-2026" data-vars-content-id="ca5bcfa3-dd63-4eab-ab4e-c8090386aff1" data-vars-headline="Collins wins Georgia GOP Senate runoff, advances to Ossoff fight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/gop-senate-midterms-2026" target="_self">U.S. Senate</a>.</li></ul>

Atlanta's FIFA Fan Festival is open. Here's how to enjoy your experience

The FIFA Fan Festival in Atlanta includes places where you can grab food and drinks, listen to live entertainment and partake in activities.

Things to Do

Atlanta&#x27;s official gathering spot for FIFA World Cup 2026 opened Thursday, and thousands of people donning the jerseys of their favorite teams ventured to Centennial Olympic Park to kick off the opening ceremony.Why it matters: Thirty years ago, the city hosted the world at the same location where the 1996 Olympics were held in Atlanta. <ul><li>Now, Atlanta is among 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the U.S. that are doing that exact same thing, Mayor Andre Dickens said.</li></ul>

Where doulas are covered by Medicaid

More than half of U.S. states now reimburse for doula care under Medicaid.

Wellness Brief

More than half of U.S. states now reimburse for doula care under Medicaid — a dramatic shift from just a few years ago.By the numbers: 28 states and D.C. are actively reimbursing, according to the National Health Law Program. Before 2020, only Oregon and Minnesota did.

Georgia House shelves redistricting in special session

Lawmakers sidelined new political maps for now, despite pressure to move quickly this summer.

Georgia House Republicans shelved plans to redraw political maps during a special legislative session that began Wednesday.Why it matters: Georgia Republicans worried a redistricting fight over state legislative and congressional seats could energize Democrats and overshadow the campaign season.

Atlanta CHaRM site near Beltline set to relocate

The Chosewood Park recycling facility will shift operations to a larger property in a Bowen Homes redevelopment.

Development

Atlanta&#x27;s popular place where you can drop off everything from paint cans to old mattresses will close and relocate to the other side of the city. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Live Thrive" data-vars-click-url="https://livethrive.org/" data-vars-content-id="eb486783-426e-42fe-92f5-b4c4e7083380" data-vars-headline="Atlanta CHaRM site near Beltline set to relocate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://livethrive.org/" target="_blank">Live Thrive</a> plans to close the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Center for Hard to Recycle Materials" data-vars-click-url="https://livethrive.org/charm/" data-vars-content-id="eb486783-426e-42fe-92f5-b4c4e7083380" data-vars-headline="Atlanta CHaRM site near Beltline set to relocate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://livethrive.org/charm/" target="_blank">Center for Hard to Recycle Materials</a> location along the Beltline in Chosewood Park when its lease ends this year — and as nearby properties become prime redevelopment targets.

Atlanta Beltline bike and scooter lane proposal alarms rail advocates

Transit supporters say Council member Mary Norwood's idea would kill rail's future along the Beltline.

Transit

Atlanta Beltline transit advocates are breathing a sigh of relief after a City Council proposal to build separate bike and scooter lanes — which could threaten future rail plans — was pulled.Why it matters: Rail transit has been central to the Beltline vision for decades. But recent opposition from residents and developers concerned over costs, construction and compatibility has slowed momentum.

U.S. Soccer opens first-ever permanent home in Fayette County

The 200-acre complex gives American soccer a base to develop players and write history.

Sports

U.S. Soccer Federation officials were looking for the organization&#x27;s first permanent home in its 113-year history. They found it in Fayette County.Why it matters: The newly opened Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center deepens metro Atlanta&#x27;s soccer footprint and fuels more housing and retail growth on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="booming southside" data-vars-click-url="https://www.georgiatrend.com/2026/02/28/south-metro-atlanta-the-next-chapter/" data-vars-content-id="854e9680-da1a-4777-883f-f37d9a7198a2" data-vars-headline="U.S. Soccer opens first-ever permanent home in Fayette County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.georgiatrend.com/2026/02/28/south-metro-atlanta-the-next-chapter/" target="_blank">booming southside</a>.

Atlanta pauses Westside Beltline shelter plan for study

City leaders ordered a 90-day study on safety, transit and land use impacts of the large Westside shelter plan.

A longtime Atlanta homeless shelter&#x27;s controversial proposal to consolidate its services into one facility along the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Beltline&#x27;s Westside Trail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/23/beltline-westside-trail-opens-atlanta-downtown" data-vars-content-id="9077089e-f715-4630-b298-01425ded277b" data-vars-headline="Atlanta pauses Westside Beltline shelter plan for study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/23/beltline-westside-trail-opens-atlanta-downtown" target="_self">Beltline&#x27;s Westside Trail</a> is officially on pause.Why it matters: The Atlanta Mission&#x27;s plan sparked a debate over whether one of the Westside&#x27;s most valuable Beltline-adjacent redevelopment sites should be used for social services or economic growth.

Atlanta needs to preserve 116,000 homes by 2035 to address affordability

The ARC's Regional Housing Summit brought together city and county leaders to brainstorm solutions to the housing shortage.

The metro Atlanta region will need to add 116,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordable housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/03/17/affordable-housing-atlanta-region" data-vars-content-id="3ac7af33-290f-4825-bb8c-0f19ece0c773" data-vars-headline="Atlanta needs to preserve 116,000 homes by 2035 to address affordability" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/03/17/affordable-housing-atlanta-region" target="_self">affordable housing</a> units just to maintain the status quo over the next decade. Why it matters: With the region losing 250,000 units priced below $1,250 between 2019 and 2024, none of the 11 counties in the Atlanta Regional Commission can fix the shortfall alone and must work across county lines.

Habitat for Humanity's Carter Work Project returns to Atlanta

Volunteers with the 40th work project will build 24 townhomes in southwest Atlanta's Sylvan Hills neighborhood.

Habitat for Humanity&#x27;s 40th <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlantahabitat.org/about/carter-work-project" data-vars-content-id="29963151-ec5f-42ef-8067-3a4da3887770" data-vars-headline="Habitat for Humanity&#x27;s Carter Work Project returns to Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlantahabitat.org/about/carter-work-project" target="_blank">Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project</a> will return to the former president and first lady&#x27;s home state next week to build affordable homes in southwest Atlanta.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the first time since 1988 Habitat for Humanity has hosted the work project in Atlanta, the organization said.

Atlanta's 85 Peachtree revival adds courtyard... and a streetcar

Developers are restoring an 1899 building into apartments with a public courtyard and streetcar.

A nearly 130-year-old dry goods store in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="South Downtown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/09/atlanta-tech-village-opens-south-downtown" data-vars-content-id="b3d3f237-f75b-4ae7-8d52-e7c6b4c52223" data-vars-headline="Atlanta&#x27;s 85 Peachtree revival adds courtyard... and a streetcar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/09/atlanta-tech-village-opens-south-downtown" target="_self">South Downtown</a> is being rebuilt into apartments — with a public courtyard carved through the middle and a historic Atlanta streetcar as its centerpiece.Why it matters: Atlanta&#x27;s historic building stock is an endangered species. The developer of South Downtown&#x27;s $28 million near-total rebuild of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="85 Peachtree Street" data-vars-click-url="https://www.85peachtreeatl.com/" data-vars-content-id="b3d3f237-f75b-4ae7-8d52-e7c6b4c52223" data-vars-headline="Atlanta&#x27;s 85 Peachtree revival adds courtyard... and a streetcar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.85peachtreeatl.com/" target="_blank">85 Peachtree Street</a> keeps a piece of the city&#x27;s past alive.

South Downtown Atlanta sprints to open before World Cup

Crews are rushing to open restaurants, parks and pop-ups ahead of eight matches downtown.

The FIFA World Cup is 45 days away, and more than 10 contractor crews are working simultaneously against the clock to turn South Downtown Atlanta into a food, retail and activity hub.Why it matters: South Downtown is undergoing a multi-block construction blitz to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rebuild a walkable historic neighborhood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/04/11/south-downtown-jon-birdsong-david-cummings" data-vars-content-id="22e50859-c5ff-4e4d-b9c9-e75569ac41c0" data-vars-headline="South Downtown Atlanta sprints to open before World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/04/11/south-downtown-jon-birdsong-david-cummings" target="_self">rebuild a walkable historic neighborhood</a> with local businesses before the city hosts eight games, including one semifinal match.Yes, but: Most of the investments — wider sidewalks, new public spaces — and new businesses are meant to last long after the World Cup ends.

Piedmont Park is growing — but so are the pressures

The Piedmont Park Conservancy is building a master plan to push the boundaries to the corner of Piedmont and Monroe

Environment

Piedmont Park is getting bigger — and so are demands on the green space.Why it matters: Piedmont Park is Atlanta&#x27;s busiest green space, drawing large events and daily crowds that can strain its infrastructure and nearby neighborhoods.<ul><li>Park supporters now face a balancing act between accommodating those demands and protecting communities&#x27; quality of life.</li></ul>

Gwinnett County lands UCB deal to anchor Rowen mini-city project

UCB plans a major research hub near Dacula, marking a milestone for the 2,000-acre project.

A proposed mini-city taking shape in Gwinnett County took a major step toward becoming reality after successfully wooing a global <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biopharmaceutical" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/12/biotech-dealmaking-boom" data-vars-content-id="bc70fb43-cbd8-4054-aa2b-25b961903ca6" data-vars-headline="Gwinnett County lands UCB deal to anchor Rowen mini-city project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/12/biotech-dealmaking-boom" target="_self">biopharmaceutical</a> giant.Why it matters: UCB&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="investment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ucb.com/about-ucb/magazine/detail/article/growing-our-us-roots-with-a-new-facility-in-georgia" data-vars-content-id="bc70fb43-cbd8-4054-aa2b-25b961903ca6" data-vars-headline="Gwinnett County lands UCB deal to anchor Rowen mini-city project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ucb.com/about-ucb/magazine/detail/article/growing-our-us-roots-with-a-new-facility-in-georgia" target="_blank">investment</a> is the largest in county history and accelerates plans for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rowen" data-vars-click-url="https://rowenlife.com/" data-vars-content-id="bc70fb43-cbd8-4054-aa2b-25b961903ca6" data-vars-headline="Gwinnett County lands UCB deal to anchor Rowen mini-city project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rowenlife.com/" target="_blank">Rowen</a>, a 2,000-acre research-focused &quot;knowledge community&quot; halfway between Atlanta and Athens.

Development 🏗️

Atlanta CHaRM site near Beltline set to relocate

Atlanta Beltline bike and scooter lane proposal alarms rail advocates

U.S. Soccer opens first-ever permanent home in Fayette County

Atlanta pauses Westside Beltline shelter plan for study

Atlanta needs to preserve 116,000 homes by 2035 to address affordability