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I-285 in Atlanta closes this weekend. Here's how to get around it.

Weather permitting, I-285 will be closed between the Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (Exit 9) and Cascade Road (Exit 7) interchanges between Friday evening and Monday morning.

Transit

The Georgia Department of Transportation will shut down Interstate 285 on Atlanta&#x27;s west side this weekend as part of a project to rebuild that part of the highway.Why it matters: Closing a major interstate in a city that already suffers from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traffic congestion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/10/29/were-spending-more-time-stuck-in-traffic-in-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="da8f7203-7c4b-4c0b-a38b-f346fb99e647" data-vars-headline="I-285 in Atlanta closes this weekend. Here&#x27;s how to get around it." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/10/29/were-spending-more-time-stuck-in-traffic-in-atlanta" target="_self">traffic congestion</a> will make getting around even harder.

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.

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.

How to see the FIFA World Cup trophy in Atlanta

Fans can visit The Home Depot Backyard for soccer experiences Friday and Saturday.

Sports

Fans of soccer and shiny gold objects will have an opportunity this weekend to see the FIFA World Cup trophy in person.Driving the news: The Coca Cola-sponsored Trophy Tour will make a stop at The Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this Friday and Saturday from 2-9pm.

Kemp calls special session to redraw Georgia congressional maps

New maps could break up majority-Black districts in Congress and the state General Assembly.

Politics

Georgia lawmakers will convene a special session next month to consider redrawing state House, state Senate and congressional district boundaries and determine how voters will cast ballots later this year.Why it matters: New maps could break up majority-Black congressional districts and dilute Black- and other minority-majority districts in the General Assembly.

DAs will challenge bill that makes their offices nonpartisan

House Bill 369 makes certain countywide races nonpartisan in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.

Two metro Atlanta district attorneys say they&#x27;ll take legal action against a controversial law that makes certain countywide positions nonpartisan.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="House Bill 369" data-vars-click-url="https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/247976" data-vars-content-id="5d5fda67-c536-4cbc-a1ed-71cb979cc142" data-vars-headline="DAs will challenge bill that makes their offices nonpartisan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/247976" target="_blank">House Bill 369</a>, which was passed by the Republican-led General Assembly, only affects voters in Democratic-leaning Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.

Politic-ATL: Dickens introduces $994.7 million budget for 2027

The Atlanta City Council's budget hearings began Tuesday and will continue through May 21.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens on Monday unveiled the proposed $994.7 million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlantaga.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/68452/639132436038930000" data-vars-content-id="3db8628b-6d28-45a2-9eaa-4d81ba2f74a1" data-vars-headline="Politic-ATL: Dickens introduces $994.7 million budget for 2027" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlantaga.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/68452/639132436038930000" target="_blank">budget</a> for fiscal year 2027, which the administration said focuses on affordable housing, public safety and youth engagement efforts.Why it matters: The general fund budget outlines how the city will spend tax dollars on staffing, operations and projects across Atlanta&#x27;s 12 City Council districts.

Atlanta leaders to probe what went wrong during 404 Day events

The review comes weeks after 16-year-old Tianah Robinson was killed in a shooting at Piedmont Park on April 4.

Atlanta leaders will look into what could have been done differently during 404 Day festivities after a teenager was fatally shot <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at Piedmont Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/04/07/atlanta-youth-violence-prevention-third-spaces-recreation-centers-spring-break" data-vars-content-id="722a9bcb-4a49-4129-b436-86477987782f" data-vars-headline="Atlanta leaders to probe what went wrong during 404 Day events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/04/07/atlanta-youth-violence-prevention-third-spaces-recreation-centers-spring-break" target="_self">at Piedmont Park</a>. Driving the news: The City Council&#x27;s Public Safety/Legal Administration Committee approved a resolution for an &quot;emergency, cross-departmental study&quot; and to establish an advisory committee made up of local stakeholders.

Early voting begins across Georgia

Low-turnout primaries could shape Georgia's top offices and major policy decisions statewide.

Early voting starts Monday for wide-open races to lead some of Georgia&#x27;s most powerful offices — plus low-profile contests that could have an outsized impact.Why it matters: Voters are picking state leaders who will decide important issues that affect their everyday lives, from energy bills to criminal justice.

Atlanta Press Club to host 2026 primary election debates

Axios Atlanta's Kristal Dixon and Georgia Recorder reporter Ross William will serve as panelists who will question Democratic and Republican candidates running for the 11th Congressional District seat.

The Atlanta Press Club will kick off three days of debates on Sunday for candidates running in the May 19 primary.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a way to learn more about a candidate&#x27;s position on issues affecting you and your neighbors.

Georgia U.S. Rep. David Scott dies after decades in politics

Scott served nearly 25 years in Congress and decades in Georgia politics.

News

Democratic U.S. Rep. David Scott of Georgia has died at age 80 after more than five decades in public office, his staff announced Wednesday.Driving the news: Scott served in Congress for more than two decades and had qualified to run for his 13th consecutive term representing the south metro Atlanta district.<ul><li>His health was a growing concern for colleagues in recent years, and he was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ousted from his leadership role" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/16/angie-craig-david-scott-steering-agriculture-democrats" data-vars-content-id="4cbe02aa-a1f7-47db-b3e8-469c7710ab1e" data-vars-headline="Georgia U.S. Rep. David Scott dies after decades in politics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/16/angie-craig-david-scott-steering-agriculture-democrats" target="_self">ousted from his leadership role</a> on the House Agriculture Committee after the 2024 election. He was the committee&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first Black chairman" data-vars-click-url="https://davidscott.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399460" data-vars-content-id="4cbe02aa-a1f7-47db-b3e8-469c7710ab1e" data-vars-headline="Georgia U.S. Rep. David Scott dies after decades in politics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://davidscott.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399460" target="_blank">first Black chairman</a>.</li></ul>

Rick Jackson's $50 million ad blitz worked in GOP governor primary

A late entry and massive TV spending vaulted Jackson past better-known rivals before voters tuned in.

Republican Rick Jackson has spent an extraordinary $50 million of his own cash on a late-entry TV blitz that reshaped his party&#x27;s gubernatorial primary almost overnight.Why it matters: The billionaire&#x27;s self-funded TV advertising barrage quickly turned him from an unknown and untested candidate into a frontrunner, showing how money can reorder a race before voters fully engage.

Kemp weighs special session as ballot law deadline looms

Election officials have a July 1 deadline to stop using QR codes to count ballots.

Pressure is building for Gov. Brian Kemp to call a special legislative session to delay a major overhaul of Georgia&#x27;s voting system before the elections.Why it matters: Calling lawmakers back is rare, logistically complex and politically fraught — especially this year, as officials face tight election timelines and an expected debate over voting security.

Georgia lawmakers wrap session with budget, major bills

Gov. Brian Kemp now has 40 days to act on dozens of end-of-session bills.

Georgia lawmakers worked into Friday morning to pass a nearly $39 billion budget and a slate of bills before the legislative session ended.Why it matters: Sine die is lawmakers&#x27; final chance to pass priorities — and with 2026 elections looming, the pressure to deliver wins intensified.

Politics 🇺🇸

DAs will challenge bill that makes their offices nonpartisan

Kemp calls special session to redraw Georgia congressional maps

Politic-ATL: Dickens introduces $994.7 million budget for 2027

Atlanta leaders to probe what went wrong during 404 Day events

Early voting begins across Georgia