It’s been a pretty dismal year for democracy, but people-driven change is both possible and on the upsurge.

A look at tools officials can use to counteract Trump administration cuts and keep people housed

Two national strikes from Republic Services trash collectors and Starbucks baristas have dominated labor news in the second half of 2025 – and both affect metro Atlanta. After 99 days on the picket line, unionized Republic Services garbage collectors in Cumming reached a hard-fought contract agreement with a 17% pay increase, ending a nationwide strike on Oct. 15 by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Aaron Baker could become the first openly transgender person elected to the Georgia General Assembly if she defeats state Rep. Esther Panitch.

HUD’s abrupt withdrawal of a funding notice leaves 844 Atlanta households in limbo.

Now 26 days in, the strike is SBWU’s longest-ever action, after sporadic one-day walkouts, to pressure Starbucks for a contract.

The ribbon-cutting occurred under the shadow of Trump's cuts to supportive housing funds.

Mayor Andre Dickens’ favored candidates, bar one, prevailed on Tuesday in Atlanta’s runoff elections.

“I feel like we’ve moved in the opposite direction of what this was intended to do,” Councilmember Alex Wan said.

Your trusted hub for the PSC and city of Atlanta elections.

In a surprising reversal, Atlanta City Council today postponed an expected committee vote on legislation steered by the Mayor’s Office to extend the city’s eight tax allocation districts (TADs) to 2055. Bowing to pressure from a growing chorus of critics warning the move would shortchange local public schools and questioning the speed at which the eight-week old proposal is moving, the council tabled the measure until early 2026.

The board received binders containing dozens of open investigations into waste, fraud, and abuse that had been launched under Manigault and then Interim Inspector General LaDawn Blackett.

Atlanta Civic Circle reached out to the school board contenders knocked out of the race for Districts 2, 6 and Seat 8, At-Large to ask who they’re endorsing and what issues the runoff candidates should champion for Atlanta Public Schools (APS). 

“This is pretty much all bad,” Partners for Home CEO Cathryn Vassell said.

CFO Mohamed Balla says the current setup maximizes the city’s ability to finance new housing.

Starbucks baristas at unionized stores in Alpharetta and Roswell walked off the job and shut down both stores for the coffee giant’s “Red Cup Day” launching its busy holiday season. The 44 local baristas joined over 1,000 striking Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) members in the Nov. 13 walkout, which has swept 65 unionized stores in 40 cities. After years of…

Atlanta Urban Development Corporation boss envisions 400 to 500 residential units.

Atlanta Civic Circle asked the candidates who didn’t make the runoffs if they are endorsing anyone – and what issue mattered most to them for the district.

Unlike previous union actions, held for a single day, organizers say they are ready to hold out for weeks.

Candidates are jockeying for key endorsements that could sway voters from local civic leaders, political advocacy groups, and unions. 

Atlanta food pantries are scrambling to fill widening gaps in the social safety net as the federal government shutdown stretches into its fifth week. Food insecurity is rapidly spreading for Atlanta families since the federal government failed to make SNAP payments to roughly 42 million Americans on Nov. 1. The unexpected halt of SNAP benefits, which support about 260,000 people…

The measures will divert property tax revenue away from local public school systems.

Democratic Socialist Kelsea Bond scored an outright victory in crowded District 2 city council race, as five council and school board races head to runoffs