Riley Bunch
@ribunchreports.bsky.social
City of Atlanta reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution | writer+audio+photo hybrid | Atlanta-based but Seattle-born | ✉️riley.bunch@ajc.com
ICYMI: Your Inside City Hall this week revisits Atlanta's battle over short-term rentals. And Council President Doug Shipman urges for continued collaboration once he exits office. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
Atlanta short-term rental owners thwart another neighborhood ban
The Atlanta City Council narrowly voted down a proposed ban in north Buckhead after short-term rental owners flocked to City Hall to testify against it. It failed by one vote.
www.ajc.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
ICYMI: Your Inside City Hall this week revisits Atlanta's battle over short-term rentals. And Council President Doug Shipman urges for continued collaboration once he exits office. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
ICYMI: Bond’s win means a new progressive voice on Atlanta City Council with the potential to emerge as one of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ most vocal critics on the body. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
Meet the Democratic Socialist elected to Atlanta City Council
Kelsea Bond won a landslide victory in the District 2 race while championing Beltline rail, dense affordable housing and workers’ rights.
www.ajc.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:41 PM
ICYMI: Bond’s win means a new progressive voice on Atlanta City Council with the potential to emerge as one of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ most vocal critics on the body. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
NEW: Our data team broke down turnout in the Atlanta City Council president race, showing that votes in the north and southwest areas of the city pushed Overstreet across the finish line. But DeKalb County overwhelmingly backed Malhotra. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
AJC analysis: Southwest Atlanta voters hand council presidency to Overstreet
An Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis of the vote found Marci Overstreet dominating the Southwest Atlanta votes.
www.ajc.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:48 PM
NEW: Our data team broke down turnout in the Atlanta City Council president race, showing that votes in the north and southwest areas of the city pushed Overstreet across the finish line. But DeKalb County overwhelmingly backed Malhotra. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
Good morning! Your Inside City Hall today checks in on the Moving Atlanta Forward program spending that's been heavily criticized for years-long delays. About 3 years after voter approval, only 15% of funds have been spent. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
Atlanta spent only 15% of $660M infrastructure funds approved by voters
Audit: Some projects slated to begin in 2024 have not yet begun, and projects in some council districts continue to advance more quickly than others.
www.ajc.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Good morning! Your Inside City Hall today checks in on the Moving Atlanta Forward program spending that's been heavily criticized for years-long delays. About 3 years after voter approval, only 15% of funds have been spent. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
BREAKING: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has easily secured four more years in office after an underdog victory in 2021 propelled him to Atlanta's top political post. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
Atlanta voters overwhelmingly back Mayor Andre Dickens for second term
www.ajc.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:06 AM
BREAKING: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has easily secured four more years in office after an underdog victory in 2021 propelled him to Atlanta's top political post. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
And polls are open in the city until *8PM* after a court ruled yesterday that Atlanta residents have an extra hour to vote. But if you show up between 7 and 8 you won't be allowed to cast a ballot in the PSC race and must use a provisional ballot. #atlpol
PSA: Happy Election Day, Atlanta! A reminder that you can find all of the @ajc's municipal election coverage here: www.ajc.com/politics/atl... #atlpol
City of Atlanta Elections 2025: What to know
2026 city elections test
www.ajc.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
And polls are open in the city until *8PM* after a court ruled yesterday that Atlanta residents have an extra hour to vote. But if you show up between 7 and 8 you won't be allowed to cast a ballot in the PSC race and must use a provisional ballot. #atlpol
PSA: Happy Election Day, Atlanta! A reminder that you can find all of the @ajc's municipal election coverage here: www.ajc.com/politics/atl... #atlpol
City of Atlanta Elections 2025: What to know
2026 city elections test
www.ajc.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
PSA: Happy Election Day, Atlanta! A reminder that you can find all of the @ajc's municipal election coverage here: www.ajc.com/politics/atl... #atlpol
UPDATED: Atlanta's poling locations will stay open until 8pm after the city sued Fulton and DeKalb counties over their planned 7pm closing time. But voters won't be allowed to cast ballots in the PSC race during that hour window. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
Judge rules Atlanta polls will remain open until 8 p.m.
Counties plan to close polls at 7 p.m. after guidance from the secretary of state’s office, according to the lawsuit.
www.ajc.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:09 PM
UPDATED: Atlanta's poling locations will stay open until 8pm after the city sued Fulton and DeKalb counties over their planned 7pm closing time. But voters won't be allowed to cast ballots in the PSC race during that hour window. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
BREAKING: The city of Atlanta has filed a lawsuit against Fulton and DeKalb counties to keep Election Day polls open until 8pm after guidance from the Secretary of State's office mandates polls close at 7pm due to the special PSC election. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
Atlanta sues Fulton, DeKalb counties to keep polls open until 8 p.m.
Counties plan to close polls at 7 p.m. following guidance from the Secretary of State’s office, according to the lawsuit.
www.ajc.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:04 PM
BREAKING: The city of Atlanta has filed a lawsuit against Fulton and DeKalb counties to keep Election Day polls open until 8pm after guidance from the Secretary of State's office mandates polls close at 7pm due to the special PSC election. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
Your @ajc.com front page this morning is my annual spooky season story: Tucked inside a northwest Atlanta forest is a 70-acre cemetery completely lost to time. It's new owners are working to uncover 130 years of history buried under invasive vines. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/10...
November 3, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Your @ajc.com front page this morning is my annual spooky season story: Tucked inside a northwest Atlanta forest is a 70-acre cemetery completely lost to time. It's new owners are working to uncover 130 years of history buried under invasive vines. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/10...
NEW: The city is quietly negotiating an $800M hospital deal that, if actualized, would help close major health care gaps. One source close to the proposal called the project a "historic investment in addressing health care access disparities." #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/10...
Atlanta officials quietly plan for new hospital
While most of the projects included on the more than 200-item list were well-known Dickens’ priorities, Project Robin — categorized as a health venture — was a mystery.
www.ajc.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:54 PM
NEW: The city is quietly negotiating an $800M hospital deal that, if actualized, would help close major health care gaps. One source close to the proposal called the project a "historic investment in addressing health care access disparities." #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/10...
New: A draft project list sent to council members this week gives insight into how Mayor Dickens wants to spend an estimated $5.5 billion in revenue that would be generated by extending all Atlanta's tax allocation districts. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/10...
How Mayor Dickens wants to spend Atlanta’s tax district extension revenue
The total project list comes with a staggering $14.7 billion total price tag, according to documents obtained by the AJC.
www.ajc.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
New: A draft project list sent to council members this week gives insight into how Mayor Dickens wants to spend an estimated $5.5 billion in revenue that would be generated by extending all Atlanta's tax allocation districts. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/10...
New: Mayor Dickens signed an order freezing permits downtown during the 2026 FIFA World Cup for activities that could cause traffic jams like construction. But it also includes street vendors, raising fears from small businesses of being left out. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/10...
Street vendors fear being sidelined by Atlanta’s World Cup permit freeze
Permits for street vendors and community gatherings are on pause downtown during FIFA activities under Mayor Dickens’ executive order issued last month.
www.ajc.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:39 PM
New: Mayor Dickens signed an order freezing permits downtown during the 2026 FIFA World Cup for activities that could cause traffic jams like construction. But it also includes street vendors, raising fears from small businesses of being left out. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/10...
NEW: The City Council president race pits an established council member who warns against public safety changes against a progressive who wants a new approach. It's a policy debate that came to a head over the city's public safety training center. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/10...
Council president race highlights politics of policing in Atlanta
The race pits an established council member who warns against public safety changes against a progressive who wants a new approach.
www.ajc.com
October 13, 2025 at 12:07 PM
NEW: The City Council president race pits an established council member who warns against public safety changes against a progressive who wants a new approach. It's a policy debate that came to a head over the city's public safety training center. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/10...
Read the debate recap here: www.ajc.com/news/2025/10... #atlpol
October 9, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Read the debate recap here: www.ajc.com/news/2025/10... #atlpol
Atlanta voters! This is a reminder that the @ajc.com has a city elections page with all of our local election coverage. It includes our recap of yesterday's Atlanta Press Club debates for City Council president and the mayor's office. #atlpol www.ajc.com/politics/atl...
City of Atlanta Elections 2025: What to know
2026 city elections test
www.ajc.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Atlanta voters! This is a reminder that the @ajc.com has a city elections page with all of our local election coverage. It includes our recap of yesterday's Atlanta Press Club debates for City Council president and the mayor's office. #atlpol www.ajc.com/politics/atl...
ICYMI: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens wants to extend all of Atlanta's tax allocation districts beyond 2050 and dedicate the funding to neighborhood revitalization. But that requires buy in from City Council, APS and Fulton County. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
Mayor Andre Dickens wants to extend all Atlanta tax allocation districts
City's first-term mayor eyes TAD funds to tackle racial disparities as Atlanta grows, but he’ll need buy-in from the City Council, Fulton County and Atlanta Public Schools.
www.ajc.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:06 PM
ICYMI: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens wants to extend all of Atlanta's tax allocation districts beyond 2050 and dedicate the funding to neighborhood revitalization. But that requires buy in from City Council, APS and Fulton County. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
New: As Trump continues to threaten to send federal troops to cities, Atlanta's mayor said he's actively trying to make sure the White House knows "Atlanta is safe." w/ @tiamitchell.com #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
Dickens responds to federal troops in cities: ‘Atlanta is safe’
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said he’s actively working behind the scenes to avoid the threat of a federal law enforcement takeover.
www.ajc.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:11 PM
New: As Trump continues to threaten to send federal troops to cities, Atlanta's mayor said he's actively trying to make sure the White House knows "Atlanta is safe." w/ @tiamitchell.com #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
What happens when a City Council candidate's residency is challenged? Two southwest Atlanta hopefuls were disqualified yesterday after they were accused of living outside of the district. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
2 council candidates disqualified over residency requirements
Keith Andre Lewis, Jr. and Sherry B. Williams were accused by a resident of living outside District 11. Both argued the addresses were family homes they no longer lived in.
www.ajc.com
September 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM
What happens when a City Council candidate's residency is challenged? Two southwest Atlanta hopefuls were disqualified yesterday after they were accused of living outside of the district. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
PSA: Did you know the @ajc.com has a 2025 Atlanta elections page? It's a hub for all our city election coverage leading up to November when voters will cast ballots for mayor, City Council president and all council member seats. #atlpol www.ajc.com/politics/atl...
City of Atlanta Elections 2025: What to know
2026 city elections test
www.ajc.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:32 PM
PSA: Did you know the @ajc.com has a 2025 Atlanta elections page? It's a hub for all our city election coverage leading up to November when voters will cast ballots for mayor, City Council president and all council member seats. #atlpol www.ajc.com/politics/atl...
A well known disability advocate will fill an empty seat on Atlanta City Council before voters elect a new representative for District 2. Wyckoff is known for her accessibility work with MARTA and advocacy for Beltline rail. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
Accessibility advocate appointed to fill vacant Atlanta City Council seat
Atlanta’s City Council has selected Carden Wyckoff to temporarily replace Amir Farokhi in District 2.
www.ajc.com
September 16, 2025 at 1:11 PM
A well known disability advocate will fill an empty seat on Atlanta City Council before voters elect a new representative for District 2. Wyckoff is known for her accessibility work with MARTA and advocacy for Beltline rail. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
Inside City Hall: Resurfacing of Perry Boulevard and West Marietta Street is underway -- the dilapidated corridor is a longtime source of frustration in the area. And council president candidates team up with allies to bolster their bids. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
City starts $3.8M resurfacing of key northwest Atlanta corridor
Nighttime resurfacing of the corridor on Perry Boulevard and West Marietta Street from Hollywood Road to Marietta Boulevard begins Sept. 15.
www.ajc.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Inside City Hall: Resurfacing of Perry Boulevard and West Marietta Street is underway -- the dilapidated corridor is a longtime source of frustration in the area. And council president candidates team up with allies to bolster their bids. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
Three political newcomers launched bids against Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens despite the power of incumbency: A community advocate. A corporate consultant. And a Trump-supporting former APD officer. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
Meet the candidates challenging Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens
Atlanta’s mayors have a long history of winning a second term in office, but three political newcomers decided to launch bids despite tall odds.
www.ajc.com
September 15, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Three political newcomers launched bids against Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens despite the power of incumbency: A community advocate. A corporate consultant. And a Trump-supporting former APD officer. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
A new city audit found that APD officers are significantly better at using their body cameras since a initial analysis in 2018. Still, 12% of calls went unrecorded and 20% of those captured were either started too late or stopped too early. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
Atlanta police improve bodycam use — but gaps remain
An audit of Atlanta Police Department body camera recordings found officers are better at turning on cameras during civilian encounters — but issues remain.
www.ajc.com
September 9, 2025 at 12:45 PM
A new city audit found that APD officers are significantly better at using their body cameras since a initial analysis in 2018. Still, 12% of calls went unrecorded and 20% of those captured were either started too late or stopped too early. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
NEW: Inside the race for the Atlanta City Council president's gavel. In Nov, a two-term council member will face off against a progressive nonprofit leader. One warns of unnecessary change to city politics, the other says it's desperately needed. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...
Atlanta City Council race pits Marci Collier Overstreet against Rohit Malhotra
It’s a sharp choice for voters between Atlanta’s political establishment and change in an election for the second-most powerful position at City Hall.
www.ajc.com
September 2, 2025 at 2:14 PM
NEW: Inside the race for the Atlanta City Council president's gavel. In Nov, a two-term council member will face off against a progressive nonprofit leader. One warns of unnecessary change to city politics, the other says it's desperately needed. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/09...