An overflow crowd fills the lobby and watches the MARTA board meeting on a screen at MARTA Headquarters in Atlanta on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Eastside Beltline rail advocates take aim at MARTA board

Advocates for Eastside Beltline light rail took turns blasting the MARTA Board of Directors over decisions made in a "back-room" meeting.

Senate passes big cut in Georgia income tax

With man sentenced in Buckhead valet killing, victim’s mom looks to heal

Georgia judge denies new trial for man whose case was lost for 22 years

Politics

Anti-ICE protesters gather on Social Circle Parkway in the city of Social Circle, Ga., to voice opposition to potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026. (Ben Hendren/AJC)

PATRICIA MURPHY

Trump administration’s treatment of Social Circle is unconscionable

Residents of this small Georgia town "feel like they’ve been living a nightmare lately."

U.S. Sen. Warnock moves to block ICE detention warehouses in Georgia

How Georgia’s unlimited money machine is powering the governor’s race

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Derek Dooley urges Congress to give NCAA the power to enforce its rules

DOJ in Fulton

Election skeptics clap during public comment at a State Election Board board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Skeptics of 2020 election look for answers from FBI raid in Fulton

Allegations of fraud and mismanagement have dogged Fulton County since 2020.

Fulton seeks to assure voters ahead of midterm elections

AFFIDAVIT EXPLAINED

The AJC breaks down key details in the document used to seize the ballots

WATCH

What the FBI raid of the Fulton County election office means for 2026

Data Center Deluge

Georgia’s sales tax breaks for data centers tally more than $2.5 billion

The data center industry’s rampant growth in Georgia means taxpayer-backed incentives also balloon beyond earlier projections.

Georgia Power, environmental groups clash over challenge to data center expansion

WATCH

Can the South handle the strain of the data center boom?

As electricity costs rise, everyone wants data centers to pick up their tab. But how?

Today's Videos

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The verdict is in: Is Atlanta really the Black mecca?The verdict is in: Is Atlanta really the Black mecca?The verdict is in: Is Atlanta really the Black mecca?The verdict is in: Is Atlanta really the Black mecca?The verdict is in: Is Atlanta really the Black mecca?

'I want my vote back': GOP Georgia town pushes back on ICE detention center'I want my vote back': GOP Georgia town pushes back on ICE detention center'I want my vote back': GOP Georgia town pushes back on ICE detention center'I want my vote back': GOP Georgia town pushes back on ICE detention center'I want my vote back': GOP Georgia town pushes back on ICE detention center

AJC Sports

MLB

Braves’ infield returns familiar faces with new shortstop(s)

YELLOW JACKETS

Four Georgia Tech players invited to NFL scouting combine

1h ago

The Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic announced its 11-game August lineup Thursday. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

AJC VARSITY

2026 Corky Kell to feature nine top-10 teams, a return to Georgia State

OLYMPICS

Feeling inspired? Ease into winter sports the smart way.

NBA

Hawks’ Jalen Johnson did what it took to make plan A work

AJC VARSITY

GHSA knew of potential Locust Grove violations. This bylaw delayed action

KEN SUGIURA

Damon Stoudamire laments lack of fight as Georgia Tech’s plunge continues

Romance Is in the Air

Now in their 80s, Betty and Glenn Madison recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. They’re sharing lessons that have kept their love strong. The couple, shown here in their McDonough home on Feb. 12, 2026, met in 1957. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Still in love: Lessons from 65 years of marriage

A Georgia couple reflect on their decades together, sharing lessons on faith, family and lasting love.

6 things you’re doing at your Valentine’s Day reservation chefs secretly hate

2h ago

GUEST COLUMN

Sending flowers on Valentine’s Day to grieving loved ones forever changed me

Georgia’s strongest couples share this trait, UGA study finds

Everyday Black History

Black entrepreneurs during the late 19th century often found an economic foothold in the grocery business, providing opportunity to the dynamic businesspeople who helped found Atlanta institutions still relevant today. Black grocers contributed to the founding of Spelman College, the creation of South-View Cemetery and the building of the Sweet Auburn neighborhood (where the building that now houses Lottafrutta was originally a grocery store). (Illustration: Broly Su / AJC | Source: Getty)

The legacy of the Black grocers of Reconstruction

The oppressed entrepreneurs of the late 1800s capitalized on low grocery prices to build businesses that influenced Atlanta’s present-day institutions.

‘History will judge us’: Former Atlanta mayors defend minority contracting

FROM

King’s refurbished SCLC headquarters joins National Park System

FROM

The verdict is in: Is Atlanta really the Black mecca?

Latest Headlines

GHSA wrestling results: Jefferson dominates, Oklahoma signee claims 4th title

Meet the Hawks’ ‘Dancing DJ’ Chika Takai, who will DJ at All-Star weekend

Georgia’s wood stork will soon leave endangered list. Some say it’s too soon.

Braves Report: Thirstin’ for Hurston?

Arts and Entertainment

Meet the Hawks’ ‘Dancing DJ’ Chika Takai, who will DJ at All-Star weekend

The Hawks "Dancing DJ" Chika Takai barely knew English a decade ago, but is now the team's in-game DJ and a huge cheerleader for spreading NBA love across Asia.

58m ago

Televerse 25, A Festival by the Television Academy - Day 3 Red Carpet

David Boreanaz coming to Atlanta for NBC’s ‘The Rockford Files’ reboot pilot

The veteran TV actor will be coming to Atlanta to shoot a pilot for a reboot of the hit 1970s private investigator show.

Stone Mountain Park’s annual Lunar New Year Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14-15 and includes cultural elements and a special Drone and Light Show.
(2025 photo by Ben Gray for the AJC)

15 family-friendly things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend

Our list of 15 family-friendly metro Atlanta outings includes Lunar New Year celebrations, Garden Bros. Nuclear Circus and a new Dad's Garage show for kids.

Georgia and Metro News

Wood storks work the water along the edge of Goose Pond on Little St. Simons Island. (Curtis Compton/AJC 2016)

Georgia’s wood stork will soon leave endangered list. Some say it’s too soon.

The species has rebounded, but some environmentalists say climate change and federal wetlands policies present new threats.

1h ago

AJC HER+STORY

Atlanta tech entrepreneur went from young founder to leading team of nearly 50

DeKalb County could close 27 schools, initial plan says. Here’s the list.

No one wants to work in this DeKalb office. But maybe they’ll live here.

Opinion and Voices

OPINION

Mike Luckovich: Self-protection

19 hours ago

STEERING COLUMN

What’s behind the shift in auto manufacturing to the Southeast U.S.

Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Mississippi are all part of this growing trend.

2 hours ago

GUEST COLUMN

Atlanta must not repeat mistakes of 1996 Olympics during 2026 World Cup

Atlanta faces challenges with housing, immigration enforcement and local investment even before the World Cup matches begin. When play starts, the city should be ready.

5 hours ago

GET SCHOOLED

Empty seats are not neutral. They cost our students.

The DeKalb County School District is built to educate about 110,000 students but serves just under 92,000 today. When buildings are underused, resources are spread thin.

Feb 12, 2026

GUEST COLUMN

Data centers and AI are helping my Georgia city punch above its weight

Mableton mayor: Artificial intelligence and data centers are helping Georgia stay competitive as well as allowing cities of all sizes to grow and thrive.

Updated Feb 12, 2026

Latest news

Politics

Anti-ICE protesters gather on Social Circle Parkway in the city of Social Circle to voice opposition to potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility

OPINION

The Trump administration’s treatment of Social Circle is unconscionable

Senate GOP revives anti-trans bills as election year heats up

Senate passes big cut in Georgia income tax

Metro Atlanta

Meet the Hawks’ ‘Dancing DJ’ Chika Takai, who will DJ at All-Star weekend

58m ago

Braves Report: Thirstin’ for Hurston?

2h ago

With man sentenced in Buckhead valet killing, victim’s mom looks to heal

Georgia

Georgia’s wood stork will soon leave endangered list. Some say it’s too soon.

1h ago

OPINION

What’s behind the shift in auto manufacturing to the Southeast U.S.

2h ago

Georgia Power, environmental groups clash over challenge to data center expansion

Opinion

OPINION

Atlanta must not repeat mistakes of 1996 Olympics during 2026 World Cup

OPINION

Readers write

OPINION

Sending flowers on Valentine’s Day to grieving loved ones forever changed me

Falcons

OPINION

Accountability ‘is everything’ for new Falcons special teams boss Aukerman

Dirty Birds Dispatch: The James Pearce problem

Falcons’ coordinators excited about potential

Bulldogs

Another slow start dooms Georgia basketball against No. 14 Florida

Georgia’s slide continues, as No. 14 Florida rolls to convincing win

Details of Mike White’s contract extension confirmed, include escalator clause

Georgia Tech

Four Georgia Tech players invited to NFL scouting combine

1h ago

Damon Stoudamire laments lack of fight as Georgia Tech’s plunge continues

Georgia Tech losing streak reaches six games

Hawks

Hawks’ Jalen Johnson did what it took to make plan A work

NBA All-Star 2026: Times, details, how to watch the weekend’s events

Hawks rally but fall short, lose to Hornets in divisional matchup

Braves

Fifteen Braves games to be televised by Gray Media during spring training

5m ago

SPRING TRAINING

Live updates: Ha-Seong King on track for May return

9m ago

Braves Report: Thirstin’ for Hurston?

2h ago

United

Atlanta United unveils ‘Spirit of ’96’ kit

Atlanta United’s Dominik Chong Qui out several weeks

Atlanta United, Botafogo reach settlement on Thiago Almada

High Schools

GHSA wrestling results: Jefferson dominates, Oklahoma signee claims 4th title

33m ago

2026 Corky Kell to feature nine top-10 teams, a return to Georgia State

Georgia HS football coaching changes: Well-known Bibb County coach hired

More Sports

Atlanta TV sports listings

1h ago

Big second-half comeback not enough for Georgia State in OT loss

Kennesaw State sees home win streak come to an end

Food & Dining

The legacy of the Black grocers of Reconstruction

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Buckhead’s Luella aspires to be your ‘death row meal’ restaurant

11 Valentine’s Day cocktails to set your heart aflutter

UATL

FROM

When Georgia tried to silence Julian Bond

FROM

At 100, Mozel Spriggs’ life tells the story of Black dance in Atlanta

FROM

Annual Black dance fest and conference sways into ATL

Things to Do

Love bonds happen for animals, too: Tales behind Atlanta’s cutest pairs

Rough Draft Atlanta to consolidate local newspapers under one brand

Tango dancing, truffle rolling and more Valentine’s Day events in metro Atlanta

Lifestyle

Why Galentine’s Day is good for your health. (No, really!)

Northside Hospital named as new title sponsor of Peachtree Road Race

Nashville lawyer goes bold in her new-build Bordeaux home

Entertainment

Meet the Hawks’ ‘Dancing DJ’ Chika Takai, who will DJ at All-Star weekend

58m ago

David Boreanaz coming to Atlanta for NBC’s ‘The Rockford Files’ reboot pilot

‘Serial Killer: The Exhibition’ at Pullman Yards explores human depravity

Travel

Anxiety abounds during first day of FAA flight cuts at Hartsfield-Jackson

Delta’s latest elite frequent flyer changes reflect broader strategy

Delta ‘prioritizing’ upgrades to Atlanta Sky Clubs. Here’s what that means.

Revival as a way of life in Charlotte

Wellness

Feeling inspired by the Olympics? Ease into winter sports the smart way.

Why Galentine’s Day is good for your health. (No, really!)

Don’t fight it. A midday snooze is actually good for your brain.

Special Features

AAJC092224 Black Mountain, NC: Executive chef and owner Mark Henegan of The Bush Mountain Farmhouse sits down to eat the restaurant's signature Hoppin' John. Photo taken September 5, 2024 at The Bush Mountain Farmhouse. AAJC 092224 southern classics vegan bbq (GRACE DICKINSON FOR THE THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION)

Southern Classics — Reimagined

Aging in Atlanta

AJC Pulse Magazine

At Home with Atlanta Chefs

Celebrating Nurses

Photo

GHSA Championship, Dance, Akins Ford Arena, Athens

PHOTOS: Georgia teams dance way to state championships

The 2026 GHSA State Competitive Dance Invitational wase held February 11-12, 2026 at Akins Ford Arena in Athens. This was the first year titles were awarded by genre.

16m ago

PHOTOS: Day 3 of Spring Training for Braves

The Atlanta Braves continued their spring training at CoolToday Park on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.

AJC photos of the month -- January 2026

January brought ice and ICE protests, the start of the legislature with the youngest lawmaker, an FBI raid, the departure of Trae Young, a less than sweet Sugar Bowl and many ...