AJC photos of the month -- January 2026

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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 moments in between.

Rekeyias Anderson prepares a personal pizza during InCommunity’s Art & Food day program in Marietta on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. The organization serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Hip hop artist Method Man appear during a press interview at the Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. He will be co-starring in the new Amazon Prime film “Relationship Goals” alongside singer Kelly Rowland premiering on February. 4. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Norcross resident Carrie Tolbert speaks during public comment session at a town hall meeting to discuss proposed changes to the city's comprehensive plan at Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Norcross. The city of Norcross held a town hall to discuss proposed changes to the city's comprehensive plan that residents fear will lead to poorly controlled development of too many apartment buildings. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

New Falcons president of football Matt Ryan gestures to one of his sons as he enters with Arthur M. Blank and CEO Greg Beadles (both not pictured) for a news conference to introduce new Falcons president of football Matt Ryan, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Flowery Branch. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Alicia Graf Mack, the new artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, demonstrates choreographic moves during a master class at the Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation and the Arts with Spelman College students on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. She was a prominent performer on the Ailey stage throughout her impressive career from 2005 to 2014. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Iman Gadalla, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, leads a chant against Immigration and Customs Enforcement in front of the Atlanta ICE Field Office on Ted Turner Drive on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. At least 200 people participated in the rally. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Brookwood High School student Alfonzo Thurman, 17, chants during a rally against ICE in Snellville, Ga., on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. In Georgia, hundreds of students walked out of school to protest immigration crackdowns under the Trump administration. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Eboni Kennedy, a DeKalb County firefighter, does her physical therapy with Occupational Therapist Sara Gartland at the Shepherd Center, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. Kennedy had her leg amputated after a crash Dec. 4 involving the fire engine she was riding in on the way to a scene. She was one of 3 firefighters injured, but the one with most severe injuries. (Jason Getz/AJC)

A paper ballot advocate holds a sign during a press conference at the Capitol in Atlanta on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. The vocal group of activists wants the state to switch to hand-marked paper ballots. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Attendees pray during the annual Georgia Faith & Freedom Coalition legislative luncheon in Atlanta on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

FBI agents appear at Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center in Union City on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, as the FBI conducts a raid. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Boxes appear in the Election Hub and Operation Center in Union City on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, as the FBI conducts a raid. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

An FBI agent looks outside a window from the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center in Union City on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, as the FBI conducts a raid. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Georgia Tech forward Kowacie Reeves Jr. (14) grabs a ball away from Syracuse forward Sadiq White Jr. (0) during the first half of a NCAA men’s basketball game at McCamish Pavilion, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young signs autographs after a short appearance before an NBA basketball game against New Orleans Pelicans at State Farm Arena, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Atlanta. Trae Young, the four-time All-Star guard, has played in just 10 games for the Hawks this season and after not getting a contract extension in the offseason, his days with the Hawks seem to be numbered. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Genera photo at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Rep. Akbar Ali walks up to his spot on the House floor on the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. The 21-year-old became the youngest lawmaker in the Georgia General Assembly. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

(Left to right) Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Atlanta City Council president Marci Collier Overstreet attend the inaugural open house and reception for newly sworn-in Atlanta City Council members at Atlanta City Hall on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Latin indie pop singer Csandra is seen at Music Go Round in Duluth, Ga., on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. She is known for her dreamy vocals that seamlessly blend English and Spanish. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Georgia tight end Oscar Delp (4) reacts after their loss to Ole Miss at the Caesars Superdome, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New Orleans. Georgia lost 39-34. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) is treated for an injury during the fourth quarter of the NCAA College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Sugar Bowl in the Caesars Superdome, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New Orleans. (Jason Getz/AJC)

City of South Fulton Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs smiles shortly before getting sworn at South Fulton City Hall on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Gumbs is the first Black woman to serve as mayor of the city. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Nikki Lancaster, an 11-year veteran working at the Silver Skillet restaurant in Midtown, laughs while interacting with regular customers Roderick Jefferson and Jim Gossett on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. The well-known Midtown eatery has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

DJ Chika Takai, the first and only female DJ for the Atlanta Hawks, performs dance moves during the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Houston Rockets at State Farm Arena on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Atlanta. DJ Chika Takai, who has been with the team for over a decade, will attend the NBA All-Star Game on February 15 in Inglewood, California.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Nancy Palmer, a lobbyist with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, takes a call in one of the Capitol phone booths. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Light rain and sleet were falling over neighborhoods near Alexander Park, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Lawrenceville. A wintry mix slowly made its way across the region Sunday morning. Light rain and sleet were falling at sunrise, creating reports of poor driving conditions due to the ice. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Scenes of Roswell during the winter storm shown on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Low clouds cover a portion of the Midtown Atlanta skyline including the top of One Atlantic Center as automobiles travel along the I-75 / I-85 connector photographed from the 17th street bridge looking south, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Atlanta. Jason Getz/AJC)

Georgia guard Blue Cain (0) and Georgia guard Marcus Millender (4) celebrate with coaching staff after Georgia beat Arkansas in an NCAA college basketball game at Stegeman Coliseum, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Athens. Georgia won 90-76 over Arkansas. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton leaves after Ole Miss beat Georgia during the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football playoff quarterfinal game at the Caesars Superdome, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New Orleans. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) is pressured by Ole Miss Rebels safety Wydett Williams Jr. (16) as he throws downfield during the third quarter of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Sugar Bowl in the Caesars Superdome, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New Orleans. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Georgia Tech center Peyton Marshall (5) makes a move against Syracuse forward William Kyle III (42) during the first half of a NCAA men’s basketball game at McCamish Pavilion, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Georgia State Troopers argue with a protestor near the Capitol as protestors march against Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Atlanta on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, the day after Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Two-year-old siblings Luke (darker) and Leia are playing with a toy at the Lifeline Animal Shelter on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Atlanta. Luke is more dominant, but their bond is so strong that the Lifeline Animal Shelter recommends they be adopted together.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

A great blue heron stands on the edge of the Chattahoochee River from Jones Bridge Park, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Peachtree Corners, Ga. A winter storm moved through the area overnight leaving icy conditions. Jason Getz/AJC)

Spelman College participated in a master class led by Alicia Graf Mack , the new artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, at the Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation and the Arts on Tuesday, Jan 20, 2026. Alicia Graf Mack, who had a remarkable career from 2005 to 2014, was a prominent performer on the Ailey stage. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Julia Byrne with the United Campus Workers Union protests during the walkout rally at Tech Green on the main campus on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. The demonstration coincided with the anniversary of Trump’s inauguration and opposed increased immigration enforcement during his administration. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) tries to avoid a tackle after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Hawks forward Corey Kispert (24) passes out of the defense of Milwaukee Bucks players during the annual MLK Game at State Farm Arena, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Gov. Brian Kemp, between Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, waves after his final State of the State speech in the House of Representatives at the Capitol in Atlanta on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Brookwood High School student Madison Flores, 14, waves the Mexican flag out her window during a rally against ICE in Snellville, Ga., on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. In Georgia, hundreds of students have walked out of school to protest immigration crackdowns under the Trump administration. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Rep. Akbar Ali fixes his hair in his office on the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. “This is the hair that got me all the votes,” Ali jokes. The 21-year-old became the youngest lawmaker in the Georgia General Assembly. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

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Rekeyias Anderson prepares a personal pizza during InCommunity’s Art & Food day program in Marietta on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. The organization serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

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