The AJC provides in-depth coverage of the top stories affecting metro Atlantans. Here are three highlights from this past week. You can get even more details by clicking on the links below.
Storm damage: The National Weather Service on Tuesday confirmed that a line of storms that wreaked havoc on metro Atlanta and parts of North Georgia in the late evening hours Monday — including more than 170 severe weather reports of large hail — included a tornado in the Chestnut Ridge subdivision in Fairburn and two other tornadoes in Haralson County. Other damage in metro Atlanta caused by the storm included fires sparked by lightning. No deaths were reported from the storms, but thousands were without power from Fulton to Henry counties.
• The aftermath: North Georgia takes stock after Monday storm brings tornado, havoc
• Before the storm: A confirmed tornado days before Monday's outbreak.
Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC
Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC
Atlanta hacked: On Friday, the city of Atlanta wasn't accepting payments from customers and wasn't issuing permits — and even warned its employees to keep their work computers turned off. The reason for the major disruption: a cyberattack on the city government's computer system. Officials said Friday afternoon they were not able to provide details about where the attack began, the amount of data that might be affected, or whether they were considering paying a $50,000 ransom requested by the hacker.
• Mayor responds: 'Not a matter of life or death'
• What it means: Sensitive data feared compromised
• Effect on airport: Hartsfield-Jackson takes down its Wi-Fi as a precaution
• MARTA ensures no risk: Transit agency says technical issues not related to cyberattack
Credit: Bob Andres
Credit: Bob Andres
Remembering a Georgia political titan: Zell Miller has died at the age of 86, his family said Friday in a statement. The former two-term governor and U.S. senator was the driving force behind Georgia's popular HOPE scholarship. Miller also was a keynote speaker at a Democratic National Convention and a Republican National Convention. Miller also was a man loyal to his mountain roots — and he was a statesman who never strayed from his basic principles, yet seemed utterly unpredictable at times. He made his mark in the political arena beyond Georgia.
• The AJC's in-depth obituary: The life and legacy of Zell Miller, plus a timeline
• Politicians and others remember: At Politically Georgia
