Before we turn the corner to a new year, pause to reflect on what was. The year 2019 in local news was a busy one, with metro governments moving independently to write laws on the new challenges posed by e-scooters and vaping. They also worked to manage sprawling new developments.

On the downside, clouds of cash disappeared on I-285 and rapper 21 Savage made national headlines after he was arrested for allegedly overstaying his visa. On the upside: Atlanta became home to the largest food forest in the U.S. and Tyler Perry opened his studios to acclaim from Hollywood.

Take a longer look back at our most popular headlines:

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Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez