How organizers revived Orange Crush, the HBCU spring break bash known for chaos
For those who never felt represented by MTV’s Spring Break or Atlanta’s infamous Freaknik, Orange Crush has long been a coastal tradition for HBCU students carving out a space of their own. Over the years, the party gained a reputation for being unruly, unpredictable, and unpermitted. But, 2025 marked a turning point: For the first time in decades, organizers secured a city permit—paving the way for sponsors, vendors, and a full stage setup. Has the infamous beach party entered a new era? AJC’s Najja Parker traveled to Tybee Island to find out what happens when a celebration known for no rules suddenly has a rulebook. Credits: AJC | Getty Images | Savannah Morning News | orangecrushofficial / IG | thad.deuss / TikTok | thatmfnkira / TikTok | WSAV3 / YouTube | Kenneth Flowe
The verdict is in: Is Atlanta really the Black mecca?
Credits: AJC | NFL Films | Ben Gray, Miguel Martinez, Bita Honarvar, Steve Schaefer, Arvin Temkar / AJC | Southern Fried Queer Pride
'I want my vote back': GOP Georgia town pushes back at proposed ICE detention center
A possible ICE detention site puts Social Circle, Ga., at the center of a national immigration fight as residents push back.
Her name was Marion King. Her story still matters.
Credits: SNCC|WSB-TV|Mario Tama, Megan Varner, Roberto Schmidt, Donald Uhrbrock/Getty Images|NARA|Jonathan King|georgiaarchives.org|mcgsincga.org|John Lewis|
What the FBI raid of the Fulton County election office means for 2026
The FBI raid at the Fulton County elections hub raises urgent questions about 2026. Credits: AJC|C-SPAN|AP|Fulton Co. PD|The Dan Bongino Show/X|Arvin Temkar/AJC