1. Music legend Prince dead at 57 a week after playing Atlanta.
Prince, one of the most inventive and influential musicians of modern times, was found dead at his home Thursday in suburban Minneapolis, according to his publicist. He was 57. The local sheriff said deputies found the singer, known for such hits as "Little Red Corvette," "Let's Go Crazy" and "When Doves Cry," unresponsive in an elevator late Thursday morning, and first-responders couldn't revive him. No details about what may have caused his death have been released. On April 14 — exactly one week before his death — Prince performed in Atlanta in what would be his final two full public concerts. Read more.
2. Sometimes It Snows In April: Last concert bittersweet for reporter.
It would almost be too much of a cliché to say that Prince's concert last week at the Fox Theatre was spiritual. But it was. Prince had just performed for more than two hours — longer than the Fox told us he would. It was as if he didn't want to leave and we didn't want him to go. After it was over, I found myself standing alone with my thoughts. In silence, I watched as fans slowly walked to the now empty stage, adorned only with candles and a purple piano. Some took photos. Others just looked, not speaking. They just wanted to soak it all in as long as possible, although he was probably halfway to the airport by then. Who knew it would be the last time? Read more.
3. Jury selection more than halfway finished in hot-car murder trial.
Six more prospective jurors were qualified to serve on Thursday in the Justin Ross Harris murder trial. One previously qualified juror was excused for medical reasons. Ross Harris, accused of intentionally leaving his son Cooper inside a hot car to die, is charged with malice murder, two counts of felony murder, cruelty to children in the first and second degree, criminal attempt to commit a felony and dissemination of harmful materials to minors. Twenty-six jurors have been qualified. A minimum of 30 are needed before prosecutors and defense attorneys exercise their nine "peremptory" challenges afforded to each side. Because Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley is expected to want additional alternate jurors, as many as 42 or more prospective jurors will have to be qualified. Read more.
4. Developer: GM site plan in jeopardy
The developer of the former General Motors plant site in Doraville said Thursday his firm will decide by June whether to continue with its ambitious vision of a mini-city along I-285 or scrap it. Atlanta-based Integral Group, Doraville leaders and other supporters are ratcheting up pressure on the DeKalb County school board to take part in an infrastructure program, called a tax allocation district, to help fund critical road, sewer and park projects on the site. Doraville and the DeKalb county commission have pledged expected future tax dollars to support public improvements through a TAD. Read more.
5. Ga. lawmaker sues U.S. over guidance on campus sexual misconduct cases.
A state lawmaker critical of the way colleges handle sexual-misconduct cases has sued the federal government, saying it forces colleges to abide by policies he calls unconstitutional. Rep. Earl Ehrhart's lawsuit claims that U.S. Department of Education policies have caused colleges and universities to spend taxpayer dollars unnecessarily, because they must abide by the rules or risk losing federal funding. Since 2011, the federal department has ordered colleges to adopt tougher sex-discrimination measures or face the loss of billions in financial aid. This tougher approach was spurred by a "Dear Colleague" letter to colleges from the department's Office for Civil Rights. Read more.
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