1. Trump pivots to the general election during a calm Republican debate.
Donald Trump debuted a more subdued and measured tone in Thursday's Republican debate as he shifts his focus to the general election, a surreal contrast to the jaw-dropping theatrics that dominated past showdowns between the GOP candidates. The New York billionaire skipped the mud-slinging and personal attacks at the University of Miami that netted him pervasive media attention, ducked repeated openings to assail his rivals and largely avoided headline-grabbing hyperbole that made other debates must-see TV. The same was also largely true of the three other candidates on stage Thursday. Read more.
The Atlanta airport wants to start allowing pick-ups by Uber and Lyft starting July 1, ending a loosely enforced ban that had confused travelers and turned some ride-share drivers into blockade runners. Airport management expects to introduce a plan to an Atlanta City Council committee on March 30 that would legalize Uber X and Lyft pick-ups, said Miguel Southwell, general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson International. Drop-offs already are allowed. But pick-ups are not without commercial permits, which generally excludes ride-share drivers. Some drivers for the more expensive Uber Black limo service have permits. Read more.
3. Georgia House panel blocks English-only amendment to constitution.
A key House subcommittee Thursday struck down a proposal that would have asked voters to change the Georgia Constitution to make English the state's official language. While lawmakers passed legislation designating English as Georgia's official language two decades ago, writing that mandate into the state constitution — as proposed by Senate Resolution 675 — would make it more difficult for future legislators to repeal it. Not that anyone has proposed that since the original official language bill passed in the mid-1990s. McKoon said Georgia is one of 32 states that currently designate English as its official language. Eleven of those states have amended their constitutions to make English their official language. Read more.
4. Proposal would expand powers of Atlanta police review board.
The most sweeping expansion of power in the eight-year history of the Atlanta Citizen Review Board appears headed for a vote of the city council. The review board was created in 2008, after Atlanta police officers shot a 92-year-old woman during a 2006 drug raid, then planted drugs in her home. The board investigates citizen complaints against Atlanta police and corrections officers. Representatives from police and corrections expressed no major concerns with the expansion Thursday. Proposed changes to the city's ordinance would significantly expand the board's reach and purview, by allowing it to investigate more types of complaints — including allegations of abuse of authority; discrimination and discriminatory conduct; inappropriate conduct; harassment; failure to provide identification; and officers not taking appropriate action. Read more.
5. Black chefs in Atlanta see a gap between dream and reality.
When the nation's pre-eminent culinary organization, the James Beard Foundation, announced its 2016 chef and restaurant awards semifinalists last month, only two black chefs saw their names on a coveted list of more than 425 nominees: Edouardo Jordan of Salare in Seattle and pastry chef Dolester Miles of Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham. Atlanta restaurants and chefs netted a total of 14 James Beard award nominations this year, yet no local black chefs made the cut. It's not because there aren't many black chefs in Atlanta. Read more.
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