DeKalb County invests $1.2 million in a 400-bed emergency shelter on Gresham Road, launching a 90-day stabilization model to address homelessness.
By Milton Kirby | Decatur, GA | February 13, 2026
DeKalb County has committed $1.2 million to launch what leaders call a first-of-its-kind, 400-bed emergency shelter aimed at providing immediate safety and a clear pathway to housing for residents experiencing homelessness.
The new 90-day emergency shelter, located at 2582 Gresham Road, will be operated by Frontline Response, a nonprofit with years of experience serving individuals facing housing instability. County officials say the facility is part of a broader housing strategy centered on dignity, coordination, and long-term solutions.
“This investment reflects our belief that housing stability is fundamental to the health and well-being of our entire community,” said Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County. “By pairing emergency shelter with comprehensive services and strong partners like Frontline, we are creating real opportunities for people to stabilize, rebuild, and move forward.”
A Three-Phase Model
County leaders describe the shelter as more than a place to sleep. The program follows a coordinated three-phase approach designed to move individuals from crisis to stability.
Outreach and Rescue County outreach teams will engage individuals living in encampments and public spaces. Teams will provide food, immediate assistance, and connections to services. The initiative also supports coordinated cleanups of encampments on public property, with an emphasis on communication and care.
Emergency Shelter with Wraparound Services The 400-bed facility will offer temporary housing along with wraparound services. These include medical and dental care, behavioral and mental health services, substance use support, job readiness training, and access to other critical resources needed for stabilization.
90-Day Stabilization and Transition Support Residents will receive three meals a day, access to showers and laundry facilities, behavioral health services, and intensive case management. The 90-day model is designed to prepare individuals for placement into transitional or long-term housing.
“This shelter is designed to be a bridge, not a destination,” said Dr. Alan Ferguson, DeKalb County’s Chief Housing Officer. “Our goal is to meet immediate needs while actively working toward permanent solutions.”
County officials point to transitional housing efforts such as the 500 Park Place initiative, which helps families move from extended-stay motels into stable housing, as part of that broader continuum of care.
Terry Tucker, Director at Frontline Response, said the goal is to meet people where they are.
“This shelter allows us to provide safety, structure, and services in one place, helping individuals regain stability and take the next steps toward housing and independence,” Tucker said.
The $1.2 million investment was approved by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners as part of a comprehensive housing strategy that prioritizes affordable housing development, emergency shelter, and transitional housing solutions countywide.
For more information, residents can contact Frontline Response at 404-817-3502.
President Donald Trump calls for mandatory voter ID, proof of citizenship, and limits on mail voting, escalating debate over federal authority, election integrity, and constitutional limits.
By Sam Stevenson | Washington, DC | February 6, 2026
Key takeaways
Voting Rules: Trump demands mandatory voter ID, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a near-total ban on mail-in ballots, except for illness, disability, military service, or travel.
Federal Oversight: He suggests nationalizing key election rules to standardize voting across states, aiming to prevent inconsistent or vulnerable practices.
Political Impact: The plan intensifies Trump’s long-running campaign to question U.S. election integrity, sparking debate over state control vs. presidential influence.
President Donald Trump is seeking to redefine the rules of American voting, unveiling a trio of requirements he says are necessary to restore public confidence in U.S. elections.
In a new Truth Social post, Trump declared that America’s elections are “rigged, stolen, and a laughingstock,” and urged Republicans to unite behind what he calls the Save America Act—a plan that would dramatically tighten access to the ballot box.
Why It Matters
Trump’s proposals align with his broader push to shift election authority toward federal standards despite constitutional limits and recent court rulings curbing such efforts.
What To Know
In the Truth Social post, Trump listed three demands:
Mandatory voter ID for every voter.
Proof of U.S. citizenship to register.
A near‑total prohibition on mail‑in ballots, limited only to cases of illness, disability, military service, or travel.
Taken together, the package would represent one of the most sweeping overhauls of federal election administration in modern history.
It also marks the latest escalation in Trump’s long-running campaign to cast doubt on U.S. election integrity—an effort that has shaped both Republican politics and congressional debates since his first term.
Trump’s demands come as he increasingly calls for greater federal authority over how states conduct their elections.
In a recent interview on The Dan Bongino Show, he floated the idea of nationalizing key election rules, arguing that standardized federal oversight would prevent what he sees as inconsistent or vulnerable state practices.
The proposal triggered immediate pushback from critics, who warned it would undercut state control and inject unprecedented presidential influence into the electoral system.
Trump previously signed an executive order directing federal agencies and the Election Assistance Commission to require documentary proof of citizenship for the federal voter registration form and to enforce election day ballot receipt deadlines— moves now facing multiple legal setbacks.
Federal judges blocked key parts of that order, including attempts to require proof of citizenship for the federal voter registration form and for military voters, citing constitutional separation of powers and the limits of presidential authority over election procedures.
In Congress, Republicans introduced the Make Elections Great Again Act to set national baselines for voter ID, citizenship verification, mail-ballot deadlines, paper ballots, and limits on ballot collection, while separately pushing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to mandate proof of citizenship to register.
What People Are Saying
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday: “Does Donald Trump need a copy of the Constitution? What he’s saying is outlandishly illegal.”
Republican Representative Don Bacon wrote on X: “I opposed nationalizing elections when Speaker Pelosi wanted major changes to elections in all 50 states. I’ll oppose this now as well. I work w/the NE Gov & Unicameral to ensure we have secure elections where every citizen’s vote counts. This is what the Constitution calls for.”
Lawyer Bradley P. Moss told Newsweek: “There is no legal basis for the President to nationalize elections. The Constitution specifically delegates that authority to the states. Congress can pass laws to modify how states administer elections, and they have done that several times in our history with things such as the Voting Rights Act and the NVRA, but the states still actually run the elections.”
What Happens Next
Trump and Republican allies are expected to continue pressing Congress to advance federal election bills like the SAVE Act and the MEGA Act. Democrats will likely oppose them, and constitutional challenges are set to proceed in federal courts.
As Georgia’s 2026 legislative session officially gets underway, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, CEO of DeKalb County, met virtually with members of the DeKalb County House Legislative Delegation to outline the county’s priorities and highlight areas where state partnership will be critical in the months ahead.
The meeting marked the first formal engagement between county leadership and the delegation since the annual legislative dinner and coincided with the launch of Georgia’s constitutionally mandated 40 legislative-day session. That session, led by the Georgia General Assembly, is scheduled to conclude April 2.
Against the backdrop of hundreds of bills expected to be introduced, debated, and voted on before final measures reach the governor’s desk, Cochran-Johnson emphasized three core objectives: reaffirming alignment between the County’s executive leadership and Board of Commissioners, sharing updates on issues that have evolved since the last meeting, and identifying areas where collaboration with state lawmakers will be essential.
Top Legislative Priorities for 2026
DeKalb County’s 2026 legislative agenda reflects a unified approach to housing stability, infrastructure, governance reform, public safety, and long-term sustainability. The county’s top five priorities include:
Regulatory authority over vacant and rental properties. County leaders are seeking authorization to establish and maintain a comprehensive registry of all rental and vacant properties, regardless of business licensing status. Officials say a verified in-state contact list would improve accountability and help ensure properties meet basic safety, health, and maintenance standards.
Annexation and new city reforms. DeKalb is calling for revisions to state law governing municipal annexations and the creation of new cities. Proposed changes include repealing restrictions related to the sale of parks, reviewing the 60 percent annexation method, removing barriers to de-annexation, opposing legislative annexations advanced without county support, and limiting the use of taxpayer funds for annexation consultants.
Tenant protections. The county is backing legislation requiring property owners to clearly disclose all lease-related fees, including junk fees, before a tenant signs a lease and in all housing advertisements.
NextGen 911 funding. DeKalb is seeking increased and more flexible funding to support next-generation emergency systems, including integration with the county’s Real Time Crime Center and technologies that allow video, text, and GPS capabilities during emergency calls.
Expanded authority for Community Service Aides. Proposed legislation would allow Community Service Aides to handle minor injury and property damage accidents, freeing sworn officers to focus on higher-priority public safety needs.
Public Works Leadership Update
In addition to outlining legislative priorities, Cochran-Johnson announced the appointment of Robert L. Gordon as Director of Public Works, effective immediately.
Gordon brings more than 40 years of leadership experience in public works and fleet management. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director of Fleet Management, overseeing procurement, maintenance, and lifecycle management for county vehicles supporting public safety and infrastructure services.
“Robert Gordon is a proven leader with a deep understanding of the complex operations that keep DeKalb County running,” Cochran-Johnson said, citing his institutional knowledge and commitment to service delivery.
As director, Gordon will oversee Fleet Maintenance, Roads and Drainage, Sanitation, and Transportation, while advancing initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure reliability, operational efficiency, and customer service. His career includes managing preventive maintenance for more than 600 heavy trucks and earning national recognition from the American Public Works Association, including induction into its Public Fleet Hall of Fame.
Gordon holds an associate’s degree in business management, professional certifications from the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government and currently serves on the board of Clean Cities Georgia.
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Reflecting on the 161st Anniversary of the 13th Amendment – A Nation at War Takes a Defining Step Toward Freedom
By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | January 31, 2026
Today marks a date that should be etched into the mind of every American who values the sanctity of the law and the progress of human liberty. On this day, January 31, 1865, the United States House of Representatives sat in a chamber thick with the scent of tobacco and the heavy weight of history. They were there to decide if the “peculiar institution” of slavery would finally be purged from our national charter.
The amendment’s language was stark in its clarity: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude… shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
As we at The Truth Seekers Journal spend our days digging through modern court authorizations and federal actions, it is vital to look back at the most significant “court-authorized” action in our history: the passage of the 13th Amendment.
A House Divided, A Gallery Overflowing
The atmosphere in Washington 161 years ago was electric. The Civil War was grinding toward its bloody conclusion, but President Abraham Lincoln knew that his Emancipation Proclamation was merely a wartime measure, a temporary fix that could be undone by a future court or a hostile peace. He needed a “King’s cure,” a permanent constitutional seal that would ensure freedom was not just a policy, but a foundational right.
The vote was far from a sure thing. Just months earlier, the House had failed to reach the necessary two-thirds majority. But through the relentless political maneuvering of James Mitchell Ashley and the unwavering moral clarity of Thaddeus Stevens, the tide began to turn.
When the final tally was announced—119 to 56—the House erupted. Reports from the time describe a “tumult of joy” that broke all decorum. Members wept openly. The galleries cheered so loudly the rafters shook. For the first time, the word “Slavery” was used in the Constitution not to protect it, but to abolish it forever.
The vote came nearly four years into the Civil War, at a moment when the Union’s military fortunes had begun to turn and the moral urgency of abolition had become inseparable from the nation’s survival. President Abraham Lincoln, who had issued the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier, had long argued that only a constitutional amendment could permanently end slavery across all states including those loyal to the Union.
The Power of the Record
What strikes me, as I review the FBI’s recent confirmations regarding election record custody in Union City, is the parallel of accountability. In 1865, the struggle was over the custody of human lives; today, our struggle is often over the custody of the truth and the integrity of our democratic processes.
The 13th Amendment succeeded because of a transparent, recorded vote. It succeeded because men like Lincoln and Stevens weren’t afraid to push against the status quo to ensure that the law reflected the will of a free people.
Why We Remember
At The Truth Seekers Journal, we believe that history is a living document. When we ask the FBI about the statutory basis for a search warrant, we are standing on the shoulders of those who demanded that the federal government operate under the light of constitutional authority.
The 13th Amendment didn’t just end a dark chapter; it set a precedent that the Constitution belongs to the people, and its amendments are our tools for course correction.
As we continue to investigate the events unfolding at the Fulton County Election Hub, let us remember the lesson of January 31, 1865: Truth and transparency are the only path to a more perfect union.
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The FBI executed a search warrant at Fulton County’s Election Hub, seizing 2020 ballots and records in a move local officials call alarming and politically charged.
By Milton Kirby | Union City, GA | January 29, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents executed a court-authorized search warrant Wednesday at the Fulton County Election Hub and Operations Center in Union City, Georgia, seizing records connected to the 2020 presidential election as part of what authorities described as an ongoing federal investigation.
The FBI confirmed it was conducting “court-authorized law enforcement activity” at the county’s primary elections facility south of Atlanta but declined to provide further details. “Our investigation into this matter is ongoing so there are no details that we can provide at the moment,” the agency said in a statement.
Fulton County Elections Hub
Fulton County spokesperson Jessica Corbitt-Dominguez confirmed that the warrant sought 2020 election records but declined further comment while the search was underway. County officials said the FBI remained inside the building into the evening hours.
County Leaders Express Alarm and Compliance
Robb Pitts, chair of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, told reporters late Wednesday that he did not know where the seized records were being taken.
“All I know is that as long as those boxes had been in the control of the county in this facility, they were safe and secure,” Pitts said. “I can no longer, as chair of this board, satisfy not only the citizens of Atlanta but the citizens of the world that those ballots are still secure.”
Sherri Allen, chair of the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections, said the board “fully complied” with the FBI and confirmed agents were still on site as of 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
State Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Democrat whose district includes Fulton County, called the search “extremely alarming,” warning that it could further erode public trust in election administration.
Scope of the Warrant and Legal Questions
According to county officials, the FBI sought all ballots from the 2020 election in Fulton County, including tabulator tapes, ballot images, and voter rolls.
Fulton County Commissioner Mo Ivory said the initial warrant presented by agents was “incorrect legally” and challenged by county officials on site. The FBI later returned with a corrected warrant, she said.
The county’s Clerk of Superior Court, Che Alexander, who is the legal custodian of the election materials, was present during the search and inventorying the items taken, Ivory said.
“The commissioners, the chairman, the county attorney are trying to figure out a legal plan,” Ivory said during a press conference outside of the facility. “Maybe an injunction, a motion to quash, something. We’re trying to figure it out.”
Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. said the Trump administration had previously attempted to obtain the same 2020 election records through civil litigation. Because the records were sealed as part of earlier investigations, the county did not release them. Arrington noted the records were scheduled for release within months as a result of those civil actions.
He questioned why a criminal investigation—with no named defendant—began only after those civil efforts failed, and why records from the 2024 election were not sought.
Political Context and Renewed Scrutiny
The FBI search comes amid renewed federal attention to Fulton County, a jurisdiction that has remained a focal point of former President Donald Trump’s repeated false claims that the 2020 election was “rigged.”
Speaking last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump again asserted without evidence that the election was fraudulent and said “people will soon be prosecuted.”
Fulton County was central to Trump’s post-election efforts in Georgia, including a now-infamous January 2021 phone call in which he pressured Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find 11,780 votes,” roughly President Joe Biden’s margin of victory in the state.
Trump also publicly speculated that ballots had been shredded in Fulton County claims that were repeatedly debunked by audits, recounts, and court rulings.
Pitts said he was not surprised by the federal action. “Fulton County is sort of on a hit list,” he said. “We have complied with the law. The 2020 elections were fair. They were open. Every legal vote was counted, and we will continue to comply with the law.”
DOJ, Intelligence Officials, and Election Security Claims
The search also follows a December Department of Justice complaint requesting extensive 2020 election materials from Fulton County, including used and void ballots, ballot stubs, signature envelopes, and related digital files, citing an investigation into compliance with federal law.
According to a senior Trump administration official, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was also in Fulton County on Wednesday and visited the elections hub the same day the FBI executed the warrant.
“Director Gabbard has a pivotal role in election security and protecting the integrity of our elections,” the official said, adding that she was acting under Trump’s directive to secure elections nationwide.
Pitts said Gabbard had not communicated with the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.
Warnings of Intimidation and Historical Parallels
Several local and state officials warned the federal action could be perceived as intimidation ahead of upcoming elections.
“This is a scare tactic. This is a distraction,” Commissioner Mo Ivory said. “This is about sowing the seeds of fear so that people will not show up at the polls in May and November.”
Georgia State Rep. Saira Draper said Fulton County has undergone repeated audits and investigations since 2020, all of which cleared the county of wrongdoing.
“If this administration had a genuine interest in investigating voter fraud,” Draper said, “they would be investigating Coffee County, a red county, where there is actual evidence of people going into the election office after hours and copying election documents.”
Former special counsel Jack Smith previously documented how false fraud claims targeting Fulton County led to death threats against election workers.
Two of those workers, Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Shaye Moss, were falsely accused by Trump allies of manipulating ballots. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani amplified those claims. A jury awarded Freeman and Moss $148 million in damages in 2023, a judgment Giuliani satisfied in 2025.
National Reactions
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock condemned the search, calling it politically motivated.
“The FBI should be focused on going after violent criminals, not carrying out political errands for a vengeful President,” Warnock said. “Republicans and Democrats agree: the 2020 elections were accurate and secure. End of story.”
Meanwhile, Josh McKoon praised the action, saying it marked “a major step toward truth and accountability” and arguing Georgians have waited years for answers about the 2020 election.
A Facility Built for Transparency
The Fulton County Election Hub, which opened in 2023, houses more than 261,000 square feet dedicated to elections staff, operations, and equipment. County officials have repeatedly cited the facility as evidence of enhanced transparency, security, and chain-of-custody controls.
As of Wednesday night, county leaders said they were still assessing legal options and seeking clarity on the scope and implications of the federal seizure.
The Truth Seekers Journal reached out to the FBI seeking additional information regarding the search warrant and scope of the investigation. No response had been received at the time of publication.
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Sen. Raphael Warnock secures $192 million in delayed Hurricane Helene relief, pushing total recovered Georgia disaster funds past $500 million amid reimbursement disputes.
By Milton Kirby | Washington, D.C. | January 28, 2026
U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock announced Tuesday that he has secured an additional $192 million in federal disaster relief funding owed to Georgia communities recovering from Hurricane Helene, marking the latest installment in a months-long effort to force the release of delayed reimbursements.
The funds were released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after sustained pressure from Warnock’s office, as counties across Georgia particularly in rural areas faced mounting financial strain and the prospect of lawsuits from contractors seeking payment for completed recovery work.
The announcement follows a December 2025 release of $300 million in outstanding Helene payments that Warnock also helped unlock, bringing the total recovered funds to more than $500 million in recent months.
“I am thrilled to announce I have secured an additional $192 million in federal funding owed to Georgia communities recovering from Hurricane Helene,” Warnock said. “Hurricanes and natural disasters are not political; they do not care if you voted red or blue. Georgia counties and cities went right to work recovering from Helene’s destruction with the understanding the federal government would fulfill its promises.”
Warnock emphasized that the fight is not over. In September 2025, he released a report finding that nearly $500 million in promised federal disaster funding remained unpaid. Follow-up reviews later increased that figure toas much as $600 million, raising alarms about the financial exposure of local governments forced to front recovery costs.
The funding stems from a 2024 disaster recovery bill championed by Warnock, designed to reimburse counties and state agencies for emergency work performed after Helene. Despite bipartisan congressional support, Warnock’s office says the delivery of funds was slowed by administrative breakdowns and bureaucratic delays within the Trump Administration.
Among the largest recipients in the latest reimbursement round is the Georgia Department of Transportation, which received $78.3 million. Counties receiving funding include Columbia County ($16.6 million), Emanuel County ($11.3 million), Jefferson County ($10.4 million), Burke County ($6.6 million), and Coffee County ($4.7 million), among others.
Warnock said he will continue pressing federal agencies until Georgia receives every dollar it was promised. “It should not have gotten to this point,” he said. “I will continue fighting until Georgia’s communities especially rural Georgia get every cent they are owed.”
The justices are contemplating a case that deals with the president’s removal of an independent official and what counts as “for cause.” An attorney representing Cook, former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, tells the court that impeachment, a form of removal of an official, is “the ultimate backup” in a hypothetical situation that Justice Samuel Alito presented to him.
During arguments, several justices questioned whether President Donald Trump has the authority to fire a sitting Fed governor over allegations of mortgage fraud that Cook denies. Earlier in the hearing, Justice Brett Kavanaugh warned that allowing Cook’s dismissal could “weaken, if not shatter, the independence of the Federal Reserve.”
What To Know
Following Justice Samuel Alito’s hypothetical question, “how about if, after the person assumes office, videos are disclosed in which the officeholder is expressing deep admiration for Hitler or for the Klan?” Clement, responded “that’s an official that would be impeached in a heartbeat.”
Amid the back and forth among other justices as well, Clement reiterated that his “backup to the backup” is “impeachment.” Kavanaugh then jumped in stating, “We got an argument in the past that impeachment doesn’t cover private conduct. You obviously disagree with that then?”
Clement responded, “Well, I certainly see, but this actually kind of makes the point about judicial review, right?”
Kavanaugh said, “I’m not saying I agree with that, by the way. It’s been—it’s been argued.”
Cook’s attorney then said, “What I absolutely agree with is the Walter Nixon case says that there’s no judicial review of the impeachment determination in the end. So whatever the House and the Senate ultimately determine, I mean, they can make constitutional law, too and they can determine whether private conduct is or is not out.”
The back and forth continued with Clement bringing up “INM,” referring to inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance, which comes from the Federal Trade Commission Act. He told the Court, “the reason I want to spend at least a moment answering some of the hard hypos is not because I’m a masochist. It’s just because those are—have got to be the answers under INM.”
Kavanaugh responded, “your answer is that those are funneled to the impeachment process?” to which Clement responded “that’s right,” continuing on that “INM has worked for 150 years. And I think it would continue to work. It hasn’t proven a problem in practice.”
Why Did Trump Fire Lisa Cook From the Federal Reserve Board of Governors?
Trump moved to remove Cook from the Federal Reserve Board, citing allegations that she committed mortgage fraud in 2021, before she joined the central bank. The administration argues that Cook improperly claimed two properties as primary residences, potentially securing more favorable loan terms. Trump’s legal team has said the allegations amount to misconduct sufficient to justify her dismissal, though Cook has not been charged with any crime. Critics have questioned whether the effort reflects a broader attempt by Trump to exert greater control over the independent central bank and influence interest rate policy.
Key takeaways
Impeachment as Backstop: Justice Brett Kavanaugh questioned whether impeachment is a realistic safeguard for removing independent officials, with attorney Paul Clement calling it the “ultimate backup” for misconduct or controversial behavior.
Trump vs. Lisa Cook: President Trump attempted to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook over alleged mortgage fraud, raising concerns about Federal Reserve independence and presidential authority to fire governors.
About Lisa Cook: Cook is the first Black woman on the Fed Board, an economist focused on labor markets, economic inequality, and innovation, helping set U.S. monetary policy insulated from political pressure.
Who Is Lisa Cook? What to Know
(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Cook is a Federal Reserve governor and the first Black woman to serve on the Fed’s Board of Governors. An economist by training, she was confirmed to the board in 2022 after previously serving as a professor at Michigan State University and holding roles focused on economic research and policy.
Cook’s work has centered on labor markets, economic inequality and innovation. As one of seven governors, she helps set U.S. monetary policy, including interest rates, in a role designed to be insulated from political pressure.
What People Are Saying
The Supreme Court justices, writing in a separate case last year: “The Federal Reserve is a uniquely structured, quasi-private entity that follows in the distinct historical tradition of the First and Second Banks of the United States.”
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, speaking Wednesday: “This whole case is irregular, starting with the Truth Social notice…But that’s where we are.”
White House spokesman Kush Desai previously told The Associated Press: “President Trump lawfully removed Lisa Cook for cause from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. We look forward to ultimate victory after presenting our oral arguments before the Supreme Court in January.”
What Happens Next
The justices finished oral arguments on Wednesday and are expected to rule on the case at a later date.
This article was written by Mandy Taheri.
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Retired Brigadier General and farmer Shawn Harris enters Georgia’s 14th Congressional District race, positioning himself as a pragmatic alternative after Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation.
By Milton Kirby | Rockmart, GA | January 17, 2026
Confident, but not cocky. Bold, but not brash. That is how Shawn Harris comes across on a cold January afternoon in Rockmart in northwest Georgia. We caught up with Harris working on his cattle farm, adjusting an underground freshwater delivery system designed to keep his herd fed through winter freezes.
Harris is a Democratic candidate in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, a sprawling region covering 10 counties across the northwest corner of the state. The district stretches from rural farmland to small manufacturing towns, a footprint shaped more like a winding patchwork than a clean rectangle. Until recently, it was represented by one of the most polarizing figures in modern American politics.
Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned from Congress effective January 5, 2026. In a video announcement released weeks earlier, Greene cited public clashes with Donald Trump and frustration with the political system. That resignation date was not accidental. Public records indicate it marked the minimum service threshold roughly five years required to qualify for an estimated annual congressional pension of about $8,700.
With Greene’s exit, the 14th District enters a rare moment of political reset.
From Farm to Battlefield and Back Again
Harris is no stranger to difficult terrain.
After graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Over a four-decade military career, he rose from private to Brigadier General an achievement so rare it places him among a tiny fraction of service members nationwide.
Photo by Milton Kirby Harris’ beef cattle grazing
To put that rise into perspective: while the U.S. Army has roughly 450,000 active-duty soldiers, only about 130 to 150 serve as Brigadier Generals at any given time. Fewer than 5 percent of Colonels are ever selected for promotion to the first general officer rank. The climb typically requires more than 25 years of service, advanced degrees, senior service college graduation, and survival through the military’s unforgiving “up or out” promotion system.
Harris served as a combat infantry commander in Afghanistan before retiring as a General. When his military service ended, he and his wife, Karla, returned home to Georgia and back to the land.
A Special Election, a Crowded Field
Following Greene’s resignation, Gov. Brian Kemp set a special election for March 10, 2026, in accordance with Georgia law. The timeline allows for ballot access, overseas military voting, and compliance with federal election requirements.
Beef stock just days from delivery
Because the contest is a special election, all candidates regardless of party will appear on a single “jungle” ballot. A runoff is expected if no candidate clears 50 percent. In total, 22 candidates qualified, including 17 Republicans.
Harris enters the race with recent electoral history. In the November 2024 general election, running head-to-head against Greene, Harris received 134,759 votes, 35.6 percent of the total, while Greene garnered 64.4 percent. For a first-time candidate in one of Georgia’s most Republican districts, the showing surprised many observers.
Harris believes that result revealed a growing coalition. “There is a pathway to victory,” he said. “It requires one victory every day, one voter, one volunteer, one yard sign at a time.”
Why He’s Running
Harris describes his candidacy as rooted in lived experience rather than political theater.
He grew up on a Georgia farm. He enlisted to serve his country. He and Karla have been married for 36 years, raised five children, and now have four grandchildren. While Harris served overseas, Karla became a family physician. When his military career ended, they returned to Georgia not Washington.
Harris says the resignation of Greene has changed the conversation in Northwest Georgia.
“For years, we watched national drama take priority over local needs,” he said. “Now we have a once-in-a-generation chance to bring real leadership back to this district.”
Policy Grounded in Place
Harris’ platform emphasizes practical issues affecting rural and working families.
On agriculture, he supports a fully funded Farm Bill that prioritizes small and medium-sized farms, protects SNAP benefits, modernizes water infrastructure, and expands access to advanced agricultural technology beyond corporate producers.
On healthcare, he opposes proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, calls for expanded rural specialist access, increased mental health and addiction services, and protection of reproductive healthcare from political interference. He also supports removing marijuana from federal drug schedules to expand medical access for veterans and chronic pain patients.
On the economy, Harris backs expanded prescription drug price negotiations, rural broadband investment, infrastructure funding, labor protections, and efforts to bring stable, high-paying jobs back to Northwest Georgia.
On national security, he calls for modernized immigration processing, tougher action on fentanyl trafficking, expanded port screening, and domestic investment in supply chains and cybersecurity.
As a veteran, Harris opposes privatization of VA healthcare and supports expanded trauma care, suicide prevention, and job training programs that translate military skills into civilian opportunity.
Still a Farmer
Despite four decades in uniform, Harris remains unmistakably a farmer.
Farmers For Shawn Harris a yard sign in the neighborhood
One of his prized possessions is a young bull calf half Black Angus, half Wagyu. Wagyu cattle, a Japanese breed known for exceptional marbling, are prized worldwide. Harris smiled as he spoke about the animal.
“This is a valuable member of the herd,” he said. “He could be sold for beef or as a stud bull.”
For Harris, that choice mirrors the district he hopes to represent: rooted in tradition, full of potential, and deserving of careful stewardship.
DeKalb County commissioners elect Chakira Johnson as Presiding Officer and LaDena Bolton as Deputy while deferring a key data center zoning vote until July.
By Milton Kirby | Decatur, GA | January 14, 2026
DeKalb County entered 2026 with a shift in political leadership and a community still wrestling with one of the most consequential land‑use debates in its history. On Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners elected new officers while also voting to delay action on proposed data center zoning rules, a pause that reflects both rising public pressure and the county’s struggle to balance economic opportunity with environmental and neighborhood protections.
The meeting drew a packed room of residents from South and East DeKalb, many of whom have spent months demanding transparency, clearer communication, and stronger safeguards as data center proposals continue to surface across the county.
A New Leadership Team for a Critical Moment
Courtesy photo Chakira-Johnson-Presiding-Officer
Commissioners unanimously selected Chakira Johnson (District 4) as Presiding Officer and elected LaDena “Dr. B” Bolton (Super District 7) as Deputy Presiding Officer, a pairing that blends deep engineering expertise with community‑rooted advocacy.
Chakira Johnson: Engineering Mindset Meets Procedural Power
Johnson brings more than two decades of experience in civil engineering, municipal operations, and public infrastructure management. A Georgia Tech graduate with a master’s degree in international relations from Troy University, she is a licensed professional engineer in three states and was named one of Engineering Georgia’s 50 Notable Women in 2022.
Her résumé is matched by her long-standing service in DeKalb: nearly 30 years as a resident and 16 years on the Stone Mountain City Council, including three terms as Mayor Pro Tem. She has been a consistent advocate for STEM education and youth engagement.
As Presiding Officer, Johnson will guide the Board’s procedural direction running meetings, appointing committee chairs, and shaping how and when major issues come to the floor. She emphasized a leadership style grounded in professionalism and public trust.
“I am committed to leading with efficiency, integrity, and respect,” Johnson said. “This Board serves the people of DeKalb County.”
LaDena Bolton: A Community Voice With Scientific Rigor
Bolton, known affectionately as “Dr. B,” enters the Deputy Presiding Officer role during her first year on the commission. A graduate of Avondale High School, she credits her December 2024 election to long-standing community relationships and grassroots service.
Her professional background includes a Ph.D. in chemistry from Clark Atlanta University, a bachelor’s degree from Savannah State University, and a career as an analytical forensic chemist working in national security, energy sustainability, and health equity.
Bolton’s early initiatives reflect her community-first approach:
March Into a Cleaner Tomorrow, a countywide cleanup effort that mobilized more than 1,000 volunteers and removed roughly five tons of litter in three months.
Youth Aviation Program, the county’s first, offering underserved students hands-on aviation training at DeKalb‑Peachtree Airport and mentorship toward earning pilot licenses.
Her office uses the bee pollinator as a symbol of collective work and community uplift.
“We’re building legacies from the inside out,” Bolton said. “Families, youth, neighborhoods that’s where the work begins.”
Why These Roles Matter Now
Under the DeKalb County Organizational Act, the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer shape the Board’s internal structure and public-facing process. They control meeting flow, committee leadership, special session calls, and how major issues like data centers move through the system.
With public trust strained and residents demanding clearer communication, the leadership style of Johnson and Bolton will directly influence how the county navigates the months ahead.
Data Centers: A Debate That Has Become a Community Flashpoint
Beyond leadership elections, commissioners voted to delay action on data center zoning changes until July, when the planning commission is expected to present updated recommendations.
The pause comes after months of intense debate, particularly in South and East DeKalb communities that have historically borne the brunt of industrial encroachment, infrastructure strain, and uneven economic development.
Community Concerns
Residents have raised concerns about noise from cooling systems, water usage in a county already facing infrastructure challenges, environmental impact on nearby neighborhoods, proximity to homes and schools, and transparency in how proposals are evaluated.
Many residents say they are not opposed to economic development they simply want development that respects community health, land use, and long-term sustainability.
Economic Stakes
County officials, including CEO Lorraine Cochran‑Johnson, have noted that a single large-scale data center could generate an estimated $27 million annually in tax revenue, driven by the high value of servers and cooling equipment.
Supporters argue that revenue could support long‑delayed water system upgrades, reduce pressure on residential taxpayers, and strengthen the county’s long-term financial position.
They also describe data centers as essential digital infrastructure the unseen backbone of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and modern communications.
Regulation vs. Restriction
Proposals under discussion include 500‑foot buffers from residential areas, strict noise limits, generator restrictions, environmental impact reviews, and community benefit funds. Commissioner Ted Terry has suggested dedicating a portion of data center tax revenue to libraries, youth programs, and neighborhood improvements.
Statewide Scrutiny: Georgia Reconsiders Its Data Center Boom
The local debate mirrors a broader conversation unfolding at the Georgia Capitol.
A report from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government found that data center projects have generated more than 28,000 construction jobs, over 5,000 permanent positions, and billions in economic impact statewide.
Metro Atlanta led the nation in data center expansion last year, surpassing Northern Virginia, according to CBRE.
But the growth comes with a cost: state utility regulators have approved plans to add roughly 10,000 megawatts of new power generation capacity, much of it to meet data center demand.
State Rep. Ruwa Roman has introduced bipartisan legislation proposing a moratorium on new data center construction through 2027.
“This is permanent,” Roman said during recent hearings. “And if we get it wrong, Georgians will deal with the consequences for decades.”
Looking Ahead: Leadership, Trust, and the Path Forward
As DeKalb County moves deeper into 2026, the election of Johnson and Bolton signals a leadership team that blends technical expertise with community‑centered advocacy. Their challenge will be guiding a divided public conversation while ensuring transparency, fairness, and long-term planning.
The July deadline for data center zoning recommendations sets the stage for a pivotal summer one that will test the Board’s ability to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship, neighborhood protection, and community trust.
For residents, the question remains: what kind of development will shape DeKalb’s future and who gets to decide?
For Johnson and Bolton, the months ahead will define not only their leadership but the county’s direction for years to come.
Residents packed a Renew DeKalb town hall to oppose data centers in South and East DeKalb, citing health risks, water strain, and zoning rules they say favor developers.
By Milton Kirby | Decatur, GA | January 11, 2026
A packed community meeting at the DeKalb Covington Highway Public Library on Saturday underscored a growing resistance to large-scale data center development in DeKalb County particularly in South and East DeKalb, where residents say environmental and infrastructure burdens are already too heavy.
The town hall, organized by Renew DeKalb and led by community organizer Gina Mangham, drew residents concerned that existing zoning rules are too broad and could allow massive, industrial-style data campuses to be built dangerously close to homes, schools, and churches.
Opponents warned that while data centers are often framed as clean, quiet engines of economic growth, the lived reality can be far different for nearby neighborhoods.
“The impact to the community that people are not looking at is the real health impact to nearby residents,” Mangham told the audience, pointing to concerns over air quality, noise, light pollution, and long-term infrastructure strain.
From Homes to Servers
According to Mangham, at least one proposed data center site in DeKalb was previously slated for a residential development of roughly 305 homes. That plan was later replaced with a data center proposal a shift residents say prioritizes developer profits over community stability.
Residents repeatedly emphasized that South and East DeKalb have historically borne the brunt of landfills, industrial zoning, and environmental hazards. Many fear data centers represent the next wave of uneven development.
“This is not happening in a vacuum,” one speaker said. “Our communities are already carrying more than their fair share.”
Water, Sewer, and a Federal Consent Decree
A central theme of the meeting was water and sewer capacity — a sensitive issue in DeKalb County.
In December 2011, DeKalb entered into a federal consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to address chronic sanitary sewer overflows. The agreement required billions in upgrades and repairs over an initial 8.5-year period, later extended due to ongoing compliance challenges.
Residents questioned how the county could responsibly approve water-intensive data centers while still working to meet those long-standing obligations.
Large data centers can consume millions of gallons of water per day, primarily for cooling systems. Speakers also raised concerns about glycol-based coolants, which are recyclable but hazardous if improperly handled.
Unanswered questions remain: How will contaminated cooling water be disposed of? Who pays for cleanup if a data campus is decommissioned decades from now?
Noise, Air, and the Grid
Beyond water, residents cited noise pollution from constant cooling fans, light pollution from 24-hour operations, and air emissions from diesel backup generators.
Studies and community reports from other states show that generator testing can release nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter linked to asthma and cardiovascular disease. Some residents described the sound near data centers as a constant hum approaching the level of heavy lawn equipment.
Energy use is another concern. Data centers place extraordinary demands on local power grids, which can drive up residential utility bills as infrastructure upgrades are passed on to consumers.
Federal Push, Local Pushback
The meeting took place against a backdrop of aggressive federal efforts to accelerate data center construction nationwide.
In July 2025, Executive Order 14318 — “Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure” — directed federal agencies to streamline approvals, limit environmental reviews, and offer financial incentives to qualifying data center projects. The order also encourages the use of federal lands, including Brownfield and Superfund sites, for development.
Then, on December 11, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a separate executive order aimed at blocking state and local governments from restricting artificial intelligence development, arguing that fragmented regulation could weaken U.S. competitiveness.
Community leaders warn these federal moves could weaken local oversight just as neighborhoods are trying to assert their voices.
DeKalb Hits Pause
In response to mounting pressure, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted in December to extend a moratorium on new data center applications until June 23, 2026.
The pause temporarily blocks approval of new permits while commissioners work on comprehensive regulations addressing buffer zones, noise, screening, water use, and energy impacts.
· Terry has publicly argued that the moratorium is about responsible, data-driven planning, not stopping economic development outright.
· He has warned about unchecked expansion, rising residential power bills, and the lack of guardrails in current zoning.
· He has framed the pause as time to “get it right,” listen to residents, and build protections.
“This is about making decisions based on data and residents’ lived experiences,” Terry said during prior board discussions, warning that unchecked expansion could raise residential power bills by as much as $20 per month.
Other commissioners echoed concerns about data centers being allowed near schools and residential areas under current zoning rules.
What’s Already Here — and What’s Proposed
DeKalb currently has two operating data centers: a 3,350-square-foot facility run by DC Blox Atlanta and an 88,000-square-foot facility owned by Lincoln Rackhouse.
More significantly, county records show an application from PCC-DeKalb for a 1 million-square-foot data center campus on roughly 95 acres along Loveless Place in Ellenwood. That proposal includes three two-story buildings and an outdoor electric substation, with a vote expected in early 2026.
Two additional sites Bouldercrest Road and International Park Drive previously received zoning certification letters indicating data centers could be allowed, though neither project has moved forward.
Lessons From Virginia
Renew DeKalb organizers also pointed to Northern Virginia, the nation’s largest data center hub, as both a cautionary tale and a roadmap.
Loudoun County now requires special exceptions for all data centers. Fairfax County has imposed strict setbacks, enclosure requirements, and transit buffers. Even in Prince William County where data centers generate tens of millions in tax revenue fierce community opposition has derailed projects.
Virginia’s generous tax exemptions for data centers, which cost the state an estimated $750 million in lost sales tax revenue in 2023, have also drawn legislative scrutiny.
A New Proposal: Sharing the Benefits
In early January, Commissioner Terry introduced a resolution proposing a “DeKalb For the People AI Tech Dividend Fund,” which would dedicate 50 percent of data center tax revenue to community investments and fiscal stability.
The plan includes funding for libraries, seniors, youth programs, environmental buffers, green infrastructure, and workforce retraining particularly for neighborhoods within three miles of a data center site.
Public hearings on zoning amendments are scheduled later this month, with final votes expected in 2026.
A Community on Record
As Saturday’s town hall made clear, many DeKalb residents are no longer willing to be silent.
Speakers repeatedly said they are not opposed to technology or economic development — but they reject what they see as sacrifice zones for an industry that consumes enormous resources while providing relatively few local jobs.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens begins his second term pledging to defeat poverty and inequality, citing falling crime, housing investment, and a renewed push for neighborhood reinvestment.
By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | January 6, 2026
Atlanta entered a new chapter Monday as Andre Dickens was sworn in for a second four-year term, pledging to confront poverty, inequality, and public safety with renewed urgency — and with proof, he said, that the city’s approach is working.
Before thousands packed into Georgia State University’s Convocation Center, Dickens framed his next term as the completion phase of what he repeatedly called Atlanta’s “group project,” a citywide effort to invest in people, neighborhoods, and opportunity without leaving communities behind.
“Atlanta, we are done managing poverty,” Dickens declared. “We are done tolerating inequality. And we are done accepting violence as destiny.”
A second term shaped by results
Dickens, a lifelong Atlantan who grew up in the Adamsville neighborhood, returns to office after winning more than 85 percent of the vote in November. His second inauguration followed an unprecedented three-day Inauguration Weekend that included 61 community service projects across the city — a nod to his role as Atlanta’s 61st mayor and a signal that service, not ceremony, would define the moment.
The Honorable Asha Jackson administers oath of office to Mayor Andre Dickens
During his first term, Dickens said the city invested in people and neighborhoods at a historic scale. Atlanta opened 500 rapid re-housing units and started or completed more than 13,000 units of affordable housing. Youth investments topped $40 million, and more than 19,000 young people were hired at a living wage through city-supported programs.
Those investments, Dickens argued, produced measurable outcomes. Violent crime dropped sharply, with Atlanta finishing 2025 with fewer than 100 homicides for the first time in years. Youth-related crime fell by 56 percent, while Atlanta Public Schools posted its highest graduation rate on record.
The city also earned its first-ever AAA bond rating, raised the minimum wage for city employees to $17.50 an hour, expanded the BeltLine and park access, reduced food deserts, and launched the city’s first municipal grocery store.
“Across every measure,” Dickens said, “the Phoenix of Atlanta continues to rise.”
The unfinished work
Still, Dickens made clear that progress alone is not enough.
“How can we be satisfied when too many of our neighbors still sleep on our streets?” he asked. “How can we be satisfied when too many families live check to check — with more month than money?”
At the center of his second term is the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, aimed at ensuring every Atlanta neighborhood is safe, connected, healthy, and whole. Dickens described poverty and inequality as Atlanta’s modern-day “Goliath” — a persistent enemy that demands a direct confrontation, not incremental management.
He outlined five priorities — “five smooth stones,” as he called them — that will guide the administration: affordable housing, neighborhood investment, youth opportunity, public safety, and ethical, fiscally responsible government.
“Where we’ve thrown those stones,” Dickens said, “the results have been undeniable.”
A citywide audience
The inauguration drew a broad cross-section of Atlanta’s political and civic leadership, including U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, U.S. Reps. Lucy McBath and Nikema Williams, U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, and former mayors Kasim Reed and Shirley Franklin.
City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet speaks
All members of the Atlanta City Council were sworn in alongside Dickens, including incoming Council President Marci Collier Overstreet, underscoring the administration’s emphasis on collaboration entering a politically active year ahead of the 2026 Georgia legislative session.
From Adamsville to City Hall
Dickens’ story remains central to his message. A graduate of Benjamin E. Mays High School, Georgia Tech, and Georgia State University, he often describes his leadership as forged in Atlanta’s neighborhoods long before City Hall.
“Leadership doesn’t begin in the palace,” he said, referencing his upbringing. “It begins in the field.”
That framing resonated throughout the address, which closed with a promise to move beyond what Dickens called a “tale of two cities” — one prosperous, one struggling — toward a future where opportunity is shared more evenly.
“This is not just a slogan,” he said. “It is our promise.”
Why it matters
As Atlanta continues to grow, Dickens’ second term will test whether the city can expand affordability, safety, and economic mobility without displacing the communities that built it. His administration enters 2026 with momentum, measurable results, and heightened expectations — and with a mayor signaling that the next four years will be about finishing the work already underway.
“Now,” Dickens told the crowd, “let’s get to work, Atlanta.”
Jayden Williams, 22, was sworn in as Stockbridge’s youngest mayor ever, signaling a new era of youth leadership, economic focus, and inclusive growth in Henry County.
By Milton Kirby | Stockbridge, GA | January 2, 2026
Before a standing-room-only crowd and an atmosphere that felt more like a celebration than a formal government ceremony, Jayden Williams was officially sworn in as mayor of Stockbridge, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the office in the city’s history.
Williams, just 22 years old, took the oath of office as cheers filled the room and walk-up music echoed through the chamber. Roughly 250 to 300 residents, family members, elected officials, and supporters packed the venue, many coming specifically to witness a moment that symbolized both generational change and a new chapter for the growing Henry County city.
The ceremony was energetic and deeply personal. Gospel recording artist Jarrett Boyce and saxophonist Richard Shaw, Jr. performed while laughter, dancing, and applause punctuated the proceedings. Williams entered to Young Jeezy’s “Put On,” a nod to Atlanta culture and a signal that this administration intends to bring a fresh tone to City Hall.
When the moment arrived, Williams placed his hand on his late great-grandfather’s Bible, held by his younger sister, as Honorable Judge Holly Veal administered the oath. His parents, siblings, grandparents, and great-grandmothers looked on from the audience, alongside longtime supporters who followed his rise from youth leadership to the city’s highest office.
Williams defeated a two-time incumbent in November, a victory he has said reflected a clear desire for change among Stockbridge voters. At the time of the election, he was still completing his studies in political science at Clark Atlanta University, balancing coursework with door-knocking and community forums.
“I really want to see us grow into something where every single resident feels accommodated,” Williams said following the election. “When I say that, I’m referring to new residents, young professionals, our working families, our teachers, and our seniors. How can we accommodate them to make them feel like they are home?”
A Personal and Historic Moment
During his remarks, Williams paid tribute to his late great-grandfather, recalling family stories about racial tensions that once made Henry County a place to pass through rather than stop.
“My great-grandfather used to warn my grandmother never to stop in Henry County or Stockbridge because of the racial tensions here,” Williams said. “And yet today, in a moment he could only have dreamed of, I was sworn in on his very Bible. If he could see me now, I know he’d be grinning ear to ear. This history matters.”
That theme of history and progress ran throughout the ceremony, as Stockbridge leaders emphasized how much the city has changed—and how much more change lies ahead.
New Council Members Take Office
Williams was sworn in alongside newly elected District 1 Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt and District 2 Councilman Antwan Cloud, both of whom also took their oaths during the ceremony.
Photo by Milton Kirby – Jayden Williams & LaKeisha Gant after being sworn in
“It means our city is growing, our leadership is evolving, and we are embracing every generation as a part of Stockbridge’s future,” Gantt said.
While the evening celebrated all three officials, the crowd’s energy made clear that Williams’ milestone carried special significance for residents who see his election as a signal that Stockbridge is entering a new era.
A Resume Built on Youth Leadership
Long before launching his mayoral campaign, Williams built a reputation as a youth advocate and civic leader. He began community work at just 13 years old and went on to serve as Freshman Class President and Student Government Association Treasurer at Clark Atlanta University. He was twice appointed as a White House Scholar and became the youngest Planning Commissioner in Georgia, currently serving as chair of the Stockbridge Planning Commission.
Williams has also served as State Conference President of the Georgia NAACP Youth & College Division, Youth Mayor Emeritus for the City of Stockbridge Youth Council, and Chairman Emeritus of Youth Leaders of Henry. His work has earned him numerous honors, including ACCG Youth Leader of the Year, the AT&T Climber Award, and a national public speaking award.
An Agenda Focused on Opportunity
In his inaugural address, Williams laid out an ambitious but grounded agenda centered on economic development, youth opportunity, housing stability, and inclusive growth.
“A city cannot rise if its people are locked out of opportunity,” he told the crowd, emphasizing that economic innovation will be a front-and-center priority for his administration.
City of Stockbridge
Williams outlined plans to strengthen small businesses, expand workforce training, revitalize downtown Stockbridge, and align education pathways with real job opportunities in sectors such as healthcare and logistics. He also stressed the importance of youth programming, the arts, and mentorship as tools for long-term community stability.
Quoting Shirley Chisholm, Williams added his own twist to a familiar line.
“If you don’t have a seat at the table, bring a folding chair,” he said. “But Stockbridge did something different. We gathered the wood, we built the table, and now together, we’re going to make sure that table is strong enough and welcoming enough for everyone.”
Looking Ahead
Williams said his administration will prioritize affordable housing, public safety rooted in prevention and trust, and infrastructure that supports smart, responsible growth. He also pledged transparency and collaboration, acknowledging that challenges lie ahead.
“Leadership is not pretending everything is perfect,” he said. “Leadership is showing up anyway and doing the work.”
As the ceremony concluded, supporters lingered, taking photos and embracing family members, while the new mayor greeted residents one by one. For many in attendance, the night marked more than a swearing-in—it marked a generational shift and a statement about who belongs in Stockbridge’s future.
A new year, a new mayor, and, as Williams put it, a city that is “all in for Stockbridge.”
Bipartisan bill led by Senator Raphael Warnock aims to cut red tape, speed up Georgia transit projects, and give state agencies more flexibility to deliver improvements faster.
By Milton Kirby | Washington, D.C. | December 4, 2025
U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is leading a new bipartisan push to fast-track transit projects across Georgia and the nation, unveiling legislation aimed at cutting federal red tape, reducing delays, and giving state agencies more control over construction reviews.
Warnock introduced the Streamline Transit Projects Act on Wednesday alongside Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and John Curtis (R-UT). The bill seeks to reduce the time it takes to approve and build transit projects—everything from new bus rapid transit corridors to station upgrades and light-rail improvements—by allowing qualified state and local transit agencies to conduct their own environmental reviews for low-impact projects.
State officials currently have that authority for highway construction, but not for transit. The sponsors argue that fixing this imbalance will help agencies deliver improvements more efficiently at a time when metropolitan regions are battling traffic congestion, rising emissions, and growing demand for reliable transit options.
A Push for Faster, More Flexible Transit Delivery
Warnock said the proposal will help Georgia communities receive modern transit improvements without years of avoidable delay.
“This bipartisan legislation will give transit agencies new tools to more quickly deliver projects that meet local needs and improve the ridership experience,” Warnock said. “By delivering transit projects faster, we can continue to invest in a brighter, more connected future for all who call Georgia home.”
The bill would streamline certain environmental reviews, reduce duplication, and allow states to use the same flexible process already applied to road construction—changes the senators say will accelerate project timelines without sacrificing environmental protections.
Support Across the Aisle
Co-sponsors emphasized the need for states and localities—not Washington—to take the lead on straightforward transit upgrades.
Sen. Mike Lee framed the legislation as a return of authority to states. “Utah’s transit projects will be better off without the federal government meddling in every decision and holding up construction… Don’t tread on our TRAX!” Lee said.
Sen. Mark Kelly highlighted how long waits for routine approvals hurt everyday riders. “Right now, simple transit projects can get tied up in years of red tape… Our bill cuts needless delays for low-impact projects so commuters see the benefits sooner.”
Sen. John Curtis said growing regions like Utah need faster tools to keep pace: “This bill gives transit agencies the flexibility to meet local needs more efficiently… connect people, reduce traffic, and protect the environment we all treasure.”
MARTA Strongly Backs the Bill
Metro Atlanta’s transit agency offered quick support. MARTA Interim CEO Jonathan Hunt said the reforms would improve safety, mobility, and project delivery.
“Reducing unnecessary administrative hurdles will help us accelerate project approvals and deliver high-quality transit to the metro Atlanta region more efficiently,” Hunt said. He added that modernizing federal processes will help MARTA expand mobility options and strengthen safety and security for riders.
Part of Warnock’s Broader Transit Strategy
Warnock has been one of the Senate’s vocal advocates for public transit expansion, pushing for upgrades in Georgia’s rapidly growing metro areas and improving mobility in both urban and rural communities. He previously secured key provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to strengthen federal transit grant programs and support efforts to expand service statewide.
If enacted, the Streamline Transit Projects Act could smooth the path for major initiatives underway or planned across Georgia—including MARTA bus-rapid-transit corridors, station modernization, regional mobility upgrades, and new connections designed to reduce congestion as the state continues to grow.
Georgia will receive over $300 million in federal BEAD funding to expand broadband, helping close the digital divide and bringing high-speed internet to unserved rural communities.
By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | December 2, 2025
Georgia is set to receive more than $300 million in new federal funding to expand high-speed internet access across the state, marking one of the largest broadband investments in Georgia history.
U.S. Senators Raphael WarnockandJon Ossoff announced the funding Monday in Washington, secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The money will be distributed through the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) to local contractors to build out new fiber networks in communities that still lack reliable service.
State leaders estimate that 15% of Georgians still do not have dependable broadband — a barrier that affects families, students, farmers, and small businesses across rural and underserved counties.
A Major Push Toward Full Connectivity
Senator Warnock said the investment moves Georgia closer than ever to 100% statewide broadband coverage.
“This federal investment means life gets easier for hundreds of thousands of Georgians,” Senator Warnock said. “You need a broadband connection to do just about anything. You can’t even farm without a broadband connection.”
Warnock also criticized delays by the Trump Administration in releasing federal broadband dollars earlier this year, saying he will continue pressing for all remaining BEAD funds to be released quickly.
Senator Ossoff called the funding “a major next step” for Georgia families and businesses.
“Our historic bipartisan infrastructure law continues to deliver for Georgia,” he said. “This is about ensuring every Georgia family and business has high-speed internet.”
Where the Money Will Go
Under the BEAD program, the new $300 million will be used to:
Build fiber broadband in unserved rural counties
Upgrade outdated networks in underserved areas
Expand affordable access programs aimed at low-income households
Support construction jobs and local contracting across the state
The Georgia Technology Authority will allocate funds to providers capable of installing fiber in areas where service is slow, unreliable, or non-existent.
A Long Legislative Trail to Today’s Funding
Senator Warnock has made broadband expansion a signature priority:
In 2024, he toured OFS Fitel in Norcross with former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to highlight Georgia’s role in fiber manufacturing.
He urged the FCC to expand theE-Rate program to allow Wi-Fi hotspot lending by schools and libraries.
In 2022, he hosted then-FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel in Jackson County to spotlight rural internet needs.
Alongside Senator Luján, he pushed for strong federal rules to prevent digital discrimination by internet providers.
Senators Warnock and Ossoff also announced $1.3 billion in BEAD funding for Georgia in 2023. In May 2025, both senators demanded the Trump Administration release the delayed BEAD funds—setting the stage for this week’s announcement.
Why This Matters for Rural and Urban Georgia
The expansion is expected to help:
Farmers who depend on broadband for precision agriculture
Students completing homework and online learning
Small businesses that rely on digital payments and online tools
Seniors using telehealth services
For many counties, especially in South Georgia and parts of Appalachia, fiber broadband is still years away without federal help.
Monday’s announcement marks one of the strongest steps yet toward closing that gap.
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Reality-TV star and dentist Dr. Heavenly Kimes launches her Georgia 13th District congressional bid at Nostalgia Kitchen & Cocktails, pledging new leadership in healthcare, education, and community service.
By Milton Kirby | Stone Mountain, GA | November 10, 2025
The crowd packed into Nostalgia Kitchen & Cocktails in Stone Mountain wasn’t there for reality television drama — they came to hear a new kind of pitch.
Dr. Heavenly Kimes, best known for her role on Bravo’s Married to Medicine, stepped off the screen and into the political arena Saturday afternoon, holding her first town hall at the restaurant as a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Georgia’s 13th Congressional District.
The nostalgic, mural-lined restaurant, tucked near downtown Stone Mountain, served as a fitting backdrop — lively, intimate, and full of conversation. Plates clattered, phones recorded, and neighbors leaned close as Kimes began to speak. Neighbors and fellow doctors were in the building, many eager to hear how one of their own planned to bring bedside compassion to Washington.
At 54, the dentist, entrepreneur, and TV personality is no stranger to reinvention. For years, she’s built a brand around transformation — first in smiles, now in service. What began as a planned run for the Georgia House of Representatives (District 93) has turned into something larger: a bid for Congress.
“Just days before I announced for State House, the One Big Beautiful Bill was signed,” Kimes told the audience. “I waited to hear something from my Congressman about it — I did not. When Donald Trump launched a retribution campaign against former allies like John Bolton, I hoped to hear my Congressman take a stand — I did not. Thousands of Georgians have lost their jobs this year, and I expected to see leadership at a town hall to help families transition to new opportunities — I did not.”
She paused, then added, “After hearing from community leaders urging me to run for Congress, I realized this: we need more than a vote in Washington, we need a voice. People are scared, but they also have hope — and they deserve someone willing to speak to both.”
From the Office to the District
Kimes’ campaign now centers on three familiar pillars — healthcare, economic development, and education reform. She said her decision to enter politics grew out of years of serving patients who couldn’t afford care. But even more heartbreaking, they can’t afford the prescriptions that go along with it.”
She told the crowd she understood the struggle personally. “When my first child was born, I received WIC benefits,” she said, referencing the federal Women, Infants and Children program. “Without those benefits, life would have been different.”
It was one of many moments where she blurred the line between TV personality and public servant — grounded in both story and sincerity.
New Leadership for a Changing District
Georgia’s 13th District, stretching across portions of DeKalb, Clayton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, and Rockdale Counties, has been represented by Congressman David Scott since 2002. Kimes made clear she respects Scott’s long tenure but believes a generational shift is overdue.
Scott served in the Georgia General Assembly from 1974 to 2002 — first in the House of Representatives (1974–1982) and then in the State Senate (1983–2002). He was first elected to Congress in 2002 and began his current term in January 2003. Kimes noted that Congressman Scott failed to vote in the last six elections — something she believes reflects the need for new leadership.
“We must have a new kind of candidate — one who is ready to fight for healthcare access, economic opportunity, education, and justice for every family in GA-13,” she said.
Her campaign manager, veteran political strategist Fred Hicks, framed her candidacy as essential to energizing Georgia’s Democratic base.
“If Democrats are going to win Georgia and take back the House, we need candidates like Dr. Heavenly,” Hicks said. “Candidates who are less political, more passionate, and deeply visible in their communities. Her voice and her audience are the missing keys to closing the vote gap and delivering Democratic victories.”
Healthcare at the Heart
Healthcare dominated the Stone Mountain discussion. From mental health to medical affordability, Kimes linked policy goals to lived experience.
She floated one creative — if unconventional — idea to address mental health funding: adding a one-dime fee to every ticket sold through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
“With about 108 million passengers passing through annually,” she explained, “that dime could generate roughly $10.8 million a year for mental health initiatives across metro Atlanta.”
Audience members nodded, some whispering their approval. One man in the back clapped softly, saying, “That’s thinking outside the box.”
Kimes emphasized that the federal government must partner more directly with counties to ensure those funds reach frontline organizations treating addiction and crisis intervention.
Faith in Families and Small Business
Her platform also calls for targeted investment in local entrepreneurs — particularly women- and minority-owned small businesses — and for expanding career-path programs in schools to bridge the gap between education and opportunity.
“I’ve built businesses from the ground up,” she said. “I know what it takes to sign a payroll and meet a budget. We need to make sure more people — especially our youth — learn those same skills early.”
Education, she said, should prepare students not only for college but also for trades, healthcare, and technology jobs that sustain families right here in Georgia.
“Not everyone’s path is the same,” she said. “We’ve got to invest in schools, teachers, and programs that give every child a real chance.”
The Personal Touch
Throughout the afternoon, Kimes balanced policy with personality — offering flashes of the humor and authenticity that have made her a fan favorite on television.
At one point, Hicks asked bluntly why voters should choose her to represent Georgia’s 13th Congressional District.
Kimes smiled. “You should vote for Dr. Heavenly not only because she’s the best person for the job — but because she’s real, she’s relatable, she has the reach, she has the resources, and she has the platform.”
Her voice carried both confidence and conviction.
“Congress works for the people,” she said. “And right now, a lot of people don’t feel like anyone’s working for them.”
Campaign in Motion
The Stone Mountain town hall marked the early phase of her congressional run. The campaign is still developing its detailed policy proposals, but Kimes made clear she intends to keep the conversation local — visiting neighborhoods, schools, churches, and small businesses across the district.
Her team plans a series of “Real Talk with Dr. Heavenly” sessions — informal meet-ups where residents can share concerns directly.
“We’ll keep these going,” she told attendees. “You’ll see me in Decatur, Riverdale, Stockbridge — everywhere. We can’t change anything if we don’t listen first.”
Though light on legislative specifics for now, her message of empathy and empowerment resonated with the audience. As the event ended, supporters lined up for photos, handshakes, and hugs — some thanking her for “showing up” where others had not.
A Campaign to Watch
Dr. Heavenly Kimes’ entry into the race makes Georgia’s 13th Congressional District one of the state’s most closely watched contests in 2026. Her celebrity brings visibility; her message brings energy. Whether that combination translates into electoral success remains to be seen.
But one thing was clear in Stone Mountain: Kimes intends to campaign like she practices dentistry — with a bright smile, sharp precision, and a steady hand.
The Truth Seekers Journal will continue to follow her campaign. As Dr. Heavenly releases more details on healthcare, education, and economic policy proposals, we will keep our readers informed.
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Atlanta’s mayors and church leaders rally at Big Bethel AME, vowing to defend diversity, equity, and inclusion programs amid Trump’s federal funding threats.
By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | November 1, 2025
On a cool Friday morning inside Big Bethel AME Church, sunlight poured through stained glass where freedom once found its voice. From that pulpit — the same one that carried Dr. King’s thunder and John Lewis’s call for good trouble — came a new rallying cry:
“The soul of Atlanta is not for sale.”
Mayor Andre Dickens stood with nearly every living Black mayor in city history — Andrew Young, Shirley Franklin, Bill Campbell, Kasim Reed — and Valerie Jackson, wife of the late Mayor Maynard Jackson. Together they filled the sanctuary with memory, defiance, and faith.
A City That Won’t Bow
They came to answer a challenge from Washington — a Trump administration order threatening to choke off federal dollars from cities that keep diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs alive.
Billions for housing, airport work, and BeltLine projects hang in the balance. But the crowd at Big Bethel didn’t come to talk fear. They came to talk faith.
“We are gathered here to rekindle the spirit of our city — to remind one another that courage, unity, and truth still live within us,” said former councilman Jabari Simama, now helping to lead the new Soul of Atlanta Coalition. “Our mission today is clear: to bring people together, share knowledge, and demonstrate that when we act with purpose and faith, we can change the course of our community. We can push back against forces that seek to divide, distract, and destroy us.”
“Atlanta was built by people who refused to dream small. We will never deny the values that have not only made this city great, but made it just.”
A Legacy Worth More Than Money
Atlanta has already paid a price for its convictions — forfeiting $37.5 million in airport funds this summer rather than gut its minority-contracting program.
“Our soul is not for sale,” declared Elder Toni Belin Ingram of the AME Church, her voice rising over the applause.
Big Bethel AME Church
Mayor Dickens called the fight what it is: another Goliath moment. “Goliath doesn’t stand a chance in Atlanta,” he said. “We’ve slayed bears. We’ve slayed lions. Been there. Done that. Got the notes. Got the t-shirt and some of the scars.”
His office later said the city is still reviewing the legal path forward, but his tone in the church left little doubt: the mayor intends to stand firm.
Where the Story Began
Valerie Jackson
It was Maynard Jackson — Atlanta’s first Black mayor — who planted the seed of economic fairness back in the 1970s. His Equal Business Opportunity program forced open the door for Black-owned firms to compete for city contracts. Washington noticed — and copied it.
“This is where it all began,” said Ambassador Andrew Young, looking over the packed pews. “These ideas didn’t come from Washington to us. They came from us to Washington.”
Valerie Jackson smiled softly at the mention of her husband’s name.
“Maynard’s policies of inclusion became a model for the nation,” she said. “We will not allow the principles of fairness and justice to be rolled back.”
A Coalition of Courage
From Shirley Franklin to Kasim Reed, the lineup at Big Bethel looked like a living timeline of Atlanta’s Black leadership. Pastor Jonathan C. Augustine — or “Pastor Jay” — reminded everyone why they were there.
“Your presence here says we know what’s happening,” he said. “An autocratic leader is targeting blue cities led by Black mayors. And yet here we stand.”
The new Soul of Atlanta Coalition plans to spend the next year gathering stories, uplifting minority-owned businesses, and organizing pushback against attacks on DEI and affirmative-action programs.
Standing in the Gap
Even as City Hall weighs its legal moves, Dickens said the work of serving people continues — especially with the federal shutdown straining families.
“We’re spending time feeding the least, the last, the lost,” he said.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank has launched a $5 million emergency plan to replace lost SNAP benefits, aiming to distribute six million pounds of food in four weeks through 700 local partners.
“In tough times,” Dickens said, “we see the true spirit of Atlanta — compassion, connection, and courage.”
