AGP Executive Report

ICE Enforcement: ICE’s “Operation Safe Community — Atlanta” swept Georgia, arresting 1,226 people statewide, including 720 with criminal histories, as federal officials said they removed “dangerous criminal offenders.” Local Government: Fulton County commissioners offered $56.5 million to buy the Atlanta City Detention Center, cutting back from the city’s earlier $80 million proposal and citing needed renovations. Public Safety: A speedboat crash on Lake Allatoona left five people seriously injured; investigators say the boat hit the shoreline at high speed. Education/Transit: DeKalb County is rolling out dozens of new electric school buses, aiming to cut emissions and noise for students. Community Health: Faith-based dementia screenings expanded in Atlanta, with a project reporting many participants had never previously discussed brain health with a professional. Sports (WNBA): Rhyne Howard hit six 3-pointers and scored 22, while Angel Reese added 20 points and 14 rebounds as the Atlanta Dream beat the Toronto Tempo 107-95. Sports (MLB): The Mets’ Brett Baty hit a first career grand slam, helping New York beat the Braves 8-5.

Immigration Enforcement: ICE says a major Georgia operation, “Operation Safe Community — Atlanta,” led to 1,226 arrests statewide, including 720 people with criminal charges or convictions. Public Safety & Privacy: DeKalb County suspended eight employees after an audit found misuse of Flock Safety license-plate reader tech, as privacy concerns grow. Health & Accountability: An Atlanta-area woman, Cassandra Barksdale, filed a federal lawsuit against Kaiser Permanente alleging a labeling mix-up caused an incorrect cancer diagnosis and an unneeded hysterectomy. Community & Memory: Atlanta marked one year since the CDC officer David Rose shooting with a memorial as the CDC reports rising cases of a dangerous fungus. Local Growth: Chastain Park Conservancy says it raised $12M for its Palisades Project, with construction expected to start Nov. 1. Weather: Metro Atlanta heat stays intense with highs in the mid-90s and triple-digit heat index values.

Federal Courts: A divided appeals court ruled the Trump administration must stop building a $400 million White House East Wing ballroom, saying Congress hasn’t approved it—setting up another fight that Trump says he’ll take to the Supreme Court. Metro Atlanta Traffic: GDOT says the usual I-285 weekend closure reopened early after crews finished concrete slab work ahead of schedule. Public Health Leadership: The Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the first Black woman to lead the CDC, as the agency faces major outbreaks and staffing turmoil. Braves-Yankees Drama: Braves ace Chris Sale was ejected before Sunday’s first pitch after a dispute with umpire Dan Merzel tied to a balk call from the day before; Atlanta still won 2-1 in 10. Georgia News: A Georgia man drowned in South Carolina while saving a child from a rip current near Myrtle Beach. Local Crime: A man was charged in the death of a missing 2-year-old boy in metro Atlanta, with police alleging he concealed the death and made false statements. Sports Spotlight: WNBA star Kayla McBride set a single-game record with 10 made 3-pointers for the Lynx. Entertainment: Ben Jones, who played Cooter Davenport and later served in Congress, died at 84.

Braves-Yankees Drama: Atlanta manager Walt Weiss blasted plate umpire Dan Merzel after Chris Sale was called for a balk in Saturday’s 5-4 loss, arguing Sale should have been allowed to pitch out of the windup without a declaration. Immigration Enforcement: ICE arrested 1,226 illegal immigrants in Georgia in “Operation Safe Community–Atlanta,” including people with criminal histories such as sex crimes and child abuse. Health Care Lawsuit: A Clayton County woman alleges a mislabeled tissue sample led doctors to diagnose aggressive uterine cancer and perform an unnecessary hysterectomy. Public Safety: Police said a man was hit and killed by a vehicle Saturday night on Moreland Avenue and Key Road in DeKalb County. Weather Watch: Metro Atlanta faces hot, humid conditions with scattered storms; northeast Georgia’s main risk is damaging wind gusts. Local Business: &pizza is set to open its first Georgia location at The Interlock on Northside Drive this fall. Economy: Gov. Kemp announced Siemens will build a new Jackson County manufacturing facility creating 1,400+ jobs in Pendergrass.

Braves-Yankees Drama: Atlanta manager Walt Weiss blasted plate umpire Dan Merzel after Chris Sale was charged with a balk, saying it was a “terrible call” that helped swing Saturday’s 5-4 Yankees win. Old-Timers’ Day: Mariano Rivera returned to the field at Yankee Stadium after last year’s Achilles injury, throwing 11 pitches in the exhibition. Public Safety: Lake Allatoona crash left five seriously injured after a boat in a poker run hit shore at high speed; Clayton County police are also searching for a missing nonverbal 6-year-old boy. Immigration Enforcement: ICE says a Georgia operation led to 1,226 arrests of illegal alien offenders, including people with sex-crime and child-abuse histories. Law Enforcement Tech: The GBI arrested a former Polk County officer accused of misusing a Flock license-plate reader system for non-law-enforcement reasons. Weather: Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for Cherokee and Fulton counties, with hot, humid conditions and scattered storms. Local Development: Lovejoy withdrew a proposed large data center on Panhandle Road after resident opposition, and plans zoning changes.

Airport Safety: A Delta Flight 2204 bound for Orlando returned to Hartsfield-Jackson after crew reported fumes in the cockpit; 199 passengers and six crew evacuated via slides on the taxiway and were bused back to the terminal, with no injuries reported and the Boeing 757 set for maintenance inspection. Metro Atlanta Education: Fulton County-backed “Write Now” is giving kids a summer path to publish their own stories through workshops and panels led by Black writers. Community & Culture: Live Thrive’s “A CHaRM’ing Evening” fundraiser (Oct. 22) will feature Yacht Rock Revue and supports its Atlanta and Decatur recycling education sites. Sports (Braves/Yankees): The Yankees rallied past the Braves 3-2 in 10 innings after a long rain delay, ending Atlanta’s eight-game win streak. Weather: Expect hot, humid conditions with afternoon thunderstorms and a continued storm chance through the week. Public Safety/Justice: Georgia federal prosecutors say a Columbus fraud ring tried to steal $17.5 million in pandemic relief funds, landing four men in prison.

Falcons & NFL Moves: The Falcons released LB Troy Andersen after injuries derailed his run, and signed WR Kristian Wilkerson; the team also dealt with another major setback as Jalon Walker is out for the season with an ACL tear. Saints Add Familiar Face: New Orleans is signing former Falcons linebacker Deion Jones to a one-year deal. Metro Atlanta Crime & Safety: An 18-year-old shot in the head in Atlanta has died, according to his mother; police say witnesses reported dozens of gunshots. Flock Camera Scrutiny: DeKalb suspended eight officers over misuse of the Flock automated license plate reader system, including personal tracking and improper documentation. Public Health & Policy: RFK Jr. criticized the U.S. COVID-19 response at a CDC memorial, saying dissenting voices weren’t listened to. Local Economy & Taxes: Georgia reported July net tax revenue of $2.57B, up 3.1% year over year. Data Center Backlash: Residents across Georgia are organizing against data center expansion over water, noise, pollution, and historic-site concerns. Sports (Atlanta Ties): The Atlanta Dream fell to the Washington Mystics 79-74 despite Allisha Gray’s 26 points; in MLB, Yankees LHP Carlos Rodón begins a rehab assignment as the Braves visit New York.

Braves’ Hot Streak: Ronald Acuña Jr. launched two homers and Matt Olson added a shot as Atlanta beat the Marlins 11-3 to finish a three-game sweep and extend an eight-game winning run, with strong pitching even in a rain delay. MLB Playoff Picture: A post–trade-deadline “stock watch” roundup maps how roster moves have shifted the playoff races for all 30 teams. Local Public Safety: Metro Atlanta officials and civil rights groups are debating rising reports of Flock Safety camera misuse, with the ACLU pushing for community input and police saying officers must cite reasons to access images. Georgia Military Remembrance: DeKalb officer David Rose is honored at the CDC one year after he was killed, with RFK Jr. scheduled to attend Friday. Crime & Courts: An Atlanta police sergeant turned herself in on a family violence battery charge after an alleged off-duty neck-pin incident; APD says she’s been relieved of duty while standards investigate. Community Spotlight: Former Fulton County attorney O.V. Brantley credits quilting with “saving her life” and founding the Atlanta Quilt Festival. Business/Jobs: Yamaha says it will end in-house production of side-by-sides in Newnan, shifting to partner supply while reviewing about 300 jobs. Housing Access: The Atlanta Beltline hosts a housing fair Saturday and highlights new down payment help for buyers in Beltline neighborhoods.

Animal Cruelty: Brookhaven police charged 25-year-old Valentina Tobon Henao after witnesses said she threw three kittens from a moving vehicle on Osborne Road; officers found one dead kitten and took her into custody. Atlanta Housing & Affordability: Invest Atlanta and the Atlanta BeltLine launched a $1.5M program offering up to $30,000 to help long-term renters and city employees buy homes along BeltLine trails in southwest Atlanta. Public Safety: Gwinnett County schools issued soft lockdowns after hoax threats; officials say students were never in danger and threats were investigated as false. Local Politics: Georgia’s Senate race is heating up as Republicans—including former Sen. Jeff Flake and GOP mayors Scott Matheson and Julie Smith—back Jon Ossoff over Mike Collins. Sports (Atlanta): The Braves kept rolling, sweeping the Marlins again with Ronald Acuña Jr. hitting two homers in an 11-3 win; Atlanta’s streak hit eight straight.

Braves Hot Streak: Bryce Elder tossed a one-hitter over seven and Grant Holmes followed with six scoreless as Atlanta kept rolling, winning a season-high seventh straight and stretching its NL East lead to 8½ games. WNBA/Atlanta Dream: Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard powered the Dream past the Mercury, while the league continues to swirl around officiating and star moments as Team USA roster news ramps up. Team USA Basketball: Sue Bird unveiled the women’s FIBA World Cup roster headed to Berlin, featuring Atlanta’s own Angel Reese alongside Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and others. Public Safety Tech: Drivers can now check whether their plate appears in publicly released Flock Safety audit records via “Have I Been Flocked?”—a new privacy flashpoint for Georgia. Crime: Police are asking for help identifying a tire-slashing suspect captured on camera in northwest Atlanta, with Crime Stoppers offering up to $5,000. Local Courts: DeKalb DA Sherry Boston is bringing statewide prosecutors into her fight to remove Judge Yolanda Parker-Smith from criminal cases amid misconduct allegations.

Human Trafficking Prosecution: Georgia AG Chris Carr announced an indictment of William Wyche, 34, tied to the trafficking of a missing 16-year-old recovered in Richmond County, with charges alleging he harbored and solicited the child for sex. Public Health Leadership: The U.S. Senate confirmed Erica Schwartz as CDC director, putting a new permanent leader at the Atlanta-based agency after nearly a yearlong vacancy. Food Safety: A cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has expanded to 15 states, with cases tied to lettuce sourced by Taylor Farms in central Mexico. Local Crime & Safety: Atlanta police say an Instacart driver’s car was stolen with her toddler inside; the vehicle was found within 15 minutes and the suspect was arrested. Metro Atlanta Governance: Sandy Springs approved a 10-year, $280M transportation master plan, funded largely through TSPLOST collections. Sports (Atlanta): Bryce Elder pitched one-hit ball as the Braves won 4-1 over the Marlins, and the Atlanta Dream beat the Mercury 96-82 with Rhyne Howard leading.

Falcons Injury Update: Tests confirm Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker suffered a torn ACL during training camp, likely sidelining him for the season, a major hit for Atlanta’s pass rush. Falcons Contract News: Bijan Robinson signed a record three-year, $75 million extension through 2030, becoming the NFL’s highest-paid running back as the team looks to build around its core. Georgia Politics: Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson are trading attacks in the governor’s race, with Bottoms’ campaign launching an ad accusing Jackson of cozying up to President Trump. Cybersecurity & Water: A metro Atlanta water authority is still investigating a July outage tied to a broader wave of reported cyberattacks on water utilities, with federal officials warning about Iran-linked hackers. Local Governance: Atlanta’s Beltline is moving ahead with an affordable housing project along the Northeast Trail, aiming to add 130 apartments and below-market commercial space by 2028. Public Safety: A 14-year-old Georgia student faces charges after authorities say they made a school threat, with officials stressing threats of violence won’t be ignored.

Falcons Contract Shock: Bijan Robinson agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $75 million, making him the NFL’s highest-paid running back, with $51 million guaranteed. Falcons Injury Update: Second-year edge Jalon Walker was carted off at practice with a feared ACL tear, and the team also placed DeAngelo Malone on reserve/PUP. Braves Momentum: Atlanta activated C Sean Murphy and SS Ha-Seong Kim from the injured list, and Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley homered as the Braves beat the Marlins 4-2 to extend their win streak to six. Downtown Shooting: Atlanta police say one person died and three were injured in a targeted shooting at the Flats on Maple Street near Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Back-to-School Cyber Safety: The FBI warned Georgia parents about online threats like sextortion as students return to school. Health Lawsuit: A Georgia woman sued Kaiser Permanente, alleging a tissue mix-up led to a false cancer diagnosis and an unnecessary hysterectomy. Local School Tech Friction: Cobb County parents complained about problems with the new Edulog school bus tracking app, including delays and outages.

Local Infrastructure: Atlanta City Council approved $2.9 million to survey and evaluate all gravel, dirt and unpaved streets, plus other wastewater upgrades including a $15.6 million Flint River pump station improvement and major mechanical repairs. Public Safety & Health: A metro Atlanta hot-car case is pushing for new Georgia legislation after an attorney argued a charged mother should not face murder charges for a “good-faith mistake.” Water Security: Clayton County Water Authority is investigating “unauthorized cyber activity” tied to a pump station disruption that triggered a boil advisory. Politics: Former GOP Sen. Jeff Flake endorsed Jon Ossoff in Georgia’s Senate race, citing “character matters,” while Ossoff and allies are also attacking Mike Collins over social media posts and ties to his circle. Sports (Falcons): Bijan Robinson agreed to a three-year, $75M extension—$51M guaranteed—making him the highest-paid RB in NFL history; Falcons also welcomed back defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich after his wife’s death. MLB (Atlanta): Braves tried to add pitching at the trade deadline but stayed relatively quiet as other contenders made major moves.

WNBA Spotlight: Jackie Young posted her third career triple-double (28 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) as the Las Vegas Aces rolled past the Atlanta Dream 109-87 at State Farm Arena, ending Atlanta’s five-game win streak; Angel Reese still had 23 points and 16 rebounds, but the Dream struggled from deep (4-for-25). Injury Update: Atlanta guard Allisha Gray exited early after a collision with Young and later took another hit, raising questions about her status after the game. MLB Trade Deadline (Atlanta angle): The Braves kept selling before the deadline, sending catcher Joey Bart and outfielder Eli White to the White Sox and Red Sox, respectively, while also making additional roster moves tied to the flurry of deadline deals. Local Courts: The mother of an Apalachee High School shooting victim says her family plans to pursue a civil suit, alleging warning signs were missed before the deadly attack. School Sports: The GHSA is moving basketball state championships from Macon to Atlanta for two seasons, using the Georgia State Convocation Center while a new Macon arena is built.

MLB Trade Deadline: The Braves moved fast to shore up their injury-hit rotation, acquiring veteran right-hander Tyler Mahle from the Giants for minor-league pitcher Anthony Molina, with Mahle expected to help after Reynaldo López went to the 15-day IL with left knee inflammation. Local Infrastructure & Safety: Fix-ATL volunteers are covering broken or missing water meter lids across Atlanta, saying they’ve repaired 40+ spots to push for permanent city fixes. Back-to-School Security: FBI Atlanta is urging parents to think twice before posting back-to-school photos online, warning that details like house numbers and bus-stop locations can put kids at risk. Education: Atlanta Public Schools is rolling out an accelerated literacy program at four elementary schools, emphasizing daily reading with families. Public Health Alert: Scientists are warning about a lethal fungal infection spreading through hospitals, with Atlanta-area cases tied to high ICU rates and significant mortality. Weather: Cooler Monday temps are expected, but rain chances rise Tuesday through the week. Lottery: Powerball climbed to an estimated $748M after no jackpot winner; five Georgia tickets won $50K.