Morning, y’all! Today marks the beginning of Earth Week, leading up to Earth Day on April 22.
There are numerous ways to celebrate, including volunteer projects, recycled craft ideas, community cleanups, and sunset tree tours.
Atlanta excels in providing ways to appreciate nature.
Check out more ideas on how to get involved!
In other news, Georgia is set to provide tax rebates for its residents following a new tax bill signed by Governor Brian Kemp.
Georgia concluded the 2024 fiscal year with approximately $16.5 billion in reserves, prompting House Bill 112 to allocate $1.2 billion for tax rebates.
Here’s what you need to know to benefit from these rebates:
The rebates are specifically for Georgia taxpayers, so unfortunately, out-of-state residents will not qualify.
To be eligible, taxpayers must have been full-year residents of Georgia during the years 2023 and 2024 and have filed income tax returns for both years.
Part-time residents may qualify for partial refunds.
Individuals or those married filing separately may receive up to $250.
Heads of household can receive up to $375.
Married couples filing jointly may receive up to $500.
However, these amounts could be reduced if you owe money to the state or if your tax payment is less than the refund amount.
The Georgia Department of Revenue will begin issuing refunds in late May.
Refunds will be issued via direct deposit or check, depending on how you specified your payment method on your tax returns.
If you have questions, you can learn more about the process here.
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In a tragic development, a young driver lost his life due to a police pursuit gone awry in Little Five Points.
On Monday night, the Georgia State Patrol pursued a vehicle being driven erratically on I-20.
The pursuit carried over from the highway onto busy streets, and the erratic driver sped through traffic, ultimately running a red light and colliding with another vehicle.
The 19-year-old driver of the other car was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver being pursued now faces several serious charges, including murder, first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and possession of a schedule 1 narcotic.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) has conducted an in-depth investigation into patterns of police pursuits initiated by Georgia State Patrol that resulted in civilian deaths.
The investigative team found 66 fatalities over five years prior to 2023 due to these pursuits.
Remarkably, nearly half of these deaths involved passengers or bystanders.
Policies regarding pursuits could vary, potentially limiting chases based on speed, weather, traffic conditions, or the severity of charges.
However, the AJC discovered that the GSP’s pursuit policies may have been vague or lacking specificity on these critical issues.
A group of elected officials, medical experts, and activists plans to hold a press conference today at the site of the deadly crash, advocating for an end to GSP’s current pursuit practices.
Barbara Vogel, the grandmother of crash victim Cooper Schoenke, expressed her outrage, stating, ‘I’m mad as hell.
There’s no way to excuse that.’
You can read more about the AJC’s investigation into Georgia State Patrol pursuit practices for a deeper understanding.
Shifting gears to the economic news, Atlanta’s previously booming industrial market seems to be slowing down from its COVID-19 highs.
Analysts suggest that this cooling may actually prove beneficial in the long run.
The term ‘industrial market’ refers to warehouses, shipping centers, and similar facilities, which were in high demand during the pandemic.
The construction of new industrial spaces peaked in 2022, as businesses transitioned to accommodate an increase in logistics and shipping needs.
During this time, the industrial vacancy rate in Atlanta reached a record low as office and public space usage declined.
However, this vacancy rate is now increasing, and construction activity has slowed down.
While various external factors such as tariffs could negatively impact job opportunities or key contracts, analysts have expressed hope that the recent adjustments represent a stabilization rather than a downturn.
You can read further analysis on how this slight cooling may affect blue-collar workers.
Now for some political and business updates that you should know:
U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene held a town hall in Cobb County yesterday, and it quickly became heated.
Protesters were escorted out, and the event featured a significant law enforcement presence, indicating the level of tension.
Greene received criticism for financial investments made during President Donald Trump’s recent tariff announcements.
In other political news, U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock attended a rally outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, advocating against substantial program cuts.
He encouraged attendees, stating, ‘now is not the time to be silent.’
Georgia lawmakers are also mulling over amendments to a law prohibiting 18- to 20-year-olds from carrying handguns in public.
Georgia’s Attorney General Chris Carr, who previously defended the law, has recently changed his stance on the matter, coinciding with his campaign for governor in 2026.
On the economic front, Johnson & Johnson has announced it expects approximately $400 million in tariff-related costs this year, predominantly concerning operations in China.
In military news, Fort Moore, previously known as Fort Benning, will revert to its original name, Fort Benning, with an official naming ceremony scheduled for today.
The military installation will have a different focus under the renewed name, prompting curiosity about its future role.
In lighter news, Braves announcers have faced backlash for an incident involving an announcer obtaining a woman’s phone number live on air during the game.
Public opinion has been divided, with many using various slang terms to describe the situation.
For families looking for Easter activities, there are fun events and brunch ideas available throughout Atlanta.
Quick heads-up: if you’re hoping for a brunch reservation, you should act quickly!
In corporate news, Starbucks has implemented new uniform policies specifying what baristas can wear beneath their green aprons, banning items like chain mail and spacesuits.
Lastly, Atlanta theater employees reportedly spent hours cleaning after youngsters attempted a so-called ‘Minecraft’ TikTok challenge involving mess-making during a movie.
The AJC reported that kids have taken part in an activity dubbed the ‘Chicken Jockey Challenge,’ leading to cleanup chaos.
The situation reflects the ongoing influence of TikTok trends on day-to-day life.
As we look back on history, today marks the anniversary of an article from the front page of The Atlanta Journal dated April 16, 1980, headline: ‘U.S. Shifting Gears Into Recession.’
The report detailed early signs of a slowing economy in the Deep South, mentioning layoffs and struggles in the auto industry.
It’s intriguing to note that these economic trends echo concerns expressed 45 years later regarding the current economic landscape.
Lastly, as part of my personal Earth Week celebration, I enjoy taking mushroom walks in the woods.
I take pictures of interesting mushrooms and compare them with entries in the National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms, always ensuring we do not consume them.
I relish hearing about others’ rituals for connecting with nature.
What are yours?
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image source from：https://www.ajc.com/news/am-atl-you-get-a-tax-rebate-and-you-get-a-tax-rebate/FAEJFZXGYNH2VE7OJOQOOZ3SZE/
