Atlanta News First

The Laken Riley Act has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives, and is now being considered in the U.S. Senate. Emily Davis, an adjunct professor of law at Emory University and an immigration law expert, joins Atlanta News First Digital Producer Tim Darnell to break down what the proposed law - named after Laken Riley, whose body was found on the University of Georgia campus last year - will and will not do. 

Friday’s winter storm swept through north Georgia and metro Atlanta, covering the area in several inches of snow.

Nearly all of north Georgia was under a winter storm warning from 5 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday, closing schools and businesses. Many residents could be seen walking around, sledding, and even building snowmen.

A cold front is now expected to move in next week. First Alert Meteorologist Rodney Harris looks back at Metro Atlanta's snowfall history — from flurries to snowmageddon — and previews the weather conditions ahead.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp gave the public an update on Friday morning as a winter storm blew through the area, dumping inches of snow. 

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens appeared on Atlanta News First to update the public on the city's status as a winter storm blows through. 

Jason Carter, Jimmy Carter's grandson and a politician in his own right, was one of several speakers at the former president's state funeral in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Jan. 9. 

Andrew Young, a civil rights activist and former Atlanta mayor, spoke at Jimmy Carter's funeral in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Jan. 9. 

President Joe Biden, a longtime friend of Jimmy Carter, delivered Carter's eulogy at his state funeral in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Jan. 9. 

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has left office, ending an eight-year stint as leader of the state’s fourth most populous county. Thurmond has spent much of the last four decades as an elected official. He joined the Decatur Dish to reflect on his tenure and look to the future. 

Of the many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Jason James Carter has followed the closest career path of his legendary grandfather.

Former President Jimmy Carter was widely known as being a strong environmentalist whose administration was faced with some of the nation’s most critical energy challenges in U.S. history.

Energy independence was a key focus of Carter’s administration. On Feb. 2, 1977, he signed the Emergency Natural Gas Act. Two months later, during his second national address on energy, he established the U.S. Department of Energy.

People from all over have expressed how former President Jimmy Carter impacted their lives.

Recently, Atlanta News First spent some time with former U.N. Ambassador and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young at his westside home. Young knew Carter for 55 years and he reflected on the memories that stood out between him and Georgia’s revered native son. 

In 1979, Jimmy Carter’s presidency was under siege from all fronts.

Domestically, the nation was reeling. Inflation had reached an all-time high, and consumers were feeling the effects of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ 1973 cuts in oil production. The U.S. was in the midst of a full-blown energy crisis, with Middle Eastern nations’ oil policies holding the American economy hostage.

James Earl Carter, Jr., was a farmer, nuclear engineer, writer, painter, homebuilder, family patriarch ... and also the 39th president of the United States who happened to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Alain Sanders, a former TIME Magazine senior reporter who is now professor emeritus at St. Peters University in Jersey City, Jersey, joins Atlanta News First to talk about the life and legacy of Carter, who died at the age of 100 on Dec. 29, 2024, and who the nation is remembering today as his state funeral continues. 

Read our first coverage of Carter's state funeral here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/jimmycarter/

As 2024 comes to a close, Atlanta News First and Decaturish look back at the news stories that made headlines in and around DeKalb County.

Catch weekly episodes every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. EST on ANF+ and Decaturish.com.

A roundup of the biggest stories this week, including a teacher arrested for an alleged DUI at Tucker High. Then, Atlanta Business Chronicle reporter Anila Yoganathan joins the Decatur Dish show to discuss the BioLab fire, Atlanta Watershed, and Georgia's energy industry.

We're learning more about the suspect in the killing of United Healthcare's CEO. Brian Thompson was shot and killed in early December while walking to his midtown Manhattan hotel. 

According to investigators, he was in New York City for an investor's conference. As we learn more about the suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, law enforcement officials say he appears to fit no obvious criminal profile.

In this episode of Attorney Analysis, Atlanta criminal defense attorney Jamara Edward Shipp talks about what trial could look like for a case that's caught the nation's attention. 

Atlanta News First and our media partners at Decaturish take you through the stories making headlines in one of metro Atlanta's fastest-growing communities. 

The 2026 Georgia governor's race is officially underway, with Attorney General Chris Carr already announcing his candidacy. Speculation is surrounding Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger will also seek to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp, who can't seek a third term. But what will the popular outgoing governor do in the future: challenge U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in 2026 or run for president in 2028? Kennesaw State University professor of political science Dr. Ben Taylor breaks down the latest news and information in this week's edition of Political Update from Atlanta News First.

Atlanta News First and our media partners at Decaturish take you through the stories making headlines in one of metro Atlanta's fastest-growing communities. 

Attorney General Chris Carr is the first entry into the 2026 Georgia governor's race. Also, in this edition of Political Update from Atlanta News First, we examine next week's runoff elections throughout metro Atlanta; how Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is taking a national victory lap after the state's recent smooth presidential election; and start our preview of next year's Georgia General Assembly, which convenes in January.

 Atlanta News First and our media partners at Decaturish take you through the stories making headlines in one of metro Atlanta's fastest-growing communities. 

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is now preparing for a second term, after an explosive first four years as the top law enforcement official in the state’s largest metro area.

But for much of it, the headlines were dominated by what Willis was doing inside the walls of Fulton County Superior Court. A blockbuster indictment — which has now become the longest criminal case in Georgia — saw handfuls of local rappers and Grammy-nominated rapper Young Thug charged in relation to gang crimes.

And even more consequential was Willis’ prosecution of former-and-now-future President Donald Trump and many of his allies in Georgia for election interference after the vote in 2020.

Atlanta News First sat down with Willis in an exclusive interview following her election victory. 

 The Atlanta Dream named their new head coach on Wednesday — and he is one of college basketball’s winningest coaches.

Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) Karl Smesko will lead the Dream in what they hope will be a “new” and “dynamic” style of play.

Smesko has the third-highest winning percentage (.843) among active coaches in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history. He brings more than two decades of head coaching experience to the Dream.

The man accused of killing a nursing student on the University of Georgia’s campus is expected back in court. 

Laken Riley's body was found after a friend told police she had not returned from a morning run. Jose Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant, was arrested the next day in connection to her death. 

The case quickly became a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration. 

Meanwhile, another high-profile trial in Georgia continues. Prosecutors are trying to prove Rappers Shannon Stillwell (SB) and Deamonte Kendrick (Yak Gotti) are part of a criminal street gang known as Young Slime Life. Defense Attorneys argue YSL is not a gang, but a record label called Young Stoner Life. 

Atlanta Attorney Suri Chadha Jimenez joined ANF+ to weigh in on both trials.