Atlanta, Georgia News: How to Stay Informed About What’s Happening in the City

Staying on top of Atlanta, Georgia news helps you navigate traffic, follow local politics, discover events, and understand how changes in the city might affect your daily life. Whether you live in Atlanta, commute in from the suburbs, or are planning a visit, knowing where to get reliable, local news is essential.

This guide walks through how Atlanta news works, where to find it, and how to tailor updates to your neighborhood and interests.

The Atlanta News Landscape at a Glance

Atlanta has a diverse mix of news sources, including:

• Local TV stations with daily newscasts and breaking coverage
• Metro newspapers and digital outlets focused on city government and regional issues
• Neighborhood and community news for hyperlocal updates
• Government channels that provide official information and alerts
• Traffic, weather, and transit updates that are crucial in a city like Atlanta

Here’s a simple overview of where different types of Atlanta news usually come from:

Major Types of Atlanta News You’ll Want to Follow

1. City Government, Politics, and Public Policy

If you live or work in Atlanta, local government decisions affect everything from property taxes to zoning to transit.

Key areas to watch:

• Atlanta City Council meetings, votes, and ordinances
• Actions by the Mayor’s Office
• Policies from Fulton County and DeKalb County (depending on where you live in the metro)
• Updates from Atlanta Public Schools (APS) for families with students

You can follow:

• City of Atlanta Government

  • City Hall: 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main information line: 404-330-6000

• Fulton County Government (Downtown Atlanta)

  • Government Center: 141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main switchboard: 404-612-4000

• DeKalb County Government (for east/southeast metro residents)

  • 1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur, GA 30030
  • Main line: 404-371-2000

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS)

  • 130 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line: 404-802-3500

Most major political and government news in Atlanta is also covered quickly by the city’s main TV and newspaper outlets.

2. Crime, Safety, and Emergency Updates

For breaking news on crime, fires, and emergencies in Atlanta, people usually rely on:

• Local TV news stations
• Official police and fire department updates
• County sheriff and emergency management agencies

Key public safety contacts and information sources:

• Atlanta Police Department (APD) Headquarters

  • 226 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Non-emergency line: 404-658-6666
  • Emergency: 911

• Atlanta Fire Rescue Department

  • 226 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Non-emergency line: 404-546-7000

• Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (Atlanta)

  • 185 Central Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line: 404-612-5100

If you want real-time alerts for your area of Atlanta, you can:

• Turn on local news push notifications on your phone
• Enroll in local emergency alert systems offered by the city or county
• Follow neighborhood-level updates where available

3. Weather and Severe Storm Coverage

Atlanta’s weather can shift quickly, with summer thunderstorms, winter cold snaps, and occasional severe storms. Local news plays a central role in keeping residents informed about:

• Severe thunderstorm and tornado watches/warnings
• Flooding and flash floods in low-lying areas
• Extreme heat advisories and winter weather impacts

For Atlanta-specific weather:

• Local TV meteorologists provide city-focused radar and impact details (useful when you want to know what’s happening in Midtown vs. Sandy Springs vs. Decatur).
• The National Weather Service – Peachtree City office issues warnings that affect metro Atlanta.

Many residents also sign up for weather alert apps and wireless emergency alerts that sound on their phones when storms or tornadoes threaten the city.

4. Traffic, Transit, and Commuter News

In Atlanta, traffic news is daily news. Commuters rely on frequent updates about:

• I‑75/85 (Downtown Connector) delays
• I‑285 incidents and lane closures
• Construction on major corridors like GA‑400, I‑20, or local arterials
• Major events (games, concerts, festivals) that affect downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead

For Atlanta commuters:

• Local TV stations usually provide morning and afternoon rush-hour traffic reports.

• The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) offers real-time updates:

  • Headquarters (Atlanta): One Georgia Center, 600 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
  • General information: 404-631-1990

• MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) provides service alerts for rail and buses:

  • Headquarters: 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
  • Customer service: 404-848-5000

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport news is important if you fly frequently:

  • 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Airport information: 800-897-1910

Staying on top of these updates helps you avoid major delays and plan alternate routes or transit options.

5. Business, Development, and Real Estate News

Atlanta is a major business and logistics hub, and local news often highlights:

• New corporate headquarters and office developments
• Redevelopment projects (e.g., along the BeltLine, downtown, and Westside)
• Large residential and mixed-use projects that change neighborhood character
• Updates on commercial districts like Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, West Midtown, and Atlantic Station

Agencies and organizations often tied to these stories include:

• Invest Atlanta (City’s Development Authority)

  • 133 Peachtree St NE, Suite 2900, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line: 404-880-4100

• Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.

  • 100 Peachtree St NW, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line: 404-477-3003

Business-focused coverage helps you understand where the city is growing, which neighborhoods are changing, and how that may affect commuting, housing, or jobs.

6. Community, Culture, and Events

Not all Atlanta news is hard news. There’s a steady flow of arts, culture, and community coverage, especially around:

• Festivals (music, food, film, cultural celebrations)

• Major attractions and venues:

  • Georgia Aquarium – 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  • World of Coca‑Cola – 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  • Atlanta Botanical Garden – 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • High Museum of Art – 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

• Local sports news:

  • Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (Falcons, Atlanta United) – 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  • State Farm Arena (Hawks) – 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Truist Park (Braves – in nearby Cobb County, but heavily covered by Atlanta outlets)

For residents, this type of news often answers:

• “What’s happening this weekend in Atlanta?”
• “What’s new at the BeltLine, Ponce City Market, or Old Fourth Ward?”
• “What family-friendly events are near me?”

Where Atlantans Commonly Get Their News

Local TV News Stations

Atlanta’s TV stations are often the first stop for:

• Breaking news
• Weather and severe storms
• Traffic and road closures
• Crime and public safety stories

While specific station branding isn’t necessary here, you’ll find that morning and evening newscasts are tailored heavily to metro Atlanta, with reporters frequently on location around neighborhoods like:

• Downtown and Midtown
• Buckhead
• Westside / West Midtown
• East Atlanta, Kirkwood, and Edgewood
• Southwest and Southeast Atlanta

TV station websites and apps typically provide live streams, clips, and push alerts, which are helpful if you’re on the go.

Newspapers and Digital News Outlets

Metro-area newspapers and digital outlets usually go deeper on:

• City Hall and local politics
• In-depth features on Atlanta neighborhoods
• Long-form stories about development, education, and public services

This type of coverage is particularly useful if you want to:

• Understand why a new transit project or zoning rule is being debated
• Follow education policy and Atlanta Public Schools changes
• Track court cases and regional policy discussions affecting the city

Neighborhood and Hyperlocal News

If you want news specific to your part of Atlanta, neighborhood-focused outlets and community groups are valuable. These may cover:

• Local school issues
• Zoning and permit requests on your street
• Neighborhood clean-ups, festivals, and meetings
• Safety concerns or trends specific to your area

You can also plug into:

• Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs) – the City of Atlanta’s citizen advisory system
  • City Planning Department: 55 Trinity Ave SW, Suite 1450, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Planning information line: 404-330-6070

NPU meetings are a direct source of information on zoning, land use, licensing, and neighborhood issues, and local media sometimes report on major decisions made there.

Official Government and Public Agency News Sources

In addition to traditional media, official Atlanta agencies share news and alerts directly with the public.

City of Atlanta

The city shares information about:

• Boil water advisories and infrastructure updates
• Road projects and lane closures on city streets
• Public meetings, hearings, and community engagement sessions
• New city programs and initiatives

Main City Hall contact:

• 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Phone: 404-330-6000

Fulton and DeKalb Counties

Because Atlanta spans multiple counties, you may need county-level news about:

• Property tax assessments
• Elections and early voting
• County courts and public health updates

Fulton County Government Center

• 141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Phone: 404-612-4000

DeKalb County Government (for parts of East Atlanta and nearby areas)

• 1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur, GA 30030
• Phone: 404-371-2000

Public Safety and Emergency Communications

To stay informed during emergencies in Atlanta:

• Use local news outlets for live coverage and detailed impact information.
• Follow police, fire, and emergency management alerts from official channels.
• Keep track of shelter-in-place orders, evacuation guidance, or road closures during large incidents.

Key contacts:

• Atlanta Police Department – Non-emergency: 404-658-6666
• Atlanta Fire Rescue – Non-emergency: 404-546-7000
• Emergency (citywide) – 911

Some residents also rely on community alert systems or local alert networks where available.

How Visitors Can Use Atlanta News

If you’re visiting Atlanta, local news can help you:

• Plan around major events that affect parking and traffic (sports games, large conventions, concerts)
• Stay aware of weather disruptions, especially during stormy seasons
• Learn about temporary road closures, construction near hotels, or changes in airport operations
• Find events and attractions you might not have discovered otherwise

Before and during your trip, consider:

• Checking local morning news the day you fly or drive into the city
• Watching evening newscasts or visiting local news sites for weekend event previews
• Using a traffic app in combination with local news to understand what’s going on when you see major delays

Practical Tips for Following Atlanta Georgia News

Here are some simple ways to stay in the loop:

• Set up local alerts:

  • Turn on Atlanta-area news notifications on your phone.
  • Enable weather and emergency alerts for your Atlanta ZIP code.

• Bookmark a few go-to sources:

  • One or two local TV stations for breaking news and weather
  • A metro news outlet for in-depth city coverage
  • At least one neighborhood or community source for hyperlocal updates

• Check before you commute or head downtown:

  • Look at traffic and transit news during rush hours.
  • Scan event and sports news before going to the downtown, Midtown, or stadium areas.

• Use official information for critical issues:

  • For water, utilities, public safety, and elections, consult City of Atlanta, Fulton County, or DeKalb County channels.
  • For school-related news, check Atlanta Public Schools directly.

By using a mix of local media, official city and county sources, and neighborhood-level updates, you can stay fully informed about Atlanta, Georgia news—whether you’re a longtime resident, a new arrival, or a visitor trying to make the most of your time in the city.