Atlanta Newspapers: Your Guide to Local News in the City

If you’re looking for an Atlanta newspaper—whether you live in the city, are planning a visit, or just want to understand how local news works here—Atlanta offers a strong mix of daily papers, community weeklies, and niche publications. Each plays a different role in how people stay informed about what’s happening across the metro area.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to the major newspapers and how to make the most of them.

The Major Daily Newspaper in Atlanta

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC)

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the primary daily newspaper serving Atlanta and much of North Georgia. When most people say “the Atlanta newspaper,” this is usually what they mean.

What it covers:

• Breaking local news across metro Atlanta
• City and state government, including the Atlanta City Council and Georgia General Assembly
• Crime and public safety
• Business and economy, including major Atlanta employers and development projects
• Sports (Falcons, Hawks, Braves, United, college sports, and local high school teams)
• Arts, culture, and events around the city and suburbs
• Opinion and editorial columns focused on Atlanta and Georgia issues

Print and digital options:

• Print edition: Delivered to homes in Atlanta and surrounding counties
• Digital access: Website and mobile access to news, with some content behind a paywall
• E-paper: A digital replica of the print edition, useful if you want the traditional “newspaper layout” without physical delivery

Why Atlanta residents use the AJC:

• To follow local government decisions that affect taxes, zoning, schools, and transportation
• To track big development projects (stadiums, BeltLine expansion, new housing, major business moves)
• To keep up with state politics that affect Atlanta’s schools, healthcare systems, and infrastructure
• To read investigative pieces on issues like housing, public safety, and public spending

Community & Neighborhood Newspapers in Atlanta

Beyond the main daily paper, Atlanta has community-focused newspapers that zoom in on particular neighborhoods or parts of the metro area. These are often weekly or monthly and are especially useful if you want hyperlocal coverage.

Common Types of Community Newspapers

• Intown community papers: Focus on neighborhoods like Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Grant Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Downtown.
• Northside papers: Cover Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, and nearby areas.
• South and Westside papers: Focus on Southwest Atlanta, East Point, College Park, and surrounding communities.
• Suburban metro papers: Cover nearby cities like Marietta, Decatur, Roswell, and others that many Atlantans live or work in.

What they typically cover:

• Neighborhood-level zoning and development meetings
• Local school news and district updates
• Neighborhood business openings and closings
• Local events, festivals, and community programs
• Neighborhood association activities
• Local opinions and letters to the editor

These papers are often available free at local businesses, libraries, coffee shops, and community centers. Many also provide digital editions.

Niche and Specialty Newspapers in Atlanta

Atlanta is a large, diverse city, and its news ecosystem reflects that. In addition to broad local coverage, you’ll find newspapers and news-style publications that focus on specific communities or interests.

Common Specialty Focus Areas

• Business and industry: Newspapers and business journals that track Atlanta’s corporate headquarters, tech scene, small businesses, and commercial real estate.
• Legal and government notices: Publications specializing in legal filings, public notices, foreclosures, and government-required advertising.
• Faith and community life: Papers highlighting religious communities, cultural organizations, and social service efforts in the Atlanta area.
• Arts and entertainment: Free weeklies and alternative papers that emphasize concerts, theater, film, food, nightlife, and local artists.

If you work in a specialized field—law, commercial real estate, or regional business, for example—these niche newspapers can be one of the best ways to keep track of Atlanta-specific developments in your area.

Where to Find Atlanta Newspapers

If you’re in Atlanta and want physical newspapers, you have several options.

Common Pick-Up Locations

• Local libraries
• MARTA rail stations and major bus transfer points
• Coffee shops and cafes
• Hotel lobbies and visitor centers (especially Downtown, Midtown, and near the airport)
• Community centers and city buildings
• College and university campuses, such as Georgia State University and Georgia Tech

Many libraries, including branches of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, keep current and sometimes archived copies of major newspapers and select community papers.

Using Atlanta Newspapers for Different Needs

1. Staying Informed as a Resident

If you live in Atlanta, newspapers are a practical way to follow:

• Property tax changes and local budget decisions
• School board news, especially for Atlanta Public Schools and nearby districts
• Transportation projects like MARTA expansions, bike lanes, and highway improvements
• Public safety updates in your neighborhood
• New parks, trails, and recreation projects, especially tied to the Atlanta BeltLine and city parks

A common approach is to use a combination:

• The primary daily newspaper for city- and region-wide developments
• One or more community papers for neighborhood-level updates

2. Learning About Atlanta Before You Move or Visit

If you’re considering moving to Atlanta or planning a longer stay, newspapers can help you:

• Get a sense of which neighborhoods match your lifestyle and budget
• Understand commute patterns and transit options
• See how locals talk about crime, schools, and development
• Discover local events, festivals, and cultural attractions

Reading the major daily paper along with a neighborhood-focused paper (for the area you’re considering) gives you a more grounded picture than broad national coverage alone.

3. Job Hunting and Business Research

If you’re job hunting or starting a business in Atlanta, newspapers can help you:

• Identify growing sectors (tech, film production, logistics, healthcare, etc.)
• Track company expansions, relocations, and major hires
• Follow local economic development incentives and business-friendly zones
• Learn about networking events, conferences, and trade shows in town

Business-focused newspapers and sections can be especially helpful around Downtown, Midtown, Perimeter, and other major business hubs.

Print vs. Digital: How Atlantans Access the News

Atlanta residents often mix print and digital depending on their routines.

Common Ways People Use Newspapers

• Morning print delivery at home for in-depth reading
• Digital access on phones during MARTA commutes or lunch breaks
• Email newsletters with top Atlanta headlines
• E-papers for those who like the layout of a traditional paper but prefer screens

If you travel frequently or split time between Atlanta and another city, digital options let you continue following Atlanta-specific news from anywhere.

Quick Overview: Types of Atlanta Newspapers

Here’s a simple summary of what you’ll typically find:

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Atlanta Newspapers

Here are a few practical ways to use Atlanta newspapers effectively:

• Match the paper to your goal

  • Want to follow city hall and statewide issues? Prioritize the main daily newspaper.
  • Want to know what’s happening on your block? Add a community paper.
  • Focused on business, real estate, or law? Look for specialty publications.

• Use both general and local coverage

  • Citywide reporting helps you see big-picture issues (transit, housing, politics).
  • Neighborhood coverage helps you understand how those issues affect your street.

• Check print and digital options

  • If you commute on MARTA or work in an office, digital access and newsletters are convenient.
  • If you like slower, in-depth reading, a Sunday print edition can be useful.

• Visit libraries and community hubs

  • If you don’t want a subscription, many Atlanta libraries, city buildings, and community centers provide free access to newspapers on-site.

If You’re New to Atlanta and Not Sure Where to Start

For a simple starting point if you’re new to the city:

1. Pick one major Atlanta daily newspaper to follow overall city and state news.
2. Identify the neighborhood you live in or care about most, and look for the local community paper serving that area.
3. Add a business or arts-focused paper if your job or interests center on those topics.

From there, you can adjust based on what you actually read and find helpful. Atlanta’s newspaper ecosystem is broad enough that you can stay as general or as hyperlocal as you need, whether you’re a long-term resident, a student, or someone just getting to know the city.