The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Your Guide to Atlanta’s Hometown Newspaper

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) is Atlanta’s major daily newspaper and one of the city’s longest-standing institutions. Whether you live in Atlanta, are planning a visit, or are just trying to understand how local news works here, knowing how the AJC fits into everyday life can be very useful.

Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused guide to what the AJC is, what it covers, and how people in metro Atlanta typically use it.

What Is The Atlanta Journal-Constitution?

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the primary daily newspaper serving Atlanta and the broader metro area, including Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and surrounding counties.

It is known for:

• Local news coverage across metro Atlanta
• Politics and government reporting, including the Georgia State Capitol
• Business and economy news, especially around major Atlanta employers
• Sports coverage, including the Falcons, Hawks, Braves, United, and local colleges
• Community stories, opinion pieces, and arts/culture reporting

For many Atlanta residents, it’s considered the central source for in-depth reporting on what’s happening in and around the city.

Where Is The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Based?

The AJC focuses on metro Atlanta and Georgia-wide issues. Its main operations are generally associated with the Atlanta area, with news gathering spread across city neighborhoods, the suburbs, and the State Capitol downtown.

While the exact office setup can change over time, the paper is firmly rooted in:

• Downtown and Midtown Atlanta, where much of the government, legal, and business activity takes place
• Neighborhoods and suburbs across metro Atlanta, where reporters cover schools, development, transportation, and local government

If you’re interested in reaching the AJC for typical reader needs like subscriptions, delivery issues, or news tips, the most common paths are phone and online contact forms rather than walking into a newsroom.

What Does The AJC Cover That Matters To Atlantans?

If you spend any time in Atlanta, you’ll see how much of daily life the AJC touches. Common coverage areas include:

Local Government and City Issues

The AJC regularly covers:

• Atlanta City Hall decisions
• Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett county government activity
• Local tax changes, bond measures, and budget debates
• Zoning and development issues, such as new high-rises, stadium projects, or neighborhood redevelopment

For Atlantans, this kind of reporting often helps answer questions like:

• Why is my property tax bill changing?
• What is being built in my neighborhood?
• How will MARTA expansions or road projects affect my commute?

Transportation and Commuting

Atlanta’s traffic is a frequent topic of conversation, and the AJC reflects that. Typical coverage includes:

• I-285, I-75, I-85, and GA 400 traffic and construction updates
• MARTA service changes or expansions
• Airport news related to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Long-term projects like new interchanges, bus rapid transit, or light rail plans

This is particularly useful if you:

• Commute into Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead
• Live in suburbs like Sandy Springs, Marietta, Decatur, or Lawrenceville
• Travel frequently through the airport

Crime, Public Safety, and Courts

The AJC often reports on:

• Major criminal cases in Fulton County and surrounding counties
• Public safety initiatives by the Atlanta Police Department
• High-profile trials in Atlanta’s federal and state courts
• Broader issues related to crime trends and justice reform in metro Atlanta

Residents frequently look to this coverage to better understand safety trends in specific neighborhoods or parts of the city.

Schools and Education

Education is a big topic in Atlanta. The AJC typically reports on:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS) board decisions and school performance
• Suburban school systems like Cobb County, DeKalb County, Fulton County, and Gwinnett County
• Issues such as redistricting, new school construction, graduation rates, and curriculum changes

Parents often use this coverage to keep up with what’s happening in their child’s school system or to compare districts when deciding where to live in metro Atlanta.

Business, Real Estate, and the Local Economy

The AJC keeps a close eye on Atlanta’s business scene, including:

• Major employers such as Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, UPS, and large healthcare systems
• Real estate development in areas like Midtown, West Midtown, Buckhead, and along the BeltLine
• Job trends and economic shifts in tech, film production, logistics, and hospitality

If you live in Atlanta, this helps you track how the city is changing, where jobs are growing, and what new developments may affect property values and traffic.

Sports and Atlanta Teams

Sports are a major part of Atlanta’s identity, and the AJC provides wide coverage of:

• Atlanta Falcons (NFL)
• Atlanta Hawks (NBA)
• Atlanta Braves (MLB)
• Atlanta United FC (MLS)
• College sports at Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and other regional schools

If you follow Atlanta teams, the AJC is a common source for game coverage, player news, and commentary.

Arts, Events, and Culture

The paper also highlights Atlanta’s cultural life, often covering:

• Events at major venues like Fox Theatre, State Farm Arena, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Festivals such as those in Piedmont Park and other intown neighborhoods
• Restaurant openings and food coverage across Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Westside, Buckhead, and beyond

This is especially useful if you’re visiting Atlanta and want to get a feel for what’s going on in the city.

How Atlantans Typically Access the AJC

The AJC is available in multiple formats, and Atlanta residents use it in different ways depending on their habits.

1. Digital Access

Most people in metro Atlanta who follow the AJC use it digitally:

• Website and mobile access for daily news
• Breaking news alerts, especially for traffic, weather, severe storms, and major incidents
• E-paper (digital replica of the print edition) for those who like a traditional newspaper layout

This is the most practical option if you:

• Commute by MARTA or car and check your phone during the day
• Need up-to-the-minute updates on weather, traffic, or local politics
• Spend part of your time outside Atlanta but still want Atlanta news

2. Home Delivery (Print Edition)

Some Atlantans still receive home delivery of the print edition, especially in established neighborhoods and suburbs.

Common uses for print delivery:

• In-depth weekend reading
• Sharing sections among family members
• Clipping coupons and looking over Sunday advertising inserts

Availability can vary by exact location within the metro area, especially in more remote outer suburbs, so people often check delivery options by street address.

3. Single-Copy Sales

Physical copies of the AJC are often available:

• At convenience stores and gas stations
• In some grocery stores around Atlanta
• At certain newsstands or retail locations near high-traffic areas and transit

This is helpful if you’re:

• Visiting Atlanta and want a physical paper during your stay
• A resident who doesn’t want regular delivery but occasionally buys the paper on weekends or for special news days (elections, big sports wins, etc.)

Key Ways Atlantans Use the AJC in Daily Life

Here’s a simple overview of how people around the city commonly use the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Contacting The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for Common Needs

If you’re in Atlanta and need to deal with the AJC directly, here are typical situations and approaches:

Subscription and Delivery Questions

For matters such as:

• Starting or stopping home delivery
• Updating your address within metro Atlanta
• Reporting delivery issues (missed paper, damaged paper)
• Managing billing questions

Consumers generally use:

• A customer service phone number listed in the print edition
• An online account portal for subscribers
• A dedicated subscription or customer care line

These options are usually the fastest way to resolve delivery or billing issues if you live anywhere from Downtown and Midtown to suburbs like Alpharetta, Marietta, or Stone Mountain.

Sending News Tips or Community Information

Residents often reach out to the AJC with:

• Tips about local government concerns
• Community events or neighborhood issues in places like East Atlanta, College Park, or Brookhaven
• Questions about ongoing reporting in their area

This is typically done through:

• News tip email addresses or forms listed in the paper
• Contact information for specific reporters or sections in the print and digital editions

While the AJC may not respond to every message, this route is often used by Atlantans who want to draw attention to a local issue.

Letters to the Editor and Opinions

If you want to comment on a local issue—such as a city council decision, school policy, or regional transportation plan—you can usually submit:

• Letters to the editor for the opinion page
• Guest opinions or commentary proposals (subject to the newspaper’s rules)

Local voices from across metro Atlanta—urban neighborhoods, inner-ring suburbs, and outlying counties—are often featured in this section.

Why The AJC Matters Specifically in Atlanta

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is useful because it is:

• Focused on Atlanta and Georgia, rather than national coverage alone
• Deeply involved in tracking major local decisions that affect traffic, taxes, schools, and safety
• A long-standing platform where Atlanta residents, leaders, and organizations are discussed, scrutinized, and highlighted

If you’re trying to understand how Atlanta works—its politics, growth, challenges, and culture—the AJC remains one of the clearest windows into the city’s day-to-day reality.