Riley Bunch
@ribunchreports.bsky.social
City of Atlanta reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution | writer+audio+photo hybrid | Atlanta-based but Seattle-born | ✉️[email protected]
New: State lawmakers usually target the city of Atlanta in some way when they return to the Gold Dome for legislative session. This year, a bill is taking aim at Mayor Dickens' lofty proposal to extend the city's tax allocation districts. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
Statehouse bill would hamper Mayor Dickens’ tax district extensions
The so-called TAD extensions are a key component of the second-term mayor’s lofty $5 billion plan to revitalize underserved neighborhoods.
www.ajc.com
February 18, 2026 at 4:41 PM
New: State lawmakers usually target the city of Atlanta in some way when they return to the Gold Dome for legislative session. This year, a bill is taking aim at Mayor Dickens' lofty proposal to extend the city's tax allocation districts. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
New: Atlanta City Council members are pressing the Dickens administration to address the questionable contract that paid a former city clerk $910K. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
Atlanta Council wants answers from mayor’s office on clerk contract
Atlanta City Council members are calling for increased transparency from Mayor Andre Dickens’ administration regarding a consulting contract with the city’s former clerk.
www.ajc.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:20 PM
New: Atlanta City Council members are pressing the Dickens administration to address the questionable contract that paid a former city clerk $910K. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
New: Atlantic Station residents are fighting for more say in what happens at the complex after a series of major store closures. But developer control of the property means both tenants and local government officials have little to no power. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
Atlantic Station residents want more say in the neighborhood’s future
Atlantic Station residents say store closures, including Publix, highlight how little influence they have in decisions at the privately owned development.
www.ajc.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:30 PM
New: Atlantic Station residents are fighting for more say in what happens at the complex after a series of major store closures. But developer control of the property means both tenants and local government officials have little to no power. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
After AJC reporting, council members were notified that the city attorney had terminated the contract and is proposing new guardrails for consulting work. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
Atlanta ends referendum consulting deal with former clerk after $910K paid
City attorney recommends new safeguards for consultant contracts after reporting by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
www.ajc.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:26 PM
After AJC reporting, council members were notified that the city attorney had terminated the contract and is proposing new guardrails for consulting work. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
Your Inside City Hall this week: The city has paid over $2.8M toward litigation over the public safety training center. Including 910K to a consultant on the referendum verification process that's never happened. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
Atlanta has spent over $2.8M on training center litigation, consultant fees
The city has paid former city clerk Foris Webb III $910,000 as a consultant to help with a signature verification process that never even began.
www.ajc.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Your Inside City Hall this week: The city has paid over $2.8M toward litigation over the public safety training center. Including 910K to a consultant on the referendum verification process that's never happened. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
"We hope that their presence will be small, unnoticeable, negligible, invisible — and maybe nonexistent," the mayor said of the potential that federal immigration agents will target Atlanta during the FIFA World Cup. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
Mayor Andre Dickens: ICE not invited to Atlanta for World Cup
The mayor makes comments about Immigration and Customs Enforcement during an event announcing programs to help small businesses capitalize on the World Cup.
www.ajc.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:37 PM
"We hope that their presence will be small, unnoticeable, negligible, invisible — and maybe nonexistent," the mayor said of the potential that federal immigration agents will target Atlanta during the FIFA World Cup. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
State lawmakers once looked to punish cities for homelessness. Now, Kemp is asking Legislature to be part of the solution. #gapol #atlpol w/ @bluestein.bsky.social www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
Gov. Kemp proposes $50 million to help cities combat homelessness
State lawmakers once looked to punish cities for homelessness. Now, the Georgia governor wants to pour millions of dollars into addressing the problem.
www.ajc.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:51 PM
State lawmakers once looked to punish cities for homelessness. Now, Kemp is asking Legislature to be part of the solution. #gapol #atlpol w/ @bluestein.bsky.social www.ajc.com/news/2026/02...
"The appearance is that there was a closed-door meeting between agencies — separate from the public — that made a decision for an entire city." | Council members call for transparency after Eastside Beltline light rail project halt. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Council members urge transparency around More MARTA project decisions
Council members questioned why a vote to stop work on the Eastside Beltline light rail project didn’t go to the MARTA board for approval.
www.ajc.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:43 PM
"The appearance is that there was a closed-door meeting between agencies — separate from the public — that made a decision for an entire city." | Council members call for transparency after Eastside Beltline light rail project halt. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Good morning, Atlanta! Here's Inside City Hall for some cold weather reading: City and community leaders craft a plan to tackle violence on Edgewood Ave. And Council members look to reup Atlanta's popular e-bike rebate program. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
How Atlanta plans to curb violence on Edgewood Avenue
A weekly roundup of the most important things you need to know from Atlanta City Hall.
www.ajc.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Good morning, Atlanta! Here's Inside City Hall for some cold weather reading: City and community leaders craft a plan to tackle violence on Edgewood Ave. And Council members look to reup Atlanta's popular e-bike rebate program. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
STORM WATCH: Atlanta is planning to use 21 salt spreaders carrying 2,500 tons of salt, and 22 brine trucks loaded with 15,500 gallons, to help fight the brewing storm. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Metro Atlanta counties, and grocery stores, prepare for expected storm
North Georgia could get a winter storm blast this weekend, and preparations are underway by local governments and grocery stores.
www.ajc.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:52 PM
STORM WATCH: Atlanta is planning to use 21 salt spreaders carrying 2,500 tons of salt, and 22 brine trucks loaded with 15,500 gallons, to help fight the brewing storm. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Pothole Problems: The cyclist was far from the first person to be injured by a pothole on that street, according to the lawsuit which included at least seven complaints to the city spanning nearly a decade. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Atlanta to pay cyclist nearly $1M settlement for pothole crash
Dangerous conditions on Clifton Terrace were reported to city officials numerous times over nearly a decade, according to injured cyclist Francisco Averhoff's lawsuit.
www.ajc.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Pothole Problems: The cyclist was far from the first person to be injured by a pothole on that street, according to the lawsuit which included at least seven complaints to the city spanning nearly a decade. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Your Inside City Hall this week: A City Council-approved commission begins hashing out Mayor Dickens $5B neighborhood plan. And the world's busiest airport is getting a soccer field? #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Oversight commission begins review of Mayor Dickens’ neighborhood plan
An oversight commission tasked with reviewing the neighborhood improvement plans met for the first time last week.
www.ajc.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Your Inside City Hall this week: A City Council-approved commission begins hashing out Mayor Dickens $5B neighborhood plan. And the world's busiest airport is getting a soccer field? #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
New: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said he hopes to convince suburban voters to epand MARTA during his second term. But that would mean overcoming decades of voter opposition. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Atlanta leaders want transit expansion. Will suburban voters ever agree?
Mayor Andre Dickens says regional transit expansion is a second-term priority.
www.ajc.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:23 PM
New: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said he hopes to convince suburban voters to epand MARTA during his second term. But that would mean overcoming decades of voter opposition. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
It's inauguration day here in Atlanta where all our elected officials will be sworn in to their next four-year term. Mayor Dickens has reason to celebrate as a majority of returning and new City Council members are administration allies. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Inauguration Day: Atlanta mayor, council to be sworn in to office
Atlanta's mayor and city council members will be sworn in on Monday. The ceremony starts at 1 p.m., at the Georgia State University Convocation Center.
www.ajc.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:07 PM
It's inauguration day here in Atlanta where all our elected officials will be sworn in to their next four-year term. Mayor Dickens has reason to celebrate as a majority of returning and new City Council members are administration allies. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Your Inside City Hall this week: Two years ago in March, Mayor Dickens announced the city's intent to build four new MARTA stations. We asked the the transit agency's interim leadership for a status update. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
Whatever happened to Atlanta’s new MARTA stations? Funding questions linger.
Atlanta announced the intention of building four new MARTA hubs, but a recent project estimate shows all four come with a price tag of more than $1.3 billion combined.
www.ajc.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Your Inside City Hall this week: Two years ago in March, Mayor Dickens announced the city's intent to build four new MARTA stations. We asked the the transit agency's interim leadership for a status update. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
New: New: Dickens asks top donors for $250K to sponsor his inauguration activities that will span across three days in January, culminating with a ball. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
Dickens asks top donors for $250K to help fund inauguration events
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is soliciting up to $250,000 from top donors to sponsor three days of events celebrating his second-term inauguration.
www.ajc.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:30 PM
New: New: Dickens asks top donors for $250K to sponsor his inauguration activities that will span across three days in January, culminating with a ball. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
A new report from @letspropelatl found traffic fatalities exceed homicides in metro Atlanta. Why does that matter? Because, advocates say, car crashes should be preventable. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
Report: Traffic fatalities outpace homicides in metro Atlanta
Analysis draws comparison between the two, pointing out that roadway deaths should be more preventable than violence, with proven safety upgrades that can prevent them.
www.ajc.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:58 PM
A new report from @letspropelatl found traffic fatalities exceed homicides in metro Atlanta. Why does that matter? Because, advocates say, car crashes should be preventable. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
Happy Tuesday, Atlanta! Your Inside City Hall this week: Council punts controversial tax extension vote to next year. And the longest-serving council member bids City Hall farewell. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
Atlanta City Council ends year without tax extension vote
Extending the city’s TADs has become the hallmark policy initiative of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens' second term, which begins in January.
www.ajc.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Happy Tuesday, Atlanta! Your Inside City Hall this week: Council punts controversial tax extension vote to next year. And the longest-serving council member bids City Hall farewell. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...
ICYMI: Your Inside City Hall this week revisits Atlanta's battle over short-term rentals. And Council President Doug Shipman urges for continued collaboration once he exits office. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
Atlanta short-term rental owners thwart another neighborhood ban
The Atlanta City Council narrowly voted down a proposed ban in north Buckhead after short-term rental owners flocked to City Hall to testify against it. It failed by one vote.
www.ajc.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
ICYMI: Your Inside City Hall this week revisits Atlanta's battle over short-term rentals. And Council President Doug Shipman urges for continued collaboration once he exits office. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
ICYMI: Bond’s win means a new progressive voice on Atlanta City Council with the potential to emerge as one of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ most vocal critics on the body. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
Meet the Democratic Socialist elected to Atlanta City Council
Kelsea Bond won a landslide victory in the District 2 race while championing Beltline rail, dense affordable housing and workers’ rights.
www.ajc.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:41 PM
ICYMI: Bond’s win means a new progressive voice on Atlanta City Council with the potential to emerge as one of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ most vocal critics on the body. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
NEW: Our data team broke down turnout in the Atlanta City Council president race, showing that votes in the north and southwest areas of the city pushed Overstreet across the finish line. But DeKalb County overwhelmingly backed Malhotra. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
AJC analysis: Southwest Atlanta voters hand council presidency to Overstreet
An Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis of the vote found Marci Overstreet dominating the Southwest Atlanta votes.
www.ajc.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:48 PM
NEW: Our data team broke down turnout in the Atlanta City Council president race, showing that votes in the north and southwest areas of the city pushed Overstreet across the finish line. But DeKalb County overwhelmingly backed Malhotra. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
Good morning! Your Inside City Hall today checks in on the Moving Atlanta Forward program spending that's been heavily criticized for years-long delays. About 3 years after voter approval, only 15% of funds have been spent. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
Atlanta spent only 15% of $660M infrastructure funds approved by voters
Audit: Some projects slated to begin in 2024 have not yet begun, and projects in some council districts continue to advance more quickly than others.
www.ajc.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Good morning! Your Inside City Hall today checks in on the Moving Atlanta Forward program spending that's been heavily criticized for years-long delays. About 3 years after voter approval, only 15% of funds have been spent. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
BREAKING: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has easily secured four more years in office after an underdog victory in 2021 propelled him to Atlanta's top political post. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
Atlanta voters overwhelmingly back Mayor Andre Dickens for second term
www.ajc.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:06 AM
BREAKING: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has easily secured four more years in office after an underdog victory in 2021 propelled him to Atlanta's top political post. #atlpol www.ajc.com/news/2025/11...
And polls are open in the city until *8PM* after a court ruled yesterday that Atlanta residents have an extra hour to vote. But if you show up between 7 and 8 you won't be allowed to cast a ballot in the PSC race and must use a provisional ballot. #atlpol
PSA: Happy Election Day, Atlanta! A reminder that you can find all of the @ajc's municipal election coverage here: www.ajc.com/politics/atl... #atlpol
City of Atlanta Elections 2025: What to know
2026 city elections test
www.ajc.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
And polls are open in the city until *8PM* after a court ruled yesterday that Atlanta residents have an extra hour to vote. But if you show up between 7 and 8 you won't be allowed to cast a ballot in the PSC race and must use a provisional ballot. #atlpol
PSA: Happy Election Day, Atlanta! A reminder that you can find all of the @ajc's municipal election coverage here: www.ajc.com/politics/atl... #atlpol
City of Atlanta Elections 2025: What to know
2026 city elections test
www.ajc.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
PSA: Happy Election Day, Atlanta! A reminder that you can find all of the @ajc's municipal election coverage here: www.ajc.com/politics/atl... #atlpol