🌱 CNN Reporter Dies Of Cancer + MARTA Shut Down After Death

Morning, friends. I'm back in your inbox this chilly morning with your new copy of the Atlanta Daily. Let's get this day started off right, with a quick guide to the most important things happening in town these days. Today you'll read about these stories and more:

• CNN investigative reporter Drew Griffen dies of cancer
• MARTA shuts down rail services after person hit, killed by train
• Zoo Atlanta announces conservation projects

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy with a few showers. High: 41 Low: 37.

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Here are the top five stories in Atlanta today:

1. Atlanta-based CNN investigative reporter Drew Griffin died of cancer over the weekend at the age of 60. Griffen was reportedly working on the day of his death. He is known for investigative pieces on issues such as the Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and sexual assaults by Uber drivers. (Subscription: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
2. MARTA shut down its rail services at the Oakland City station after a death on the tracks Monday afternoon. According to the agency, it appears the person jumped onto the track. (WSB Atlanta)
3. Zoo Atlanta announced its involvement in five international conversation programs for 2023. The programs are located in Africa and Asia and focus on protecting at-risk species in the areas. (SaportaReport)
4. A Fulton County grand jury indicted a former Atlanta Police Department officer for the shooting death of Jimmy Atchison in 2019. Atchison's family reacted to the indictment on Monday outside the Fulton County courthouse. (11Alive.com WXIA)
5. Several Atlanta departments are seeking to fill numerous open positions on their staff. The Department of Watershed Management reported 345 vacancies, and the city is attempting to prioritize hiring for its Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments as well as its sustainability office. (Subscription: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Today in Atlanta:

• Holiday Coffee With A Cop At Heritage Park Clubhouse (9:00 AM)
• Celebrate Christmas With Callanwolde Dance Group At Children's Museum of Atlanta (11:00 AM)
• Mighty Mo & More! Presented By Georgia Natural Gas At Fox Theatre (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• With the new year just around the corner, you can expect a handful of new laws to go into effect starting Jan. 1. Here's a list of some of those new laws affecting Georgia residents, including food truck permits, streamlined public utility fees, and an inform consumers act for online sales. (11Alive.com WXIA)
• Are you on the hunt for a new job for the new year? Check out this week's roundup of job opportunities in the Atlanta area, including multiple positions in customer service, sales, and business services. (Atlanta Patch)
• Take the stress out of holiday food prep and support your local Atlanta restaurants this holiday season! Browse through this hunger-inducing list of holiday pop-ups in the and around the Atlanta area that are serving festive cocktails and treats to celebrate the holidays. (Eater Atlanta)
• Do you have room in your home for a furry family member? The Atlanta Humane Society is waiving all adoption fees for all dogs 30 pounds and up now through Dec. 23. (Atlanta Humane Society via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another update.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a senior writer with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.