🌱 Former Mayor Joins Biden Administration + 6 Shootings In ATL

Hey, neighbors! I'm back in your inbox this warm morning with your fresh copy of the Atlanta Daily. Here's all the local news you need to know right now...

First, today's weather:

Periods of sun. High: 95 Low: 76.

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Here are the top five stories in Atlanta today:

1. Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Mayor of Atlanta, has accepted a new position as a senior aide for the Biden administration. Bottoms will take over for Cedric Richmond, the previous director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. "As we continue to navigate historic global challenges, it remains important to have a diversity of thought and experiences within the White House," said Bottoms in a prepared statement. "I am looking forward to helping continue the impactful work that is being done on behalf of the American people." (WSB Atlanta)
2. The Atlanta Police Department, the MARTA Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol are investigating at least six separate shootings in the city between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Two individuals have died and several more were injured in the incidents. Evidence markers were reportedly found at several scenes, including a MARTA station, a gas station, and an apartment complex. (WSB Atlanta)
3. Atlanta rapper Gunna posted on social media on Tuesday, maintaining his innocence in the charges against him. Last month, Gunna's name appeared on a nearly 100-page indictment, which charged him and 27 others with gang-related criminal activity. In part, Gunna's post read, "For now, I don't have my freedom. But I am innocent. I am being falsely accused and will never stop fighting to clear my name!" (CBS 46 News)
4. Wisconsin-based food truck Culver's will stop in Atlanta on Jun. 24. As part of its "From Wisconsin With Love" tour, Culver's will stop through 16 cities across 14 states, with Atlanta being the sixth scheduled destination. Attendees can enjoy trademark eats and hospitality, take photos in a cheese curd booth, and watch an Atlanta-theme cheese sculpting project live. (CBS 46 News)
5. The Atlanta Police Department arrested a man accused of hitting its air unit with a laser early Sunday morning. Officers on the ground arrested Jamal Bard, who faces charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, laser use against law enforcement, laser use against an aircraft. Bard is also charged with cruelty to children because the laser was deployed in the presence of a young child. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

Today in Atlanta:

• Manga Dance Camp-Cafe At Little Five Points Center For Arts And Community (8:30 AM)
• How To Get Certified: June 2022, Virtual Event Hosted By Greater Women's Business Council (1:30 PM)
• Auroras: Lights of Wonder At Fernbank Science Center (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Atlanta Humane Society will be hosting a "Super Pet Adoption" tomorrow (Friday, Jun. 17) from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The first ten people to take home a furry friend during that time will have their adoption fees covered. (CBS 46 News)
• Atlanta Public Schools families are invited to join Mayor Andre Dickens today (Thursday, Jun. 16) from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the West End Mall to celebrate "Building a City that Reads and Leads." (Atlanta Public Schools via Facebook)
• Did you know you can report suspicious behavior directly to MARTA police through the See & Say 2.0 app? Reports can be made through the app, by calling 404-848-4911, or by texting the new SMS number, 1-877-371-8477. (MARTA via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with a new update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon 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.