🌱 Maintenance Worker Shot, Killed At Apt Complex + Housing Shortage

Hello, neighbors! I'm back with your fresh edition of the Atlanta Daily, fresh off the presses. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in the community today.

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Now, today's weather:

An afternoon thunderstorm. High: 89 Low: 73.

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Here are the top five stories today in Atlanta:

1. Federal buildings in Georgia will be upgraded with $117 million directed to energy and water efficiency upgrades. A dozen buildings will receive upgrades to HVAC, boilers, transformers and lighting for the purpose of reducing pollution causing climate change. The upgrades are also aimed at saving money by reducing energy and water usage. (WABE 90.1 FM)
2. The Metro Atlanta transit board is planning to recommend 18 transit projects for state funding next year. Projects include a new bus rapid transit line in Atlanta and renovations at two MARTA stations. While this initial list was released on Thursday, the final draft will be approved next month. The 18 projects are projected to cost $367.6 million. ( The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
3. College students in Metro Atlanta are facing a housing shortage ahead of the beginning of the fall semester. While enrollment rates have risen for Georgia State and Georgia Tech, among other schools, a hot housing market is squeezing availability for those students looking to attend the schools. The problem has even extended to Marietta and Kennesaw campuses, keeping Kennesaw State University students on waitlists for housing. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
4. A maintenance worker at an apartment complex was caught in the crossfire during a shooting at the building. According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers responded to the Columbia Commons apartment on the 2500 Block of Martin Luther King Jr. Southwest around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. While officers could not find anything at the complex at the time they were first called, they were called back to the scene with reports of an injured individual. They then found the man dead from a gunshot wound. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
5. Looking for something to do this weekend in the area? The Atlanta Journal Constitution found 15 things going on over the course of the weekend. Tonight at 8:00 p.m., you can see True Crime Obsessed's Patrick Hinds at Buckhead Theatre. Tomorrow at the Dunwoody Nature Center, you can learn to paint like Bob Ross. It's from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Click the link to see the full list. (The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Today in Atlanta:

• Dog Days Of Summer at Brookhaven Farmers Market (9:00 AM)
• Hops & Flow Beer Yoga at Eventide Brewing (11:00 AM)
• Radiostar at 37 Main Restaurant + Bar (9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Atlanta Falcons will be back on the field in one week. Click the link to see photos from the training camp. (Atlanta Falcons via Instagram)
• MARTA's weekend rail schedule has been released. While all rails will operate on the normal schedule today, tomorrow, there will be an altered schedule for gold/red lines and blue/green lines. (MARTA via Facebook)
• Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency wants to remind you that the best way to support after a disaster is with cash donations to trusted organizations. Donating items can create a logistical challenge for communities in need. (Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA) via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you around.

— 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.