🌱 Major Delays Expected On I-285 + 458 Inmates Sleeping On Floor

Hello again, everybody. It's Saturday in Atlanta and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally. In this issue, you'll get updates on...

• Major delays on I-285 begin today
• A man was shot and killed in broad daylight
• Fulton County Jail has 458 inmates sleeping unsecured

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and comfortable. High: 75 Low: 48.

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Here are the top five stories in Atlanta today:

1. The Atlanta Business League has named College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom as one of the "Top 100 Black Women of Influence" for this year. The annual listing features Black women who have advanced in their careers and now hold influence over their political or government bodies. Mayor Motley Broom said, "I am honored to be named to such a great list of other influential Black women throughout Atlanta." (MDJOnline.com)
2. Atlanta drivers should prepare for longer commutes today as the Georgia Department of Transportation contractors begin closing lanes on I-285 for bridge demolition and reconstruction. "Major delays" of an hour or more should be expected because lanes will be closed in both directions of the highway. The project's estimated completion date is eight months away. (GPB News)
3. MARTA received $19.3 million in grant money to purchase additional electric buses. The money comes from $31 million in grants for Georgia transit agencies from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration. Along with replacing the old electric buses, MARTA plans to use some of the money for charging equipment to replace compressed natural gas buses. (The Atlanta 100)
4. A man was shot and killed on Thursday afternoon around 3:00 p.m. The 24-year-old man was found in a front yard on Scottridge Drive NW. The victim's identity and any possible information on what led to the shooting had not been released as of Friday afternoon. (WSB Atlanta)
5. Fulton County Jail officials reported Thursday that 458 inmates are currently assigned to sleep on the floor. Overcrowding has forced the inmates to be assigned to "boats" in open bullpens. These inmates are not secured within jail cells which has not currently been ruled out as a possible reason behind why stabbings have occurred sometimes daily. (WSB Atlanta)

Today in Atlanta:

• Georgia A-SCARY-UM At Georgia Aquarium (9:00 AM)
• “Journey To Space” Exhibit, Opening At Fernbank Museum (9:00 AM)
• A Radiance: Bird Talk & Family Friendly Birding Walk With Georgia Audubon At Cascade Springs Nature Preserve (9:30 AM)
• Movement & Mimosas At TWO urban licks (9:45 AM)
• Fall Festival On Ponce At Olmsted Linear Park (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• A new art exhibit has hit Atlanta: “Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience." You can get tickets to step into the world of the French painter here. (The Atlanta 100)
• Atlanta has come out on top as one of the top destinations for country music fans according to a study by LawnStarter. The city took number four on the list, behind Nashville, New York, and Salt Lake City. (The Atlanta 100)
• Looking for something to do this weekend in the metro Atlanta area? Check out the list at the link which includes the Atlanta Pride Festival and Parade, Chalktoberfest Chalk and Beer Festival, Oakhurst Porchfest, and more. (Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. See you all Monday for 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.