🌱 State Trooper Shot During Raid + Atlanta Theater Students Awarded

Hello all. I'm here with your fresh copy of the Atlanta Daily. Keep reading to find out all the things you need to know about what's happening locally, including updates on...

• A Georgia State Trooper was shot during a raid near the proposed Atlanta Police Department training facility.
• Local theater programs in Atlanta won national awards at the 2023 Junior Theater Festival.
• A woman was arrested for spraying a fire extinguisher at police officers and three flight attendants at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport.

But first, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 68 Low: 40.

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Here are the top five stories in Atlanta today:

1. A Georgia State Patrol trooper was shot during a raid near a proposed Atlanta Police Department training facility yesterday (Jan. 18). The incident was related to ongoing protests against the proposed facility. The shooting occurred at Moreland Avenue and Constitution Road in Atlanta, where the suspect shot one trooper, and officers returned gunfire, killing the shooter, who has not been identified. According to officials, the trooper is stable and underwent surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital. (WSB Atlanta)
2. Several theater programs at local schools won national awards at the 2023 Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta. The British Academy of Performing Arts in Marietta, Brylliant Acting Studio in Marietta, Firefly Theatrical in Acworth, From the Top Theatrics in Marietta, Marietta Middle School in Marietta, and Marietta Sixth Grade Academy in Marietta all won excellence awards, including the Freddie G. Excellence in Acting award. The groups each performed 15 minutes of a Broadway Junior musical for judges. (Subscription: MDJOnline.com)
3. A woman is in jail after spraying a fire extinguisher at police officers and simultaneously injuring three Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport flight attendants. The woman attempted to open secured doors at Concourse D, and when police approached her, she sprayed them with the extinguisher. The flight attendants were also exposed to the discharged extinguisher and were taken to the hospital for respiratory concerns. (Atlanta Patch)
4. Atlanta police arrested a man in his 20s after he took his girlfriend hostage yesterday morning (Jan. 18) at Landing Square Apartments on Greenbriar Parkway. According to officials, the woman's mother called the police regarding the situation, but it isn't clear what led to her calling. Police said the situation ended peacefully, with the suspect in custody. Officers are still investigating the incident. (WSB Atlanta)
5. Local developer Booker Washington created a small neighborhood with 29 affordable micro-homes at South Park Cottages — the first of its kind in Atlanta. South Park Cottages is also the first Black-owned micro-community in the nation, with prices ranging from $180,000 to $230,000. (11Alive.com WXIA)

Today in and around Atlanta:

• Blood Drive At Little Five Points Center For Arts And Community (10:00 AM)
• Employment Assistance With The IRC At DeKalb County Public Library, Clarkston (12:00 PM)
• Comedy Night At Elsewhere Brewing (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced President Joe Biden approved disaster relief funds for Georgia areas affected by the tornado on Jan. 12. Federal funding will be available to people in Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Spalding, and Troup counties. (WABE 90.1 FM)
• Gwinnett County family Clyde and Sandra Strickland are funding a new Martin Luther King Jr. statue that will stand in Atlanta's Rodney Cook Sr. Peace Park. The statue will be unveiled on Ap. 1, followed by a Peace Walk at the park. (Subscription: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• The Atlanta City Council approved legislation that will provide $4.7 million in funding toward new Atlanta Fire Rescue Department equipment, including three Spartan Fire Pumpers and three Spartan Tractor Drawn Aerial Support vehicles. (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)

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Events:

• Athletic Open House (January 20)
• Lift Every Voice and Sing (January 20)
• Alexi Butirskiy 'Mystery & Belonging' (January 21)
• Lori Williams - Birthday / Live Jazz Concert (January 22)
• Jane Pauley Coming to Speak on Mental Wellness (January 23)
• Grand Opening!!! (January 28)
• Online discussion with professional roofers in Atlanta (February 1)
• Ladies Night: A Salute to Women in Music (February 11)
• Add your event

That's it for today! See you tomorrow for another update.

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. She is a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.