🌱 911 Call System Improvements + Zoo Reverses Firearms Ban

Hi all! Danielle Fallon-O'Leary here with your Thursday edition of the Atlanta Daily, filled with all the community information you need to know right now. Including updates on...

• Improvements to the city's 911 call system
• A possible "triple-demic" in Atlanta
• The reversal of Zoo Atlanta's gun ban

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 76 Low: 54.

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Here are the top five stories in Atlanta today:

1. The city of Atlanta has announced that it will be updating and improving its 911 call system. Officials are upgrading the VIPER system that is used to answer 911 calls to decrease the time it takes an operator to answer. Operators will now be able to place 911 calls on hold — something that was previously impossible. There is no confirmed date on when the upgrade will be completed. (Yahoo! News)
2. An Atlanta teen was shot multiple times on Tuesday in the southeast part of the city. Officers arrived on the scene at the 900 block of Glenwood Avenue around 4:00 p.m., where they found the 16-year-old suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The teenager was rushed to the hospital; investigators are still looking into the incident. (WSB Atlanta)
3. Atlanta medical officials are warning residents of a "triple-demic" that could pose serious health threats. High cases of COVID, RSV, and the flu have been spreading through metro Atlanta, and many area hospitals are bracing for what could prove to be an overflow of patients in need of treatment. Officials are encouraging people to get vaccinated if possible. (WSB Atlanta)
4. Zoo Atlanta will now permit guns on its premises. While the zoo announces on Sep. 1 that it would be banning firearms, activists have since pushed back against the ban, claiming it infringed on their legal right to carry guns. Zoo Atlanta reportedly decided to reverse the ban to avoid the possible media coverage and litigation surrounding the situation. (Reporter Newspapers)
5. Does online house-hunting have you feeling overwhelmed? Several properties in the Atlanta area are offering open houses to help you decide whether you like a listing. Here are five upcoming open houses to check out in and around Atlanta. (Atlanta Patch)

Today in Atlanta:

• Philanthropy Week Tabling At Conant Performing Arts Center (12:00 PM)
• Peachtree Village International Film Festival At Hyatt Regency Atlanta Perimeter (7:00 PM)
• Cirque Du Soleil Presents KURIOS — Cabinet of Curiosities At Atlantic Station (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• What a slam dunk! Midnight Basketball is back with weekly fun, food, and resources for the whole community. (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)
• The City of Atlanta Government wants you to stay healthy and safe this season, especially from COVID-19 and the flu! You can get your vaccinations for both the flu and COVID at City Hill and fight off those viruses. (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)
• Friday Nov. 4 is the last day of early voting! If you need a list of transit-accessible locations where you can vote, visit the MARTA website. (MARTA via Facebook)
• Giving Tuesday is coming Nov. 29, and there are so many charities that could benefit from a donation — including Atlanta Habit Humanity & ReStore! Click here to learn how you can help families afford safe, quality housing. (Atlanta Habitat for Humanity & ReStore via Facebook)

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Events:

• Mother Lode One Year Anniversary Celebration! (November 5)
• Our Own Voices (November 5)
• Business Capital Workshop:EIN Based $100K+Funding Secrets,Start Up/Existing BIZ (November 10)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (November 11)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I'll be in your inbox 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.