Opinion

Credit: Arvin Temkar/Atlanta Journal-Con

GUEST COLUMN

Owners of Toast on Lenox didn’t need permission to talk to Rick Jackson

Atlanta entrepreneurs like the owners of Toast on Lenox should not have to explain themselves or apologize for serving Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson.

Credit: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

GUEST COLUMN

Raffensperger: Georgia is the gold standard for election administration

Georgia is top-ranked nationally when it comes to election administration and voter accessibility, which makes the Peach State the 'gold standard' in the U.S.

Credit: Mike Luckovich

OPINION

Mike Luckovich: World-class Pogo habitat

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

GUEST COLUMN

Downtown Atlanta leader’s view: 6 reasons the World Cup was a hit

In 1996, the Olympics brought new life to Atlanta. In 2026, the eight World Cup matches and the fan festivals around it did the same for the city.

Credit: Sarah Peacock

GUEST COLUMN

Keisha Lance Bottoms shouldn’t rebuke Black businesses like Toast on Lenox

After Rick Jackson's visit to Toast on Lenox, the Black-owned business received unnecessary boycott threats. Bottoms could have calmed the storm instead of fanning the flames.

Credit: ASSOCI

GUEST COLUMN

A ‘grandma’ performance in Cobb County changed my mind about concerts

The Beach Boys concert at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre created the mood for enjoyment and without hassle or chaos.

Credit: Kimberly Johnson

GAVIN GODFREY

Atlanta FIFA World Cup withdrawal is real, but there’s hope

Can't let go of that Atlanta World Cup feeling? You're not alone.

GUEST COLUMN

Keisha Lance Bottoms shouldn’t rebuke Black businesses like Toast on Lenox

After Rick Jackson's visit to Toast on Lenox, the Black-owned business received unnecessary boycott threats. Bottoms could have calmed the storm instead of fanning the flames.

GUEST COLUMN

A ‘grandma’ performance in Cobb County changed my mind about concerts

The Beach Boys concert at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre created the mood for enjoyment and without hassle or chaos.

GAVIN GODFREY

Atlanta FIFA World Cup withdrawal is real, but there’s hope

Can't let go of that Atlanta World Cup feeling? You're not alone.

Featured

Credit: Stephen B. Morton for The Atlanta Journal Constitution

GUEST COLUMN

Georgians need a public lands champion for Cumberland Island

Georgians deserve to know about the National Park Service's plan for land swaps on Cumberland Island and how that deviates from congressional intent on wildlife protection.

Credit: Stephen B. Morton for The Atlanta Journal Constitution

GUEST COLUMN

Dispel myths about Cumberland Island with some facts about the community

Despite the arguments of “environmental fundamentalists” in Georgia, Cumberland Island is a community large enough to allow both natural wonder and cultural history.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

NEDRA RHONE

Toast on Lenox owners should know glad-handing isn’t always an asset

Customer loyalty is earned, not assumed. If Toast on Lenox wants to keep its patrons, it must match their trust with honesty, transparency and accountability.

Atlanta’s Black businesses are under threat. Here’s how we can save them.

Black entrepreneurs should be able to thrive in Atlanta, but the price of commercial rents is driving businesses out. The Staying Power Toolkit will help turn the tide.

Credit: AP Photo/Nathan Howard

AJC CONTRIBUTOR

Judges shouldn’t be attacked for making tough rulings

Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan warned Congress about threats against judges. This is an un-American problem in Georgia and nationwide.

Credit: Yosra Khalifa

GUEST COLUMN

Atlanta’s World Cup preparations helped Muslims feel welcome in the city

Muslim visitors to Atlanta enjoyed the World Cup not only for its entertainment value, but also because planners took into account their religious and dietary needs.

Credit: Marcie LaCerte for the AJC

AJC EDITORIAL BOARD

Goooooaaaaal! World Cup success positions Atlanta for greatness.

Atlanta showed the world that no event is too big for the city after its success in hosting eight World Cup matches.

GUEST COLUMN

New law makes it easier for Georgians to obtain HIV prevention medication

The Georgia General Assembly passed a law in 2026 to make it easier for people at risk of contracting HIV to obtain preventive medication PrEP at the pharmacy.

Credit: BOB DENDY / AJC FILE

GUEST COLUMN

Atlanta’s reputation as best host city for sporting events started in 1960s

Before Atlanta hosted eight World Cup matches in 2026, the city proved it was the national leader in hosting major sports events.

Credit: Curtis Compton/AJC

GUEST COLUMN

Democrats and Republicans approve university earmarks, just not the same way

Democrats and Republicans both seek earmarks for higher education. The former focus on minority-serving institutions; the latter tends to favor predominantly white colleges.

Credit: Justin Tran

GUEST COLUMN

After the World Cup is over, what happens to the Atlanta homeless population?

Atlanta civic, city and business leaders have ramped up efforts to solve homelessness in preparation for the World Cup. This work must keep going after the tournament ends.

Credit: Ukrainian Presidential Press Off

GUEST COLUMN

U.S. must pick up where Sen. Lindsey Graham left off on defending Ukraine

The cause of Ukraine freedom lost a champion when South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham died. Honor his legacy by continuing the fight.

Credit: Provided

GUEST COLUMN

After the storms, Atlanta’s water systems show why infrastructure matters

Recent storms in Atlanta tested the city's water and wastewater systems, but they worked as intended in the rainy, floodprone Southeast. Continued investment is essential.