1. Georgia House Advances Major School Safety and Education Bills Lawmakers in the Georgia House were all about students yesterday, passing a package of education-focused measures now headed to the Senate.
Weapons Detection Systems (HB 1023): This bill requires at least one weapons detection system at the main student entry points of every public school building (emergency exits excluded). Georgia could become the first state to mandate this statewide, with districts able to use existing school safety grants for installation, targeted for next school year. It passed 151-11 amid discussions on safety versus funding. High School Cell Phone Ban (HB 1009): Building on the existing K-8 restrictions, this extends a bell-to-bell ban on personal electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, etc.) to grades 9-12, starting in the 2027-28 school year. Exemptions apply for off-campus programs like dual enrollment. It passed 145-20, with strong support from educators and parents citing better focus and safety. Literacy Coaches Funding (Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026, HB 1193): With roughly 60% of Georgia kids not reading on grade level, this bill adds state funding via the Quality Basic Education formula to place literacy coaches in every school serving kindergarten through third grade, potentially around 1,300 coaches statewide. House Speaker Jon Burns called it one of the most impactful education bills since HOPE Scholarship. It sailed through 170-2. These aim to boost safety, reduce distractions, and tackle reading challenges head-on.
2. Atlanta's Fox Theatre Nominated for National Honor The historic Fox Theatre is shining bright again! It's been nominated for Theatre of the Year in the 37th Annual Pollstar Awards, celebrating superior programming, fan experiences, production quality, and box office success.
The Fox joins an impressive lineup including venues like Beacon Theatre (New York), Brooklyn Paramount, and Altria Theater (Richmond). As a beloved Atlanta landmark saved from demolition decades ago, it's a true treasure for concerts, Broadway, and live events. The awards ceremony is set for April 15, 2026, in Los Angeles—fingers crossed for the win!
3. Atlanta Ranks 7th in U.S. Cities with Most Financial Distress WalletHub's latest study on financial distress in the 100 largest U.S. cities puts Atlanta at No. 7 overall. The ranking factors in metrics like credit scores, changes in bankruptcy filings (September 2024–2025), accounts in distress, and more.
Chicago claimed the top spot as the most financially stressed, with several Texas cities (Houston, San Antonio, Dallas) also high on the list. Atlanta was the only Georgia city in the top 100. If bills are piling up or paychecks feel stretched, you're far from alone, economic pressures are hitting hard in many metros.