My colleague Sara Gregory’s exclusive story in the AJC about how a committee secretly nixed a long-anticipated transit project showcases the power of local reporting and bringing clarity to an issue of public concern through public records, interviews and expertise developed over time.

Fulton County DA Fani Willis gave Trumpian performance and took on Republicans Fani Willis, Fulton County District Attorney, did not come to the Georgia General Assembly to be cowed but to fight back hard in an incredible spectacle before GOP senators.

What I saw during Fulton County DA Fani Willis's testimony before Ga. senators - here's an excerpt from my latest column for @ajc.com: "Willis used (the Trump) playbook at the Georgia Legislature and she ran circles around the lawmakers."
www.ajc.com/opinion/2025...

I watched the testimony by Fulton County DA Fani Willis today before a GA Senate panel re: 2020 election interference case against Trump + 18 co-defendants.

It was a spectacle. Even the term "witch hunt" was use. @david-wickert.bsky.social has the story for @ajc.com

www.ajc.com/politics/202...

Fani Willis blasts Senate panel in contentious hearing The Fulton County district attorney struck a defiant tone in early questioning before a Georgia Senate committee Wednesday.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis struck a defiant tone in early questioning before a Georgia Senate committee Wednesday at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta. www.ajc.com/politics/202...

My colleague @david-wickert.bsky.social is covering Fulton County Fani Willis' testimony to a GA Senate committee today. "Contentious" is the right way to put it.
Check out his story and watch live here:
ajc.com/politics/202... via
@ajc.com

Middle-class housing crisis worsens and requires urgent action and attention The goal of preserving and building affordable housing for Atlanta low-income and homeless residents is commendable, but the middle class needs more attention and support.

My column: Middle class housing crisis worsens and requires urgent action and attention
www.ajc.com/opinion/2025...

It's definitely not an easy issue. As the reader wrote: "We do not need people continually restating the problem rather we need real world solutions and that means no one gets everything they want. Since you clearly see the problem, how about using your insight to write about specific solutions?"

A reader emailed me about my recent column in @ajc.com on the middle-class housing crisis. He liked the framing but told me it fell short on solutions. He has a point. While I offered some ideas, I'm taking his constructive criticism to heart.

Marjorie Taylor Greene is leaving for now, but never say never In an interview with the AJC, the Rome Republican reflects on her five years in office and a very public split with President Donald Trump.

Enlightening interview by @tiamitchell.com @ajc.com of #MarjorieTaylorGreene on Politically Georgia podcast.
I was fascinated by the Congresswoman's term "accountability partner" re: her relationship to Trump. She learned that he is different out of power than in power.
www.ajc.com/politics/202...

#housing #Atlanta #ARC #AtlantaRegionalCouncil #FederalReserve

I offer some data and also some ideas for how our leaders should proceed. I welcome your ideas as we seek to create more balance, certainty and opportunity for all Americans.

That includes empty nesters who want to downsize or young couples who are seeking to grow their families. But it's also young professionals, recent transplants and small business owners eager to keep the lights on.

Yes, efforts to address housing for low-income and homeless residents are important, but the squeeze on the middle class is very real.

I wrote this column to address the middle class housing crisis that afflicts Atlanta (and other parts of the country too).

I looked at a combination of factors -- soaring housing prices and rents over five years, an increase in houses pulled off the markets year over year, economic uncertainty, inflation and a possible third Federal Reserve interest rate cut tomorrow.

Housing is a top area of interest for me as an opinion journalist, but as a newcomer I needed some time to study the Atlanta market.

Middle-class housing crisis worsens and requires urgent action and attention The goal of preserving and building affordable housing for Atlanta low-income and homeless residents is commendable, but the middle class needs more attention and support.

Ever since I attended the Atlanta Regional Commission annual meeting in October where survey results showed that affordable housing was the top concern for the metro area's residents, I have been eager to write about the topic.

www.ajc.com/opinion/2025... via @ajc.com

When ICE takes breadwinners, it takes a toll on families ... and on the economy For immigrant families, brushes with ICE can result in financial precarity that could have implications for the broader economy.

@ajc.com reporter Lautaro Grinspan documents the toll of ICE raids on undocumented immigrant families in metro Atlanta. Families lose a breadwinner, some leave the workforce to avoid ICE and their contributions to the economy diminish. Powerful photos by Miguel Martinez.
www.ajc.com/news/2025/12...

Nominations - Golden Globes

#GoldenGlobe noms are out. I have only seen one of the nominated movies: "Frankenstein." Excellent.

Annually, I watch all the Oscar nominated movies, and the Globes usually offer a hint on which they will be. Trying to decide whether to continue this tradition.

goldenglobes.com/nominations/...

Unfortunately, Dale Murphy did not get inducted into the #MLB Hall of Fame as deserving as he was. Hopefully, this will move voters to select him next year.

For the love of the game, send Dale Murphy to Cooperstown The Braves legend, who tore up the National League in the 1980s, has been waiting to get the call since his name first appeared on the ballot in 1999.

@ajc.com editorials are rare, but here's one that just published related to the nation's favorite pastime.

@braves.com legend Dale Murphy deserves to be enshrined in bronze in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. The editorial lays out the facts. What do you think?

www.ajc.com/opinion/2025...

Our politics team reports that the state GOP is concerned that the competition to succeed MJT could open (if ever so slightly) the door to a Democrat to win her north Georgia district (D-14).

YouTube video by ccady Shakespeare in the original Klingon

Christopher Plummer as General Chang reciting the words in Klingon in “Star TrekVI: The Undiscovered Country.”
youtu.be/HsCVuO1yeJc?...

Please give me a follow and happy to connect. If you know Atlanta, I'd love to know your tips on navigating the city, favorite spots and recommendations for things to do.

Oh, yes, and one of my favorite columns this year was about #BadBunny - name the No. 1 global Spotify artist of 2025 and next year's Superbowl halftime show performer.

www.ajc.com/opinion/2025...

David Plazas David Plazas started his journalism career in 2000 at The News-Press in Fort Myers, Florida rising in the ranks from bureau reporter to senior editor. He covered education and local politics. He was t...

My goal is to share musings, observations and columns, as opinion editor. You can find my work at this link: commentary running the gamut from Kamala Harris's book to Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation and from MARTA to same-sex marriage.
www.ajc.com/staff/david....

My old Bsky account was @davidplazas.bsky.social. Since it was linked to my Tennessean.com address, I decided to create this new one. I certainly miss Nashville and loved my time there, but I am so excited about this opportunity to grow in a new city with some an amazing history and bright future.

Last time I posted here was about six months ago. I had recently left The Tennessean (after 25 years w/USA TODAY) for @ajc.com. Today, I celebrated by 7-month AJC anniversary. I have so enjoyed learning about Atlanta & working with my colleagues. I continue to feel an insatiable curiosity daily.