Anderson’s comments highlighted the issues surrounding unjustified deaths in the community.
Before publishing, OpGov.ai reached out to the APD for comment and didn’t receive a response.
Nov. 25, 2025, Second Lengthy Atlanta City Council Meeting This Month
This real-time reporter was able to highlight some positive moments at Atlanta City Council meetings.
Council President Doug Shipman stepped down from his position and was honored at the beginning of a six-hour meeting on Nov. 25.
The OpGov.ai platform starts reporting the meeting, "characterized by a stark contrast between an extensive, self-congratulatory farewell for outgoing Council President Doug Shipman," who has served since 2021.
Councilmember Alex Wan, among others, paid his respects to Shipman.
“He’s been working in our community for a long time and had a deep impact in terms of advancing our city forward,” District 6 Councilmember Alex Wan said.
Shipman also received an award at the meeting.
Councilmember Jason Winston presents the Spirit of Atlanta Award at the beginning of the city council meeting.
November 21, 2025, Woodland Heights Fire Displaces Families
I had the opportunity to cover a tragedy that took place at Woodland Heights apartments. The article received over 1,000 views, showing significance.
The fire wasn't discussed in a city council meeting.
Eight families were displaced from Woodland Heights building D after a devastating fire.
The fire occurred on Nov. 6, and OpGov.ai reached out to Alan Holmes and Matthew Nursey for comment.
Holmes serves as the Senior Advisor for District 9 Councilmember Dustin Hillis, and Nursey is the Organizer of the Housing Justice League.
Holmes detailed the issues within Woodland Heights and his connection with the apartment complex.
“We have been on the ground in Woodland Heights organizing the tenants for months prior to this fire,” Holmes said. “For years, even before the fire, the tenants have been dealing with mold, pests, leaks, flooding, lack of security, and much more.”
Nursey shared his thoughts on the tragedy.
“I was saddened," Nursery said. “We don’t know what caused it yet, but my initial reaction was that this may have been a result of the electrical issues many tenants on the property have been having.”
The residents displaced stayed at Boyd Elementary School, and a Facebook account detailed how people could assist.
Holmes and Hillis received positive responses after spreading awareness of the fire.
“The response has been an outpouring of support, which is wonderful,” Holmes said. “We are receiving an increasing number of calls from people who want to donate furniture, in addition to clothes, food, and non-perishable items.”
It was an honor to cover the story and shed light on a tragic situation. I hope the families are doing well.
October 2, 2025, Legal Advocates Critical of Atlanta City Detention Center
Covering hard news topics has been a common theme for this real-time reporter.
Back in October, the first assignment centered around the Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC). The article received over 700
views.
“Officials spoke during a lengthy meeting on Aug.18 over a four-year agreement 2022 between Atlanta and Fulton Counties allowing the lease of 700 beds to prevent overcrowding in jails,” according to the report.
Senior Movement Policy Council Member Devin Franklin spoke to OpGov.ai and shed light on the situation.
“The full year after the lease went into effect, 10 more individuals died, and a lot of these folks were in custody for these low-level, nonviolent offenses,” Franklin said.
Vice President of State Strategy and Reentry at the Legal Action Center, Roberta Meyers, was contacted for the story.
“It all starts with prioritizing people's human dignity,” Meyers, who has advocated for convicted individuals for 30 years, said. “If we continue to allow officials who have oversight of these facilities to look at the people who may end up inside those walls as less than, we will continue to see people die.”
Covering the story helped me learn about an important issue impacting those incarcerated and how to contact sources to meet my first deadline.
December 11, 2025, Joe Beasley Passes; Earth's Loss, Heaven's Gain
OpGov.ai wants to remind people about the life of Civil Rights activist Joe Beasley. While Beasley's death wasn't covered in a city council meeting, his name should be remembered.
History Makers Joe Beasley Biography Page
Beasley died at 88 years old on Dec.9. He was featured in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, CNN, and other notable media outlets, according to the History Makers.
Family member Latron Price and Atlanta Economic Justice Program Director (AEJP) Tim Franzen shared their thoughts on Beasley.
“Joe wasn’t just a leader to me, he was my mentor,” Franzen writes. “I would not be the organizer I am today without his guidance, his support, and the way he believed in me long before I believed in myself.”
“Dr. Beasley was a man of profound faith, anchored in the teachings of Christ and the call to serve,” Price said. “He was a loving man who extended that love to communities across the globe.”
I learned a lot about Beasley and was able to cover my first obituary story.
It has been an eventful year covering stories for OpGov.ai. This real-time reporter is blessed to be able to document stories for the city of Atlanta.
If you have any additional comments, questions, or concerns, please contact jorden.h@lead4earth.org.
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