Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Rashad Richey, JD, PhD, EdD, MBA, LL.M, longtime morning host at Atlanta news/talk station 1380/WAOK-AM, is leaving to start a syndicated national show. In an Instagram announcement Wednesday, he thanked his WAOK listeners for allowing him “to grow, learn and lead. This is not goodbye but rather an opportunity to expand a platform of truth. WAOK is in my heart, and I love every single one of you.” Here’s what we know: https://lnkd.in/eYUaQSfd

The University of Georgia and 11 other collegiate institutions are suing a Washington-based businessman and his online retail companies for trademark infringement and counterfeiting, claiming their registered names, mascots and other symbols are being unlawfully exploited for profit. The products sold that allegedly infringed on the institutions’ trademarks include shirts, hats, socks, tumblers, coasters, mugs, beverage holders and puzzles, the lawsuit contends. The lawsuit filed Aug. 16 by the dozen colleges and universities in a Georgia federal court alleges that Seattle resident Chad Hartvigson and his companies Vintage Brand LLC, Vintage Brand Inc. and Sportswear, Inc. manufacture and sell knockoff merchandise, “despite a mountain of objections, lawsuits, and adverse judgments against them for violating the trademark rights of other colleges and universities.” More: https://lnkd.in/eJhGhbb6

WNBA rookie phenom Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever return to Atlanta tonight to face the hometown Atlanta Dream WNBA. And once again the matchup will take place in a sold-out State Farm Arena. The Dream and Fever played at State Farm Arena before 17,575 fans back on June 21, setting a franchise record. Monday night’s event will host the highly anticipated halftime show featuring Atlanta hip-hop group Goodie Mob as well as members of the 1996 USA women’s Olympics team, who will be on hand for a tribute. Are you going? 🏀 https://lnkd.in/emXHq8zw

Atlanta City Council passed legislation on Monday establishing a new fund to support longtime businesses that have served residents for decades. Passed unanimously, the legislation sets up a $900,000 fund through Invest Atlanta that would help local institutions with storefront upgrades, social media campaigns and more. Businesses that have operated in Atlanta for 30 years or more would be eligible to apply. While the criteria haven’t been officially set, lawmakers said during committee meetings that small businesses with brick-and-mortar locations would be prioritized. More: https://lnkd.in/eejriFm4

One year after TEDWomen made Atlanta and The Woodruff Arts Center Center its home, the conference is changing its name, focus and location. TED, which stands for technology, entertainment and design, is a global family of conferences and educational content. TEDWomen was one of its flagship conferences and started in 2010, at a time when most of the speakers at the TED conferences were men, in order to give a platform to women. To deepen its impact, TEDWomen chose Atlanta as its first multi-year host city and planned to hold the conference at Woodruff through at least 2025. But plans have changed. TEDWomen is now TEDNext and will be held at Pullman Yards in October. Read more to find out the new focus of the conference and some of the announced speakers:

Just like fire needs fuel, an office needs workers. The work-from-home era ushered in by the COVID-19 pandemic has Atlanta’s employers grappling with how to attract their workforce back to a physical office. Some mandate employees commute to an office most days, while others try to woo workers with high-end amenities. The leaders of one of the Southeast’s largest natural gas providers opted for the latter, relocating their headquarters to a new space designed to connect a bustling workplace with remote workers. Kevin Greiner, president and CEO of Gas South, said it’s important for an office to spark employees’ interest — and locating it in a vibrant area like the Atlanta Braves’ Battery only helps. The AJC’s Zachary Hansen takes you inside the company’s new digs:

Say hello to comedian Corey Forrester, the newest contributor to the AJC! This self-proclaimed liberal comedian from North Georgia knows how to engage an audience and now he’s putting his humor into writing. In his first column, he explores the political blame game. He might make you laugh. He might make you mad. He might make you think. Either way, we hope you’ll enjoy his addition to our diverse pool of talented contributors. https://lnkd.in/eujR6kz9

Sara Blakely is going from Spanx to Sneex. The Atlanta-based billionaire founder made her mark with her wildly successful shapewear brand that has since expanded into pants, dresses, tops and more. Now, she’s looking to step into a new apparel category — heels. 👠 Sneex combines a mesh, suede, and leather sneaker body with a three-inch heel. Blakely hopes her heel design addresses common pain points, at a price range of $395 to $595. The brand officially launches Aug. 20. Will you be trying these?? Read more about Sneex: https://lnkd.in/eETQZfR5

Direct spending in Georgia from TV and film producers tumbled by more than a third in the fiscal year that ended June 30 compared to fiscal 2023 due to the double whammy of two strikes and reduced spending from media companies across the board. The $2.6 billion direct spending figure was also the lowest spending amount since the pandemic year of 2020, when production literally stopped for months starting in March of 2020. Excluding that year, fiscal 2024 is the weakest year the state has seen since fiscal year 2016. The drop off “doesn’t surprise me,” said Dr. Robyn Watson, h.c., who runs Women In Film and Television Atlanta (WIFTA). “We are operating on 2018 numbers now. I can’t say people are feeling optimistic, but there is some hope things will turn around this fall.” https://lnkd.in/eKfB3cEw

UGA asked media members to refrain from taking photos or shooting video when taking a tour of the new press box at Sanford Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. Once inside, that request was understandable. Construction has a long way to go. There remains much work to be done to complete Phase II of the $68.5 million project. But Tanner Stines, who oversees facilities and capital projects for the University of Georgia Athletic Association, assured one and all that the 95-year-old football facility will be ready to go for the home opener Sept. 7. https://lnkd.in/e2s_wfYm