🌱 Parent Shot By Officer Near School Charged + Book: GA '20 Election

Good morning, Atlanta! Let's get you all caught up to start this Friday, April 1 off on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know around Atlanta today.

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First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and delightful. High: 67 Low: 42.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Atlanta:

1. The parent of a student at a southwest Atlanta high school who brandished a gun outside of the school and was shot in the hand by a police officer Wednesday afternoon has been identified. According to a statement from Atlanta Public Schools, the incident began with a fight between students at Booker T. Washington High School. Multiple parents arrived in response and began to fight outside of the school. When APS police officers responded around 4:15 p.m., one of the parents fighting - Tierra Vachon, 30, - was brandishing a gun, which she began waving in the direction of students and staff. Vachon was told by an APS officer to drop the gun several times, but when she refused, the officer fired one shot and hit her in the hand. The GBI said in a news release that Vachon was arrested and booked into the Fulton County Jail on multiple charges after being released from the hospital. (Free: WGAU; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
2. Atlanta Journal-Constitution politics reporter Greg Bluestein delves into the characters and narratives that shaped the 2020 election cycle, along with the attempts to overturn the results, in his new book, "Flipped: How Georgia Turned Purple and Broke the Monopoly on Republican Power." One of the book's revelations is that then-U.S. Senator David Perdue warned former President Donald Trump prior to 2020 that the Georgia Republican Party was in big trouble — that low early voter turnout, Bluestein writes, signaled neither could guarantee a re-election win. In discussing "Flipped" with "Morning Edition," Bluestein talks about how the events in the book continue to influence Georgia politics today. (WABE 90.1 FM)
3. As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, one Atlanta-based nonprofit, NoirUnited International, is working to make sure Black refugees receive humanitarian aid and the resources needed to leave the country. Launched in 2020 after the George Floyd protest and Black Lives Matter movement, NoirUnited International's co-founders, Nassim Ashford and Macire Aribot, decided to help refugees escape Ukraine after they saw violence and racism directed toward the Black-Ukrainian community. "We got involved because we saw videos of Black people being pulled off of trains. We saw videos of Black people being abused and being forced to wait in long lines at the border," Aribot said. "We decided that this injustice was something that we could not overlook." (11Alive.com WXIA)
4. There's good news for anyone with a hankering for Whataburger: The brand is headed to Atlanta. A groundbreaking ceremony in Kennesaw on April 6 will celebrate the anticipated grand opening of the first of eight Whataburger locations coming to the Atlanta area, the chain announced Thursday. The restaurant is expected to bring 180 jobs to the local community and will be located at 705 Town Park Lane NW. (CBS 46 News)
5. It's not just Friday, it's the first day of a new month – the perfect time to make good on any plans you might have regarding adding a fluffy ball of four-legged love and affection to your life. A great place to start your search is with Atlanta-area shelters and the weekly list compiled by Patch and Petfinder of all the pets recently put up for adoption. If you're looking for dogs, there are over 30 here to check out. If cats are your preferred pet, details on over 20 are listed here. Enjoy! (Atlanta Patch)

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Today in Atlanta:

• April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness of a cancer that is considered one of the fastest growing and deadliest cancers in the United States and western world, according to the National Cancer Institute. For more information, visit: SALGI.org (9:00 AM)
• The 25th Annual Atlanta Pen Show, features dealers offering a wide variety of writing instruments -new and vintage, inks, fine paper and writing accessories. Onsite pen repair will be available. At Sonesta Atlanta Northwest Galleria. (12:00 PM)
• Horizon Theatre Performance of "The Light" at Little Five Points Center for Arts and Community. (8:00 PM)
• In "Legacy of Light," two women from different worlds – France in the 1700s and modern-day New Jersey – share the common bonds of motherhood, ambition, balance and love. This relevant and contemporary comedy takes us through the science of planets, dark matter, philosophy and fertility, as it explores what women contribute to the worlds of science and family. At Synchronicity Theatre. (8:00 PM)
• Electric Avenue® "The 80's MTV Experience," a fun and accurate tribute to 1980s new wave and dance floor pop, at 37 Main, Buford. (9:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Atlanta Humane Society reports that Dixie the Foodie Dog turns 3 this year! To celebrate, join us at Pontoon Brewing Saturday, April 2, from 1-5 p.m. There will be vendors, a dog costume contest and more! BONUS: If you make a $7 donation to AHS at the event, you'll get a free beer. (Facebook)
• Marketing & Communications Director Amy Williams, City of Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT): "Coffee with the Commissioner. Please join ATLDOT Commissioner Josh Rowan at BUZZ Coffee Winehouse or join via Zoom at bit.ly/cwc220401 today at 2 p.m. to discuss Cascade Road/Ave Complete Street Project, the tactical urbanism project on Boulevard Granada SW, and more!" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Inman Park: "Looking for a volunteer grant writer. At Community Table, a 501(c)3, our mission is to provide equitable access to food and resources to those in need in Greater Atlanta/Georgia. Our model is based on collaboration. Simply put, we work with local partners to distribute food and resources to those in need in Greater Atlanta. We are looking for a volunteer grant writer who is looking to give back to their local community through helping our nonprofit in the early stages." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Ashford Park: "Looking for new patients for free cleaning, and maybe earn 💰💵💸 for dental cleaning. Has it been 5-10+ years since you have had a dental cleaning? Are you between the ages of 20-45? Are you interested in a free cleaning or, better yet, getting PAID for a cleaning? I am a senior dental hygiene student and I am looking for a patient for my state board exam, which will take place Saturday, April 9, from 6:30-11:30 a.m. I am looking for someone who has not had a cleaning in at least 5 years and has no bone loss (aka periodontitis)." (Nextdoor)
• Public Education Specialist Al Fowler, DeKalb County Police Department: "Celebrating Women's History Month 2022, Hollywood Style. Bette Davis and Joan Crawford!" (Nextdoor)

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• United Way & VITA Free Tax Preparation (April 2)
• Mother Lode's RECORD FAIR: a Vintage and Handmade Pop-up Market Event (April 2)
• Art Gallery Exhibition & Boutique Expo-2022 (April 3)
• SUP Yoga Teacher Training (April 22)
• Add your event

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Kathy Cioffi