Dyana Bagby

Atlanta

Writer at Freelance

Godzilla was my childhood hero.

Articles

Atlanta revives encampment clearing amid task force recommendations

1 month ago | theatlantavoice.com | Dyana Bagby

The rumble of heavy machinery on Pryor Street early Monday signaled the city of Atlanta’s return to clearing homeless encampments. It was the first major clearing since the city implemented a 45-day moratorium after Cornelius Taylor was fatally crushed by construction equipment during a January encampment sweep. The clearing of the large encampment on Pryor Street under I-20 near the Downtown Connector began at 7:30 a.m. on May 5. Police blocked off the street for most of the day.
🍿 Out On Film Spring Mini-Fest

Mar 12, 2025 | roughdraftatlanta.com | Dyana Bagby

March 12 - Indie screen queen Parker Posey is having a big renaissance right now thanks to her lorazepam-addled character Victoria Ratliff on the new season of 'The White Lotus,' not to mention showing off some dance skills in a '90s throwback GAP campaign. While season two's Jennifer 'These gays are trying to kill me' Coolidge is much missed, Posey is giving us memeable content - not to mention THAT Southern accent - to last for years to come.
ðŸª§ Pride to the Capitol

Mar 6, 2025 | roughdraftatlanta.com | Dyana Bagby

March 5 - Hi, y'all. Happy Hump Day to those who celebrate. 🫏 Some good news this week: Democrats in the U.S. Senate stood united to defeat legislation aimed at banning trans women and girls from participating in school athletic competitions designated for female athletes. The bill sought to determine Title IX protections "based solely on a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth."🐘 And, surprise, surprise, more bad news from Georgia Senate Republicans.
Amsterdam Walk redevelopment headed to Atlanta City Council

Mar 4, 2025 | roughdraftatlanta.com | Dyana Bagby

Portman Holdings is nixing tall buildings in its proposed Amsterdam Walk redevelopment in hopes of gaining Atlanta City Council approval for the project. But many residents living in the Virginia-Highland and Morningside Lenox neighborhoods surrounding the nearly 11-acre site are still unhappy with the overall size of the project. They are coordinating an email and phone campaign to urge the council to vote against Portman's plans. A vote could come as soon as March 17.
Former Atlanta City Council president says mayor violated charter with inspector general appointment

Mar 3, 2025 | roughdraftatlanta.com | Dyana Bagby

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens violated the city's charter when he named an interim inspector general to lead the agency, according to former City Council President Felicia Moore. Moore, who was council president from 2017 through 2021, told the Atlanta City Council at its March 3 meeting the mayor's office is not allowed to appoint an interim inspector general. She urged members to stop the mayor's decision to appoint Judge LaDawn Blackett. Blackett has said she would only serve temporarily.
City of Atlanta appoints interim inspector general to fill vacant position

Feb 28, 2025 | roughdraftatlanta.com | Dyana Bagby

LaDawn Blackett, an intellectual property and criminal defense lawyer, has been appointed as the interim inspector general for the City of Atlanta following the resignation of Shannon Manigault. She will begin work on Monday, March 3. Blackett is also a municipal court judge, former prosecutor, and former Georgia state representative. She was selected by Mayor Andre Dickens to fill the post temporarily. City officials said the mayor has executive powers to fill a vacant department head.
A celebration of Atlanta's historic sites begins March 3

Feb 27, 2025 | roughdraftatlanta.com | Dyana Bagby

The Atlanta Preservation Center's "Phoenix Flies: A Celebration of Atlanta's Historic Sites" begins March 3 and will include more than 150 free events showcasing the city's historic buildings, landscapes and neighborhoods. Phoenix Flies was created by the preservation center in 2003 to honor the rescue of the Fox Theatre, which now offers grants to help preserve other historic theaters.
Atlanta City Council member Amir Farokhi to step down to lead Galloway School

Feb 27, 2025 | roughdraftatlanta.com | Dyana Bagby

Atlanta City Council Member Amir Farokhi announced Thursday, Feb. 27, he would be stepping down from his seat this summer so he can become the next head of school at Galloway School. Farokhi was first elected to the council in 2017 and then re-elected in 2021. He represents District 2, which includes Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Poncey-Highland and Candler Park. Galloway School is located in Buckhead's Chastain Park. Farokhi's mother was head of school from 2010-2012.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens outlines vision for city during State of City

Feb 26, 2025 | roughdraftatlanta.com | Dyana Bagby

Mayor Andre Dickens ticked off a long list of successes during his first three years in office and outlined his vision for the final year of his term at the annual State of the City address to local business leaders. But Dickens also made clear during the Feb. 26 speech he is seeking another four years as Atlanta's mayor. The vision he has for the city, what he dubbed "a group project," extends to 2030, he said.
Bella of the Ball

Feb 26, 2025 | roughdraftatlanta.com | Dyana Bagby

Feb. 26 - Hi, y'all. We made it to Wednesday. 📍A landmark 2016 theme study highlighting the history of the LGBTQ community has been pulled from the National Park Service website. The study's removal comes after NPS received instructions to remove the "T" and "Q" from "LGBTQ" from all internal and external communications, triggering an uproar when trans people were removed from the website of the Stonewall National Monument.