R.J. RICO

U.S. Desk editor

Rico is a U.S. Desk editor and reporter based in Atlanta for The Associated Press. He has covered housing, immigration and activism in the South.

Micro communities for the homeless sprout in US cities eager for small, quick and cheap solutions

In downtown Atlanta, shipping containers have been transformed into an oasis for dozens of previously unsheltered people who now proudly call a former parking lot home.

National bail fund exits Georgia over new law that expands cash bail and limits groups that help

A national nonprofit that helps thousands of low-income people avoid pre-trial detention has announced the closure of its Atlanta branch.

Churches and nonprofits ensnared in Georgia push to restrict bail funds

For years, churches and nonprofits have banded together money to bail out people from jail, often in time for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

Man accused of torching police motorcycles in attack authorities have linked to ‘Cop City’ protests

A man believed to be one of the opponents of a planned police and firefighter training facility in Atlanta has been arrested on charges of torching eight police motorcycles last summer.

‘Stop Cop City’ attacks have caused costs to rise for Atlanta police training center, officials say

Officials say the longstanding and at times violent protests against Atlanta’s planned police and firefighter training center are partially responsible for a nearly $20 million rise in costs connected with the project.

Court again delays racketeering trial against activist accused in violent ‘Stop Cop City’ protest

A racketeering trial in Georgia is again being delayed for the first defendant indicted in protests against the planned police training facility critics call “Cop City.”

Police and protesters clash at Atlanta training center site derided by opponents as ‘Cop City’

Police used tear gas and flash-bang grenades to halt a march seeking to stop construction of an Atlanta-area police and firefighter training center.

Nonprofits making progress in tackling homelessness among veterans, but challenges remain

Government agencies and nonprofits around the country have long been working to reduce the numbers of homeless veterans. And they’ve had notable success.

Where you’ve seen Atlanta, dubbed the ‘Hollywood of the South,’ on screen

ATLANTA (AP) — Metropolitan Atlanta is home to the second highest number of soundstages in the U.S., including the massive Tyler Perry Studios and Trilith Studios.

As the ‘Hollywood of the South,’ Atlanta has boomed. Its actors and crew are now at a crossroads

For more than a decade, work had been nonstop in Atlanta’s booming film industry thanks to Georgia’s extremely generous tax break.

Troopers who fatally shot a ‘Cop City’ activist near Atlanta won’t be charged, prosecutor says

Georgia state troopers who shot and killed an environmental activist at the site of a planned police and firefighter training center near Atlanta will not be charged.

Warnock calls on Atlanta officials to be more transparent about ‘Stop Cop City’ referendum

Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock has urged Atlanta’s mayor to be more transparent in how city officials handle a petition drive led by opponents of a proposed police and firefighter training center.

Judge blames Atlanta officials for confusion over ‘Stop Cop City’ referendum campaign

A federal judge overseeing the case involving Atlanta activists’ referendum effort against a police and firefighter training facility has accused city officials of moving the goalposts on the signature-gathering campaign.

‘Stop Cop City’ petition campaign in limbo after signatures presented to Atlanta officials

Officials from the City of Atlanta have refused to verify tens of thousands of signatures submitted by activists who have been trying for two years to stop the construction of a police and firefighter training center.

‘Stop Cop City’ activists arrested after chaining themselves to bulldozer near Atlanta

Authorities have arrested five activists who chained themselves to a bulldozer to halt construction of an Atlanta-area police and firefighter training center that opponents call “Cop City.”

61 indicted in Georgia on racketeering charges connected to ‘Stop Cop City’ movement

Sixty-one people have been indicted in Georgia on racketeering charges following a long-running state investigation into protests against an Atlanta-area proposed police and firefighter training facility that critics call “Cop City.”

Activists furious Democratic leaders haven’t denounced plan to check every ‘Stop Cop City’ signature

Georgia activists are furious that Democratic senators haven’t condemned Atlanta officials’ plan to verify every signature on a petition to force a vote on a proposed police and firefighting training center.

Reward increased for arrests of ‘anarchists’ who torched Atlanta police motorcycles

Atlanta’s police chief is urging the public to come forward with information about those who set police motorcycles on fire last month in protest over the planned construction of a public safety training center that critics call “Cop City.”

Atlanta ‘Cop City’ activists say they’re confident of getting 70K signatures. But big hurdles remain

Hundreds of canvassers have spread out across Atlanta in hopes of convincing more than 70,000 residents to sign onto a petition that activists believe is their best chance to halt the planned construction of a huge police and firefighter training center.

Judge gives deadline extension to organizers trying to stop ‘Cop City’ with signature campaign

A federal judge has significantly extended the deadline for Atlanta organizers who have been trying to gather more than 70,000 signatures to force a vote on the construction of a police and firefighter training center that critics call “Cop City.”

They’re the names you don’t know. Hollywood’s ‘journeyman’ actors explain why they are striking

You don’t know their names but you might recognize their faces. Hollywood’s “journeyman” actors tend to work for scale pay, and spend at least as much time lining up work as working.

Atlanta petition drive to stop ‘Cop City’ is ‘futile,’ city’s attorneys argue

Attorneys for the city of Atlanta say an ongoing petition drive to halt the construction of a police and firefighter training center is “futile” and “invalid.”

Prosecutor quits ‘Cop City’ cases over disagreements with Georgia attorney general

A metro Atlanta prosecutor has announced that her office is withdrawing from criminal cases tied to protests over plans to build a police and firefighter training center.

Atlanta clerk sued for denying ‘Stop Cop City’ petition lets effort move forward

An Atlanta official facing a lawsuit has approved a petition from activists who want voters to reject a controversial police and firefighter training center.

Eviction filings are 50% higher than they were pre-pandemic in some cities as rents rise

Eviction filings are far above pre-pandemic levels in many cities across the country as pandemic relief disappears and inflation causes rents to spike.

Atlanta organizers unveil plan to stop ‘Cop City’ at the ballot box

Activists have announced an effort to force a referendum that would allow Atlanta voters to decide whether the construction of a proposed police and firefighter training center should proceed.

Atlanta project decried as ‘Cop City’ gets funding approval from City Council

The Atlanta City Council has approved funding for the construction of a proposed police and firefighter training center, rejecting the pleas of hundreds of activists who packed City Hall and spoke for hours in fierce opposition to the project they decry as “Cop City.”

‘Stop Cop City’ activists pack Atlanta City Hall ahead of crucial vote

Hundreds of activists are at Atlanta’s City Hall ahead of a council vote over whether to approve tens of millions in public funding for a police and firefighter training center.

Housing advocates warn GOP spending plan would be ‘disastrous’

Housing advocates are raising the alarm about House Republicans’ plan to dramatically cut the federal deficit to raise the debt ceiling.

UNC students protest decision to ban ‘Cop City’ activist

Students at North Carolina’s flagship public university have walked out of class to protest school officials’ decision to ban a law school student from campus.