2025 Retrospective: Spotlight South Cobb News – Year in Review

As we reflect on 2025, one truth stands clear: local journalism matters more than ever. Spotlight South Cobb News continued its commitment to telling the stories that directly affect the lives of people in South Cobb, Mableton, Austell, Powder Springs, the surrounding communities of Metro Atlanta and across the state. From city halls and courtrooms to neighborhoods, classrooms, and community meetings, our reporting focused on accountability, transparency, and the voices too often overlooked.

In 2025, residents grappled with rising taxes, unsafe housing conditions, environmental threats, public safety concerns, and critical questions about leadership and equity. Spotlight South Cobb News was there—covering contentious council meetings, investigating legal and ethical issues, amplifying community advocacy, and documenting moments of resilience, loss, and progress. Our Year in Review represents more than headlines. It reflects a community engaged in civic life—residents speaking out, demanding better, organizing for change, and holding power to account. It also reflects our responsibility as a local news outlet to provide accurate, timely, and fearless reporting rooted in the lived experiences of the people we serve.

Grassroots journalism is not easy, but it is essential. It requires persistence, trust, and a deep connection to the community. We are grateful to our readers, sources, contributors, and supporters who continue to believe in the importance of independent local news.

As we move into 2026, Spotlight South Cobb News remains committed to shining a light where it’s needed most—on issues that impact daily life, on stories that demand attention, and on voices that deserve to be heard.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting Spotlight South Cobb News. Together, we will continue to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

With gratitude and resolve, we are Spotlight South Cobb News!

Why These Stories Mattered

The stories we highlighted below are just some of the numerous stories we published that reflected a year of community accountability, resident engagement, environmental concern, and active civic life—hallmarks of grassroots journalism that strengthen informed and connected communities.

Mableton Residents Push Back: “We Were Promised No New Taxes”
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/mableton-residents-push-back-we-were-promised-no-new-taxes/

Trump Administration Issues Directive for Removal of All Federal DEI Staff and Programs
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/day-one-trump-administration-issues-directive-for-removal-of-all-federal-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-staff-and-programs-directive-to-report-dei-given-to-employees/

Commissioners Approve $1.3 Billion Budget Along Party Lines – Cobb County’s budget vote drew criticism over transparency and partisan divisions.
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/commissioners-approve-billion-dollar-budget-along-party-lines/

Residents Confront Mableton City Council Over Unsafe Housing Conditions
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/residents-confront-mableton-city-council-over-unsafe-housing-conditions/

Austell Approves 158% Property Tax Increase Amid Resident Outcry – A dramatic tax hike sparked debate over affordability and public finance
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/austell-approves-158-property-tax-increase-amid-resident-outcry/

Cobb County Fails South Cobb Again: Warming Center Funding Leaves Residents Out in the Cold – Residents criticized the lack of local warming centers and inequitable access to services.
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/cobb-county-fails-south-cobb-again-warming-center-funding-leaves-residents-out-in-the-cold/

Cobb Residents Brace for ‘Rain Tax’ Debate as County Launches Stormwater Fee Hearings – Taxpayers challenged the fee as Chair Lisa Cupid defended it as necessary infrastructure funding.
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/cobb-residents-brace-for-rain-tax-debate-as-county-launches-stormwater-fee-hearings/

Representative Terry Cummings Receives Key Committee Assignments for 2025-2026 Legislative Term
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/south-cobbs-state-representative-terry-cummings-receives-key-committee-assignments-for-2025-2026-legislative-term/

Spotlight on Author Steve Rasin: From Navy Commander to Novelist
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/spotlight-on-author-steve-rasin-from-navy-commander-to-novelist/

Some Things Need Mentioning, Straight from the Mike – Michael Murphy
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/some-things-need-mentioning-straight-from-the-mike-michael-murphy/

Community Mourns After Pebblebrook Senior Fatally Stabbed
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/community-mourns-after-pebblebrook-senior-fatally-stabbed-2/

State Senator Colton Moore Arrested After Attempting to Enter House Chamber
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/state-senator-colton-moore-arrested-after-attempting-to-enter-house-chamber/

Happy Anniversary to Cobb’s Quintessential Couple of the Year – Sheriff Craig Owens and Wife Sharon Owens
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/happy-anniversary-to-cobbs-quintessential-couple-of-the-year-sheriff-craig-owens-and-wife-sharon-owens/

A Lifetime of Courage and Speed: Cobb County Honors Capt. Mel Pender, Jr
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/a-lifetime-of-courage-and-speed-cobb-county-honors-capt-mel-pender-jr/

Cobb Clerk’s Criminal Case Moves Forward Amid Motions to Dismiss
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/cobb-clerks-criminal-case-moves-forward-amid-motions-to-dismiss/

Dr. F. DuBois Bowman takes over as Morehouse College’s 13th President
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/dr-f-dubois-bowman-takes-over-as-morehouse-colleges-13th-president/

Georgia Supreme Court Dismisses Challenge to Mableton’s Incorporation – The ruling affirmed voter will and secured Mableton’s legal status.
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/georgia-supreme-court-dismisses-challenge-to-mabletons-incorporation/

City of South Fulton Mayor released on bond after arrest for burglary and trespassing 
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/city-of-south-fulton-mayor-released-on-bond-after-arrest-for-burglary-and-trespassing/

Queen of Cobb County” Deane Bonner Turns 90
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/honoring-the-queen-of-cobb-county-deane-bonner-turns-90/

Justice Delayed: Charges Dropped Against Cobb Man Wrongly Accused in Walmart Kidnapping Case
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/justice-delayed-charges-dropped-against-cobb-man-wrongly-accused-in-walmart-kidnapping-case/

Sally Riddle Honored with NAACP Award
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/sally-riddle-honored-with-naacp-award/

Tragedy Strikes Georgia: Violence at Fort Stewart and CDC Shakes Communities
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/tragedy-strikes-georgia-violence-at-fort-stewart-and-cdc-shakes-communities/

South Korea Negotiates Release of Workers Detained in Georgia ICE Raid
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/south-korea-negotiates-release-of-workers-detained-in-georgia-ice-raid/

Community Denounces Swastikas Found in Metro Atlanta Neighborhoods
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/community-denounces-swastikas-found-in-metro-atlanta-neighborhoods/

Death Warrant for Stacey Humphreys Expires, New Execution Date Unresolved
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/death-warrant-for-stacey-humphreys-expires-new-execution-date-remains-unresolved/

Atlanta Housing Authority Executive Accused of Orchestrating Fraud Scheme
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/atlanta-housing-authority-exec-accused-of-orchestrating-fraud-scheme-guilty-plea-expected/

Cobb County Faces Major Wastewater Spill into the Chattahoochee (21.6 Million Gallons)
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/cobb-county-faces-another-major-wastewater-spill-into-the-chattahoochee-21-6-million-gallons-released/

Introducing LLC–Mableton: A Grassroots Effort to Empower Voters
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/introducing-llc-mableton-a-grassroots-effort-to-empower-mableton-voters/

Nearly Half a Million Georgia Voter Registrations Canceled in Major Review
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/nearly-half-a-million-georgia-voter-registrations-canceled-in-major-review/

Atlanta Real Estate Icon and Philanthropist Tom Cousins Dies at 93
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/atlanta-real-estate-icon-and-philanthropist-tom-cousins-dies-at-93/

Georgia Tech Receives Record $100 Million Gift from Alumnus John W. Durstine
https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/georgia-tech-receives-record-100-million-gift-from-alumnus-john-w-durstine/

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we enter 2026, your are invited to continue sharing your news and stories and explore Spotlight South Cobb News — your source for local news.

🔗 https://spotlightsouthcobbnews.com/ Spotlight South Cobb News