Atlanta Daily Local Headlines: BeltLine arrests, MARTA station faregate closures, and a podcast festival date
Atlanta, GA – March 2, 2026 – Teen takeover arrests near the BeltLine, MARTA faregate closures begin, and a major podcast festival returns to Pullman Yards.
Here are the top local headlines shaping Atlanta today.
Public safety
Police: 14 arrested after BeltLine-area ‘teen takeover’
Atlanta police said they ramped up patrols ahead of a planned gathering of unsupervised juveniles on Saturday night, Feb. 28, along the BeltLine corridor and nearby businesses. During the response, officers said they worked multiple incidents, including a shots-fired call near North Avenue and a separate dispute near Ponce de Leon Avenue.
In total, police said 14 people were arrested and 10 firearms were recovered. Reported charges include aggravated assault, weapons offenses involving minors, obstruction, reckless conduct, and other violations. Police said a 15-year-old was released to a parent, and the parent was cited for a curfew violation. The investigation was ongoing as of Sunday afternoon.
Transit
MARTA faregate construction hits Airport and Buckhead stations this week
MARTA is continuing its systemwide installation of new fare collection equipment, with phased work beginning Monday, March 2, at the Airport Station. Riders should expect all faregates to be closed there during construction and follow posted detours to emergency doors and designated terminal entrances.
Additional closures are scheduled to move quickly through Buckhead, Brookhaven, Lindbergh, and East Point stations this week. MARTA says rail and bus service will continue as scheduled, but customers may need a little extra time and should be prepared to pay fare to exit at their destination while stations are operating on temporary access routes.
Culture & events
Black Effect Podcast Festival set for April 25 at Pullman Yards
Organizers announced the Black Effect Podcast Festival will return to Atlanta on April 25 with a full-day lineup at Pullman Yards. The event is positioned as a showcase for Black-led podcasting and media, with panels and live conversations planned across entertainment, business, and emerging tech topics.
Tickets are expected to go on sale at noon on March 12, and the lineup includes featured hosts and guests tied to popular shows in the network.
Sources
- https://www.atlantapd.org/Home/Components/News/News/8019/17
- https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/28/marta-breeze-faregate-construction/
- https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/03/02/cobb-county-police-teen-takeover-beltline-cumberland-mall-curfew-arrests-social-media
- https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/03/02/black-effect-podcast-festival-atlanta-pullman-yards
