FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Council Communications
Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Ave. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

May 6, 2026

Atlanta City Council Statement on the Passing of Ted Turner 

ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council issues the following statement on the passing of Ted Turner, founder of CNN:

“Atlanta City Council mourns the loss of Ted Turner, a pioneering entrepreneur and philanthropist who revolutionized television news through founding CNN, the world’s first 24-hour news network, making Atlanta a leader in media. His work has touched millions of people as they have been able to witness historic moments here and around the world over the past 40 years.

“His impact extends well beyond the news industry; through his philanthropic efforts, he has supported the United Nations and advanced land conservation initiatives, including establishing the United Nations Foundation and co-founding the Nuclear Threat Initiative. As owner of the Atlanta Braves from 1976 to 2005, he turned the team into a nationally popular franchise, including winning the 1995 World Series under his ownership.

“The Atlanta City Council extends heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who were touched by his media influence and philanthropy.”

About Atlanta City Council

The Atlanta City Council is the chief policy-making body for the City of Atlanta. It acts by considering and enacting all laws that govern the city. The Council also approves the operating and capital budgets for the City as recommended by the mayor, and it continually monitors revenues and expenditures for local government operations. The Atlanta City Council reviews and decides on many land use and zoning matters. Major economic development projects for the City also fall under the Council’s jurisdiction.

The City Council is composed of 12 districts and three at-large posts. Council representatives are Council President: Marci Collier Overstreet; District 1: Jason Winston; District 2: Kelsea Bond; District 3: Byron Amos; District 4: Jason S. Dozier; District 5: Liliana Bakhtiari; District 6: Alex Wan; District 7: Thomas Worthy; District 8: Mary Norwood; District 9: Dustin Hillis; District 10: Andrea L. Boone; District 11: Wayne Martin; District 12: Antonio Lewis; Post 1 At-Large: Michael Julian Bond; Post 2 At-Large: Matt Westmoreland; and Post 3 At-Large: Eshé Collins. 

To learn more about the Atlanta City Council, please visit http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/. For the latest updates, follow the Atlanta City Council on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Office of Council Communications Contacts:

William Doughty
wdoughty@atlantaga.gov
404-330-6056

Tiffanie Kelly
trkelly@atlantaga.gov
404-330-6014