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Falcons new stadium money approved by NFL owners

Falcons new stadium money approved by NFL owners

BOSTON (AP) -- NFL owners have approved a $200 million loan for construction of a new stadium in Atlanta.

GALLERY | Falcons new stadium concepts

The Falcons received the money Tuesday at the NFL's spring meetings. The multipurpose stadium could cost as much as $1 billion.

MORE | Continuing coverage of new stadium project

Falcons owner Arthur Blank says the approval is an "important milestone in moving the new stadium project forward." Blank says the design and construction will take place over the next four years.

The stadium will be built with $200 million from public bonds, with the rest coming from Blank. The Georgia Dome, which opened in 1992, will be demolished when the new stadium opens.

Free Hawks playoffs tickets hidden around Atlanta

Free Hawks playoffs tickets hidden around Atlanta

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks have made it to the NBA Playoffs for the sixth year in a row, and the team is celebrating with a fun scavenger hunt for fans.

The Hawks will hide 50 foam fingers at various places throughout Atlanta on Thursday and Friday. Each finger will hold two tickets to a Hawks home game.

Fans who find the fingers are invited to tweet pictures of themselves with the hashtag #PlayoffFever. Everyone who tweets will be entered into a drawing to win VIP seats and a Hawks jersey signed by Josh Smith.

The Hawks have provided a few clues about where they plan to hide some of the fingers:

1. One of NBC's Thursday night comedies contains the name of several locations.

2. One location's tagline is "Weekends are overrated."

3. The Hawks plan to connect the East, West, North and South at one location.

Ga., Ga. Tech baseball teams to battle in 11th annual Kauffman Tire Spring Classic for Kids

Ga., Ga. Tech baseball teams to battle in 11th annual Kauffman Tire Spring Classic for Kids

ATLANTA – The Kauffman Tire Spring Classic for Kids returns to Turner Field on Tuesday, April 23 as Georgia and Georgia Tech meet in this annual neutral-site showdown. With more than 20,000 tickets sold each year, the Kauffman Tire Spring Classic is one of the highest-attended regular season NCAA baseball games every season.

Proceeds from the event benefit the pediatric research of the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Neurosciences Program.  The Children's Neurosciences Program collaborates with other institutions to discover preventative and curative strategies for children with serious medical illnesses or challenges.  

Kevin Ware cuts down championship net

Kevin Ware cuts down championship net

ATLANTA -- Monday was a huge night for the University of Louisville.

The team defeated the University of Michigan 82-76 to win this year's NCAA Championship.

Rick Pitino became the first coach in history to lead two different schools to the title. He gave a lot of credit to one athlete who didn't play a minute in Atlanta -- Rockdale County's Kevin Ware.

The injured guard, who suffered a compound fracture in his leg during the Midwest Regional final against Duke, was on the bench for both of Louisville's Final Four wins.

And he was on the court at the end for the traditional ritual of cutting down the nets.

Atlanta police move to stop vending before Final Four

Atlanta police move to stop vending before Final Four

ATLANTA -- As Atlanta prepares to host the NCAA Final Four tournament, police officers converged on several parts of downtown to enforce a ban on vending on public property.

RELATED | Ga. Dome to have new look for Final Four

Atlanta police said officers were at several areas popular with vendors shortly after 6:30 a.m. Thursday to enforce the ban. Sites included the Five Points area near a main commuter train station; Woodruff Park and areas around Turner Field.

Police say the action was prompted by a December court decision involving Atlanta city ordinances on vending.

Gwinnett Braves announce non-profit partnership series

Gwinnett Braves announce non-profit partnership series

Non-Profit Partnership Series to Return in 2013

Gwinnett Braves to continue helping local organizations raise awareness, funds for their causes

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – The Gwinnett Braves announced plans Tuesday to continue their Non-Profit Partnership Series for the 2013 season.  Introduced in 2012, the series is an all-inclusive program that allows multiple organizations who volunteer for a common cause to rally together on themed nights that correspond with the Gwinnett Braves Grant Program.  The goal is to help local organizations raise awareness and funds for their causes all season long.

2013 Georgia Rides to the Capitol to raise cycling support

2013 Georgia Rides to the Capitol to raise cycling support

ATLANTA -- The 2013 "Georgia Rides to the Capitol" event will be held through the city on Tuesday, March 26.

A spokeswoman for the ride said more than 1,000 cyclists are expected to participate, as part of the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association "GEORGIA BIKES!" program. The bike ride will be escorted by police, and run track through Decatur and Roswell. Leading the pack will be Commissioner Fred Boykin and Mayor Jere Wood, along with more city officials. 

During the "Georgia Rides to the Capitol" event, cyclists hope to raise support for other types of transportation through the metro region. Plus, they hope conditions will improve to allow easier cycling, including the development of regional systems and both on-road bicycling facilities and multi-use trails.