Welcome back to Monday! We hope everyone had a great three-day weekend.

Today's weather: Sunshine, with a chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 90s.

Today's newsletter is 888 words — a 3-minute read.

The first trial in Georgia's sweeping racketeering case against activists protesting Atlanta's public safety training center starts today.

Why it matters: The state prosecution of Ayla King could preview how Georgia will pursue the dozens of "Stop Cop City" cases, and shape the future of protest and criminal law in the state.

Catch up quick: King, a Massachusetts resident, was one of dozens of people who prosecutors allege are "militant anarchists" who tried to halt the police and fire academy's construction with vandalism and arson.

• King, who uses they/them pronouns, is accused of storming the DeKalb County construction site in March 2023 with more than 20 other masked activists after a nearby protest concert.
• King faces one racketeering charge and could be sentenced to five to 20 years in prison, the AP reports. Their attorney, Surinder Chadha Jimenez, said King is innocent.

State of play: King requested a speedy trial in late 2023, not long after their indictment along with 60 other people who are accused of domestic terrorism, racketeering, money laundering and more.

• Their case has been anything but speedy, lumbering along thanks to a procedural debate over whether the trial commenced within the required time frame.

Zoom out: Supporters and free speech advocates say the indictments, along with new state laws stiffening punishments on people who commit vandalism during protests, are aimed at chilling activism.

• Efforts to halt the training center with legal action and a referendum have failed in the courts or become mired in appeals. The $118 million public safety academy on 85 acres opened earlier this year.

What they're saying: Nora Benavidez, senior counsel at free speech advocacy group Free Press, told Axios the case "is emblematic of a flawed but pervasive national effort to undermine diversity of speech and to delegitimize the viewpoints of those fighting for equity, human rights, and progress generally."

Share this story

Knowledge is power, and we believe in empowering our community through reliable, local journalism.

Join our membership program for just $50+ a year, and you can support our efforts to keep you in the know of what's happening around town.

• You'll get insider notes and other perks as a thanks.

Together, we can ensure our neighbors stay informed.

More people are "rucking" with weighted vests or loaded backpacks to build muscle and protect bones.

Why it matters: It's a military exercise that's become a mainstream low-impact, longevity trend.

Catch up quick: Originally used in military training, rucking is hiking with added weight.

• Wellness influencers and gear brands helped turn it into both a solo exercise and a community activity done in outdoor clubs and even virtual classes.

What they're saying: Seeing a woman in a weighted vest has become "how to tell someone's in perimenopause without them saying it," says Anna Hammond, head physical therapist at Core Exercise Solutions in Atlanta.

How it works: Start by filling a backpack with household items like magazines and water bottles, GORUCK co-founder Emily McCarthy tells Axios. "Keep it by the door," and wear it as you're doing your daily activities.

• Women might start walking with 5%-10% of their body weight for short walks. Then, experts recommend slowly adding weight and time.

The big picture: "Weighted vests aren't just a fitness trend," according to Mary Claire Haver, OB-GYN and author of "The New Menopause."

• "They're a science-backed strategy to potentially improve bone density, balance, and muscle mass," she writes, "all of which are critical for reducing the risk of osteoporosis and frailty as we age."

Yes, but: Rucking isn't an "easy button," warns Hammond. You don't just "buy this thing and put it on" and expect immediate results.

• She cautions that poor form and uneven weight distribution can cause posture issues and shallow breathing — she got a stiff neck from rucking herself.