Mother’s Day Weekend
Saturday, May 9 — Happy Mother’s Day weekend! If you’re looking for ways to celebrate, check our guide to Metro Atlanta happenings here. And to those of you who are missing one today, we know it can be a difficult day, and you’re in our thoughts.
🌩️ Cloudy with a high of 74° today, with highs in the 80s and scattered thunderstorms tomorrow.
MARKET UPDATE
📈 The S&P 500 gained 2.3%, and the Nasdaq surged 4.5% for the week, both closing at record highs, while the Dow added 0.2%, as all three indexes notched six straight winning weeks, their longest streak since 2024, after a better-than-expected jobs report.
Locally, Coca-Cola and Home Depot were down, while Delta Air Lines was up slightly.
LOCAL NEWS
🚧 GDOT canceled the weekend closure of a two-mile stretch of I-285 on the westside due to rain in the forecast.
⚽ Our Sarra Sedghi has more on the opening of the new U.S. Soccer training center in Fayetteville, plus updates on FIFA World Cup-related events happening around town.
🦠 GPB looks at whether there is a greater risk of hantavirus becoming a new pandemic as the Georgia Department of Public Health monitors a couple exposed on a cruise ship.
🚨 Gwinnett County Police have charged a suspect in connection with a recent series of burglaries of Pokémon cards.
🗣️ Candidates for the DeKalb County School District Board of Education District 4 seat discussed hiring a new superintendent and potential school closures at a forum in Tucker.
ELSEWHERE
🗳️ Virginia’s Supreme Court struck down a congressional redistricting effort approved by voters in April, dealing a major blow to Democrats attempting to counter GOP-led redistricting efforts in other states.
📺 ABC accused the Trump administration of violating First Amendment rights, pushing back against a regulatory investigation into whether “The View” broke equal-time rules for political candidates.
🛸 President Trump released the first batch of formerly top-secret files about UFO sightings and investigations.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATLANTA BELTLINE
🧘🏽♂️Take time for yourself this May with a self-care day on the Beltline! Explore our favorite ways to recharge and reset along the trail here.
🎗️ Kate’s Club hosts its Mourning Glory Gala tonight at The Stave Room, benefiting Georgia kids and families navigating grief.
🏀 The Dream opens the 2026 WNBA season tonight in Minneapolis. Atlanta is ranked as the fourth-best championship contender, behind New York, Las Vegas, and Indiana, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
🐼 Furry Weekend Atlanta continues today and tomorrow with meetups, workshops, panels, dances, and much more for anthropomorphic fursuit enthusiasts.
🏮 The Sandy Springs Lantern Parade will wind its way down Morgan Falls Road tonight, with festivities starting at 6 p.m.
🇲🇽 The Atlanta Ballet started its production of “Frida,” about the life of artist Frida Kahlo, yesterday, with performances continuing through tomorrow.
🚶 M2R TrailFest, a public arts festival in Downtown Marietta, is today, with activities kicking off at 9 a.m.
🎨 The Dunwoody Arts Festival will take place in Dunwoody Village today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
🌻 Sweet Auburn Springfest, a multicultural festival in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood of Atlanta, will run today from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and tomorrow from 1-8 p.m.
➡ Here are some concerts to check out:
⚰️ Dethklok + Amon Amarth @ Coca-Cola Roxy (tonight)
🚂 Alison Krauss and Union Station + Jerry Douglas @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park (tonight)
☎️ Brigitte Calls Me Baby @ Vinyl (tonight)
🍵 Built to Spill @ Variety Playhouse (tonight)
👾 The Monster Outbreak Tour Presents: Che @ Tabernacle (tonight)
✝️ Third Day + Zach Williams @ Gas South Arena (tomorrow)
🏃 Xscape + K. Michelle @ Fox Theatre (tomorrow)
🌕 Lil Xan @ Vinyl (tomorrow)
🥁 Sons of Legion @ Buckhead Theatre (tomorrow)
IT’S TIME TO PLAY THE QUIZ
🧠 Click here to play, and please let us know how you do by replying to this email or sharing on Instagram, Facebook, or Bluesky @RoughDraftATL.
Enjoy your Saturday!
Sip, savor, and celebrate!
SPONSORED BY FOOD THAT ROCKS
🥂 Food That Rocks 2026 returns to City Springs on June 4 as Sandy Springs’ all-inclusive tasting event, presented by Taste of Atlanta.
From 6–10 p.m. for VIP entry and starting at 7 p.m. for general admission, guests sample bites from more than 25 neighborhood restaurants alongside craft cocktails, beer, and wine tasting. The under-the-stars evening features live music from Bogey and the Viceroy, chef meet-and-greets, and interactive sponsor activations.
Celebrating Sandy Springs’ growing culinary scene, the event brings together local favorites and new spots for one high-energy night of food, drinks, and community.
Top stories of the week
A look back at this week’s most-read stories from our website. Follow @RoughDraftATL on Instagram for regular updates.
① Rodney Scott’s BBQ closes in Atlanta
② State begins issuing one-time tax refunds
③ Georgia Secretary of State candidates clash over election integrity and voting rights
④ Georgia gubernatorial candidates weigh in on LGBTQ+ issues (Pictured)
⑤ Bellwood Coffee vows to recommission Jovita Moore mural in Grant Park
❤️ Therapy that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood—while building practical skills to navigate life with confidence at Intown Psychology. SPONSOR MESSAGE
🔤 Play News Word Atlanta, our daily word game.
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