Heat wave
Saturday, June 27 — We’re tooting our own horn today: Rough Draft collected three Georgia Press Association Awards, including for Georgia Voice’s Pride Issue, our section on Sandy Springs’ 20th anniversary, and for Sarra Sedghi and Logan C. Ritchie’s story on Westside restaurant closures.
☀️ This weekend will be sunny with highs in the low 90s, but it will feel like it’s 100°.
FIFA WORLD CUP
⚽ Cape Verde’s Cinderella story continues as it advanced yesterday, becoming the smallest country ever to make the knockout round when Spain eliminated Uruguay.
🇨🇩🇺🇿 The group stage wraps up today with six matches, including Congo DR v Uzbekistan in Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. Congo must win tonight for a chance to advance as a third-place group finisher.
🍺 Rough Draft will be posted up at Broad Street BBQ in South Downtown from 5-6 p.m. Come through and say hi.
MARKET UPDATE
📉 Chip stocks dragged the Nasdaq down for a fifth straight session Friday, falling 0.24%, after a report that OpenAI may delay its IPO sparked concern about AI infrastructure spending. The S&P 500 slipped 0.05%; the Dow shed 0.09%.
LOCAL NEWS
🚇 MARTA has moved approximately 1.7 million people to four World Cup matches, nine FIFA Fan Festivals, and other World Cup-related events and festivities since June 11.
🐟 Our sustainability columnist Sally Bethea takes a closer look at the massive fish kill on the Chattahoochee River following an extreme storm in May.
☕ The Moores Mill location of Spiller Park Coffee will close on July 3 after nearly five years at the Publix-anchored complex. But it’s not all bad news.
📚 The winners and finalists of the 62nd annual Georgia Author of the Year Awards were announced yesterday.
ELSEWHERE
⚖️ John Bolton, former national security adviser and Trump critic, pleaded guilty to retaining classified information.
🇮🇷🇺🇸 Iran struck U.S.-linked targets in the region today, after American forces hit Iranian military sites in response to drone attacks on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening a ceasefire deal signed just last week.
🇻🇪 The death toll from this week’s Venezuela earthquakes rose to at least 920, with more than 3,300 injured, as the U.S. pledged $150 million towards earthquake relief efforts.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATLANTA BELTLINE
⚽ Spend your extra time on the Beltline and explore the Atlanta Beltline Indie Market Experience: Summer of Soccer today, Sat., June 27, at four locations along the trail!
🥅 If you want to enjoy more FIFA this weekend, take a look at our World Cup watch party guide to find a good spot to watch some soccer.
⚽ Decatur FC plays its last home game of the season tonight against GA Impact at 7 p.m. Decatur beat Chattanooga FC earlier this week.
🥒 The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta is hosting a two-day pickleball clinic today and tomorrow, featuring help from 2022 U.S Open champion Frank Solana.
🌍 AFROXFEST, a two-day pan-African festival in Candler Park, runs today and tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
🍹 Enjoy tasty food and drinks and fun music at the Atlanta Seafood & Caribbean Music Festival at Underground Atlanta today from 2-10 p.m.
➡ Here are some concerts to check out:
🎻 Hank Williams Jr. @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre (tonight)
🐕 Kenny Mason @ Center Stage (tonight)
☮️ TopOppGen @ The Masquerade (tonight)
🍯 idobi Radio Summer School w/ Honey Revenge and more @ Buckhead Theatre (tonight)
🐁 Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience @ Alliance Theatre (tomorrow, and also Tues.)
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!
Experience SCAD in Atlanta
SPONSORED BY SCAD
🎨 Be sure to check out SCAD’s takeover of Atlanta as the city comes alive for the FIFA World Cup 26™! More than 200 SCAD students and alumni are transforming the streets with bold wayfinding, immersive murals, and interactive installations across the city. From the Last Mile navigation system to vibrant public art moments, every corner becomes a creative experience.
→ Explore our websiteto learn how you can experience SCAD’s activations across Atlanta!
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 Observations from FIFA Fan Fest in Atlanta
② DeKalb County opens resource center to assist homeless residents
③ DeKalb County Tax Commissioner clarifies assessment notices and tax bills
④ Martha Zoller, influential Georgia conservative voice, dies at 67 (pictured)
⑤ Brookhaven citizens protest millage rate increase at public hearing, but council approves it
🍑 PeachFest is back! PeachFest returns July 12 to Underground Atlanta for an unforgettable celebration of Georgia peaches. Enjoy chef-crafted dishes, creative cocktails, live music and experiences from Atlanta’s top chefs, bartenders, artisans and farmers. Bring your friends. Learn more and buy tickets today. SPONSOR MESSAGE
🔤 Play News Word Atlanta, our daily word game.
🎟️ One diner called the first Rough Draft Dinner Club “Good food and great company in a low-pressure environment.” Register today for the next one on July 21.
📤 Have a friend or colleague who would enjoy getting this newsletter? Forward them this link to subscribe.
