Debating Thursday
June 27 — The possibility of rain, the Biden-Trump debate, and soccer fans converging on The Benz will make for one potentially gnarly traffic situation this afternoon. Scroll down for the details.
🌂 After yesterday’s high of 100°, there’s a 50% chance of rain and a high of 86° today. The humidity will make it feel much warmer, though.
🗳 The demolition of North DeKalb Mall began yesterday to make way for the mixed-use Lulah Hills development.
✉️ Sen. Jon Ossoff is calling for an investigation into the discovery that more than 1,000 official pieces of Fulton County court correspondence dating back to 2021 were never delivered.
🚨 A 33-year-old man who was found with a Glock 17 pistol in his backpack was arrested at a Target store in Tucker for allegedly shoplifting more than $500 in Disney and Pokémon merchandise.
⚕️ The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Walgreens, and KFF’s “Greater than HIV” initiative are offering free HIV testing today.
🏀 The Atlanta Hawks took French forward Zaccharie Risacher, 19, with the top pick in last night’s NBA Draft.
ELSEWHERE
🇧🇴 Soldiers stormed Bolivia’s presidential palace in a failed coup attempt.
⚖️ The Supreme Court accidentally leaked a draft opinion suggesting it would partially overturn Idaho’s near-total abortion ban, before quickly removing the document from its website.
📺 Season 3 of “The Bear” dropped on Hulu last night, slightly ahead of schedule.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Traffic red alert
• Copa América preview
• Macon Melody
• Setting digital boundaries
AND
• Quick Bites
Have a good day,
Collin & Sammie
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SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Traffic: consider yourself warned
🚗 The presidential debate in Midtown and the Copa América match Downtown is expected to bring more traffic headaches than usual to Atlanta today.
“We are expecting a busy evening this Thursday,” an Atlanta Police Department (APD) news release said. “If you are planning an evening out in Atlanta, for the game, dinner, or any other of our offerings, we encourage you to plan ahead and anticipate limited parking and heavier-than-usual traffic.”
Copa América will be back at Mercedes-Benz Stadium where the U.S. Men’s National Team will face Panama (preview below), and President Joe Biden and Donald Trump will face off at 9 p.m. in the first 2024 presidential debate at CNN Studios in the Warner Bros/Discovery complex at 10th Street and Techwood Drive.
➡ More on what to expect here.
DEBATE PREP
📻 WABE’s “Political Breakfast” with Lisa Rayam, Tharon Johnson, and Brian Robinson has a preview in this episode, with another expected to post today.
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2. USMNT seeks knockout spot in Atlanta Copa América game
⚽ The U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team faces Panama tonight at 6 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the second game of their Copa América campaign. (TV: Fox Sports)
This year’s event is only the second time the tournament has been held outside of South America in the past 50 years, and the U.S. is looking to make a mark on home soil. A lot is on the line for the Yanks, with a win in this game guaranteeing a spot in the knockout round.
Anything besides a victory against Panama will leave the US needing a draw or win against formidable opponent Uruguay.
🏆 Learn more about the upcoming match here.
3. A newspaper blooms in Macon
🗞️ Macon, GA and Bibb County residents are getting a new news source that is bucking the trend of newspapers shrinking. The Macon Melody launched yesterday online and in print. Its 12-person newsroom focuses on community news, covering everything from the happenings in local government to heralding the latest in high school sports.
The Melody is part of the Georgia Trust for Local News, a nonprofit that owns and operates 19 community newspapers across Middle and South Georgia.
🌟 Rough Draft readers are invited to try one month of The Melody for free with the code “Draft.”
4. This Atlanta-based app wants to give you the data to find balance in the digital world
📱 It is a very 21st century conundrum. You have 15 minutes in between meetings. Or you’re trying to fall asleep. Or you are just bored in the middle of the day. And in those moments, you have a decision to make: Do you reach for your phone and aimlessly scroll?
Roots, an Atlanta-based startup, has a platform to help make that decision easier. The app is designed to help users set boundaries in the digital world in a tangible way that is often not provided on other screen time control options on the market.
In summer 2024, the Roots team is fully launching its platform. The app is now bringing users data-based insights, a digital dopamine tracker, and a “Monk Mode” option to help people get serious about mindful phone usage.
➡️ Read the full story here at Hypepotamus.
🏡 Imagine living in the 1920s with modern comforts in this timeless Druid Hills gem, listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. This architecturally significant home features charming period details, a renovated chef’s kitchen, a porte cochère, and a private backyard oasis near Emory Village and Morningside.
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5. Quick Bites
VIA SIDE DISH, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER| SUBSCRIBE HERE
🍷 Rone Health is hosting a “Wine and Wellness” Rhône wine tasting event on Fri., June 28 at 3 Parks Wine in Old Fourth Ward. $10 gets you three Rhône Valley wine tastings and the chance to win various wellness prizes. RSVP for a complimentary B12 shot on your first appointment.
🍽️ Testarossa, a new venture from Bruce Logue and the team behind Inman Park’s BoccaLupo, sold out this week’s “test drive” event featuring a sample menu. Testarossa’s concept will involve expanding beyond a singular country’s cuisine in favor of fronting small dishes packed with flavor. Stay tuned to the BoccaLupo website for more updates.
🫑 Today is the last day to catch Session I of Fulton Fresh Mobile Market, a venture that travels to various sites and offers free produce, educational courses, and culinary demonstrations. An initiative by Fulton County’s Cooperative Extension, Thursday’s stops include Roswell and East Point. Session II will begin July 9 and run through Aug. 18; for more details visit here.
🇮🇹 Pochino Italy is now open in Kennesaw. The fast-casual menu includes dishes like pasta cacio e pepe, pinsa, and gelato cookie sandwiches for dessert.
🦀 Have a hankering for crab? Get ready for Atlanta’s second annual Crab Trap & Tap at Wild Heaven Beer on July 13. Maryland blue crabs, Low Country boil, Old Bay-rimmed EDB-micheladas, and additional brews are all on the menu, in addition to live music and backyard games. Tickets can be purchased here.
🦞 Or, if you need a lobster fix, join Dips Kitchen (pictured) for Lobster & Clam Chowder Roll night every Wednesday at their Buckhead Village location. Get details and reserve your roll ahead of time.
💎 Buckhead’s 103 West is in the midst of a mini-refresh this summer. Soon to welcome guests back to their ballrooms — now under new management with Novare Events — you can inquire about dates and ballroom availability here.
🍷 Tickets are now on sale for the Atlanta Wine Walk at Live! at The Battery on Aug. 31. General and VIP admission are available. Visit here to secure your spot.
🧑🍳 Pullman Yards is planning to start a restaurant residency program called Brick & Mortar. Located in the restaurant now known as Dailies & Sides, the program is an extension of Pullman Yards’ weekly Chefs Market & Bazaar. Serving as an incubator for burgeoning chefs, the first residency is expected to begin on Aug. 10.
🥖 Postino WineCafé – with locations in Buckhead and Midtown – is hosting its second annual “Battle of the Bruschetta” starting July 1. The summer-long, bracket-style competition is between four limited-time bruschetta recipes, with the winner earning a permanent spot on the fall Postino menu. Be sure to stop by and vote for your favorite contender – French Onion, Berry Mascarpone, Philly Cheesesteak, or Buffalo Cauliflower.
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📧 Today’s newsletter was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.