Monday bells
Aug. 4 — Class is back in session this morning for students in multiple local school districts, including Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton County,Cobb County,DeKalb County. Fulton County, Gwinnett County, and Rockdale County.
☔ A 60% chance of rain and a high of 68° today. A flood watch is in effect until this evening.
🗳️ Former football coach Derek Dooley launched his long-expected Senate campaign today, backed by Gov. Brian Kemp, in the race to challenge incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff.
⚾ The Braves beat the Reds 4-2 yesterday in the Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway. The game, which was postponed by rain on Saturday, was the first-ever MLB game played in Tennessee.
📌 The Atlanta City Council will consider creating a “senior zone” designation to promote age-friendly infrastructure, accessible housing, and safer communities at today’s meeting.
🗳️ Sandy Springs City Council member Melody Kelley was elected as the Georgia Municipal Association’s vice president for District Three North for the 2025-2026 term.
🌳 AMLI Brookhaven, a new apartment complex sitting on five acres with two miles of walking trails, is now leasing on Lake Hearn Drive.
🎭 After a year of construction, the Alliance Theatre is unveiling its new Goizueta Stage for Youth & Families in 2026 with a trio of musicals.
🤝 Tucker-based Friends of Disabled Adults and Children is mobilizing to provide critical support to victims of the recent Texas Hill Country floods.
📽️ Atlanta Pride marked its 55th anniversary over the weekend with a commemoration of the “Lonesome Cowboys” police raid that sparked the city’s gay rights movement.
ELSEWHERE
🏛️ In a bid to block mid-decade redistricting, more than 50 Texas Democratic legislators fled the state, denying Republicans the quorum needed to pass controversial congressional maps.
🔁 The Smithsonian said it will restore President Donald Trump’s mention in its presidential impeachment exhibit.
💻 The women-only dating review app Tea was hacked, leaking sensitive data on 13,000 users after the app went viral as a platform for rating men.
🎗️ “WKRP in Cincinnati” star Loni Anderson died Sunday at 79.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Frozen desserts
• HOPE Tee Shot honorees
• Global Headlines
AND
• Look & Listen
Have a great week!
✨ Help provide life-changing mental health support to kids and families across Metro Atlanta by attending CHRIS 180’s 25th anniversary CHRIStal Ball on Aug. 16! Get tickets here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Atlanta has a frozen dessert for every palate
This story was first published in 285 South, a news publication dedicated to Metro Atlanta’s immigrant and refugee communities, and is part of a partnership with Rough Draft Atlanta.
🍧 On a sunny Saturday afternoon, little kids are lining up in front of the display freezer at Marietta’s Paleteria Michoacana.
While ranchera music plays over the shop’s speakers, the children consider their ice cream and paleta flavor choices: Will it be passion fruit or dulce de leche today? Strawberry or chamoy?
There are plenty of icy options – and not just at Paleteria Michoacana but all across the Atlanta area. Over the years, people arriving here from around the world have built businesses that now offer frozen treats from just about everywhere. Recently, 285 South put in the work and came up with a handy frozen dessert guide for your dining pleasure.
Know where your food comes from
SPONSORED BY LOVE IS LOVE FARM
👩🌾 The worker-owner farmers of Love is Love Cooperative Farm invite you to join their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Group.
🥬 In its 18th year, the CSA is more than just a weekly vegetable subscription. It’s a community of conscientious humans who enjoy certified organic produce and supporting local businesses.
Members who subscribe to Love is Love Cooperative Farm report that they enjoy eating high-quality, certified organic food, knowing their farmers, and helping take care of the earth! All appreciate the rewarding relationships and sense of belonging.
2. TOUR Championship announces HOPE Tee Shot honorees
⛳ The TOUR Championship has announced its 2025 HOPE Tee Shot honorees, with First Tee – Metro Atlanta members Aiko Benford and Samuel West selected to each hit the opening tee shots at the TOUR Championship on Aug. 21.
As part of this annual tournament tradition, both honorees also receive a $5,000 scholarship on behalf of TOUR Championship partner Accenture.
Benford, a junior at Druid Hills High School, has been a member of First Tee – Metro Atlanta for over eight years. West, a senior at Drew Charter School, has been envisioning his chance to hit the HOPE Tee Shot ever since he began his career at First Tee in 2015.
➳ Find out more about the honorees.
3. El Salvador removes term limits; previously dormant volcano erupts in Russia
🇮🇱🇵🇸 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a “decisive military victory” is needed to free the 50 remaining hostages after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released propaganda videos showing emaciated Israeli captives.
🇾🇪 At least 76 Ethiopian migrants died when their boat sank off Yemen’s coast, with dozens still missing from the vessel carrying 157 people.
🇨🇦 Smoke from Canadian wildfires has led to hazardous air conditions, prompting health alerts in multiple states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
🇷🇺 Russia’s Krasheninnikov volcano erupted early Sunday for the first time in 600 years, possibly triggered by last week’s massive earthquake.
🇳🇬 Kidnappers in violence-plagued northwest Nigeria killed 35 hostages despite being paid ransom for the victims.
🇸🇻 El Salvador’s ruling party voted to change the country’s constitution to remove term limits, allowing President Nayib Bukele to remain in office indefinitely.
🇰🇷 Seoul replaced London as the world’s best city for international students, with Tokyo placing second.
🇯🇵 Japan is overhauling its foreign worker system to attract international talent.
🗓️ As climate change accelerates the melting of Arctic ice, the region is rapidly emerging as a new geopolitical frontier. President Trump’s controversial proposal to purchase Greenland from Denmark, while dismissed by both Danish and Greenlandic leaders, reflected a broader ambition to assert U.S. dominance in the Arctic. Learn more by registering today for the World Affairs Council of Atlanta’s free, public webinar on Aug. 24.
✨ Help provide life-changing mental health support to kids and families across Metro Atlanta by attending CHRIS 180’s 25th anniversary CHRIStal Ball on Aug. 16! Get tickets here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Back-to-school pods
With school bells ringing across Metro Atlanta today, here are some podcasts to help students, parents, and teachers make the new year less stressful and more productive.
🎙️ Kendra Adachi’s “The Lazy Genius” podcast has tips on transitioning back into the school year for students, parents, and teachers.
🎧 The “More Happier” podcast with Gretchen Ruben has back-to-school hacks, including working with students who are “rebels,” assisting students with ADHD, and insight into how students thrive when presented with choices.
🎙️ The “Simple Purposeful Living” podcast has suggestions for decluttering and organizing your kids’ rooms to get them ready for the new school year.
🎧 The “FamilyLife Today” podcast hosts David and Meg Robbins have tips on dealing with back-to-school anxiety for parents and students.
✨ Help provide life-changing mental health support to kids and families across Metro Atlanta by attending CHRIS 180’s 25th anniversary CHRIStal Ball on Aug. 16! Get tickets here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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