Tuesday vote
Nov. 18 — Voters in Fulton and Cobb counties will return to the polls today to select one of six candidates vying to fill the vacant Senate District 35 seat and to complete the term of former state Sen. Jason Esteves, who resigned earlier this year to run for governor. Precincts are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and you can find yours here.
☀️ Sunny and 71° today.
🏈 Kirk Cousins will return as the Falcons’ starting quarterback after Michael Penix Jr. was placed on injured reserve with a re-injured left knee that could end his season.
🗳️ Georgia lawmakers are debating whether to switch to a new voting system ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
🔎 The Atlanta City Council approved the creation of an oversight commission for a $5 billion plan to encourage development in historically neglected neighborhoods.
🥫 The International Poverty Forum, powered by Caring for Others, is loading the first of several containers this morning with 18,540 essential items bound for hurricane relief in Jamaica.
🌳 Tucker Town Green’s lush two-acre park opened Nov. 14, debuting a new place downtown for play, connection, and entertainment.
💼 Sandy Springs-based Community Assistance Center has combined its career and adult education services with the grand opening of its new Empowerment Center.
⭕ Leadership Perimeter announced the appointment of Stacy Garmon as its new executive director.
💰 The recent Atlanta Women’s Foundation luncheon raised $1.2 million for local organizations that empower women and girls.
ELSEWHERE
🗄️ In advance of today’s expected House vote on releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said he was “deeply ashamed” of his association with the convicted sex offender.
🇸🇦 President Donald Trump said he would greenlight F-35 sales to Saudi Arabia ahead of today’s White House visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
📉 Stock futures are down this morning after all major indices closed sharply lower yesterday, as investors await tomorrow’s earnings report from AI darling Nvidia.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• GSU student wins AI competition
• TrustDALE
• Around the State: GPB
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities
🏠 This reimagined Buckhead estate, listed at $4.25 million with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, offers privacy and modern elegance on nearly an acre. Behind a gated drive, enjoy a saltwater pool, an outdoor fireplace, and a terrace level that lives as a full secondary residence and includes a theater and a fitness room. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Georgia State University student wins global AI innovation competition
🏆 A Georgia State University doctoral student has won the top prize in an international competition that recognizes innovative projects in the artificial intelligence and data science realm.
Nagur Shareef Shaik, a PhD candidate in computer science and research assistant at Georgia State’s Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) Center, was named “Global Champion” of D3CODE 2025, an annual innovation challenge that drew over 25,000 participants from five countries.
Shaik scored first place for developing PRISM (standing for “Predictive and Reasoning Intelligence for Scalable Modeling”), an AI-powered data intelligence platform designed to automate and manage complex data workflows for organizations.
🖥️ Learn more about the competition and the winner here.
Lights, laughter, and holiday cheer with Miracle on Peachtree festivities
SPONSORED BY LIVABLE BUCKHEAD
🎄This holiday season, Buckhead shines bright with festive cheer for the whole community!
Warm up with two festive hot chocolate crawls, give back at the wreath decorating for first responders, and don’t miss the lighting of a 24-foot tree in Charlie Loudermilk Park, featuring live music and festive llama photo ops. The holiday fun never stops!
✨ Events begin Fri., Dec. 5. Visit Livable Buckhead’s website for all the Miracle on Peachtree details.
2. The hidden dangers of a dirty chimney
TOGETHER WITH TRUSTDALE
🔥 As the air turns colder, the fireplace becomes a gathering point in many homes. But what many families don’t realize is that a neglected chimney can quietly turn a peaceful evening by the fire into a serious safety hazard.
Recent data shows that home fires involving heating equipment remain significant in the United States. From 2016 to 2020, fire departments responded to almost 45,000 home structure fires caused by heating equipment.
🎅 Learn the risks of a dirty chimney and what you can do to keep your house safe from TrustDALE.
3. Habitat for Humanity awards ‘Golden Hammer’ to Southwest Atlanta community bid
🔨 Atlanta Habitat for Humanity received the “Golden Hammer” to host the 40th annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in 2026.
Since 1984, the annual gathering of volunteers has built more than 4,500 homes in 14 countries.
Thousands of volunteers are expected to participate in the Carter work project starting May 3. They will help build 24 homes in five days for the Langston Park development in Southwest Atlanta’s historic Sylvan Hills neighborhood.
🏠 Read more in this story from GPB.
✨ Buckhead shines bright with festive cheer this holiday season! A tree lighting, wreath decorating, hot chocolate crawls, and encounters with Santa are just a few highlights of Miracle on Peachtree, Buckhead’s annual season of festivities. Check out the full lineup! SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
🫑 The King’s Table is looking for volunteers on Thursday morning to help with food distribution near Stonecrest. Expect to assist with traffic control, loading boxes into vehicles, and assembling food and other items for distribution.
🎀 Decatur’s Wylde Center (pictured) needs volunteers for a wreath prep session at Oakhurst Garden on Friday morning. Tasks include bow making, spray painting, and gathering and organizing event materials.
🍌 Impact Church in Snellville is looking for volunteers on Saturday morning to pack and distribute food boxes, organize the pantry, and assist with lines and clients.
✨ Buckhead shines bright with festive cheer this holiday season! A tree lighting, wreath decorating, hot chocolate crawls, and encounters with Santa are just a few highlights of Miracle on Peachtree, Buckhead’s annual season of festivities. Check out the full lineup! SPONSOR MESSAGE
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