Tuesday chill
March 17 — A split-screen weather moment gripped the country yesterday, with a record-shattering March heat wave baking the West while a severe storm system dumped blizzard conditions on the Midwest, spawned tornado threats across the mid-Atlantic, and snow flurries in metro Atlanta.
☀️ A freeze warning is in effect until 10 a.m. today, with sunny skies but a high of 42°.
⏱️ Bring your patience if you’re heading to the airport today. As we hit send on this morning’s newsletter, TSA wait times topped 90 minutes, and a ground stop was affecting flights.
☘️ Most St. Patrick’s Day events took place over the weekend, but today is the actual holiday, with eating and drinking options around town.
🗳️ Georgia lawmakers are considering a bill that would create a homelessness prevention program by drawing on flexible grants that local governments and nonprofits can match.
💉 Flu deaths in Georgia are the highest they’ve been in five years, according to a report from the Georgia Department of Public Health.
🗣️ State and local leaders will gather tomorrow at the Georgia Freight Depot for the inaugural State of Economic Development event.
💊 A Norcross drug bust led to federal charges against two men for trafficking 40 pounds of fentanyl and methamphetamines.
💵 Business technology provider Sage is undergoing a major office expansion at its headquarters at Ponce City Market.
🏆 “The Red Man” by JuCoby Johnson won the 23rd annual Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition.
🏀 The Hawks found their wings last night and won their 10th straight game, beating the Orlando Magic 124-112.
ELSEWHERE
⚖️ A federal judge blocked Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s overhaul of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee.
🇮🇷🇮🇱🇺🇸 Here are updates from the war in Iran:
- President Donald Trump postponed a planned trip to China, citing the war, as several allies rebuffed his call to join a coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- Shrapnel from Iranian missiles fell in Jerusalem’s Old City.
- Market futures are down this morning after stocks rebounded on Monday as easing oil prices lifted all three major indexes.
- Follow live updates here.
🇨🇺 President Trump said he expects to have the “honor” of “taking Cuba,” calling it “a failed nation” with “nice land.” Cuba suffered an islandwide blackout yesterday, its third in four months, as its power grid ages.
🏀 The NCAA Tournament’s First Four tips off tonight, with the first game starting at 6:40 p.m. on TruTV.
⚾ The USA plays Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic championship tonight at 8 p.m. (FOX).
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Chef Todd’s new BBQ spot
• Spring home repair scams
• UGA School of Medicine
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities
🏢 Modern design meets effortless comfort in this Buckhead townhome featuring skylights, floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass staircase, and a rooftop sky lounge with outdoor fireplace and kitchen. Listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, it offers sophisticated Intown living near premier dining and boutiques. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Veteran Atlanta chef Todd Richards opens Southern barbecue restaurant and grill room in McDonough
🍖 The next restaurant from veteran Atlanta chef and cookbook author Todd Richards opened in McDonough.
Called Que-Riosity, the restaurant’s menu centers on grill room classics, barbecue, and the Southern and soul food dishes for which Richards has become known for over the last 20 years in Atlanta.
After getting married three years ago, Richards moved to McDonough, 30 miles south of Atlanta. On a good day, his commute to Atlanta takes about an hour. Richards realized other people make that same drive daily for work, or to eat at one of Atlanta’s many independent restaurants. Opening Que-Riosity in McDonough provides locals with another option closer to home.
MORE DINING NEWS
👨🍳 Nine chefs were named to the state’s 2026 Georgia Grown Executive Chef class at the recent State Restaurant Day at the Capitol.
Orthopedic issues? This is how you Get Better.
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2. Spring home repair scams are back
TOGETHER WITH TRUSTDALE
🏠 Spring has a way of getting homeowners motivated. Warmer weather reveals winter damage, outdoor projects start calling your name, and contractors suddenly seem to appear everywhere offering quick repairs.
Unfortunately, that seasonal surge in home improvement activity also attracts dishonest operators looking to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners.
Every year, consumer protection organizations warn that home repair scams spike in the spring. Scammers know people are eager to fix roofs, clean gutters, repair siding, and address storm damage. By understanding the most common schemes and learning a few simple warning signs, homeowners can protect their property and their wallet before signing any contracts.
🔨 Learn more from the experts at TrustDALE.
3. UGA School of Medicine applications rise ahead of fall opening
🩺 The University of Georgia recently closed its application period for its inaugural class of students at its new School of Medicine, set to open this fall in Athens.
The primary application deadline was March 6. In just two weeks, the School of Medicine received roughly 2,040 applications, according to Brian Steele, associate dean of admissions.
Only 60 medical students will be admitted in the first year, with plans to double the class size in the future.
➡ Read more in this story from GPB.
🏢 Modern design meets effortless comfort in this Buckhead townhome featuring skylights, floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass staircase, and a rooftop sky lounge with outdoor fireplace and kitchen. Listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, it offers sophisticated Intown living near premier dining and boutiques. SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
🥫 Girls Incorporated of Greater Atlanta (pictured) needs volunteers for their Thrive for Families food pantry on Thursday afternoon in Marietta. Participants will help unload food deliveries and assist with distribution.
🌱 Park Pride and Friends of Zonolite Park are looking for volunteers on Saturday morning in Atlanta. Expect to pick up trash, restore trails, build a new compost bin, and plant seeds around the new children’s natural playground.
🌼 In partnership with Atlanta Botanical Garden and Metro Atlanta Urban Farm, Food Well Alliance is seeking volunteers on Saturday morning in College Park to help with the Plant Eat Repeat garden workshop series. Volunteers will assist with set up and break down, greet and direct guests, and help manage kids’ activities.
🏢 Modern design meets effortless comfort in this Buckhead townhome featuring skylights, floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass staircase, and a rooftop sky lounge with outdoor fireplace and kitchen. Listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, it offers sophisticated Intown living near premier dining and boutiques. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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