No foolin’ around
Wednesday, April 1 — Midtown International School announced that it will close on Fri., April 3, giving stunned parents only a few days’ notice and leaving families scrambling to figure out how their students will finish out the year.
⛅ Partly sunny today with a high of 84°. Thunderstorms are possible tonight.
🧬 Georgia lawmakers have proposed a bill that would allow federal immigration authorities to collect DNA from immigrants charged with misdemeanors. Here’s what else is being considered in the final days of the session, which ends tomorrow.
🛑 Several members of Georgia’s business community are working together to help combat human trafficking ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta.
🔋 According to a recent report by the nonprofit Energy & Policy Institute, Georgia Power’s profits last year accounted for almost 23% of each customer’s bill.
In celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary, the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art in Roswell debuts its “iNSPIRE: 50 Years of Innovation from Apple” exhibition today.
⚽ The U.S. men’s national soccer team fell 2-0 to Portugal in a friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium last night, its eighth straight loss to European competition.
✡️ Passover begins tonight at sundown, with a traditional Seder marking the start of the eight-day holiday commemorating the Jews’ emancipation from slavery in ancient Egypt. Chag Pesach Sameach to all who celebrate.
ELSEWHERE
⚖️ The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday ruled against a Colorado law that bans so-called conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ minors. The Court hears arguments on birthright citizenship today.
🎙️ A judge agreed to block the Trump administration from implementing a directive to end federal funding for NPR and PBS. The White House called the ruling “ridiculous” and vowed to appeal.
🇮🇷🇺🇸🇮🇱 Here are some updates on the war in Iran:
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guard threatened strikes on U.S. tech companies’ Middle East facilities, warning employees to evacuate by Wednesday evening, Tehran time.
- President Donald Trump will deliver an Oval Office address to the nation tonight at 9 p.m.
- Yesterday, President Trump lashed out at allies over their reluctance to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, telling them to “go get your own oil.
- Read live updates here.
⛳ Tiger Woods said he is stepping away from golf to seek treatment following his arrest last week on suspicion of DUI after a rollover crash near his Florida home.
PICTURE THIS: Wayfair opened its second brick-and-mortar location in the U.S. in the former Walmart space at The District at Howell Mill yesterday. The 150,000-square-foot store offers furniture, decor, and appliances, and has its own cafe called The Porch.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• James Beard Awards finalists
• 404 Day celebrations
• Lemon Pepper Pollen
• Wellness Wednesday
AND
• Concert Picks
🥂 Taste of Atlanta is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with an epic night of two dozen chef-driven tastings, craft cocktails, wine and beer tastes, live music, and electric energy! April 16 from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Works. Tickets are on sale here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Check out the 2026 James Beard Awards finalists from Atlanta
🍽️ The James Beard Foundation just announced the 2026 finalists in the chef and restaurant categories. The foundation’s culinary awards, which take place annually in Chicago, are known as the “Oscars of the food world.”
Out of the 11 semifinalists from Atlanta and Georgia in 2026, Chef J. Trent Harris of Mujō and the team from Aria, along with Meherwan and Molly Irani of Chai Pani Restaurant Group (Asheville/Atlanta), will head to the ceremony in June as finalists.
Lucky Star, Madeira Park, Taurean Philpott (Avize), Claudia Martinez (Bar ANA), and Carlo Gan and Mia Orino (Kamayan ATL) are among the semifinalists from Atlanta this year.
🍣 Check out the full list of finalists here.
A Visionary World Comes to Life
SPONSORED BY THE HIGH MUSEUM
✨ Lose yourself in the vivid world of Minnie Evans, where color blooms, faces emerge, and dreams take shape. Experience the exhibition that transforms spiritual visions into unforgettable works of art.
2. Where to celebrate 404 Day around Atlanta
🤳 On April 4 each year, Atlantans come together to celebrate 404 Day, named after the city’s first area code.
Started in 2011, the day initially centered around a music festival held at Piedmont Park to honor Atlanta’s historic music scene. The celebration has since expanded to include block parties, community events, restaurant specials, and even an annual 404 Day Parade, which stepped off for the first time in 2025.
🎊 Click here for a guide to celebrations around the city.
3. If you can’t beat it, eat it
🤧 Atlanta native Buford Callaway, the wily entrepreneur who tried to sell you fractional ownership of Atlanta’s reviled pollen in 2022, is back with a new venture.
🐔 His lobbying firm is leading a push to get the Georgia legislature to amend HB 103, which seeks to “designate lemon pepper as the official Georgia state chicken wing flavor” and make pollen the state’s preferred flavor. “It’s already on everything,” Callaway said. “The cars, the dogs, the children. We might as well lean in.”
🤷 Not everyone is convinced. “This idea is as crazy as Magic City sponsoring Little League Baseball. Pollen is not a condiment,” Georgia State ethicist Areu Seeryus said. “It’s an allergen.”
Callaway was unbothered. “So is gluten,” he replied, “and look how far that went.”
4. Wellness Wednesday
🫂 Take care of your loved ones by learning about caregiver resources at Embry Hills Branch Library (pictured) on Thursday at 1 p.m. Participate in a workshop led by certified peer coaches on how to make healthy choices while caring for older adults or adults with disabilities.
💃 Express yourself and nourish your spirit at the Stonecrest Branch Library on Monday at 6:30 p.m. Join your community for an evening of inspirational poetry, dance, and music.
🧘 Celebrate International Kids’ Yoga Day on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Lilburn Branch Library. Intended for children aged 5-11, the special program will guide kids through yoga poses inspired by animals and nature themes in children’s books.
🥂 Taste of Atlanta is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with an epic night of two dozen chef-driven tastings, craft cocktails, wine and beer tastes, live music, and electric energy! April 16 from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Works. Tickets are on sale here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
5. Concert Picks
Wed., April 1
🌑 Varials @ The Masquerade
🌊 yung kai @ The Loft
Thurs., April 2
🐫 Slomosa @ The Masquerade
🌧️ New Edition @ State Farm Arena
🌡️ Reverend Horton Heat @ The Loft
🏓 Jesse Roper @ Aisle 5
❄️ Snow Tha Product @ Buckhead Theatre
Fri., April 3
🔥 Juvenile @ Tabernacle
🌈 Indigo De Souza @ Variety Playhouse
🙏 DaBaby @ Buckhead Theatre
🌵 MANÁ @ State Farm Arena
✨ William Black @ The Eastern
Sat., April 4
🐶 The Format @ The Eastern
🤖 ODUMODUBLVCK @ The Masquerade
🦾 RJD2 @ Terminal West
Sun., April 5
☀️ Zara Larsson (pictured) @ Tabernacle
🛜 WIFI RICH @ Vinyl
Mon., April 6
🏆 Remember Sports @ Aisle 5
💡 Bob Moses & Cannons @ Coca-Cola Roxy
Tues., April 7
🖤 Corrosion of Conformity @ The Masquerade
👑 Emperor @ Buckhead Theatre
🌙 vaultboy @ Vinyl
🌇 City of the Sun @ Aisle 5
Wed., April 8
💀 Slaughter to Prevail @ Coca-Cola Roxy
🏖️ Jae Stephens @ Vinyl
🎸 Steel Panther @ Buckhead Theatre
🐕 Billie Marten @ Terminal West
🎤 Zero 9:36 @ The Loft
🥂 Taste of Atlanta is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with an epic night of two dozen chef-driven tastings, craft cocktails, wine and beer tastes, live music, and electric energy! April 16 from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Works. Tickets are on sale here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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