Special election

Tuesday, April 7 — A $15,000 reward is being offered for information on who fatally shot a teenage girl and wounded another in Piedmont Park on Saturday night as part of a wave of weekend gun violence in the city.

☀️ Sunny with a high of 74° today.

🗳️ Georgia voters head to the polls today to elect three new members of the legislature, along with a temporary replacement for former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s congressional seat.

🚲 Atlanta Beltline, Inc. is seeking construction firms for a new 2.8-mile segment of the Northeast Trail stretching from Buford Highway to Peachtree Creek.

🚨 Former Dunwoody Police Lt. Fidel Espinoza surrendered nine officer certifications following an investigation for sexual harassment and misconduct.

📋 Atlanta Pride opened nominations for the Grand Marshals for its October 2026 parade.

📻 WABE raised over $1.1 million at “WABE Live: Acts for Facts,” the media organization’s inaugural benefit.

⛹️♀️ The Atlanta Dream acquired forward Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky on Monday, trading two first-round picks for the two-time WNBA All-Star.

🏀 The Hawks’ 13-game home win streak ended last night in a 108-105 loss to the Knicks. Atlanta plays at Cleveland on Wednesday, and then hosts the Cavs on Friday at State Farm Arena for their final regular-season home game.

ELSEWHERE

🌕 The Artemis II crew flew around the far side of the moon, setting a record for the farthest humans have traveled from Earth, and is headed home, with a splashdown near San Diego planned for Friday.

🇮🇷🇺🇸🇮🇱 Here are some headlines from the war in Iran:

🪖 ICE agents arrested the Honduran-born wife of an Army staff sergeant at his Louisiana base just days after their wedding.

📺 Savannah Guthrie returned to “TODAY” yesterday, more than two months after her 84-year-old mother disappeared, in what authorities have said is a possible kidnapping. 

🏆 Michigan beat UConn 69-63 to win the Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship last night in Indianapolis. It’s the Wolverines’ second national title.

🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:

• ‘Limitless’ at Woodruff

• TrustDALE on spring pool openings

• Sickle cell treatment

AND 

• Volunteer Opportunities


🏡 Located in an award-winning Atlanta neighborhood, this thoughtfully upgraded Stillwood home features designer lighting, custom finishes, and light-filled living spaces. Listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, it presents a move-in-ready opportunity just minutes from the airport and major employment hubs. SPONSOR MESSAGE


Photo courtesy of Woodruff Arts Center

1. ‘Limitless’ exhibit showcases artists with disabilities at Woodruff Arts Center

🎨 InCommunity, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that provides support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has partnered with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on a new display at the Woodruff Arts Center.

Titled “Limitless,” the free exhibit features a total of 21 curated works, all created by artists with disabilities who are participants of InCommunity’s day programs.

InCommunity said that the exhibit’s collection of works offers “bold colors, unique perspectives and personal expressions,” allowing visitors to take in the creative abilities of each artist.

✏️ Learn more about the exhibit here.


Atlanta’s Trusted Source for Orthopedic Care

SPONSORED BY PEACHTREE ORTHOPEDICS 

⛳ The last thing anybody has time for is an injury that disrupts their week. But, Peachtree Orthopedics is here to make life easier.

For 70 years, we’ve been committed to helping Atlantans return to the activities they love. At our 11 convenient locations, we have 42 leading physicians, all of whom are fellowship-trained, with specialties in every body part.

Injured in the evening or on the weekend? Skip the ER. Our UrgentORTHO clinic offers same-day, evening, and Saturday hours.

➞ It’s time to get back to doing what you love. Peachtree Orthopedics is here to help you Get Better.


2. Spring pool opening made simple

TOGETHER WITH TRUSTDALE

👙 When the weather starts to soften and the days stretch a little longer, homeowners begin turning their attention outdoors.

For pool owners, that seasonal shift is more than a pleasant reminder that summer is coming. It is the moment to get ahead of the rush, open the pool properly, and make sure every part of the system is ready before the first truly hot weekend arrives.

This week, the experts at TrustDALE tell you what to check before pool season begins, and how to avoid delays, repairs, and other obstacles. 

🌊Check it out here.


3. Georgia passes a bill to ensure Medicaid covers sickle cell treatment

🦠 A bill aimed at keeping Georgia Medicaid coverage in step with the most current treatments for sickle cell anemia passed the Georgia Legislature on the last day of the 2026 legislative session. 

Weeks before the passage of House Bill 334, the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia gathered at the Georgia state Capitol to advocate for the bill.  

The foundation encouraged attendees to share part of their sickle cell stories with legislators. Foundation CEO Dr. Tabatha McGee said it is important for lawmakers to hear personal accounts from people living with the disease because their stories are real. 

Read more in this story from GPB


🐝 Which native plants best support pollinators? Find out at an evening with Mt. Cuba Center’s native plant research expert Sam Hoadley on Tues., May 12, at 7 p.m. Presented by Trees Atlanta and the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. SPONSOR MESSAGE


Photo via handsonatlanta.org

4. Volunteer Opportunities

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA

♻️ Sweetwater 420 Fest needs volunteers on Fri., April 17 and Sat., April 18 in Atlanta to assist with recycling efforts at the music festival. Volunteer positions include guest education, bottle and can pickup, and trash and recyclable guidance for attendees. Additionally, volunteers will receive a free meal token and a complimentary wristband for one day of the festival. 

🌳 Food Well Alliance (pictured) is seeking volunteers on Wednesday morning in Atlanta to join the Browns Mill Permaculture Orchard Workday. Volunteers will work in the “free food forest” to help provide food and nourishment to the community. No gardening experience is required.

📦 Margie’s House is looking for volunteers to assist in their food pantry on Friday morning in Fairburn. Plan to prepare and weigh food bags, take out trash, and help with set up and break down. 

🌱 Grant Park Conservancy is seeking volunteers on Saturday morning in Atlanta to help beautify Atlanta’s oldest park. Expect to remove invasive plants, care for the tree canopy, and perform other beautification and maintenance projects. 



🏡 Located in an award-winning Atlanta neighborhood, this thoughtfully upgraded Stillwood home features designer lighting, custom finishes, and light-filled living spaces. Listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, it presents a move-in-ready opportunity just minutes from the airport and major employment hubs. SPONSOR MESSAGE


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This report was compiled and written by Rough Draft Atlanta's staff.