‘Declare the pennies on your eyes’
Wednesday, April 15 — The state Environmental Protection Division said that 20,000 gallons of jet fuel leaked into the Flint River at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in January and wasn’t detected for eight days. The leak fouled the river for 6.5 miles and raised questions about warnings and sensors in place at the airport.
🌞 Sunny and 84° today.
💸 Today is the deadline to file your federal and state taxes or to ask for an extension if you’re not going to have them done by midnight.
🎥 The Dunwoody City Council unanimously approved a new Flock Safety contract, despite protesters chanting “shame,” following data and privacy concerns about the Atlanta-based company.
🗣️ Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk skipped yesterday’s Athens, GA event due to threats, as Vice President JD Vance said he wants Iran to “join the world economy.”
🎓 The Board of Regents approved tuition increases for students at Georgia’s public colleges and universities.
💻 The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office and Indonesian National Police dismantled a global phishing operation responsible for more than $20 million in attempted fraud.
⚖️ The former COO of The High Museum pleaded not guilty to allegations of stealing $600,000 through doctored invoices and personal purchases.
🏗️ A mixed-use development in Vine City will include homes, a hotel, retail, and new education facilities for neighboring Morris Brown College.
🛠️ Third & Urban is planning upgrades to a retail stretch of North Highland Avenue in the Atkins Park neighborhood.
🎙 The business of local media is the focus of today’s Greater Perimeter Chamber’s Signature Lunch at City Springs, featuring panelists from WABE, the AJC, and Rough Draft.
🎗️ Former AJC and Atlanta magazine editor Lee Walburn died last week at age 89. A memorial service will be held on May 9 in Rome, GA.
ELSEWHERE
🇫🇷 Ye postponed his planned Marseille, France concert after authorities moved to ban the show, following a similar U.K. action over his history of antisemitic remarks.
🇮🇱🇺🇸🇮🇷 Here are some updates from the war in Iran:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the first face-to-face talks between Israel and Lebanon in more than 30 years.
- New U.S.-Iran talks could start as soon as this week.
- Get live updates here.
PICTURE THIS: Plans for the “Midtown Green” space on 14th Street were unveiled during yesterday’s Midtown Alliance Annual Meeting at the Fox Theatre. The public space will feature immersive art installations, a restaurant and cafe, and a dramatic pavilion and terraced seating area for performances. (Rendering courtesy of Field Operations/Midtown Alliance)
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Dunwoody police firings
• Above the Waterline
• Wellness Wednesday
AND
• Concert Picks
🎓 Still seeking education options for next year? Ben Franklin Academy is a college prep high school offering 47 AP and honors-level courses, individual instruction, work/study, and flexible hours for the academic day. BFA’s admissions office allows students to apply and enroll throughout the school year! Visit the Ben Franklin Academy website to learn more. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Investigation into firing of three Dunwoody police officers concludes no discrimination
🔎 An independent investigation regarding the termination of three Dunwoody Police officers concluded that neither racial nor sexual discrimination played a part in the force’s decision to fire them.
The three officers – Ramatu Kamara, Jakori Edwards, and Jessica Preston – were terminated, or allowed to resign, after they were accused of several offenses, including conducting unauthorized database searches for a man who was allegedly dating one of the officers.
All three former officers alleged in grievance letters that they received harsher treatment for the violations because they are Black.
🚓 Read more in Cathy Cobbs’ exclusive report here.
Take Flight at Fernbank Museum
SPONSORED BY FERNBANK MUSEUM
🦋 Experience spring in a spectacular way with Flight of Butterflies at Fernbank Museum.
Twenty-five larger-than-life butterfly sculptures transform the nature paths in WildWoods into a breathtaking outdoor gallery.
➞ Let your imagination take flight at Fernbank.
2. Above the Waterline: A beloved inn in the Appalachian forest
⛰️ For more than 50 years, columnist Sally Bethea has hiked the footpaths of the Southern Appalachians.
These mountains – among the oldest on Earth – run from Virginia to the foothills of North Georgia. The range is known for its folded mountains, distinctive blue haze, steep ridges, and high elevation spruce-fir forests: a heavily eroded landform shaped by time and water.
Sally first visited the Len Foote Hike Inn, a rustic backcountry lodge in North Georgia, only a few miles from the beginning of the iconic Appalachian Trail, in 1999. She recently returned to the inn this February with her sons, which brought up memories of old hikes and friends past.
🥾 Read her Above the Waterline column here.
3. Wellness Wednesday
🪑 Stretch it out at the Centerville Branch library on Wednesday at 10 a.m. with chair yoga. Expect to build flexibility and mindfulness while engaging in accessible yoga poses for all bodies and skill levels.
📖 Join Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalist Danez Smith (pictured) at the Atlanta History Center on Friday at 6 p.m. for the 26th Annual 12th Night Revel, benefitting the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library. Enjoy a meal, drinks, and literary inspiration while supporting a good cause.
🎀 Celebrate your natural look at the World Natural Hair Show at AmericasMart on Saturday at 10 a.m. This two-day event spotlights multicultural hair and features professional stylists, barbers, hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, networking opportunities, and shopping with top brands.
🐾 The Midtown Mutt Gala returns May 3 from 2-5 p.m. for an afternoon of fashionable pups, music, vendors, and a doggy red carpet complete with Pawpurazzi! A small fee applies to enter the costume contest. Register by April 26 and learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Concert Picks
Wed., April 15 ✨ Glixen + Trauma Ray @ The Masquerade
🩸 The Amity Affliction and August Burns Red @ Tabernacle
🐑 Lamb of God @ Coca-Cola Roxy
🌟 Ashley Kutcher @ Vinyl
❤️🔥 Naïka @ Center Stage
Thurs., April 16
🎻 Jordan Conducts Symphonie fantastique @ Atlanta Symphony Hall (also Sat.)
🔪 Raf-Saperra @ The Masquerade
🏃 The Runarounds @ Tabernacle
🔎 Delicate Steve @ Vinyl
🕰️ Taj Mahal and The Phantom Blues Band @ Variety Playhouse
Fri., April 17
🔈 Cardi B @ State Farm Arena (also Sat.)
🛁 Acid Bath @ The Eastern
🦉 The Rush Tribute Project @ Buckhead Theatre
🌊 Calum Scott @ Tabernacle
🏆 Eliza McLamb (pictured) @ Terminal West
Sat., April 18
🎼 An Evening with Yo-Yo Ma @ Fox Theatre
🌻 Natalia Lafourcade @ Tabernacle (also Sun.)
🏔️ Mt. Joy @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
🌙 The Midnight @ The Eastern
🌷 Alice Phoebe Lou w/ John Andrews @ Variety Playhouse
Sun., April 19
🎹 Alexandre Kantorow @ Atlanta Symphony Hall
🏄 Big Ocean @ The Loft
🍂 Justin Hayward @ Center Stage
🎰 Baby Keem @ Coca-Cola Roxy (also Mon.)
Mon., April 20
🎤 PlaqueBoyMax @ The Loft
Tues., April 21
❤️ Lexa Gates @ The Masquerade
😊 Lily Allen @ Fox Theatre
🎶 KINO @ Vinyl
👩❤️👨 BOYS LIKE GIRLS @ Buckhead Theatre
Wed., April 22
🌱 Hunter Hayes @ Center Stage
🌹 LANY @ Coca-Cola Roxy
🐌 Snail Mail @ Variety Playhouse
🐈 Fantastic Cat @ Vinyl
🎉 The all-volunteer Inman Park Festival returns for its 54th year! Enjoy free live music, art, parade, kids’ activities, and food in historic Inman Park. Saturday & Sunday, April 25-26. Tour of Homes runs Friday-Sunday. Tour tickets on sale now! SPONSOR MESSAGE
🔤 Play News Word Atlanta, our daily word game.
💡 Help support independent local media by becoming a Rough Draft member today. Pick up some cool swag, including our new, limited-edition LOCAL hoodie.
📤 Have a friend or colleague who would enjoy getting this newsletter? Forward them this link to subscribe.
