The lights are bright
Saturday, April 18 — The Hawks face the Knicks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs tonight at 6 p.m. in New York (Prime Video; 92.9 FM). The ghost of former Hawk Trae Young lingers after New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani blamed him for the high ticket prices. The series is in Atlanta for Games 3 and 4 (if necessary) on April 23 and 25.
⛅ It will be partly sunny today with a high of 87° today before clouding up and dropping down into the 60s tomorrow.
MARKET UPDATE
📈 U.S. stocks surged Friday, with the S&P 500 crossing 7,100 for the first time ever, the Nasdaq posting its 13th consecutive winning day, its longest positive streak since 1992, and the Dow jumping 868 points to close just shy of 49,500.
LOCAL NEWS
🚍 Along with its new bus route schedule, MARTA is launching its first bus rapid transit service, called the Rapid A-Line, connecting Downtown Atlanta to the Beltline’s Southside Trail today.
💰 The Fulton County Board of Commissioners green lit a $1.3 billion plan to improve conditions at the Fulton County Jail.
💊 A new study says that investment in antiretroviral therapy (ART), a combination of medications used to treat HIV, has saved Georgia more than $100 billion over 25 years.
🚗 The Norcross City Council approved a construction budget between $2.6 million and $2.8 million to expand “much-needed” parking near city hall and the historic downtown district.
🎓 LGBTQ+ organizations are hosting two Lavender Graduations for LGBTQ+ students in Savannah and Statesboro, GA.
🎂 Sammy’s, the Adair Park sandwich shop that was one of Rough Draft’s Best New Restaurants last year, is celebrating its first birthday. Celebrate with them today from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
ELSEWHERE
🇮🇷🇺🇸🇮🇱 Here are some updates on the war in Iran:
- There’s more confusion this morning over the Strait of Hormuz after Iran reversed course, reimposing “strict control” just one day after declaring it open, citing President Donald Trump’s ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports.
- Follow live updates here.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATLANTA BELTLINE
💰Money on your mind? Join a free workshop this morning at 11 a.m.! Cover income, expenses, and net worth alongside trusted financial educators. Pittsburgh Yards®, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Register here.
🍻 SweetWater 420 Fest continues today at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park, marking its 21st year with a brand new home. Today’s headliners include Thievery Corporation and Chromeo.
🛼 Atlanta Streets Alive will turn Peachtree Street into a car-free corridor tomorrow from 2-6 p.m.
🪦 Illumine, an immersive art experience, returns to Oakland Cemetery this weekend, running through April 19 and then again from April 23-26.
🎻 The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is hosting a free “Concerts in the Park” performance tomorrow at Piedmont Park. Pre-concert festivities start at 5 p.m., and the music starts at 6 p.m.
🏡 The Druid Hills Civic Association is hosting its annual Historic Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour this weekend.
🚗 The Sandy Springs Police Foundation holds its inaugural car show fundraiser Sunday at City Springs, featuring more than 100 vehicles curated by Caffeine & Octane.
🪕 The Roswell Music Festival starts at 1 p.m. today in Historic Downtown Roswell.
🎶 Today is International Record Store Day! Celebrate all things vinyl at your local record store. Click here for a list of participating stores in Georgia.
⚽ Atlanta United hosts a special HBCU night tonight at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for its match against Nashville SC at 7:30 p.m.
🏐 The Atlanta Vibe will take on the Omaha Supernovas on April 19 at Gas South Arena at 3 p.m.
➡ Here are some concerts to check out:
🎼 An Evening with Yo-Yo Ma @ Fox Theatre (tonight)
🌻 Natalia Lafourcade @ Tabernacle (tonight and tomorrow)
⛰️ Mt. Joy @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park (tonight)
🌙 The Midnight @ The Eastern (tonight)
🌹 Alice Phoebe Lou w/ John Andrews @ Variety Playhouse (tonight)
🎹 Alexandre Kantorow @ Atlanta Symphony Hall (tomorrow)
🏄 Big Ocean @ The Loft (tomorrow)
🍂 Justin Hayward @ Center Stage (tomorrow)
🎰 Baby Keem @ Coca-Cola Roxy (tomorrow)
IT’S TIME TO PLAY THE QUIZ
🧠 Click here to play, and please let us know how you do by replying to this email or sharing on Instagram, Facebook, or Bluesky @RoughDraftATL.
Enjoy your Saturday!
Spring’s Freshest—Straight from Love is Love Cooperative Farm
SPONSORED BY LOVE IS LOVE FARM
🌱 Spring into fresh flavors with Love is Love Cooperative Farm in Mansfield, Georgia!
Their Spring/Summer CSA delivers weekly baskets bursting with organic goodness—crisp greens, juicy strawberries, vibrant peppers, and fragrant herbs—plus optional treats like eggs, bread, flowers, and coffee. Running April through August, it’s a joyful way to connect with the farm, support local growers, and celebrate the season.
🎉 Whether you’re a veggie lover or just plant-curious, each share brings fresh taste, fun, and community straight to your table. Get details here.
Top stories of the week
A look back at this week’s most-read stories from our website. Follow @RoughDraftATL on Instagram for regular updates.
① Trump budget targets ‘gender extremism’
② Atlanta Jazz Festival pays tribute to Miles Davis with special concert
③ Georgia EPD: 20,000-gallon jet fuel leak into Flint River went undetected for eight days
⑤ Plans unveiled for ‘Midtown Green’ public space on 14th Street (pictured)
🏥 Join Move For Grady on April 25! Three intown biking distances and two run/walk options means there’s something for everyone. Come to move, stay for the party – plenty of food and drinks to celebrate at GSU’s Center Parc Stadium. SPONSOR MESSAGE
🔤 Play News Word Atlanta, our daily word game.
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