Historic fires
Saturday, April 25 — Wildfires burning in southeast Georgia have destroyed more than 120 structures and scorched tens of thousands of acres of drought-stricken land, with Gov. Brian Kemp saying the damage likely surpasses any wildfire in state history. About 1,000 additional homes remain at risk, and the fires were only 10-15 percent contained as of late Friday.
🌤️ Highs will be in the 70s weekend long, with light rain expected today and the sun peeking through tomorrow.
MARKET UPDATE
📈 The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs Friday, capping a mixed week — the S&P gained 0.6%, and the Nasdaq rose 1.5%, while the Dow slipped 0.4% for the week and fell 79 points Friday. Intel surged 23.6%, its best single-day gain since 1987, on a strong earnings report.
Locally, Norfolk Southern’s stock hit an all-time high this week, capping a 37% return over the past year.
LOCAL NEWS
🚲 Channel 2 Action News reports that a woman died Friday morning after losing control of her e-bike on Glen Iris Drive NE, striking a curb and being thrown from the bike near Winton Terrace.
🏀 The Hawks host the Knicks in Game 4 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs tonight at 6 p.m. at State Farm Arena. Atlanta leads the best-of-seven-game series 2-1. (NBC/Peacock; 92.9 FM)
🏈 Without a first-round pick, the Falcons opened the draft in the second round by making it a family affair, selecting Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of Atlanta cornerback AJ Terrell. The draft continues today.
💰 Mayor Andre Dickens introduced legislation to create a Downtown Enterprise Zone. Revenue collected by the city would be used for affordable housing and sustaining small businesses.
💉 NAESM, an organization providing testing and housing to people living with HIV, is hosting NAESM PrEP University on April 28 at the Loudermilk Center downtown.
🎙 Jeff Dantzler and former offensive lineman Jon Stinchcomb will take over play-by-play and color analyst duties for the Georgia Bulldog radio broadcasts in the fall, replacing Scott Howard and Josh Brock.
📚 Today is Independent Bookstore Day. The forthcoming Long Story Books has a vending machine outside Krog Street Market, stocked with new releases and backlist favorites.
ELSEWHERE
🇮🇷🇮🇱🇺🇸 Special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are in Pakistan today for peace talks with Iran, but Tehran said no direct negotiations were planned. Follow live updates here.
🏦 The U.S. Justice Department dropped its investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, although the White House said, “It’s just under a different authority.”
🎾 Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will miss the French Open due to a wrist injury.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATLANTA BELTLINE
🎶 Join us tomorrow, Sun. April 26 from 1-8 p.m. at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park for No Tables, No Chairs—a celebration of music and movement with Atlanta Beltline Art and Mausiki Scales & the Common Ground Collective. Click here for a schedule of events.
🏃 Move For Grady is this morning at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium, featuring cycling, 5K, and 10K routes through Atlanta, followed by food, drinks, and music benefiting Grady Health Foundation.
🏠 The Inman Park Festival and Tour of Homes continues through tomorrow. Stop by and say hello to the Rough Draft team at our booth near the intersection of Waverly and Edgewood.
🍿 The Atlanta Film Festival continues through the week at the Plaza and Tara Theatres. Check out the full schedule here.
🎭 Atlanta Opera’s new production of “Turandot,” featuring a brand new ending, opens tonight at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center.
🍋 The Lemonade Days Festival is this weekend at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and noon to 6 p.m. tomorrow.
🎨 ARTucker will showcase local artists on the Tucker Town Green today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
🌼 The Smyrna Jonquil Festival, an annual arts and crafts festival, kicks off today at the Village Green in Smyrna and runs through tomorrow.
🍔 The annual food festival Taste of Marietta will be held tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the Marietta Square, featuring chef demonstrations, live music, and more.
⚾ After winning last night, the first-place Atlanta Braves continue their series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park with games tonight at 7:15 p.m. and tomorrow at 1:35 p.m.
➡ Here are some concerts to check out:
🎼 Jon Batiste with Atlanta Pops Orchestra @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park (tonight)
⭐ Bruno Mars @ Bobby Dodd Stadium (tonight and tomorrow.)
🦀 The Maine @ The Masquerade (tonight)
🎶 Marc Broussard @ Variety Playhouse (tonight)
⌛ Hasan Raheem @ Terminal West (tonight)
🎻 AMERICA @ 250 Chamber Music @ Goizueta Stage for Youth and Families (tomorrow)
🐜 Microwave @ The Masquerade (tomorrow)
🎹 The Black Keys @ Tabernacle (tomorrow and Mon.)
🎤 The Georgia Boy Choir International Festival featuring Cantores Minores @ Atlanta Symphony Hall (tomorrow)
👣 Two Feet @ Buckhead Theatre (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!
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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.
② Atlanta Police make major drug bust at marijuana ‘pop-up event’ (Pictured)
③ Unfinished Midtown office building renovation raises safety concerns
④ Tucker Whataburger moves forward, 7 Brew stalls
⑤ Residents say they don’t want 280-unit apartment complex in Brookhaven’s Perimeter Summit
🐾 Fancy dogs. Fierce looks. A red-carpet moment you won’t want to miss. The Midtown Mutt Gala returns May 3 from 2–5 p.m. for a playful celebration featuring music, vendors, and a dog costume contest. Small fee to enter contest. Register by Apr. 26 and learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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