The Boss
Saturday, May 2 — The inaugural Norcross Porchfest brings roughly 35 performers to front porches across historic downtown today from noon to 6 p.m., with food trucks, drink vendors, and free admission.
🌤️ Expect light rain and temperatures in the 60s today. Tomorrow will be 70° and sunny.
MARKET UPDATE
📈 The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs yesterday, lifted by strong earnings from Apple. Separately, Spirit Airlines’ parent company shares tumbled more than 62% after it announced it was shutting down after failing to secure a bailout deal, ending the budget carrier’s 30-year run and leaving 17,000 workers jobless. Here’s guidance on what to do if you are scheduled to fly Spirit.
LOCAL NEWS
🗳️ More than 100,000 voters cast ballots during the first week of early voting in Georgia’s primary election.
📍 Gov. Brian Kemp said Georgia will not redraw its electoral maps ahead of the 2026 election.
🚇 MARTA riders must convert to the new Better Breeze fare system today. Get details on how to switch to the new system here.
☕ Bellwood Coffee in Grant Park apologized and promised to commission a new mural of the late WSB-TV anchor Jovita Moore after facing backlash for painting over the 2021 tribute on the side of their Boulevard location.
ELSEWHERE
🇮🇷🇺🇸🇮🇱 Here are some updates related to the war with Iran:
- President Donald Trump sent Congress letters Friday claiming the conflict had “terminated” due to a ceasefire, sidestepping the War Powers Resolution deadline. Hours later, he told a crowd that he considers it “treasonous” to say the U.S. isn’t winning “the war.”
- President Trump ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany after Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the war, with the pullout expected over the next six to 12 months.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATLANTA BELTLINE
🤝 Want to volunteer on the Beltline? Orientation on Sat., May 9 gets you prepped, connected, and ready to make a real impact. Come join the crew!
🍔 The Final Burger Benefit comes to NFA Burger in Dunwoody on Sun., May 3, bringing chefs from Atlanta, Savannah, Nashville, Miami, and beyond to raise money for Giving Kitchen.
🎊 Lynwood Park Community Day is today at noon, celebrating one of the oldest historically Black communities in DeKalb County.
🎶 Today is Tucker Day, a family-friendly festival along Tucker’s Main Street with local vendors, a parade, live music, and more. Festivities kick off at 9 a.m.
💄 City Springs Theatre Company is closing its 2025-26 season with a production of “Mean Girls.” The show started yesterday and runs through May 17.
📚 The Little Shop of Stories Children’s Book Festival is today and tomorrow at the Decatur Library. See the full schedule of events.
🎨 Atlanta’s longest-running handmade market, Indie Craft Experience, runs today and tomorrow at The Goat Farm.
🏃 The 5th annual Whine Walk Run 5K and International Food Festival kicks off at 9 a.m. today in Piedmont Park, celebrating Caribbean culture and healthy living.
🪴 The annual Callanwolde Spring Plant Sale is today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
⚽ Atlanta United takes on CF Montréal tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. ➡ Here are some concerts to check out:
🩸 Bleed From Within @ The Masquerade (tonight)
💪 Arm’s Length @ Buckhead Theatre (tonight)
🇺🇸 Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band @ State Farm Arena (tonight)
⌛ Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives @ Variety Playhouse (tonight)
🐟 Fishbone @ Terminal West (tonight)
🔥 Ashes Remain @ Vinyl (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!
Support Georgia grievers at our Mourning Glory Gala
SPONSORED BY KATE’S CLUB
💛 Want to honor grieving families?
Did you know that one in 10 kids in Georgia will be bereaved by the age of 18? And that number doubles by the time someone turns 25.
When we lose someone, we all just want someone on our team. You can be on the same team as Georgia’s grievers by attending the 2026 Mourning Glory Gala, which benefits the kids, families and young adults of Kate’s Club.
💙 Saturday, May 9. The Stave Room. Will you be there? Get your tickets now!
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 Atlanta Jazz Festival announces free concert series at local parks this May
② APD apprehends one of its 10 most wanted fugitives in fiery crash
③ In May, Metro Atlanta becomes the new home of U.S. Soccer
④ Homeowners association hears from DeKalb School Board’s Ziffer about sweeping school changes
⑤ Did you miss these April Atlanta restaurant openings? (Pictured)
🌞 Whether you’re searching for family-friendly activities at Lake Oconee, planning a relaxing lake vacation, or hoping to recreate the “good old days” with your kids or grandkids, this is the perfect place to slow down and make lasting summer memories. Plan your nostalgic summer getaway at Lake Oconee. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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