But the traffic
Friday, May 8 — Drivers, be prepared. All lanes on the west side of I-285 will close this weekend between Cascade Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive as GDOT begins major repairs. The shutdown begins at 7 p.m. tonight and lasts through 5 a.m. on Mon., May 11.
🌧️ It will be cloudy with a high of 71° today, with rain expected tomorrow and sunny and 82° on Sunday.
🚢 Two Georgia residents who were on the hantavirus-stricken cruise are back in the state and being monitored by the Department of Health. The WHO says the risk to the public is low, calling it nothing like COVID-19.
🗣️ Three Fulton County Commissioners urged constituents to contact Gov. Brian Kemp and ask for an investigation of Sheriff Pat Labat over conditions at the county jail.
🗣️ After a Matrix-themed video featuring Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and her team setting out “to save the county,” the DeKalb County CEO touted her administration’s accomplishments over the past year at yesterday’s State of DeKalb lunch.
🍎 Students from Tucker Middle School were among the Georgia state finalists for this year’s Presidential AI Challenge Showcase.
🚘 Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill into law that mandates special training for police officers dealing with drivers with autism or other developmental disabilities during traffic stops.
⚽ U.S. Soccer officially opened the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center near Trilith yesterday, a 200-acre, $50 million facility that will serve as headquarters for all 27 U.S. national teams.
🏀 The WNBA season starts tonight with three games, but Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream open tomorrow in Minneapolis at 8 p.m. (Peachtree TV).
ELSEWHERE
🇮🇷🇺🇸🇮🇱 The U.S. military intercepted Iranian missiles, drones, and small boats targeting three Navy destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, responding with strikes on Iranian military facilities. President Donald Trump called it “a love tap” and said the ceasefire remained in effect.
🗳️ Tennessee’s Republican-controlled legislature approved a new congressional map that splits Memphis among three districts, likely eliminating the state’s only Democratic congressional seat.
🏀 Both the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments will expand from 68 to 76 teams beginning in 2027.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Fox Gives $1M
• Film Review: ‘Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft’
• Mother’s Day events
AND
• Top Stories of the Week
❤️ Therapy that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood—while building practical skills to navigate life with confidence at Intown Psychology. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Fox Gives awards $1 million in multiyear grants to two historic Georgia theaters
💰 Fox Gives, the philanthropic arm of the Fox Theatre, has awarded $1 million in multiyear grants to the historic DeSoto Theatre in Rome and the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium.
Each venue received $500,000 in long-term preservation support, including funds for targeted restoration, safety, and accessibility improvements.
“These investments help spur community growth, strengthen local economies, and ensure these historic venues continue serving as cultural anchors for generations to come,” Leigh Burns, director of community partnerships for Fox Gives, said.
🛠️ Find out more about the grants here.
A nostalgic summer vacation at Lake Oconee
SPONSORED BY VISIT LAKE OCONEE
🏖️ Looking for things to do this summer or planning a weekend getaway near Atlanta? Just over an hour away, Lake Oconee is one of Georgia’s top summer destinations, offering everything from boating and fishing to berry picking and small-town charm.
🌞 Whether you’re planning a relaxing lake vacation or hoping to recreate the “good old days” with your kids or grandkids, Lake Oconee is the perfect place to slow down and make lasting summer memories.
2. ‘Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour’ is a masterclass in connection
WEEKLY FILM REVIEW | BY SAMMIE PURCELL
🎤 In 2021, the documentary “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry,” followed Billie Eilish in the lead up to her 2019 debut album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” – right as she, at the ripe age of 17, became a worldwide phenomenon.
That documentary offers a vulnerable, sometimes uncomfortable portrait of a very young star on the rise, openly struggling with her mental health. In one scene, her mother asks her if her lyrics about jumping off a bridge reflect how she really feels. She nods, then points out that having a creative outlet to express those feelings is part of why she doesn’t. Those songs, the film supposes, are also what help her millions of fans feel seen – fans who are struggling with the very same feelings that she is.
“Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour,” directed by Eilish and James Cameron, is not the same kind of film. While it gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the tour, those moments are not nearly as revealing. But the concert itself offers a firsthand look at the connection between Eilish and her fans that “The World’s a Little Blurry” highlights, and shows us an artist with the gravitas to command a crowd with no help from anyone but herself.
👊 Click here to read Sammie’s review. You can also read her reviews of Sophy Romvari’s new film “Blue Heron” and of the new family comedy “The Sheep Detectives.”
🍿 Stay in the picture with Scene by Rough Draft, our weekly newsletter about Georgia’s film industry. Subscribe for free.
3. Mother’s Day brunches and events
🤗 Whether an afternoon tea, a wine tasting, or an arts festival, Atlanta features plenty of great options for Mother’s Day weekend. So, in case you haven’t finalized your plans for Mother’s Day this Sunday, we’ve compiled a guide to last-minute reservations, brunches, and other holiday events happening around Metro Atlanta.
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😞 In more dining news, How Crispy Express will close on Sunday in Atlanta’s Summerhill neighborhood. Read the story here.
🤸 The Little Gym offers gymnastics-based summer camps where kids build confidence through movement, music, and play. Half-day, full-day, and full-week options available – including Memorial Day week when many camps haven’t started yet. Sign up now! SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. 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 Rodney Scott’s BBQ closes in Atlanta
② State begins issuing one-time tax refunds
③ Georgia Secretary of State candidates clash over election integrity and voting rights
④ Georgia gubernatorial candidates weigh in on LGBTQ+ issues (Pictured)
⑤ Bellwood Coffee vows to recommission Jovita Moore mural in Grant Park
🎉 Win local experiences, goods, and treats. The Root Ball 2026 silent auction is open now, and bidding ends Thurs., May 14 at 9 p.m. Anyone can browse and bid. All proceeds support Trees Atlanta. SPONSOR MESSAGE
💭 Test your knowledge of the week’s news in tomorrow’s News Quiz. Keep an eye out for our email at 8 a.m. or bookmark this page!
🔤 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.
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