Safe travels
Friday, May 22 — If you’re traveling by air, plan accordingly as Hartsfield-Jackson expects to welcome about 2.7 million passengers during the Memorial Day travel period. If you’re driving, gas prices hit a four-year high at $4.56 per gallon nationally, though Georgia drivers are paying among the lowest in the country at $4.03. If you’re heading to Jazz Fest or Momocon, take Marta and bring an umbrella (more below).
🌩️ Scattered thunderstorms with a high of 79° today. More rain and highs in the low 80s throughout the weekend, with heavy thunderstorms expected tomorrow.
⚖️ Two high-ranking DeKalb County School District employees filed a lawsuit claiming they were improperly suspended and demoted.
🚧 After years of deferring the conversation, Norcross leaders began talking about a plan to modernize the City Hall building.
🚒 Sandy Springs promoted Fire Chief Keith Sanders to assistant city manager for infrastructure and capital program delivery.
🚨 A suspect is in custody after a woman eating lunch at a Decatur restaurant on Tuesday was stabbed in the back by a stranger, according to police.
🐾 Adam Wexler, a Riverwood High School graduate and the founder of PrizePicks, pledged $10 million to UGA men’s basketball.
🏀 Angel Reese is averaging a double-double through her first three games with the Atlanta Dream, who host the Dallas Wings tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Gateway Center Arena.
⚽ Defending WPSL Peachtree Division champions Decatur FC opens its 2026 season tonight at 7 p.m. against TN United at Decatur High School.
ELSEWHERE
❌ Senate Republicans scrapped plans for a vote on the president’s immigration enforcement bill, citing opposition to the Justice Department’s “anti-weaponization” fund.
📄 The Democratic National Committee released its long-delayed 2024 election autopsy.
📻 CBS News Radio, home to broadcast legends Edward R. Murrow, Judy Muller, and Dan Rather, signs off tonight, after nearly a century on the air.
🎗️ NASCAR icon Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion and the sport’s all-time wins leader across its three national series, died Thursday at 41.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Atlanta Jazz Festival
• Film Review: ‘Passenger’
• Dunwoody Toastmasters anniversary
AND
• Top Stories of the Week
🎓 It’s not too late to find a great high school. At The New School, your teenager will be known, valued, and challenged, both inside and outside the classroom. Students graduate from TNS knowing themselves and the city – and they head into the world with confidence. Reach out today! Financial aid available. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Atlanta Jazz Festival weekend
🎷 The 49th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival returns to Piedmont Park this weekend, May 23-25, with a stellar lineup of musicians.
Headliners include Kamasi Washington on Saturday, The Roots on Sunday, and PJ Morton closes out the weekend on Monday. Also on the bill: Christian McBride, Esperanza Spalding, Nate Smith, Aja Monet, and many more.
The music kicks off tonight with a 100th birthday tribute to Miles Davis at 7:30 p.m. at Atlanta Symphony Hall with the Miles Electric Band (M.E.B.).
🎺 See the full festival lineup and get details on tonight’s opening event. DON’T MISS MOMOCON
🎮 Fans of anime, gaming, comics, and cosplay are arriving this weekend for the annual MomoCon. Authors, artists, gamers, and online personalities will be on hand for autographs and panels at the Georgia World Congress Center. Check out some feature stories on attendees, including designer and animator Brian Colin, game designer Sarah Madsen, and “Critical Role” stars Travis Willingham and Marisha Ray.
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2. ‘Passenger’ hits a dead end
WEEKLY FILM REVIEW | BY SAMMIE PURCELL
🚘 Raise your hand if you’ve ever thought of running away – of quitting your job, breaking your lease, buying a van, and leaving it all behind. For anyone stuck in a rut, the nomadic lifestyle probably looks like a dream. But André Øvredal’s “Passenger” would have you think twice before hitting the open road.
After a terror-laden cold open, we meet Tyler (Jacob Scipio) and Maddie (Lou Llobell), two lovebirds who have just taken the van life plunge. For about six weeks, they have a great time, but Maddie – less adventurer, more homebody – quickly starts to feel like van life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. That belief is strengthened when she and Tyler witness a gruesome car accident – one that leaves them bound to a supernatural entity called the Passenger, who is intent on stalking them down every highway and backroad across America.
Setting a horror movie from the perspective of two van life newbies – naive interlopers into an intricate, tight-knit nomadic culture – is a concept ripe for exploration. Unfortunately, beyond some well-deployed scares, “Passenger” gets too lost in its lore, ultimately setting off on a path to nowhere.
⛺ Click here to read Sammie’s review. You can also read her review of the controversial new movie “Blue Film” here.
🍿 Stay in the picture with Scene by Rough Draft, our weekly newsletter about Georgia’s film industry. Subscribe for free.
3. Dunwoody Toastmasters Club celebrates 40 years
🥂 This June, the Dunwoody Toastmasters Club is celebrating 40 years of helping professionals in Metro Atlanta’s Central Perimeter strengthen their public speaking, communication, and leadership skills.
Since 1986, Dunwoody Toastmasters has provided a welcoming environment for professionals looking to enhance their interpersonal skills.
Its leadership team says the club’s strength lies in its unique mix of new speakers and experienced members, creating a culture of mentorship and continuous growth.
🧈 Learn more about the club’s anniversary here.
🎓 It’s not too late to find a great high school. At The New School, your teenager will be known, valued, and challenged, both inside and outside the classroom. Students graduate from TNS knowing themselves and the city – and they head into the world with confidence. Reach out today! Financial aid available. 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 Mount Vernon School graduate, founder of Cocoa Classic 5K, dead at 19 (pictured)
② Election Results for the May 19 primary
③ The Alden among restaurants closed indefinitely by fire at Chamblee apartment complex
④ Georgia Equality-backed LGBTQ+ candidates and allies see mixed results in primary election
⑤ Candidates prepare for high-stakes runoff election
🎓 It’s not too late to find a great high school. At The New School, your teenager will be known, valued, and challenged, both inside and outside the classroom. Students graduate from TNS knowing themselves and the city – and they head into the world with confidence. Reach out today! Financial aid available. 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.
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