Fever pitch
Monday, June 22 — Spain routed Saudi Arabia 4-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, with 18-year-old Lamine Yamal starring before 68,239 fans, while Cape Verde continued its fairy tale run by drawing Uruguay 2-2 in Miami, giving the tiny island nation two draws against major contenders. Atlanta’s next match is Morocco vs. Haiti on Wednesday. There are four matches today, with former champions Argentina and France in action.
☔ Scattered thunderstorms and 87° today.
🗳 At the legislative special session under the Gold Dome:
- A bill aimed at removing QR codes from Georgia’s ballots passed the Senate along party lines after a contentious debate on Saturday.
- Democrats blocked a GOP property tax cut bill they say will raise prices on all Georgians for everyday necessities.
📍DeKalb County opened a new resource center designed to connect people experiencing homelessness with housing, employment, and health services.
🔥 A Summerhill neighborhood association is hosting a “peaceful rally” tonight at 6 p.m. as it works to stop the proposed relocation of the Olympic flame cauldron.
🤝 Atlanta Beltline Partnership launched a new volunteer portal, an online platform designed to connect residents with volunteer opportunities on the trail.
🏡 Affordable housing and public space will be built on the 44-acre former Gun Club Park on the Westside.
🛒 Nine months after opening in downtown Atlanta, Azalea Fresh Market says it has served more than 150,000 customers. A second location is slated for Campbellton Road.
🎟️ One diner called the first Rough Draft Dinner Club “Good food and great company in a low-pressure environment.” Register today for the next one on July 21.
ELSEWHERE
🪞 President Donald Trump said the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will likely need to be drained after a $14 million makeover left it covered in algae and peeling paint. A three-time Olympian was arrested for touching a loose strip of paint.
🔥 A fire at a cold storage facility has blanketed Los Angeles in smoke, prompting a state of emergency. Officials warned of a potential biohazard if the blaze isn’t contained.
⛳ Wyndham Clark captured his second U.S. Open title yesterday at Shinnecock Hills, holding on for a one-stroke victory over Sam Burns after nearly squandering a six-stroke final-round lead.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Inside FIFA Fan Festival
• ‘Toy Story’ local connections
• Global Headlines
AND
• Look & Listen
🎓 At The New School, students launch businesses, pursue year-long internships aligned with their passions, and get into great colleges. We combine challenging academics and real-world experiences to prepare students for lives of purpose and impact. Reach out today! Financial aid available. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Observations from FIFA Fan Festival in Atlanta
⚽ Our FIFA World Cup writer, Sarra Sedghi, has made almost daily visits to the ongoing FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park, which has drawn throngs of soccer fans to Downtown even when no match is being played at Atlanta Stadium.
🎊 Sarra sets the scene and suggests activities, food, and beverage options.
Dinosaur Summer. It’s here.
SPONSORED BY THE FERNBANK MUSEUM
🦖 They ruled the Earth for millions of years. This summer, they rule Atlanta.
Always a favorite dinosaur destination, Fernbank has even more ways to satisfy your inner paleontologist with exhibits, cinema, programs and more this summer! Come face-to-jaws with the Tyrannosaurus rex in the new exhibit, T. rex: The Ultimate Predator. Learn about the iconic dinosaur through life-sized models, specimens, and interactives.
Also, Museum Nights gets a Jurassic twist during LATER: Rex Factor. It’s casual, curious, and the best way to kick off the weekend to connect, discover, and unwind in a come-and-go atmosphere for all ages, with a grown-up vibe.
➞ Experience it all this summer at Fernbank.
2. Whole World Improv co-founder voices Mrs. Potato Head in ‘Toy Story 5
’VIA SCENE, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER ABOUT FILM | SUBSCRIBE
💰 “Toy Story 5” opened this weekend with a franchise-record box office haul of $160 million. But did you know the Pixar series has two big Metro Atlanta connections?
🥔 Anna Vocino helped co-found Whole World Improv Theatre here in Atlanta in 1994. Now, she’s the voice of Mrs. Potato Head in “Toy Story 5,” taking over for the late Estelle Harris. Associate Editor Sammie Purcell spoke with Anna about her career and her path from improv to “Toy Story.” Read their conversation here.
ANOTHER GEORGIA CONNECTION
✏️ Peachtree City native David Torres worked as an animator on the film. He’s been at Pixar for 11 years and has been involved with other films like “Coco” and “Soul.” Sammie talked to David about his connection to the “Toy Story” universe.
3. Starmer quits; massive Sydney cocaine bust
🇬🇧 British Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned today as both prime minister and Labour Party leader, saying he had heard the answer when his party questioned whether he could lead them into the next general election. He will remain in post until a successor is chosen before Parliament returns in September.
🇨🇭🇺🇸🇮🇷 The first round of tense U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland concluded early this morning with both sides agreeing on a road map, even as President Donald Trump issued fresh threats against Iran. Technical talks are set to continue through the week.
🇫🇷 A record heatwave forced France to ban public alcohol consumption during its annual Fête de la Musique street festival on Sunday, with temperatures topping 104°F.
🇩🇴 A fast-moving fire tore through a Dominican Republic beach resort last week, killing one Italian tourist and forcing nearly 1,700 guests to evacuate.
🇮🇷 29-year-old Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi was sentenced to 74 lashes for “hurting public decency” with her 2024 video in which she performed without a headscarf.
🇳🇴 Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old stepson of Norway’s crown prince, has been sentenced to four years in prison for rape. 🇨🇴 Far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella narrowly won Colombia’s presidential runoff, defeating a left-wing senator by 1%. The political outsider pledged a hardline crackdown on armed groups and drug trafficking.
🇦🇺 Australian federal police seized 2.7 tons of cocaine worth $816 million from underground bunkers at a Sydney-area property, the largest cocaine bust in the country’s history.
🇨🇦 A human rights group urged Canada to restrict imports made by U.S. prison inmates under the country’s forced labor laws.
🇮🇳 Communities across India celebrated International Yoga Day, including Kolkata, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a yoga session.
🇿🇦 Abdullah Ibrahim, the influential South African jazz pianist who was discovered by Duke Ellington, died at the age of 91.
🇬🇷 Restoration efforts at the Parthenon have returned its west pediment to its most complete form in more than 200 years, now visible to visitors at the Acropolis.
🗓️ Join the World Affairs Council of Atlanta on June 29 for “Demographics Meets Democracy: How Young Africans Are Reshaping Politics,” with Africa expert Michelle D. Gavin. The conversation will explore how demographic change and urbanization are fueling new forms of activism and civic engagement, how governments are responding, and what these dynamics mean for the future of democracy in Africa. Register today.
❤️ Alan Mothner knows that making art helps in making a community. That’s why he’s the CEO of Spruill Center for the Arts, a nonprofit that’s connected people in Perimeter for over 50 years. Watch this video to see what’s bringing everyone together. SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Binge-worthy
Executive Editor Collin Kelley has some binge-worthy streaming suggestions you might have missed or keep putting off.
🤣 Dan Levy (“Schitt’s Creek”) has another hit on his hands with“Big Mistakes,” a hilariously chaotic Netflix series about two siblings inadvertently caught up in organized crime. Laurie Metcalf steals every scene she’s in.
🎤 If you haven’t caught up with the final series of “Hacks”– and especially the touching finale – Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder bring home the HBO Max comedy and end five seasons in style.
🍂 Tina Fey’s reimagining of Alan Alda’s 1981 film“The Four Seasons” into a Netflix series shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does. The trials and tribulations of the long friendship between three married GenX couples deftly hits the mark.
🗣️ Speaking of Gen X, did you know Prime Video is airing old episodes of classic 1970s game shows like“Match Game,”“Password,” and“Tattletales”? Great guest stars (Carol Burnett, Betty White, Charles Nelson Reilly) and the retro fashions are a trip.
✨ Early bird tickets are now on sale for Community Assistance Center’s CAC Annual Gala on Sat., Sept. 19, from 6-10 p.m. Join us for an inspiring evening supporting neighbors and building a stronger, more stable community. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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