Back to business
Monday, July 6 — A stunned soccer world is digesting FIFA’s unusual decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s controversial red-card suspension, clearing him to play for the U.S. in today’s round-of-16 match, reportedly after the White House intervened. Portugal and Spain play today at 3 p.m., ahead of the U.S. v Belgium at 8 p.m. (FOX). England and Norway advanced to the quarterfinals yesterday, with the Three Lions beating Mexico at Azteca Stadium in what’s being considered an instant classic.
☔ Thunderstorms and 87° today.
🚑 Channel 2 Action News reports that a fallen tree struck four guests near the entrance of Six Flags Over Georgia during severe weather last night, sending them to the hospital for evaluation.
🎆 A person was detained following suspected celebratory gunfire near the Avondale Estates’ July 4 fireworks show.
✈️ A Delta flight from Atlanta was hit by fireworks while landing in Chicago on Saturday, with the crew reporting a “big bang” on descent. The plane landed safely without further incident.
🚨 A fight outside an apartment building on Sunday led to a shooting that sent three people to the hospital.
🏠 The Norcross Planning and Zoning Board got its first look at a 27-home development last week in the city’s historic downtown district.
🐱 Estuary Apartments and Kirk Cats volunteers reached an agreement to resume feeding roughly 30 community cats, after a ban sparked backlash.
⚾ Braves pitcher Chris Sale earned his 10th All-Star selection, joining four teammates, Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Drake Baldwin, and Raisel Iglesias, at the July 14 game in Philadelphia.
ELSEWHERE
🔥 The Aspen Acres fire surged to 89,000 acres near Pueblo, CO, becoming the state’s seventh-largest ever, while a new wildfire near Leadville forced more evacuations.
🗣️ A preliminary hearing is set to begin today for Tyler Robinson, the man charged with killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• World Cup restaurant boost
• Upcoming Events
• Global Headlines
AND
• Look & Listen
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1. World Cup boosting restaurant sales
⚽ Considered by some as the “best soccer bar in the US,” both locations of Brewhouse Cafe in Little Five Points and South Downtown are enjoying a boon from World Cup watch party events. And Brewhouse isn’t alone.
Other soccer-leaning bars, breweries, and restaurants adjacent to large fan events like Decatur Watchfest and the FIFA Fan Festival in downtown Atlanta are also benefiting from a boost in sales from soccer-related traffic.
But World Cup excitement at restaurants and bars has spread both ITP and OTP.
🍻 Read more about the World Cup sales boost here.
When the Matches End, the Dining Begins
SPONSORED BY LIVABLE BUCKHEAD
⚽ After cheering on your favorite teams across Atlanta, treat yourself to the city’s best tables during Buckhead Restaurant Week, July 27-Aug. 1.
More than 50 participating restaurants are serving exclusive prix-fixe menus and inventive pairings crafted to turn post-game energy into an unforgettable evening. Whether you crave bold flavors or a relaxed celebration with friends, Buckhead delivers.
➞ Explore the lineup and discover your next favorite meal. The final whistle is just the beginning of a delicious night.
2. Upcoming Events
🎤 Ariana Grande begins her three-night stand at State Farm Arena this evening at 7:30 p.m.⚾
The Gwinnett Stripers host the Memphis Redbirds tomorrow at Gwinnett Field in Lawrenceville with the opening pitch at 6:35 p.m.
🍿 SCADshow in Midtown is screeningSteven Spielberg’s “Hook” on Wed., July 8, at 7 p.m.
🏀 TheAtlanta Dreamhost Seattle Storm on Thurs., July 9, at 8 p.m. at Gateway Center Arena in College Park.
Submit events for consideration at RoughDraftAtlanta.com/Events or email us for more information on promotion opportunities.
3. Ayatollah’s Tehran funeral; Wimbledon update
🇮🇷 Iran is holding an elaborate, days-long funeral for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in February by Israeli and American air strikes.
🇺🇦 🇷🇺 A Ukrainian drone hit a Russian oil terminal in St. Petersburg, just days after Russia sent a massive wave of nearly 600 drones and missiles that killed a dozen civilians.
🇻🇪 Rescue dogs saved dozens of lives in Venezuela, sniffing out survivors buried beneath earthquake debris.
🇹🇷 NATO leaders will gather in Turkey this week, as President Trump is expected to press Europe to boost defense spending amid tension over the Iran war and planned U.S. troop withdrawals from the continent.
🇮🇩 A Shariah court in Indonesia ordered a couple to be publicly caned for kissing during a TikTok livestream.
🇹🇿 Tanzania deployed troops ahead of expected protests demanding accountability for last year’s contested election, in which security forces allegedly killed hundreds during unrest.
🇫🇷 A French court is set to rule this week on whether far-right politician Marine Le Pen can run for president despite her conviction for embezzlement.
🇻🇦 The Vatican formally declared the Society of St. Pius X – a traditionalist Catholic group founded in Switzerland – to be in schism, meaning it has broken away from the Roman Catholic Church.
🇨🇳 A prominent Christian pastor returned to Los Angeles following his release from detention in China, where the government imposes tight restrictions on religious activity.
🇬🇧 Naomi Osaka upset top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon yesterday to reach her first quarterfinal. Coco Gauff and fellow American Jessica Pegula square off on Tuesday in the quarterfinals. On the men’s side, Novak Djokovic set the record for match wins at Wimbledon, topping Roger Federer.
🇨🇦 Canada is joining the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, marking the first new country added since Australia in 2015.
🗓️ Join the World Affairs Council of Atlanta’s Young Leaders Executive Board for a morning of service at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, supporting vital hunger relief efforts across Metro Atlanta. Volunteers will sort, inspect, and pack food in the Hunger Action Center while connecting with fellow community-minded leaders. This hands-on experience highlights the Council’s commitment to local impact and offers meaningful networking alongside real service. Register by July 10 for early-bird pricing – space is limited.
➡️ Experience Etienne Jackson’s Inward: A Meditation on Memory & Presence, the second annual South Fulton County Invitational exhibition at ArtsXchange’s Jack Sinclair Gallery. This abstract work explores ancestry and transformation through wood, metal, and mixed media. Artist Talk & Closing: 3-5 p.m. July 11. Free. Details here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Lights! Camera! Action!
VIA SCENE, A WEEKLY FILM & TV NEWSLETTER | SUBSCRIBE
Scene newsletter curator Sammie Purcell has some pods, reads, and documentaries worth your attention.
🐟 The hosts at “Blank Check” have finished up their Peter Weir series and kicked off a slew of episodes on a new director – Andrew Stanton, one of Pixar’s finest. Listen to their first episode on the animated classic “Finding Nemo” here.
💰 I’ve been doing my own little sojourn into the world of independent filmmaking in Atlanta, but it seems the topic has been top of mind for everyone. In addition to the ongoing conversation started by Sally Choi, the art director for “Obsession,” about how crew members should be compensated if an indie film takes off, Vulture just explored how five indie filmmakers keep the lights on and the bills paid. Check it out here.
🐴 If you want a little more context and great depth on why Universal’s decision to bypass influencer screenings for Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” matters, check out David Ehrlich’s great piece on IndieWire.
🌳 A documentary about Atlanta’s tree canopy has caught the attention of lawmakers in Brookhaven.
🍑 PeachFest is back! PeachFest returns July 12 to Underground Atlanta for an unforgettable celebration of Georgia peaches. Enjoy chef-crafted dishes, creative cocktails, live music and experiences from Atlanta’s top chefs, bartenders, artisans and farmers. Bring your friends. Learn more and buy tickets today. SPONSOR MESSAGE
🔤 Play News Word Atlanta, our daily word game.
🍽️ We’ve partnered with DNNR to bring Rough Draft off the screen and into local restaurants for reader dinners on Tues., July 21. Book your seat.
📤 Have a friend or colleague who would enjoy getting this newsletter? Forward them this link to subscribe.
