End of the road
Tuesday, July 7 — Even with Flo Balogun on the pitch, the United States’ World Cup run ended last night in Seattle, as Belgium beat the Americans 4-1 in the round of 16. Belgium advances to face Spain in the quarterfinals after La Roja defeated Portugal in what was Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup match. Downtown Atlanta will be buzzing today as Lionel Messi and Argentina take on Mo Salah and Egypt at noon at Atlanta Stadium (FOX).
🌤️ It will be partly sunny with a high of 90° today.
✈️ Union representatives demanded fair pay for contract workers before the Atlanta City Council voted to approve $63 million for a new Delta lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson.
🐟 An investigation found that a chemical spill at the South River Water Reclamation Center did not cause a recent fish kill in the South River.
🗳️ A last-minute addition to the bill delaying the removal of QR codes from ballots until 2028 mandates additional post-election audits and establishes a special committee to help select the state’s next voting system.
📺 WSB-TV will present a special program on July 12 at 7 p.m. celebrating the 40th anniversary of its Family 2 Family initiative. 🇺🇲 Here are the winners of best float, music, spirit, and other categories from the Dunwoody Fourth of July Parade.
ELSEWHERE 🇹🇷 President Donald Trump arrived in Turkey for a NATO summit as allies worry his frustration over spending could fracture the alliance.
🗣️ Maine Senate nominee Graham Platner is being urged to withdraw from the race after a woman told POLITICO he sexually assaulted her in 2021.
🎮 Microsoft is cutting 4,800 jobs, with its Xbox division losing a fifth of its staff and four gaming studios being spun off.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• ‘Perfect Life’ release
• TrustDALE
• Around the State: GPB
• Upcoming Events
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities
🏡 Nearly an acre of wooded privacy sets the stage for this renovated Vinings home, listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. A chef’s kitchen with Italian cabinetry, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances anchors the home, while the resort-style backyard features a pool, outdoor kitchen, and fire pit just moments from Vinings Jubilee. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Atlanta author duo returns with ‘Perfect Life,’ out today
🏙️ Local Atlanta authors Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores are releasing their second novel, “Perfect Life,” as a duo today. The sequel to “Happy Wife” will be celebrated with a launch event at Eagle Eye Book Shop tomorrow.
Lavender, a TV writer and producer, and Shores, with a background in grant writing and corporate communications, first met at a back-to-school event for their children. Their creative partnership began in 2023, working on “Happy Wife,” a suspenseful, domestic mystery described as “a clever and subversive novel that explores marriage, wealth, and the secrets that lurk behind closed doors.”
“Perfect Life” takes place in the same city, but follows a new main character, Este, who is best friends with the first installment’s main character, Nora.
📖 Learn more about the duo’s new novel here.
ALSO TODAY
📣 Emily Giffin’s 13th novel, “Love You More,” is available today. The Atlanta-based author will be in conversation with Colleen Oakley at The Atlanta History Center on Fri., July 10, at 7 p.m.
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2. When better air filters hurt your HVAC system
TOGETHER WITH TRUSTDALE
🌬️ A better air filter sounds like an easy win. Cleaner air, fewer allergens, less dust on the coffee table. What homeowner wouldn’t want that?
The problem starts when a filter catches more particles than your HVAC system can comfortably pull air through. That’s where indoor air quality gets a little trickier than the packaging aisle makes it seem.
Today, the folks at TrustDALE will tell you how filter upgrades can backfire, how to choose the right filter for your home, what to check each season, and when it’s worth calling an HVAC professional before your system starts wheezing behind the walls.
3. New bill to create Georgia’s first National Park takes first steps
🏞️ A new federal bill which would create Georgia’s first National Park at the Ocmulgee Mounds site in Macon-Bibb County took a first step toward passage through a congressional committee Wednesday.
The National Park Service already oversees the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. House Bill 9416 would remove one word — “historical” — from the name. It would not expand the acreage of the park as an older, failed bill would have.
The new vision for the park in the current bill would make it the second-smallest National Park after Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis.
➡ Read more in this story from GPB.
4. Upcoming Events
🎸 The Amy Ray Band at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, July 8, at 7 p.m.
🎭 The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” has its first preview on Thurs., July 9, at 7:30 p.m.
🔪 Mysterious murders and juicy secrets are all part of “Only Improv in the Building” at Dad’s Garage on Fri., July 10, at 8 p.m.
🛍️ Blooms Market, featuring a curated mix of local artists, makers, and food vendors, is back at Ponce City Market on Sat., July 11, from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
🥬 Get a copy of our print papers and say hi to the Rough Draft team at the Freedom Farmers Market, Sat., July 11, from 9 a.m.-Noon.
Submit events for consideration at RoughDraftAtlanta.com/Events or email us for more information on promotion opportunities.
🏡 Nearly an acre of wooded privacy sets the stage for this renovated Vinings home, listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. A chef’s kitchen with Italian cabinetry, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances anchors the home, while the resort-style backyard features a pool, outdoor kitchen, and fire pit just moments from Vinings Jubilee. SPONSOR MESSAGE
5. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
🎭 PushPush Arts is looking for focus group volunteers on Thursday evening in College Park. Participants will experience two Ukrainian plays, guide guests, help with setup, and share post-show feedback.
🐌 Food Well Alliance (pictured) needs volunteers for the Amani Place Garden Workday on Friday morning in Atlanta. No gardening experience is needed. FWA staff and gardeners will lead the workday.
🫑 Giving Hands Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to help with food pantry distribution on Saturday afternoon in Covington. Expect to set up the shopping area, assist guests with selections, monitor shelf inventory, distribute food boxes, and more.
⚽ When the matches end, the dining begins. After cheering on your favorite teams across Atlanta, savor the city’s best tables during Buckhead Restaurant Week, July 27-Aug. 1. More than 50 restaurants serve exclusive prix-fixe menus. Learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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