Clouds in the coffee
July 28 — Voters in Georgia’s 13th Congressional District, which includes parts of Clayton, DeKalb, Henry, Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale counties, are headed to the polls today for a special election to fill the unexpired term of late U.S. House Rep. David Scott.
🥵 Partly cloudy with a high of 95° today. A heat advisory is in effect from noon to 8 p.m., with heat index values of 105°.
🎗️ Friends of Katie Janness gathered in Piedmont Park Sunday, marking five years since she and her dog Bowie were fatally stabbed there, a case that remains unsolved with a $25,000 reward.
🏓 The Dunwoody Planning Commission will consider a request from the Marcus Jewish Community Center to build a four-court indoor pickleball facility.
❤️🩹 Four-year-old Jace Connor, who has a rare heart condition and awaits a transplant, got to see “Toy Story 5” in person after a new medication let him leave the hospital. 🏃 Registration is open for the annual Adams Realtors Run for the Park on Aug. 22, ahead of the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival.
⚾ Ronald Acuña Jr. returned from a six-week injury and went 1-for-4, as the Braves lost 14-3 to the Mets in New York last night. The two teams play again tonight at 7:10 p.m. (93.7 FM; Braves.TV).
ELSEWHERE
🇯🇵 A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck southern Japan today, prompting a tsunami advisory and airport flight suspensions. Officials warned of aftershocks and waves up to three feet.
⚖️ President Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court to block an appeals court ruling that halted his executive order restricting mail-in ballot delivery.
🇮🇱🇺🇦 The leaders of Israel and Ukraine arrive in Washington today for Sen. Lindsey Graham’s funeral, with both seeking President Donald Trump’s ear amid shifting U.S. war policies.
🎤 Carly Simon, known for hits like “You’re So Vain” and “Nobody Does It Better,” revealed she has Parkinson’s disease and recently underwent skin cancer treatment, explaining her years-long public absence.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Data center woes
• TrustDALE
• Around the State: GPB
• Upcoming Events
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities
🎨 Soak up the sun with Midsummer at ArtsXchange for a two-day festival of art, community, and family. Enjoy an evening art auction and dancing on July 31, then return Aug. 1 for free workshops, live entertainment, vendors, food, crafts, and games for all ages. More details. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Pro-data center group launches in Georgia to try and win over critics
🗄️ The rampant growth of data center construction in Georgia has spurred intense statewide outrage at local government meetings where zoning decisions are being made.
An organization that represents the data center industry is trying to get Georgians to think of the electricity-hungry facilities more favorably.
Connected Georgia and its parent organization America Connects recently established a state presence when they created a website on June 15 and a YouTube channel the next week, where the organization published a 30-second ad that has already garnered over two million views.
🖥️ Read more on this story from Georgia Recorder.
MEET THE OPPOSITION
🙅 NerdWallet takes a deeper dive into the public and municipal opposition to data centers, including higher utility bills, strain on the electrical grid and water supply, noise pollution, and declining property values.
Atlanta’s Trusted Source for Orthopedic Care
SPONSORED BY PEACHTREE ORTHOPEDICS
🎾 The last thing anybody has time for is an injury that disrupts their week. But Peachtree Orthopedics is here to make life easier.
For 70 years, we’ve been committed to helping Atlantans return to the activities they love. At our 11 convenient locations, we have 42 leading physicians, all of whom are fellowship-trained, with specialties in every body part.
Injured in the evening or on the weekend? Skip the ER. Our UrgentORTHO clinic offers same-day, evening, and Saturday hours.
➞ It’s time to get back to doing what you love. Peachtree Orthopedics is here to help you Get Better.
2. Is the American Dream of homeownership drifting out of reach?
TOGETHER WITH TRUSTDALE
🇺🇸 Owning a home has long been considered a key part of the “American Dream.” But how much harder is it for a typical household to buy a home today than it was in 1976, when we celebrated the country’s Bicentennial?
Home prices have risen far faster than general inflation, while wages, mortgage rates, living costs, and down-payment demands have all changed the math. A house bought in 1976 wasn’t automatically cheap in every city, and 2026 buyers aren’t facing one uniform market. Still, national figures show a clear pattern: the price-to-income burden is larger today.
The most useful comparison separates sticker price from monthly payment, then accounts for the money a household needs for everything else.
🏠 Read the full TrustDALE article here.
3. How the YMCA helped build youth soccer in Atlanta and across the nation
⚽ Soccer has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, but what some might not know is that youth soccer started in Atlanta.
Behind the Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, just east of Atlanta, lies a soccer field that is recognized as the birthplace of youth soccer. With the help of Atlanta’s first professional soccer team, the Atlanta Chiefs, and the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, they helped kick off soccer for many Atlantans.
➡ Read more in this story from GPB.
4. Upcoming Events
🎥 Summer Movies at the Strand continues in Marietta tomorrow with “Mulan” showing at 11 a.m.
🎹 Eddie’s Attic presents Songwriters in the Row with Cliff Corr, Jerad Davis, and Franklin Engram on Thurs., July 30.
⚾ The Atlanta Braves host the Washington Nationals at Truist Park; Thurs., July 30 – Sun., Aug. 2.
🇳🇬 A Taste of Nigeria, celebrating Nigerian culture, food, fashion, and more, hits Piedmont Park on Sat., Aug. 1.
🍴 Buckhead Restaurant Week is here! Now through Aug. 1, savor exclusive menus and bold flavors at 50 of Atlanta’s finest restaurants. Discover your next favorite table with us. SPONSOR MESSAGE
5. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
🍅 Girls Incorporated of Greater Atlanta (pictured) is looking for volunteers for their Thrive for Families food pantry on Thursday afternoon in Marietta. Look forward to unloading food deliveries, setting up distribution areas, bagging food items, and assisting patrons during pickup.
🥕 Five Points Farm needs community garden volunteers in Atlanta on Sunday morning. Expect to help weed, harvest, plant, and do site beautification projects.
👖 StreetWise Georgia Inc. seeks volunteers to help with client serving and prep day on Monday morning in Lawrenceville. Roles include assisting in the warehouse, grocery store, or clothing room depending on client needs.
💙 The 2026 CHRIStal Ball is officially sold out! You can still make an impact by donating to CHRIS 180, helping Atlanta’s children, youth and families heal, live and thrive. Every gift makes a difference. Donate today. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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