Finger lickin’ good
Wednesday, July 29 — The Dunwoody City Council approved several variances and a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) for a new Kroger grocery store on Ashford Dunwoody Road in the former Walmart space that closed in 2024.
🌞 Sunny with a high of 93° today.
⚖️ Colt Gray, the teen who killed four people at Apalachee High School in 2024, was sentenced to life without parole yesterday, with the judge saying he showed no remorse. His father, Colin Gray, was also convicted in the case and will be sentenced later this week.
🗳️ Marcye Scott, the daughter of the late Rep. David Scott, and fellow Democrat Everton Blair are headed to a runoff to fill the District 13 Congressional seat left vacant by the congressman’s death.
📺 Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson announced an $87 million ad buy against Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, calling it the largest general election buy of the race so far.
🤝 SaportaReport reports that the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta has named former Woodruff Arts Center CEO Virginia Hepner as its interim leader.
🐟 City of Atlanta and state officials are clashing over the cause of a large fish kill in the South River.
☕ Five years after opening in Tucker, Hesham Abdulla said he will close his popular Yemeni-Ethiopian coffee shop, Mokhaport.
🎤 Singer, actor and Atlanta native Ciara donated $50,000 to local creatives yesterday, which is observed as Ciara Day.
ELSEWHERE
🕵️ The U.S. Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence, replacing acting DNI Bill Pulte, who drew bipartisan concerns.
🎗️ President Donald Trump eulogized Sen. Lindsey Graham at the Washington National Cathedral yesterday, recalling their rocky-turned-close friendship and praising his Senate legacy.
🗣️ Anthony Fauci will testify today before Sen. Rand Paul’s Homeland Security committee under subpoena, as the two continue a yearslong feud over pandemic-era research funding and Covid’s origins, with each accusing the other of lying.
🐔 The Kentucky estate of Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC, went up for sealed-bid auction alongside dozens of personal items, including his bow tie and 1964 planner.
PICTURE THIS: The City of Chamblee will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. for Fish Bolt Park along the Chamblee Rail Trail. The $4.6 million park, located at the intersection of Chamblee Tucker Road and the trail, will have green space, trails, and water features to enhance the city’s stormwater management.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Bank of America Plaza restaurants
• Upcoming Events
• The Reset
AND
• Concert Picks
🍴 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
1. New restaurants headed to Midtown tower
🏙️ Weeks after opening The CTR and its food hall ahead of the World Cup in Downtown Atlanta, commercial real estate developer CP Group announced an incoming wave of hospitality concepts headed to the city’s Bank of America Plaza in Midtown.
CP Group is partnering with New York-based Episcope Hospitality to open three food-driven spots inside the Bank of America building, including a lobby restaurant and bar, a gourmet market and cafe, and a tenant-exclusive club located on the 37th floor.
🍴Read more about the restaurant plans here.
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2. Upcoming Events
SPONSORED BY THE ATLANTA BELTLINE
🚴 Explore Atlanta on our guided Southwest Beltline Bike Tour this Sat., Aug. 1! Ride 13 miles through historic neighborhoods, public art, and scenic trails with experienced guides. Register here.
🐌Drop into the Children’s Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden this morning at 10:30 a.m. for a kid-friendly gardening activity.
🎭 “Miseducated” is playing at the Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre this week, with multiple opportunities to attend.
🎮 The Southern Fried Gaming Expo comes to Atlanta July 31-Aug. 2.
🌳 A new exhibit called“Paper Trees” opens at the High Museum on July 31.
🏳️🌈 Fayette County hosts its first Pride celebration on Sat., Aug. 1, from noon-5 p.m. in Downtown Fayetteville.
3. Intentional Minds brings yoga and mindfulness classes to Atlanta
THE RESET | SPONSORED BY INTOWN PSYCHOLOGY
“The Reset by Rough Draft” is edited by Laura Scholz, one of Atlanta’s most respected lifestyle journalists. The Reset is a weekly, Wednesday newsletter with even more content, and you can subscribe here with one click.
☀️ With school starting soon, now is the perfect time to help kids build confidence and healthy routines. If your child is struggling with anxiety, friendships, emotional regulation, or the back-to-school transition, Intown Psychology is here to help. Explore ways to stay connected and engaged.
🧘🏼 Yoga isn’t just for adults. At Intentional Minds, small bodies move through downward-facing dogs and deep-breathing exercises on a circle of colorful mats. The children pause occasionally to sing, discuss their feelings, or even giggle. This local organization offers yoga, mindfulness, and other wellness classes for Metro Atlanta children and families.
🦋 Read Laura’s story about Intentional Minds, which is opening its first permanent location inside Small Craft Kids Club in Scottdale on August 1.
🌕 Mark the full moon in Aquarius with a mat Pilates class followed by restorative reflection and a sound bath at {sacred} thread on Friday. Scroll down to register for the 90-minute session here.
🏃🏾♀️ The Boyz of C.O.R.E. and South Fulton Run Club are teaming up for a Back to School 5K Run & Walk and Field Day on Saturday at Candler Park. Registrations support a backpack drive for local students, and the family event also includes a live DJ, fitness challenges, and food.
👟The Atlanta Track Club’s “Run the Beltline” series continues on Saturday with the first-ever Southside Beltline 3K/8K. The 3K is sold out, but spots remain for the 8K, which starts at Pittsburgh Yards. Snag your spot here.
🎨 Intentional Minds and Small Craft Kids Club are hosting a fall open house on Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The event includes free family yoga, story time, and self-led art-making stations.RSVP to reserve your spot.
🧘🏼♀️ Join Hops & Flow for an all-levels yoga class at Monday Night Brewing’s The Grove on Aug. 2 at 10 a.m. The $20 admission includes a post-class coffee or beer.
🔔 Local experts Jess Pfeffer and Ruby Velle will lead SETTLE + Sound: The Shift, a wellness pop-up for women in their 40s and 50s at The Interlock on Aug. 13.
🏅Registration is open for theAdams Realtors Run for the Park 5Kon Aug. 22. Funds support the Grant Park Conservancy.
❤️ Therapy that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood – while building practical skills to navigate life with confidence at Intown Psychology.
🎨 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
4. Concert Picks
Wed., July 29
🤠 Russell Dickerson @ Buckhead Theatre
Thurs., July 30
🎥 Deante’ Hitchcock @ Buckhead Theatre
Fri., July 31
🎸 Bob Dylan (pictured) @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
🎶 Hermanos Espinoza @ Coca-Cola Roxy
🤘 Luh Tyler @ Vinyl
Sat., Aug. 1
👼 O.A.R. @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
🌃 Lord Huron @ Coca-Cola Roxy
💭 Greg Mendez @ Aisle 5
🍑 Passion Pit @ The Eastern
Sun., Aug. 2
🇨🇱 Mon Laferte @ Fox Theatre
Mon., Aug. 3
🥁 Metric, Broken Social Scene, and Stars @ Tabernacle
Tues., Aug. 4
🇰🇷 Woodz @ Coca-Cola Roxy
🦁 Mumford & Sons @ State Farm Arena
🚢 Chance Peña @ Variety Playhouse
🐶 Dogstar @ Tabernacle
Wed., Aug. 5
🚘 The Fray + Dashboard Confessional @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
💙 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
🔤 Play News Word Atlanta, our daily word game.
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