Vroom vroom!

Saturday, Aug. 1 — Despite objections from MARTA and some residents, a Formula 1 race car showcase is set for this afternoon in Summerhill. The “Red Bull Showrun” will close a portion of Hank Aaron Drive (between Fulton Street and Georgia Avenue) starting at 4 p.m. so professional drivers can perform burnouts, high-speed demonstrations, and precision driving. 

🌧️ Temperatures in the mid-80s this weekend, with light rain expected today and thunderstorms tomorrow.  

MARKET UPDATE

📈 Amazon surged 15% yesterday on strong earnings, lifting the Dow 0.53%, the S&P 500 0.7%, and the Nasdaq 1%, while Apple fell more than 7% despite beating revenue estimates. Microsoft posted its best month since 2007, but semiconductor stocks suffered their worst month in 18 years.

LOCAL NEWS

🚨 According to Channel 2 Action News, Atlanta Police made an arrest in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old girl at Piedmont Park on 404 Day. A 17-year-old suspect surrendered to Fulton County Jail.

🖊️ Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens blasted the Fulton County Board of Commissioners in a letter after the body denied his proposed extension of six tax allocation districts.

🎶 One Music Fest canceled its 2026 event, but expects to return next year.

🛣️ Ansley Park is a step closer to establishing a historic district for Peachtree Circle, setting a new precedent in Atlanta zoning.

🚨 One person was wounded, and windows at several businesses were shattered during a shooting on Peachtree Street in Midtown on Thursday. 

ELSEWHERE

⚖️ The Justice Department moved to drop vandalism charges against Olympian David Hearn, acknowledging Reflecting Pool damage stemmed from flawed installation by a contractor, not vandalism.

🇪🇸🇲🇦 Tens of thousands of migrants who crossed into Spain’s Ceuta territory from Morocco returned voluntarily after chaos, and at least 57 deaths sparked a humanitarian crisis. 

⚾ The Women’s Pro Baseball League’s inaugural season begins today, with the Los Angeles Queens facing the New York Heights at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, IL. Here’s how to watch.

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

🏳️‍🌈 Fayette County hosts its first Pride celebration today, from noon-5 p.m. in Downtown Fayetteville.

🍷 The pilot episode of “Homegrown,” an Atlanta-made web series, is premiering at Finca to Filter/Side Saddle tomorrow evening. 

🪴 Atlanta Loves Plants, a plant festival and artisan market, will be at Monday Night Garage tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

🎮 The Southern Fried Gaming Expo continues today and tomorrow at the Marriott Renaissance Waverly. 

🌳 A new exhibit called “Paper Trees” opened at the High Museum yesterday.

⚾ The Atlanta Braves host the Washington Nationals this weekend, with a game tonight at 7:15 p.m. and tomorrow at 1:35 p.m.

➡ Here are some concerts to check out: 
👼 O.A.R. @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park (tonight)
🦴 Lord Huron @ Coca-Cola Roxy (tonight)
🪟 Greg Mendez @ Aisle 5 (tonight)
🍑 Passion Pit @ The Eastern (tonight)
🎧 Doug E. Fresh + Slick Rick + Friends @ Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre (tonight)
🌈 John Mellencamp @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre (tonight)
🇨🇱 Mon Laferte @ Fox Theatre (tomorrow)
🌍 Toto + Christopher Cross + The Romantics @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre (tomorrow)

IT’S TIME TO PLAY THE QUIZ

🧠 Click here to play, and please let us know how you do by replying to this email or sharing on Instagram, Facebook, or Bluesky @RoughDraftATL.

Enjoy your Saturday!


Taste, sip, and celebrate!
SPONSORED BY GRAND TASTING ALPHARETTA

🍾 Raise your glass on Thurs., Aug. 27 at The Hotel at Avalon for the Grand Tasting Alpharetta.

Experience a one-night-only celebration of Alpharetta’s top restaurants with tastings of wine, craft beer, and cocktails. Enjoy live music and more during this unforgettable night of flavor and fun.

🎫 VIP entry begins at 6 p.m., general admission at 7 p.m. Get your tickets today!


Top stories of the week

A look back at this week’s most-read stories from our website. Follow @RoughDraftATL on Instagram for regular updates.

① Indoor amusement park Thrillz Atlanta opens near Spaghetti Junction

② Dunwoody City Council paves way for Kroger redevelopment

③ 4-year-old ‘Toy Story’ fan awaiting heart transplant has wish come true, thanks to love and medication (pictured)

④ Concert Review: Noah Kahan makes small town anxieties feel fit for a crowd of thousands

⑤ Chef Anne Quatrano opens Summerland at Upper West Market


🏡 Originally built in 1924, this renovated Morningside home offers nearly 5,000± square feet of living space. The property, listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, underwent a down-to-the-studs renovation completed in 2026, adding a chef’s kitchen, wine bar, covered porch with a fireplace, and vaulted primary suite. SPONSOR MESSAGE



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This report was compiled and written by Rough Draft Atlanta's staff.