Up in the air
Tuesday, August 4 — 🏡 The Rufus M. Rose House, a historic Victorian mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is once again up for sale on Peachtree Street.
🌩️ Scattered thunderstorms with a high of 85° today.
🚌 New data shows that while more students in Georgia are missing school than before the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate has been steadily decreasing, dropping to 17.7% during the 2025-26 school year.
🏭 Ground was broken on a natural gas expansion at Plant Bowen, drawing legal challenges from environmental groups warning of worsening ozone pollution in metro Atlanta.
💵 Fulton County signed an agreement with 15 cities for a fall referendum extending a transportation sales tax expected to generate $653 million over five years, with Sandy Springs in line for $129 million.
🌉 The Decide DeKalb Development Authority board approved a $588,168 grant to the City of Brookhaven to advance the design of a pedestrian bridge over I-85.
🍽️ Our dining team has a rundown of the more than 30 restaurants that opened around metro Atlanta in July, from Buckhead to Decatur, with dozens more announced for the coming months.
🏈 The AJC will begin revealing its 42nd annual Super 11 class tonight, with the first three of Georgia’s top high school football seniors announced at 8 p.m. in a live broadcast with Score Atlanta (ANF, PSN).
ELSEWHERE
🇺🇸🇮🇷 President Donald Trump warned Iran it had a “last chance” to sign a deal, though Iran denied talks with the US were underway.
⚖️ Todd Blanche appeared on track to clear the Senate Judiciary Committee today after Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn backed his nomination, although a full Senate vote may not come until Saturday.
🗳️ Democratic voters in Michigan head to the polls today to choose between Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed in a closely watched U.S. Senate primary.
🦠 Michigan reported the first two US deaths tied to a cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell lettuce, as national case counts topped 20,000.
⚽ Mauricio Pochettino will return as USMNT manager after signing a new contract through the 2030 World Cup.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• South Downtown shift
• TrustDALE
• Beltline housing fair
• Endangered species
• Upcoming Events
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities
🏡 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
1. South Downtown developers shift focus from rapid development to establishing 24/7 neighborhood
🏢 South Downtown was flooded with more than 40,000 visitors in June and July during Atlanta’s run as a World Cup host city, reinvigorating an overlooked neighborhood four blocks from the Georgia State Capitol.
After two-plus years of renovations, construction, and courting new businesses and restaurants, the developers of South Downtown plan to turn their attention to attracting residents and building on the neighborhood’s forward momentum.
Rough Draft Atlanta spoke with business owners in the neighborhood about the shift, hearing from restaurant owners and other tenants about what they think the future holds.
🗣️ Check out Logan C. Ritchie’s report here.
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. Electrical panel warning signs homeowners shouldn’t ignore
TOGETHER WITH TRUSTDALE
🔌 Modern homes draw more electricity than ever. Flickering lights, warm outlets, and frequently tripped breakers can mean an older panel or circuit system needs a licensed electrician’s attention.
A house can look updated while its electrical system remains decades behind the devices plugged into it. Computers, smart speakers, security cameras, large televisions, chargers, and electric vehicles all add demand to wiring, outlets, and breaker panels that may have been installed long before those devices existed.
The issue is larger than a higher utility bill. An overloaded electrical system can create heat, damage equipment, and increase the risk of fire. This week, the folks at TrustDALE take a deep dive into crucial safety issues that come with increased load on your home’s electrical panel.
3. Find your path to affordable housing at the Atlanta Beltline housing fair
SPONSORED BY THE ATLANTA BELTLINE
🏘️ Join us Sat., Aug. 8 at Monday Night Garage for a free event connecting Atlanta residents with housing resources, experts, and trusted community partners.
Renters, aspiring buyers, and homeowners can explore affordable housing programs, financing options, educational workshops, one-on-one consultations, and services available along the Atlanta Beltline corridor.
Get there with the ATL Spoke shuttle from MARTA West End Station (beginning at 9 a.m.), participate in free two-hour validated on-site parking, or take the Atlanta Beltline Southwest Trail.
📍Learn more and register here.
4. Trump admin’s endangered species rule could leave Georgia’s wild places unprotected
🐿️ A federal rule change set to go into effect this fall could cause big changes to Georgia’s landscape, and environmental groups are sounding the alarm.
The change rescinds the definition of “harm” in the Endangered Species Act. Under the new rule, intentionally killing a protected species remains forbidden, but indirectly killing a species by altering or destroying its habitat is not.
“It’s probably the worst action that’s ever been taken in the history of the Endangered Species Act,” said Will Harlan, southeast director of the Center for Biological Diversity in Asheville, NC. “It is absolutely devastating for not just listed species, but all wildlife. It will wreak havoc upon the ecosystems that both wildlife and humans depend upon.”
➡ Read more in this story from GPB.
⚡Southern Company, Official Energy Company of the PGA TOUR, is building stronger communities through golf. Since 1998, the TOUR Championship has raised more than $71 million for Atlanta nonprofits, fueling education, youth development, and neighborhood revitalization. That’s what it means to drive good energy, on and off the course. Learn more. SPONSOR MESSAGE
5. Upcoming Events
👟 The Atlanta Dream hosts the Phoenix Mercury for Sneakerhead Night tomorrow at Gateway Center Arena.
🎸Melissa Etheridge takes the stage with Wynonna Judd at Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park on Aug. 7. Check out Sammie Purcell’s interview with Etheridge here.
🎭 Whole World Theatre hostsBlack Voices Unscripted on Friday at 10 p.m., with improv actors paying tribute to Black moments with humor and history.
😋 The Creole Food Festival hits Atlanta Aug. 8-9 at The Gathering Spot.
6. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
🚚 Community Church Atlanta is looking for volunteers for their food pantry on Wednesday morning in Atlanta. Look forward to stocking shelves, sorting food, helping with distribution and unloading trucks. Volunteers must be able to lift 50 lbs.
🥦 NETWorks Cooperative Ministry (pictured) needs volunteers on Thursday evening in Tucker for their food pantry. Roles include helping with client check-in, managing the database, acclimating new clients and preparing food for distribution.
🌻 EcoAddendum seeks volunteers for restoration efforts at Herbert Greene Park on Sunday morning in Atlanta. Expect to help restore natural areas in parks and greenspaces and use hand tools such as clippers, pruning saws, trowels, and shovels.
🏡 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
🔤 Play News Word Atlanta, our daily word game.
💡 Help support independent local media by becoming a Rough Draft member today. Pick up some cool swag, including our new, limited-edition LOCAL hoodie.
📤 Have a friend or colleague who would enjoy getting this newsletter? Forward them this link to subscribe.
