Blanche confirmed
Saturday, Aug. 8 — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended a private remembrance and memorial service on Friday at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta to mark today’s first anniversary of a shooting rampage that took the life of DeKalb Police officer David Rose. A road at the CDC headquarters was named in honor of Rose.
🌩️ Temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s this weekend, with pop-up thunderstorms throughout.
MARKET UPDATE
📈 The S&P 500 climbed to a record close Friday, while the Nasdaq gained 1.3% and the Dow added 0.28%. All three indexes posted their best weekly performance since April after a weaker-than-expected July jobs report eased fears of another interest rate hike.
LOCAL NEWS
⚖️ Colin Gray, the father who gave his son the gun used in the Apalachee High School shooting, requested a new trial, arguing the jury’s guilty verdict was not supported by evidence.
🚧 This weekend’s full-lane closure of a section of I-285 will span a highly trafficked stretch of highway from Paces Ferry Road to S. Atlanta Road until early Monday morning.
📚 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to roll back regulations on Head Start, a key early education program for low-income families.
➗ Despite record gains in math scores over the years, about half of Georgia students are performing at levels that are considered not proficient.
🔒 Switchyards will close its Midtown location at The Biltmore on Aug. 27 to make way for a restaurant space.
😻 Magnolia Veterinary Care opened in Tucker, emphasizing unhurried “relational medicine” over rushed appointments to combat vet burnout.
⚾ The Yankees rallied late to beat the Braves 3-2 in 10 innings last night, snapping Atlanta’s eight-game win streak. The two teams play again today at 3:05 p.m. (93.7 FM; Braves.TV).
ELSEWHERE
✅ The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a late-night vote, 50-49. Blanche, who previously was President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, has been acting attorney general since April.
🏗️ A federal appeals court blocked the construction of the $400 million White House ballroom, ruling that congressional approval is needed for the project.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND
🎂 Manuel’s Tavern continues its 70th birthday celebration this weekend.
🎭 The annual Essential Theatre Play Festival returned to 7 Stages Theatre in Little Five Points yesterday and runs through Aug. 23.
🍿 The Atlanta Underground Film Festival is today and tomorrow at the Limelight Theatre.
🧟 Monsterama Con, an annual retro horror and sci-fi convention at the Atlanta Marriott Northeast/Emory, throughout the weekend.
😋 The Atlanta Creole Food Festival runs today and tomorrow at The Gathering Spot.
➡ Here are some concerts to check out:
🎤 Billy Currington + Kip Moore @ Coca-Cola Roxy (tonight)
🎸 Nirvani – (Nirvana Tribute) @ The Masquerade (tonight)
🪨 Ryan Charles @ Vinyl (tonight)
☀️ The REMakes (REM Tribute) @ Terminal West (tonight)
🎹 Charlie Mars @ Eddie’s Attic (tonight)
🇰🇷 Cortis @ Fox Theatre (tonight)
👩🎤 i-dle @ State Farm Arena (tonight)
🌅 Sunset Honor Unit + Lee Bains @ The EARL (tomorrow)
🇮🇳 Ilaiyaraaja @ Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (tomorrow)
👙 Kevian Kraemer @ Vinyl (tomorrow)
👼 ECHO Presents the Songs of John Prine @ Eddie’s Attic
IT’S TIME TO PLAY THE QUIZ
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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 South Downtown developers shift focus from rapid redevelopment to establishing a 24/7 neighborhood
② New Jovita Moore mural unveiled at Bellwood Coffee in Grant Park
③ Historic Rufus M. Rose House on Peachtree Street returns to market (pictured)
④ Did you miss these July Atlanta restaurant openings?
⑤ State approves Sandy Springs charter after county shuttered elementary school
⚡ 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
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