Court change
Tuesday, Aug. 18 — The Georgia Supreme Court will stop routinely hearing murder appeals starting next summer, shifting most of that workload to the Court of Appeals. Chief Justice Nels Peterson said the move would free up resources for constitutional and election cases, though officials warn the transition could require millions in new funding.
☀️ Sunny and 93° today.
🚨 An Atlanta Police officer was shot and wounded on Monday morning while responding to a call concerning a mental health crisis.
💾 The Atlanta City Council stalled a proposal to create a data center task force on Monday as Mayor Andre Dickens said he is working on putting together a similar strategy group.
🙉 The co-owner of My Sister’s Room was arrested early Sunday morning over an alleged noise complaint at the Midtown lesbian bar.
🏗️ Westside Future Fund broke ground yesterday in Vine City for an 18-unit multifamily building, which will offer affordable housing.
🔨 Home Depot stock is up in pre-market trading today after the Atlanta-based retailer beat Wall Street’s earnings, even as its CFO said the company continues to operate in “frozen housing market” conditions.
⚠️ Protesters will wear yellow at a community meeting in Brookhaven today to protest the removal of hundreds of mature trees on a multi-use path on Windsor Parkway.
🎭 Dad’s Garage Theatre is expanding into the Dynamic Metal Lofts on Edgewood Avenue to house its performance development and educational training.
🍷 Sargent, the new Old Fourth Ward restaurant from the team behind Lucian Books & Wine, opens today.
🏈 Georgia is No. 3 in the preseason AP Top 25, the highest-ranked of nine SEC teams, but behind Ohio State and Oregon. The Bulldogs open their season on Sept. 5 against Tennessee State.
ELSEWHERE
🇺🇸🇮🇷🇴🇲 President Donald Trump threatened to “bomb the s— out” of Oman if it interfered with talks over control of the Strait of Hormuz, as Monday’s deadline for a U.S.-Iran deal to end their war passed.
🇰🇷 President Lee Jae Myung said South Korea needed to prepare for a “worst-case scenario” after the U.S. scaled back joint military exercises with Seoul and left the western Pacific without an aircraft carrier amid its focus on Iran.
💼 Opening statements began yesterday in the murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, who is accused of orchestrating rapper Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Indie Spotlight: Alexxiss Jackson
• TrustDALE
• Literacy bill
• Upcoming Events
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities
🏡 Backing up to Fernbank Forest, this prize-winning Druid Hills residence was redesigned in 2019 and is priced at $2.25 million. Listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, the home features walls of windows, a pool, a chef’s kitchen with an Italian pizza oven, a caterer’s kitchen, and a primary suite with a steam shower and heated floors. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Indie Spotlight: cinematographer Alexxiss Jackson’s journey through the ebbs and flows of Georgia’s film industry
VIA SCENE, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER ABOUT FILM | SUBSCRIBE
🎥 This story is part of a series of interviews with Atlanta creatives about what it’s like to work in Atlanta’s independent film scene and the film industry at large.
Born and raised in Detroit, cinematographer Alexxiss Jackson’s resume runs the gamut from documentaries, to independent films, to work with acclaimed filmmakers like Julie Dash. Over the course of the past few years as Georgia’s film and television production has slowed down, Jackson – like so many others – has seen less and less work coming in.
Throughout reporter Sammie Purcell’s Indie Spotlight series, we’ve spoken with filmmakers and producers working hard to keep film in Georgia alive. But Jackson knows firsthand that the slowdown has hit Georgia’s crew workers particularly hard.
“So many of my colleagues and peers that are super talented and super good at what they do, and they’ve put in years and years of work – I’ve watched a lot of them leave the industry and go to other industries or positions just to survive,” Jackson said.
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. What does low water pressure mean?
TOGETHER WITH TRUSTDALE
🚰 If your home has low water pressure, a shower can be less than satisfying.
When the shower weakens as the washing machine fills and every faucet feels underpowered, you’re likely facing a whole-house supply problem. It can make showers frustrating, slow appliance cycles, and leave you using more water for basic tasks.
Residential water pressure may change when the water supply is restricted or when another upstream component affects water pressure. Start with a few safe checks to narrow down the cause before paying for a repair.
🚿Learn more about how to handle low water pressure at TrustDALE here.
🧑🌾 Join 30+ award-winning chefs and mixologists for a one-of-a-kind potluck that raises funds for Wholesome Wave Georgia’s mission to get healthy food from local farmers to Georgia families. Sun., Oct. 4 at Serenbe. Grab your tickets today. SPONSOR MESSAGE
3. School implements literacy bill changes as academic year starts
📕 Nearly two-thirds of Georgia’s third graders are reading below grade level. But state lawmakers hope bills passed over the past few years could help.
Changes include implementing a more structured curriculum to teach based on the science of reading and hiring school-based literacy coaches to help teachers and students.
State Rep. Chris Erwin is the chair of the House Education Committee and worked on the bills. He said he has received positive feedback so far from teachers on literacy coaches.
➡ Read more in this story from GPB.
4. Upcoming Events
🖼️ Access for All, a monthly day of free admission at the High Museum, is tomorrow from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
🎷The Frankie Quinones Latin Jazz Collective Trio is playing at the Rialto Center for the Arts tomorrow from noon-1 p.m.
🍿“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is playing at The Strand in Marietta Square on Thursday at 7 p.m.
🇬🇧 Her Majesty’s Request delivers UK rock on Friday at the Avon Theatre in Avondale Estates.
🍽️Rough Draft Dinner Club; Tue., Aug. 25, at 6:30 p.m.
5. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
🌱 Legacy Park needs volunteers for the Decatur Community Habitat Sustainable Landscaping event on Thursday afternoon. Look forward to transforming a traditional lawn into a thriving ecosystem by weeding, mulching and adding native plants.
🐞 Five Points Farm (pictured) is looking for volunteers on Friday morning for the Downtown Atlanta Pollinator Count. As part of the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, volunteers will have a brief training, conduct and record pollinator counts and convene for a group photo.
🍁 Feeding GA Families needs volunteers for their Pantry Site Cleanup and Beautification Project on Saturday morning in Atlanta. Expect to help clear debris and trash from outdoor areas, deep clean and scrub the grill, rake and collect leaves, and prepare the space to host events.
🍃 Visit Atlanta’s newest outdoor public space this fall for free fitness classes, artisan markets, lunchtime events, live music + more. Midtown Green is located in the heart of the city at 98 14th St., near MARTA and deck parking. Learn more here. 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.
