DBF lineup

Saturday, Aug. 22 — The Decatur Book Festival unveiled the full lineup for its 21st annual festival, taking place Oct. 2–3 in downtown Decatur. Authors include Tomi Adeyemi, Brian Goldstone, Nghi Vo, and more. Check out the full lineup here.

☀️ Sunny with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s throughout the weekend. 

MARKET UPDATE

📈 The Dow jumped 517 points Friday as healthcare and crypto stocks rallied, though the S&P 500 and Nasdaq still posted their second straight weekly losses amid rising Treasury yields. 

LOCAL NEWS

🚧 I-285 will be closed again this weekend for construction, this time from Langford Parkway (Exit 5) to MLK Jr. Drive (Exit 9). The closure is in effect in both directions until 5 a.m. on Monday. 

🔌 Republican Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore resigned early, effective Sept. 4. Gov. Brian Kemp appointed former Commissioner Stan Wise to fill her seat.

⚕️ Georgia lawmakers and immigrant rights activists continue to raise concerns about the health of Pauline Binam, an ICE detainee, who underwent a nonconsensual medical procedure.

🎻 The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra returns to Piedmont Park with a free concert on Sept. 9.

🇮🇳 Pataaka, a family-style Indian restaurant from Chef Anish Nair (Jai Ho), opens tonight for dinner at the Spring Quarter development in Midtown.

🏈 Lovett beat Westminster 31-12 in the annual “Battle of Buckhead” to open the 2026 High School Football season. In other games, Holy Innocents’ beat Pace 44-7, Milton edged North Cobb 30-29, and North Springs beat Riverwood 48-12. Complete scoreboard here.

🏈 In NFL preseason action, the Falcons play the Colts in Indianapolis today at 1 p.m. (Fox 5; 92.9 FM).

ELSEWHERE

🇺🇸🇨🇦 Trade talks between the U.S. and Canada collapsed last night, triggering 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods effective at midnight. 

⚖️ Chief Justice John Roberts allowed White House ballroom construction to continue, blocking a lower court order that would have halted above-ground work while the Supreme Court considers the case.

🧬 A new report found HIV knowledge among Americans has declined since 2020, with fewer adults reporting comfort interacting with HIV-positive people.

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

☀️ Grant Park’s Summer Shade Festival returns today and tomorrow. 

🏈 The College Football Hall of Fame is kicking off the start of the season with its annual Football Fest & Free Day today.

🌮 Live! At the Battery is hosting its Marg & Taco Fest today from 4-8 p.m.

⚽ Atlanta United hosts Sporting KC tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

📽️ Long Story Books presents “Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World” at the Plaza Theatre, tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.

🎸 Chuck Leavell of the Allman Brothers and Rolling Stones will share stories and songs at Buckhead Theatre tomorrow at 8 p.m. 

➡ Here are some concerts to check out: 
🇰🇷 Baek Ji Young @ Atlanta Symphony Hall (tonight) 
🐈 Squeeze + Adam Ant @ Fox Theatre (tonight) 
🕺 Gareth Asher @ Eddie’s Attic (tonight)
🥨 The Isley Brothers + The O’Jays @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park (tonight)
🎷 Olivia Dean @ State Farm Arena (tonight) 
🐺 Sean McConnell + Olivia Wolf @ Eddie’s Attic (tomorrow)
🪞 Jon Batiste + Atlanta Pops Orchestra @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park (tomorrow)

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    Showstopping lower and upper front porches
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IT’S TIME TO PLAY THE QUIZ

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Enjoy your Saturday!

⚡ 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

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 My Sister’s Room co-owner arrested after noise complaint

② City of Atlanta will preserve 30 acres of wooded forest in Buckhead

③ Sandy Springs leaders debate car-centric vs. walkable city future

④ Sandy Springs to host three evening farmers markets at River Springs Shopping Center

⑤ Waffle House is testing out tacos on the menu at locations around Metro Atlanta (Pictured)

🧑‍💼 Across Atlanta, Oglethorpe alumni are making an impact through the arts, nonprofits, public spaces, healthcare, and community organizations. Their careers may take different paths, but they share a commitment to service, leadership, and strengthening the city they call home. Read more of their stories. SPONSOR MESSAGE

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