🏛️ Kennedy Center closes
Naming rights and fights
Wednesday, Sept. 16 — The Kennedy Center’s board voted yesterday to immediately close the venue, citing a partial ceiling collapse and unsafe conditions, hours after a federal judge rejected another bid to add President Donald Trump’s name to the building. Trump said repairs won’t proceed unless his name is added.
🌞 Sunny with a high of 87° today.
⏩ Mayor Andre Dickens will ask the Atlanta City Council to fast-track legislation for a permanent, citywide framework for the responsible use of public safety cameras, including Flock license plate readers.
The DeKalb County Board of Education voted 4-3 to name interim superintendent Dr. Norman C. Sauce III as the sole finalist for the top post.
🐈 The Tucker City Council approved an ordinance prohibiting the transient sale of animals at roadsides, fairs, commercial parking lots, and other outdoor locations.
💧 At his annual State of the City address, Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said the city could use eminent domain to seize its aging water system from Atlanta if mediation, which is set to begin tomorrow, fails to resolve the ongoing dispute.
📺 CBS News Atlanta is preparing to hire 40 new staff for its new Chamblee studio.
🦊 Virginia-Highland’s So. Fox is the lone Georgia entry on the New York Times’ annual list of the 50 best restaurants in America, 60% of which are new this year.
💃 La Choloteca, Atlanta’s queer Latinx dance party, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.
ELSEWHERE
📈 The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates a quarter point today as Treasury yields surged to their highest levels since 2007, driven by rising inflation fears and soaring oil prices.
🪖 The House voted 220-204 last night to halt the war against Iran, with a record seven Republicans defecting, hours after Rep. Thomas Massie moved to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the conflict.
⚖️ Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against Nick Reiner, who is charged with murdering his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner.
🎤 Four of Ed Sheeran’s opening acts quit his tour in solidarity with Macklemore, who was dropped after making pro-Palestinian remarks onstage.
PICTURE THIS: The annual Midtown Walk Challenge kicks off today, giving participants a chance to explore the neighborhood scavenger-hunt-style. The competition runs through Sept. 30, with new missions dropping daily. Climb the leaderboard for your shot at a custom, shoe-shaped can cooler (pictured), a mini-tote, and more.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Microloans for renters
• Upcoming Events
• The Reset
AND
• Concert Picks
🎸 Gather friends and family for Wire & Wood, a FREE festival Oct. 9 and 10, with over 30 performances across 7+ stages throughout downtown Alpharetta, with everything from Americana and Indie to Southern Rock, Pop, Country, and more! SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. City of Atlanta launches no-fee microloans to help struggling renters
💸 As part of the City of Atlanta’s Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, Mayor Andre Dickens announced a new zero-cost, zero-fee anti-displacement loan pilot program to help renters who might be facing eviction.
The two-year pilot is being led and administered by the Flagstone Initiative, a national nonprofit founded in 2022. According to the city, Flagstone has made over 9,000 microloans across seven states by partnering with governments, philanthropies, and housing providers.
The pilot provides a $500 no-fee, no-interest and no-penalty rent loan to stabilize eligible households as soon as they anticipate a financial hardship that could lead to a missed rent payment.
The Ultimate Fall Getaway Guide to Lake Oconee
SPONSORED BY VISIT LAKE OCONEE
🍁 The first cool morning of fall changes everything at Lake Oconee. Steam rises off the water, the golf courses are at their best, evenings end around a fire with s’mores, and the trees surrounding the lake slowly turn shades of amber and crimson.
If you’re ready for an easy fall escape from Atlanta, there’s no better time to visit.
🍂 Whether you’re looking to unwind, reconnect, or explore, Lake Oconee is Georgia’s hidden gem for fall getaways. Find your reason to linger longer with this Ultimate Fall Getaway Guide.
2. Upcoming Events
SPONSORED BY THE ATLANTA BELTLINE
🏮Join us Sat., Sept. 19, on the Southwest Trail for the 16th Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade! Line-up begins at 7:15 p.m., with step-off at 8 p.m.
🩵 Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance Teal Trot 5K Walk/Run, Sat., Sept. 19 at 9:30 a.m. at Chastain Park.
🍻 Community Night, tomorrow from 5-10 p.m. at the Works; a monthly series through December.
🧟 “NETHERWORLD: Haunted House” opens Sept. 18 in Stone Mountain.
🩰 Atlanta Ballet’s “Passion & Pride,” Sept. 18-20 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
🐶 Upper Westside Pupfest Tailgate, Sept. 19 from 2-5 p.m. at The Works’ Camp Street. 📧 Find out how you can get your event featured in Rough Draft.
🗓️ For more events, visit RoughDraftAtlanta.com/events.
Say thank you on Sept. 25! Two out of three people in the U.S. have worked in food service. Join Giving Kitchen’s National Food Service Worker Day by celebrating the people who make our meals and moments possible. Show a food service worker some love and say thank you! SPONSOR MESSAGE
3. Marietta ultra-runner Allison Mercer set to represent Team USA in Spain
THE RESET | SPONSORED BY INTOWN PSYCHOLOGY “The Reset by Rough Draft” is edited by Laura Scholz. The Reset is a weekly Wednesday newsletter with even more health and wellness content, and you can subscribe here with one click.
💬 “How was your day?” “Fine.” Your teen probably isn’t shutting you out. Being asked face to face costs more at that age.Intown Psychology helps parents of anxious kids and teens. Get a free consultation.
🏃♀️ Allison Mercer is 43 years old and running faster – and longer – than ever. The Marietta-based ultra-runner will represent Team USA at the 2026 100K World Championships in Ames, Spain, on Sept. 20.
Mercer qualified for her third consecutive national team with a runner-up finish and master’s win at the 2026 USATF 100K Championships in Madison, WI, in April. She raced her first World 100K Championships in 2024, where her third-place master’s finish helped the U.S. women’s team secure a bronze medal.
🇺🇸Read Laura’s story for more on how the Woodward Academy graduate became one of the country’s top ultra-runners.
❤️ Therapy that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood – while building practical skills to navigate life with confidence at Intown Psychology.
🍴 West Midtown Restaurant Week debuts Sept. 20-26, uniting James Beard-honored kitchens like Bacchanalia and Miller Union with beloved favorites like Taqueria del Sol. Enjoy prix fixe dinners, tasting flights and signature cocktails crafted for the occasion. Reserve your table today! SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Concert Picks
Wed., Sept. 16
🎸 El Ten Eleven @ Aisle 5
🎤 Inayah @ Center Stage Theater
🥰 Jenna Raine @ The Loft
Thurs., Sept. 17
🇵🇱 Vader @ The Masquerade
🕶️ Ryan Castro @ Gas South Arena
🇲🇽 James Taylor and his All-Star Band @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
🥛 The Milk Carton Kids @ Variety Playhouse
Fri., Sept.
18🦉 Naomi Sharon @ Buckhead Theatre
🇺🇸 Jimmy Eat World @ The Masquerade
🎻 Bronwyn Keith-Hynes @ Eddie’s Attic
Sat., Sept. 19
🐃 Buffalo Traffic Jam @ Buckhead Theatre
🥃 Shaboozey @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
🌹 Guns N’ Roses (pictured) @ Truist Park
Sun., Sept. 20
🌉 Robin Trower @ Center Stage Theater
🐍 Young Thug & YSL Records @ Lakewood Amphitheater
Mon., Sept. 21
4️⃣ YG @ Buckhead Theatre
👻 Saint Harison @ Vinyl
⚡️ Slayyyter @ The Eastern
🪖 Bob Log III @ The EARL
Tues., Sept. 22
👽 Yeat @ Coca-Cola Roxy
\🇸🇰 ADÉLA @ The Masquerade
🎤 Jenny Owen Youngs @ Eddie’s Attic
Wed., Sept. 23
👀 Dead Eyes @ Smith’s Olde Bar
🕰️ Sawyer Hill @ Center Stage Theater
🐺 Julia Wolf @ The Masquerade
🛼 MUNA @ The Eastern
🔤 Play News Word Atlanta, our daily word game.
🍽️ Grab a friend and come to Rough Draft’s September Dinner Club – Tue., Sept. 22.
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