Going up Thursday,
Sept. 17 — The Federal Reserve unanimously raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point yesterday, its first hike since 2023, bringing the target range to 3.75% to 4%. The move aims to combat persistent inflation, but it also means higher borrowing costs for Americans eyeing homes, cars, or other big-ticket purchases.
☀️ Sunny with a high of 89° today.
🚨 Two men were shot outside the Daiquiri Factory near Howell Mill Road and Chattahoochee Avenue overnight. Police believe two vehicles found in Atlanta are connected to the shooting.
🎓 Tom Fanning, the former Southern Company CEO, was named the sole finalist to lead the University System of Georgia, becoming the first chancellor to come from Georgia Tech, from which he has three degrees.
⚖️ A Cobb County judge delayed the execution of a man convicted of the 2003 murder of two real estate agents.
🗳️ Ballots for November’s midterm elections are being sent this week to Georgians living overseas.
🏞️ Officials in cities across Georgia are warning that the state legislature’s plan to phase out homestead property taxes would strip away the revenue that pays for police, parks, and paving.
🏈 On a tie-breaking “no” vote from Mayor Rusty Paul, Sandy Springs City Council denied Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School’s request to have its homecoming football game at night.
🎤 The reality competition show “American Idol” is reportedly moving production to Georgia for its upcoming season.
📰 Rough Draft is joining dozens of media companies today at the TRB Audience Summit in New York, with speakers from The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Economist, and The Onion.
ELSEWHERE
🇨🇦 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen backed proposals to grant Canada “associate member” status in the EU. President Donald Trump called it “laughable” and threatened more tariffs.
💊 A new study found that 21.4 million American women needing subsidized birth control lived in counties with limited access to it.
✌️ House Speaker Mike Johnson sent members home a day early for recess, sidestepping a floor vote on Rep. Thomas Massie’s impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
🎗️ Peter Max, the psychedelic pop artist whose flower-power designs defined 1960s counterculture and later graced everything from postage stamps to a Boeing 777, died Monday at 88.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Forward Warrior
• Upcoming Events
• Real Estate Quiz
• Authors for kids at DBF
• AI for restaurants
AND
• Quick Bites
🚲 For Veronica Lopez-Delgado, getting around by bike means family time, fresh air, and a closer connection to her Perimeter community. Watch her story in the Heart of Perimeter video series. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Forward Warrior mural festival returns
VIA SKETCHBOOK, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER ABOUT ART | SUBSCRIBE
🎨 Cabbagetown’s walls are about to get a lot more paint – and light.
Forward Warrior, the neighborhood’s annual mural festival, returns tomorrow. Running through Sept. 20, it features 80 murals along Wylie Street, plus a new Friday night projection-mapping experience, a poetry program and weekend walking tours.
This year’s lineup includes five new artists: Danae Antoine, Emily Cadena, Monk Panda, Skape and Jesus Valdivia. Free kids’ activities run throughout the weekend.
Learn more about the festival here.
Amy Sherald: American Sublime
SPONSORED BY THE HIGH MUSEUM OF ART
🎨 You’ve seen Amy Sherald’s iconic portrait of Michelle Obama. Now, her largest exhibition to date is here in Atlanta, featuring rarely seen paintings and monumental portraits spanning nearly two decades.
Amy Sherald: American Sublime is in its final weeks, marking the last chance to see one of the leading artists of her generation on view in her home state. Get your tickets before the show wraps.
Can only make it in the evening? We’ve got you covered. The show stays open after hours every Friday. Grab a drink, snag an exclusive exhibition poster, and explore the galleries at your leisure.
2. Upcoming Events
⛹️♀️Atlanta Dream vs. Connecticut Sun, tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Gateway Center Arena.
🎸Shaky Knees Music Festival; Sept. 18-20 at Piedmont Park (Sold Out).
🎤 Mic Check Myeloma: We Care for the Culture, Sat., Sept. 19 at noon at Terminus 330.
🖼️Buckhead Arts Festival, Sat., Sept. 19 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun., Sept. 20 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at 259 Buckhead Avenue.
🌹Guns N’ Roses: World Tour 2026, Sat., Sept. 19, 6:25 p.m. at Truist Park.
🍂 Fall Fest 2026 with 4-H, Sat., Sept. 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Atlanta History Center.
📧 Find out how you can get your event featured in Rough Draft.
🗓️ For more events, visitRoughDraftAtlanta.com/events.
🛍️ Shop local outdoor this fall at monthly Midtown Artisan Markets! Discover Atlanta makers, handmade goods, food, family-friendly activities, and more at Midtown Green. Sundays Oct. 25, Nov. 22, and Dec. 13 from noon-6 p.m. Free admission. SPONSOR MESSAGE
3. What’s it Worth?
SPONSORED BY ATLANTA FINE HOMES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
🐓 Originally built in 1900 and tucked completely out of view from the street, this historic Sandy Springs farmhouse features four bedrooms, a renovated kitchen, and a pool. The property also has a chicken coop, a vegetable garden, mature fruit trees, and an operational well.
❓ Guess the price below!
4. Books for kids and the adults who love them
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL
📚 Beginning at 10 a.m. with the Kidnote, the Decatur Square Stage will feature seven incredible authors for kids (and their adults!) to enjoy.
🖋️ DBF will welcome Pedro Martín (“Mexikid Dreams”), Eliot Schrefer (“Fatal Glitch: Let’s Play a Game”), Colleen AF Venable & Honie Beam (“Junie B. Jones: The Graphic Novels!”), and Jill Tew (“Rayana Johnson’s Giant Leap”). We’ll wrap up with an Ultimate Sharpie Showdown, showcasing illustrators Martín, Beam, and Ward Jenkins.
5. Atlanta restaurateur launches AI operating platform for restaurant owners
🍽️ If you’ve dined around Atlanta, there’s a good chance you’ve eaten at one of Gilbert Yeremian’s restaurants.
Now, after decades spent managing food costs, payroll, staffing, and expansion decisions, he is building the technology he wishes he had throughout his restaurant career.
Yeremian is the founder of ROB, short for Restaurant Owner Buddy. The bootstrapped platform is designed to serve as an always-available operating partner for restaurant owners.
➡ Read the whole story from Hypepotamus here.
6. Quick Bites
VIA SIDE DISH, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | SUBSCRIBE HERE
😋 In this week’s Quick Bites, get details on a restaurant reopening in Avondale Estates, a closure in West Midtown, and a beloved taco truck’s anticipated return. We’ve also rounded up local dining events to consider, including an OutKast coffee party, a seven-course Nikkei dinner in Poncey-Highland, and community nights at The Works in Underwood Hills.
👉 Get the latest Atlanta dining news here.
READ MORE
🧆 The story behind Clarkston halal food restaurant Al Chef
🧺 Join us at Oakland Cemetery to celebrate Historic Oakland Foundation’s 50th anniversary at the Golden Jubilee Picnic on Thurs., Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. Reserve your table for a once-in-a-lifetime evening at Oakland after dark. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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