Redevelopment tax breaks
Saturday, Sept. 19 – President Donald Trump said he was banning CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House over their coverage of him. The move echoes previous attempts to bar journalists from the AP and CNN. One press freedom advocate said, “Someone needs to explain to President Trump how the First Amendment works.”
🌤️ Scattered thunderstorms and a high of 91º today.
MARKET UPDATE
📉 The Dow fell 0.18% Friday to close at 51,682.64, capping its worst week since March as rising Treasury yields and the Federal Reserve’s first rate hike in three years weighed on stocks. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both rose Friday. Gas prices continue to rise, with the national average up almost 40% from one year ago.
LOCAL NEWS
🏗️ Invest Atlanta approved nearly $15 million in tax breaks for Amsterdam Walk’s redevelopment and a $29 million bond for Trestletree Village Apartments, though both projects drew pushback over affordable housing and cost.
📚 Cobb County schools removed Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” from library shelves, citing passages depicting child rape that violated content standards. The district has pulled 30 titles since 2024, though other Morrison works remain available.
🚽 Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division says an estimated 30,000 gallons of untreated sewage reached Sullivan Creek after a spill at the Atlanta airport on Wednesday.
🏙️ Katharine Kelley, CEO of the Buckhead Coalition and CID, has announced “Buckhead Forward,” a five-year roadmap to increase livability in the community.
🧸 “Toy Factory,” a family-friendly, immersive exhibit taking guests behind the scenes of a working toy factory, will premiere at Pullman Yards on Sept. 30.
🏈 In local college football action:
- No. 2 Georgia at Arkansas, Noon (95.5 FM, ABC)
- Mercer at Georgia Tech, Noon (93.7 FM, ACC Network)
- West Georgia at East Tennessee State, Noon
- Morehouse at Lane College, 5 p.m. (SIAC Network)
- Miles College at Clark Atlanta, 6 p.m.
- Georgia Southern at Jacksonville State, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
- Georgia State at UCF, 7 p.m. (88.5 FM, ESPN+)
- Kennesaw State at No. 15 Tennessee, 7:45 p.m. (SEC Network)
ELSEWHERE
🇬🇱🇩🇰 The White House announced a deal with Denmark expanding U.S. military presence in Greenland, ending months of threats to seize the Arctic island while keeping it under Danish sovereignty.
👗 CFDA President and CEO Steven Kolb resigned yesterday, days after a viral video showed him physically restraining PETA protesters at a New York Fashion Week show.
🎗️ Duncan Sheik, the Tony Award-winning composer of “Spring Awakening” and pop hit “Barely Breathing,” died Thursday at 56.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND
🇰🇷 Atlanta Korean Festival, today and tomorrow, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., at Gwinnett Place Mall.
🎸 Shaky Knees Music Festival; today and tomorrow in Piedmont Park.
❓ Buckhead Heritage’s 4th Annual Trivia Game Party; tomorrow from 4-7 p.m. at the Atlanta International School Auditorium.
🩰 Atlanta Ballet’s “Passion & Pride,” today at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
🌳 Forestry Day at Fernbank Museum; today from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
🐶 Upper Westside Pupfest Tailgate, today from 2-5 p.m. at The Works’ Camp Street.
🦒 Sippin’ Safari; today, 5:30-9 p.m. at Zoo Atlanta.
🛩️ 2026 PDK Good Neighbor Day Airshow & Aviation/STEM Expo; today from 1-9 p.m. at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport.
🏈 Panthers vs. Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium; tomorrow at 1 p.m.
🏀 HBCU + D9 Night at Atlanta Dream vs. Chicago Sky, tonight at 7 p.m. at State Farm Arena.
➡ Here are some concerts to check out:
🦬 Buffalo Traffic Jam @ Buckhead Theatre (tonight)
🥃 Shaboozey @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater (tonight)
🌹 Guns N’ Roses @ Truist Park (tonight)
🌉 Robin Trower @ Center Stage Theater (tomorrow)
🐍 Young Thug & YSL Records @ Lakewood Amphitheater (tomorrow)
✨ The Atlanta Greek Food Drive-Thru returns Sept. 25–27! Pre-orders are open now, or order directly on-site all weekend. Learn more and pre-order now. (Pre-orders close at 11:59 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 24) SPONSOR MESSAGE
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Enjoy your Saturday!
The pickin’s good in Druid Hills
SPONSORED BY DRUID HILLS CIVIC ASSOCIATION
🛍️ The Druid Hills neighborhood will hold its popular community yard sale on Sat., Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale will be held rain or shine.
As Druid Hills neighbors register to sell, their addresses will be added to a Google map of yard sale participants.
→ The map, and information about how to participate as a seller, can be found on the Druid Hills Civic Association (DHCA) website. Learn more about all that DHCA does for the community, too. Join us.
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 Mayor breaks tie to deny Holy Innocents’ homecoming permit
② Above the Waterline: Atlanta’s disappearing tree canopy
③ Report: Atlanta eviction rate is three times the national average
④ CBS News Atlanta prepares to hire 40 more staff for new Chamblee studio
⑤ Atlanta City Council member Mary Norwood endorses Rick Jackson for governor
🌎 One bold, brave idea: Just one can change minds, move hearts, inspire action and fuel movements. One bold, brave idea can change the world. Join us at TEDxAtlanta 2026 and hear from 14 leaders shaping tomorrow’s world, today. Buy tickets. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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