Chart toppers
Wednesday, Sept. 23 — Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” broke the all-time Billboard Hot 100 record with its 23rd week at No. 1, passing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” “It feels surreal,” Langley told Billboard of the song’s success. Her album, “Dandelion,” has spent three weeks atop the Billboard 200.
☁️ Cloudy with a high of 74° today.
🎓 Emory (No. 23), Georgia Tech (No. 29), and UGA (No. 52) are Georgia’s top schools in the U.S. News Best National Universities Rankings. Spelman is the top HBCU for the 20th straight year.
⚖️ The AJC reports Rick Jackson dropped two lawsuits against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones as the Republican gubernatorial nominee seeks Jones’ endorsement.
🗳 Statewide candidates are gearing up for the Atlanta Press Club debates on Oct. 12-13, but Jackson has declined to participate.
🚜 Fuel costs, which nearly doubled in a year as diesel topped a record $6.35 a gallon, have some Georgia peach, blueberry, and Vidalia onion growers considering leaving the profession.
🤰 The Atlanta City Council approved an ordinance increasing paid parental leave for all City of Atlanta employees to 12 weeks.
💼 Two district attorneys are challenging a new Georgia law that makes the district attorney’s seat and other government roles nonpartisan in five metro Atlanta counties.
🦠 The Flint Riverkeeper said it found high E. coli levels at multiple downstream locations after last week’s sewage spill at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
🗣️ Former Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson and ex-council member Jeffrey Allen will debate Tue., Oct. 6, ahead of the Nov. 3 special election for the late Marshall Cheek’s council seat.
💛 Matt Gephardt, a Dunwoody resident who survived cancer as a toddler, will receive CURE Childhood Cancer’s Spirit of Hope award, named for the doctor who saved him, at the Believe Ball in October.
ELSEWHERE
🇺🇳 President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly yesterday. Here are some highlights from the speech and the day:
- The president said he faces “a big decision” between striking a deal and moving to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic.
- White House envoy Steve Witkoff held three hours of talks with Iranian officials.
- President Trump rejected efforts to regulate artificial intelligence and said the U.S. would now refer to the technology as “superintelligence.”
- President Trump signed an agreement with Denmark and Greenland expanding U.S. defense powers on the Arctic island.
📺 Lawyers for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico will be in court today challenging the ban on their White House access. The Justice Department claims their reporting jeopardized national security.
⚖️ A Mississippi grand jury declined to recommend charges in the death of Nolan Wells, the Black college student found dead after a July 4 party.
⚕️ A coroner ruled actress Hayden Panettiere’s death an accident caused by the toxic effects of fentanyl, Xanax, and other drugs. The “Nashville” and “Heroes” star died Aug. 16 at 36.
PICTURE THIS: After storms forced the postponement of the annual Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade, the event has been rescheduled for Sat., Sept. 26, beginning at the Atlanta Beltline Marketplace Allene location and then running along the Southwest Trail to the Lee + White parking lot.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Concrete Jungle
• Upcoming Events
• The Reset
• TEDxAtlanta
AND
• Concert Picks
🍁 Whether you’re looking to unwind, reconnect, or explore, Lake Oconee is Georgia’s hidden gem for fall getaways. Find your reason for an easy escape from Atlanta with this Ultimate Fall Getaway Guide. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Atlanta nonprofit Concrete Jungle fights food insecurity by harvesting surplus produce
🥫 On a Saturday morning in September, a collection of cars began lining up along one of the gravel roads in Adam’s Vineyard. Concrete Jungle volunteers arrived at the vineyard in the Norcross neighborhood from around metro Atlanta and Athens to pick muscadines for a local church to help fight food insecurity.
According to the USDA, more than a third of the country’s available food goes to waste. Concrete Jungle Director of Programs Virginia Ruiz Lawley said the statistic is startling, especially given the recent rise in food insecurity.
🍎 Read the full story from Sarra Sedghi here.
American Sublime LEAVES ON SUNDAY
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 closes this Sunday, marking the last chance to see one of the leading artists of her generation on view in her home state. Get your tickets while you still can.
Can only make it in the evening? We’ve got you covered. This Friday is the last time the show will stay open after hours. Grab a drink, snag an exclusive exhibition poster, and explore the galleries at your leisure.
2. Upcoming Events
SPONSORED BY THE ATLANTA BELTLINE
🚶Walk with a Doc is Sat., Sept. 26 at Rodney Cook Sr. Park. Free community walk, health talk, and screenings from Piedmont Healthcare. Register now.
📺 SCAD AnimationFest runs today through Sept. 25 at SCADshow theater.
🌎 “A Different World” premiere watch party; tomorrow from 6-10 p.m. at The Gathering Spot ATL.
🎨 The Art of Banksy “Without Limits”; opens Fri., Sept. 25 at Pullman Yards.
👟 East Atlanta Strut; Sat., Sept. 26 from noon-6 p.m.
🚲 Ride for the Westside; Sat., Sept. 26 from 8 a.m.-noon at WFF Campus.
🐕 Blue Stone 5K-9: A Road Race for People & Pups, Sat., Sept. 26 at 8 a.m. at 6100 Lake Forest Drive, Sandy Springs.
📧 Find out how you can get your event featured in Rough Draft.
🗓️ For more events, visit RoughDraftAtlanta.com/events.
🥾 Ready for a challenge that changes lives? Join Make-A-Wish Georgia for the Trailblaze Challenge, a hike for all experience levels. Choose 22 or 13 miles and help grant life-changing wishes for critically ill kids. Register for an information session today. SPONSOR MESSAGE
3. Technology behind EMS workout suits
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.
⚡ When Tom Holland wanted to get in peak shape for his leading role in Marvel’s “Spider-Man” series, he turned to electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) training. Like his superhero alter-ego, this high-tech workout requires a specialized suit. In at-home and in-studio workout classes, the futuristic workout suits transmit electrical pulses at controlled intervals. These pulses stimulate contractions in major muscle groups, simulating an intense, high-impact weightlifting session in a short amount of time.
💪🏻 Check out Laura’s story about EMS training.
❤️ Therapy that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood – while building practical skills to navigate life with confidence at Intown Psychology.
4. Want to Know What the Next Generation Is Thinking?
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TEDXATLANTA
✨ AI. Accessibility. Entrepreneurship. Sustainability. Culture & Belonging. The questions shaping our future aren’t waiting for the next generation – and neither are they.
Complete Pass Holders will hear from current and new generation leaders on the same day. Meet the TEDxAtlanta Youth speakers ages 16–23: Temple Lester, Nidhi Madam, Ian Sun, Kanushi Dua, Akos Vida, Ethan Benater, and Zoe Oli and Evana Eko as they challenge assumptions about technologies, systems, and opportunities adults have spent decades building.
Come hear the questions they’re asking now. You may leave questioning a few of your own assumptions.
→ Use “unbreakable” when you check out for a special Rough Draft Atlanta rate of 40% off all ticket types.
5. Concert Picks
Wed., Sept. 23
👀 Dead Eyes @ Smith’s Olde Bar
🕰️ Sawyer Hill @ Center Stage Theater
🐺 Julia Wolf @ The Masquerade
🛼 MUNA @ The Eastern
Thurs., Sept. 24
🇨🇴 Karol G (pictured) @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium
🤠 Tim McGraw @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
🗡️ 200 Stab Wounds @ The Masquerade
🏜️ Houndmouth @ Tabernacle
🎹 Sara Bareilles @ Fox Theatre
💋 Lucinda Williams @ Variety Playhouse (also Fri.)
Fri., Sept. 25
🎸 MJT @ Aisle 5
🏝️ The Lagoons @ The Masquerade
🏰 Cameron Whitcomb @ Tabernacle
🪰 camoufly @ Wish Lounge at Believe Music Hall
🪕 Charley Crockett @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
☀️ Michael Franti Trio @ Buckhead Theatre
Sat., Sept. 26
🕑 SWAVAY @ The Masquerade
⚾️ Ella Maddux @ Eddie’s Attic
🪻 Sam Barber @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
🍻 Little Big Town @ Fox Theatre
Sun., Sept. 27
🏚️ Jane Remover @ The Eastern
⛪️ 1k Pson @ Smith’s Olde Bar
☠️ All Shall Perish @ The Masquerade
Mon., Sept. 28
🇲🇽 Paloma Morphy @ The Masquerade
✨ Starbomb @ The Eastern
🪞 Loathe @ Tabernacle
🥣 Rebecca Black @ Terminal West
Tues., Sept. 29
❤️ Suki Waterhouse @ Coca-Cola Roxy
☀️ Arin Ray @ The Masquerade
Wed., Sept. 30
🇵🇸 Saint Levant @ Buckhead Theatre
🪄 Kacey Musgraves @ State Farm Arena
💭 Logan Mize @ Eddie’s Attic
🎉 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
🔤 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.
