Limping into Lambeau
Thursday, Sept. 24 — A district judge appointed by President Donald Trump overnight ordered the White House to restore press credentials for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, doubting that national security motivated the ban. He called the disputed stories “routine” and said the 78 journalists received no advance notice. Trump, who has attacked him as “disloyal,” signaled plans to appeal.
☁️ There’s a slight chill in the air this morning and it will be cloudy with a high of “only” 74° today.
🚔 U.S. marshals and Jacksonville SWAT officers arrested a man yesterday wanted in the 2023 shooting death of Republic Lounge’s co-owner in West Midtown.
🛞 Italian tire company Pirelli will invest $1.2 billion to expand in Georgia, bringing 1,000 jobs by 2033, according to Gov. Brian Kemp’s office.
🐘 Top Republicans appear to be deprioritizing U.S. Rep. Mike Collins’ challenge to Sen. Jon Ossoff, Politico reports.
✍️ Nearly 70 Georgia leaders signed a letter backing a November ballot measure that would make probate judge races nonpartisan.
📱 A woman accused Atlanta artist Sky Whatley of slapping her across the face during an event at a Tucker theater earlier this month.
🚨 The Sandy Springs Police Department arrested a suspect in connection with alleged arson activity at a Sonic on Roswell Road.
👋 Tucker Summit Community Improvement District President Emory Morsberger is leaving after 15 years in leadership.
🏈 The Falcons travel to Lambeau Field to face the Packers tonight at 8:15 p.m., with QB Michael Penix Jr. set to make his return from a torn ACL (92.9 FM; Prime Video; Fox 5).
🏀 The Dream beat the Liberty 83-65 last night to clinch the WNBA’s No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round. Atlanta will face Indiana or Washington starting Sunday.
ELSEWHERE
🇺🇸🇨🇳 Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington last night for a state visit and was greeted planeside by President Trump. U.S. tech executives will join a summit dinner tonight.
⚖️ A New York judge sentenced Harvey Weinstein to 15 years in prison yesterday for a 2006 sexual assault, after the state’s highest court overturned his original conviction in 2024.
🌀 Hurricane Polo regained Category 5 strength off Mexico’s Pacific coast. Forecasters expect it to remain at sea, though its outer bands could trigger flooding and mudslides.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Keith Duncan and ‘Battle of the Bands’
• Upcoming Events
• Decatur Book Festival
• Global student startup
AND
• Quick Bites
🥘 The Dad’s Garage parody of critically acclaimed television sensation “The Bear” returns for a second helping of outrageous, over-the-top comedy and outlandish onstage hijinks. “SCANDAL! The Bare” runs Fridays at 8 p.m. through Nov. 6. Get your reservations now! SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Artist Keith Duncan brings ‘Battle of the Bands’ to the College Football Hall of Fame
VIA SKETCHBOOK, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER ABOUT ART | SUBSCRIBE
🎺 New Orleans artist Keith Duncan’s “Battle of the Bands” opened Aug. 29 at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, timed to Atlanta’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff and the start of HBCU football season.
The exhibit, formally called the “Southern Company Keith Duncan: Battle of the Bands Exhibit, Presented by Mabra Law,” features 44 large-scale fabric paintings honoring 15 historically Black college and university (HBCU) marching bands, from Florida A&M’s Marching 100 to Morehouse College’s House of Funk. The show is on view through May 2027.
🏈 Learn more about the exhibit from Sherri Daye Scott here.
Global Open House Showcase
SPONSORED BY ATLANTA FINE HOMES
🏡 This weekend, explore exceptional homes across Metro Atlanta as Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty participates in the Sotheby’s International Realty® Global Open House Showcase.
On Sat., Sept. 26, & Sun., Sept. 27, open houses across the region will be part of a coordinated showcase of properties around the world.
Tour properties including this four-bedroom, brand-new Kirkwood home, this six-bedroom custom home in Alpharetta or this high-rise condominium in Atlantic Station.
➵ Whether you’re actively searching or simply curious, it’s the perfect weekend to explore real estate.
2. Upcoming Events
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HISTORIC OAKLAND FOUNDATION
☀️ Atlanta’s liveliest cemetery music festival returns to Oakland for its 48th year! The iconic Sunday in the Park ft. Tunes from the Tombs festival is back on Sun., Sept. 27, blending live music, history, and family fun in one unique experience.
🥃 Stir Crazy: An Old Fashioned Cocktail Lab; tonight, 8 p.m. at Elemental Spirits.
🎨 The Art of Banksy “Without Limits;” opening tomorrow at Pullman Yards.
⚽ Atlanta United vs. New York City FC; Sat., Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
🤠 Little Big Town – For The Art Of It Tour; Sat., Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Theatre. 📧 Find out how you can get your event featured in Rough Draft.
🗓️ For more events, visit RoughDraftAtlanta.com/events.
✨ Taste something unexpected. Follow a scent. Move. Listen. Look again. Explore Sessions wake up your senses, spark curiosity, and invite you to experience ideas in entirely new ways. See what you’ll explore at TEDxAtlanta, Oct. 2 & 3. SPONSOR MESSAGE
3. Telling stories seldom told
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL
💡 Two remarkable sessions at the DBF shine a light on women whose contributions have changed lives – but whose stories are not widely known.
In “Freedom’s Daughters,” journalist Celeste Headlee shares how a generation of Black women risked everything to ensure Black Americans had the right to read.
Appearing together on stage, authors Marcia Chatelain (“How Bright the Path Grows”) and Atima Omara (“The Instigators”) reveal the critical and vital – yet often overlooked – work of Black women to advance a just and equitable country.
🗓️ Discover more in our full schedule.
4. With Atlanta roots, Fusen builds a global student startup network
🍎 Few people have shaped the Atlanta tech landscape the way Christopher Klaus has as a technology founder and builder of startup communities and ecosystems.
With his latest venture, Klaus and his team are turning their attention to the next generation of global entrepreneurs. Fusen is a startup accelerator that helps students explore entrepreneurship, develop ideas, launch companies, and prepare for growth. Its network now includes 123 active companies founded by students from more than 15 universities around the world.
➡ Read the whole story from Hypepotamus here.
🩷 Little PINK Book’s 22nd Fall Women’s Empowerment Event, AMPLIFY HER, is on Oct. 1! Experience leadership development in action with powerful insights from accomplished women leaders. Make meaningful connections, learn real strategies to strengthen your leadership, accelerate your personal growth, and more. Details here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
5. Quick Bites
VIA SIDE DISH, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | SUBSCRIBE HERE
😋 In this week’s Quick Bites, get updates on openings in Avondale Estates and Lawrenceville, a food stall closure at Westside Market, and extended hours at a Duluth coffee shop. We’ve also rounded up several food and dining events to attend, including the Atlanta Greek Festival, Halloween pop-ups, and an anniversary party for Rebel Teahouse.
👉 Read the latest Atlanta dining news.
OPENING ALERT
🦞 Chops Lobster Bar will open at Medley Johns Creek in 2028.
🔤 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.
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