Overview:
Here's our daily newsletter for Tue., October 20. You can subscribe via the Newsletters link at the top of this page.
Spotlight: Georgia
Tuesday, Oct. 20 — With Election Day two weeks away, Georgia remains the center of the political universe. NPR’s “Morning Edition” is broadcasting from WABE today, speaking with voters and visiting local favorites like Little Tart Bakeshop. The national podcast “The Bulwark Live” takes the stage at The Eastern tonight. Early voting runs through Oct. 30, and you can find a location here.
☀️ Sunny with a high of 74° today.
🏀 The Dream evened the WNBA Finals 1-1 against the Valkyries with a 79-65 win, as Angel Reese became the third player ever with at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game. Game 3, which is sold out, is tomorrow at State Farm Arena at 8 p.m.
🏀 The Hawks, who open the regular season tomorrow in Orlando (there are three NBA games today), announced a couple of business deals:
- The team and Fanatics will open a sports merch store in 2027 at Centennial Yards.
- Atlanta is partnering with Home Depot for an extensive branding deal at State Farm Arena.
💽 Data centers have emerged as a defining point in the midterms, with candidates up and down the ballot focusing on how Georgia, which leads the nation in data center construction, should embrace the facilities.
🏳️🌈 The DeKalb Commission is expected to consider an amendment today to expand the county’s nondiscrimination ordinance to further protect LGBTQ+ residents.
🏫 Fulton County Schools opened a teaching museum and archive in the former Spalding Drive Elementary School building.
🎒 The Galloway School celebrated the opening of its transformed campus and new academic building yesterday.
🚮 The City of Dunwoody needs individuals, families, and groups to volunteer for the Great Dunwoody Cleanup on Nov. 14.
ELSEWHERE
🇮🇱 Israeli police arrested 10 suspects after settlers in the West Bank beat a photojournalist and, a day later, attacked European diplomats.
📺 CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour announced that she will leave the network next June after 43 years.
⛳ A U.S. District Judge rebuked Trump administration lawyers who told her that plans to overhaul the historic East Potomac Golf Links weren’t final, even after the president said work would start immediately.
⚾ The Rays beat the Guardians 7-3 to clinch the ALCS and will face the Brewers in a World Series between two franchises without a title. Game 1 is Friday in Milwaukee.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• City jail agreement
• Hot water checks
• Copay costs halt GLP-1 use
• Upcoming Events
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities
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1. Atlanta City Council approves sale of city jail to Fulton County after chaotic meeting
🗣️ Chaos reigned at yesterday’s Atlanta City Council meeting as council members and staff debated the intricacies of selling the Atlanta City Detention Center to Fulton County for $68 million, ultimately approving the resolution in an 8-7 vote.
An hours-long discussion led to a confusing vote when veteran Council member Michael Julian Bond tried to delay the measure – then relitigate it – after its passage.
Bond said the city could make history by improving the criminal justice system in Atlanta and embracing a social services system to help the community.
🔎 Read Logan C. Ritchie’s full report here.
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2. Why does your hot water run out so fast?
TOGETHER WITH TRUSTDALE
🚿 You’re halfway through rinsing your hair, and suddenly the water goes ice cold. Again.
If it seems to be happening more often lately, you’re not imagining it. As the weather cools, the water coming into your home gets colder too, so your water heater has to work harder to keep up. Add holiday houseguests lining up for the shower, and even a healthy water heater can run short.
Hot water usually runs out because of heavy demand, a heater that’s too small for your household, or a part that’s past its prime. The good news is you can narrow down the cause with a few safe checks, and a cold shower doesn’t automatically mean you need a new water heater.
🛀 Learn more about what to check from the folks at TrustDALE.
🛍️ Shop local at the outdoor Midtown Artisan Market on select Sundays this fall at Midtown Green. Discover Atlanta makers offering handmade and vintage goods, plus food, community activities, and more. Oct. 25, Nov. 22 & Dec. 13, noon-6 p.m. Free admission. SPONSOR MESSAGE
3. Study points to copay price as reason people stop taking GLP-1 medication for obesity
💊 A study published in JAMA Health Forum tracked 8,914 insured patients for more than a year and a half and found that three out of four stopped taking their GLP-1 within a year of filling their first prescription, even at the lowest cost tier. Researchers also saw a significant drop-off in adherence once copays reached about $75.
When monthly out-of-pocket costs exceeded this amount, nonadherence rose to more than 80%, said study author Eunhae Shin, an assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of Georgia.
The study suggests that, against the background of already low adherence, higher out-of-pocket costs are associated with an additional decline.
4. Upcoming Events
🎭 Superior Donuts; Thurs., Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. at 7 Stages Theatre.
🎃 Teen Night: Hallow-Teen; Fri., Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. at Fernbank.
🪴 Climate Film Festival; Fri., Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. at Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center.
🏀 Valkyries vs. Dream – Game 4 of WNBA Finals; Sat., Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. at State Farm Arena.
🎸 Indigo Girls with Linda Perry; Sun., Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
📧 Find out how you can get your event featured in Rough Draft. For more events, visit RoughDraftAtlanta.com/events.
🎄 Your family’s holiday fun starts here! Make memories at Light Up Dunwoody with Santa photos, dance and musical performances, crafts, and the spectacular tree and menorah lighting. Don’t miss this beloved tradition on Nov. 15 at Donaldson-Bannister Farm. SPONSOR MESSAGE
5. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
🤲 Open Hand Atlanta needs help delivering food to seniors on Wednesday morning in Metro Atlanta. Volunteers will greet clients and drop off meals.
☮️ Peace on the Move (pictured) is looking for volunteers on Thursday morning in Decatur. Be ready to unload food trucks, organize the pantry, weigh and separate food, and clean up.
🚮 Clean Walk Alliance is hosting its third annual Abolish the Litter Challenge on Saturday morning in Atlanta. Help clean up the city by joining a team of volunteers and competing to collect the most litter. Superhero costumes are encouraged.
🔤 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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🙏 Thank you to our summer intern, Hannah Much, who is heading back to school!
