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Mid-June to mid-July were not my most productive days at work.
It would be easy to blame a house sale, moving, and some bigger-than-expected renovations, but the truth is, like many of you, I was glued to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
I was lucky enough to attend three matches, including the knockout round between England and DR Congo, which was the greatest sporting event experience of my life. That’s mostly because I was
there with a British friend who, despite nearly starting a fight when the Three Lions looked like they might lose and someone told him to “sit down,” quickly shifted to childlike joy when Harry Kane saved the day.
I want to thank the Rough Draft team for punching above their weight on our World Cup coverage. Led by Sarra Sedghi, we had folks at various watch parties and related events.
While drama continues to engulf some national news organizations, it’s shaping up to be another good year for local news, including our team at Rough Draft. Not necessarily an easy year, to be sure, but as the green shoots I wrote about last month continue to bloom, I’m very proud to announce this news:
1± acre bordering Fernbank Forest with a dream kitchen and pool
5 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms Offered for $2,250,000
Rough Draft Atlanta is one of 12 publishers in the country chosen for the 2026 Google News Initiative Growth Catalyst Cohort.
As the announcement explains, “Over the next year, these organizations will receive funding from GNI and coaching support from Blue Engine Collaborative as they pursue expansion into new communities. Together, they represent a wide range of business models, markets, and audiences, but share a common goal: bringing high-quality local journalism to more people.”
Which Atlanta community needs more consistent local coverage, and what stories are currently being missed? Let me know via email or by commenting on our IG post, via this QR code.
Local is hot
People who follow the media business often ask me what the difference is between Rough Draft and Axios, the national media company that is owned by Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises. I’m flattered by the question because it means that people are thinking of us in the same breath as one of the biggest players around.
The answer centers on the analogy of your favorite local coffee shop and Starbucks. The Seattle-based coffee behemoth created a world where consumers don’t bat an eye at an $8 oat milk latte, allowing independent coffee shops to thrive.
Similarly, Axios, via its 2020 acquisition of the trailblazing Charlotte Agenda, set the market for personalitydriven, daily, local newsletters, and the growth of companies like 6AM City has validated it. Newsletter advertising is now one of the fastest-growing segments in digital media, growing 30% annually. Beehiiv, a platform popular with independent media startups, reported nearly 140% growth in paid subscriptions.
So, it’s understandable why industry pundits took note of the recent news that The New York Times is launching a local newsletter in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
I think The Times, arguably the most successful media business in the world, moving into the local space is actually a reason to celebrate. It’s a very loud signal that there’s a demand for reliable, non-sensational local news, and it supports our focus on newsletters as a key distribution channel.
Sure, competition can be annoying, but it should be something that makes us all better. The Times’ move will put a brighter spotlight on local newsletters. I have no insight into whether it will come to Atlanta or not, but with everything happening in our state, I would not be surprised.
All of these reasons are why we are increasing our efforts to grow our direct relationships with our audience through newsletters, the Rough Draft Dinner Club, and a membership program we are continuing to build.
Whether it’s Rough Draft or another independent, local media company, please do what you can to support local.
Thank you again for reading. Please let me know what you think by emailing me directly at keith@roughdraft.news.
By Logan C. Ritchie
Mayor Andre Dickens thanked the thousands of city and public safety
employees who kept the City of Atlanta thriving as soccer fans from across the world arrived to experience the culture, food, and businesses during six weeks of
the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Dickens said at a July 22 press conference that the city never missed a beat hosting the World Cup in addition to Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, the Peachtree Road Race, and regular city business.
“No single person, no single organization, and no single level of government can accomplish something of this magnitude alone,” Dickens said. “Our greatest accomplishments happen when we work together.”
Drawing a parallel to the 1996 Summer Olympics, the mayor said the tournament’s exposure — including a semifinal match that drew more than 1 billion viewers worldwide — could translate into business investment, conference bookings, and tourism for
the city. Dickens said officials are already applying lessons learned to prepare for the 2028 Super Bowl scheduled to be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
A look at the numbers
Atlanta COO LaChandra Burks, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, Assistant Fire Chief Terrance Simon, and Department of Transportation Commissioner Solomon Caviness detailed how their departments prepared for and managed the events from June 11 to July 19, including eight matches in Downtown and 16 nights of Fan Fest programming at Centennial Olympic Park and across the metro area.
Employees kept up their regular duties — from permitting to payroll to neighborhood services — while also
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absorbing the added workload of the World Cup.
“You woke up early. You stayed up late. You solved problems. You stepped up when no one else would, all for the benefit of the City of Atlanta,” Burks said. Schierbaum said the same security framework used for large-scale events
like the Atlanta Pride Parade was applied to World Cup sites, adjusted in real time as crowds gravitated toward South Downtown and Centennial Yards.
Schierbaum said the Atlanta Police Department was fully mobilized for six weeks, deploying more than 1,800 sworn officers on 12-hour shifts alongside 500 civilian staff who ran two 911 call centers. The department drew support from 33
outside law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and regional level.
Officers took 212 guns off the streets and served six high-risk warrants during the tournament, according to Schierbaum. About 150 people were arrested by federal agents n connection to human trafficking and child exploitation charges. He said crime citywide fell 18% compared to the same sixweek period in 2025. More than 300 unattended packages found Downtown were flagged for clearance, a nod to post-1996 Olympics security awareness campaigns urging residents to “see something, say something.”
The department’s backup 911 center fielded 122,004 calls in multiple languages over the six weeks, with an average answer time of 5.7 seconds, Schierbaum said. Georgia State University helped by bussing officers, housing visiting teams, and serving more than 24,000 meals to police staff. Chastain Park housed horses from Memphis and Savannah, doubling the size of Atlanta’s mounted patrol unit.
During days of extreme heat and humidity, roughly 20,952 bottles of water and 25,020 pounds of ice were used by
officers, Schierbaum said.
Assistant Fire Chief Simon said emergency teams handled 833 patients at an infield hospital with only 27 patients requiring transport to area emergency rooms.
Before the tournament, the city resurfaced more than 25 miles of downtown roadway, eliminated about 60% of downtown potholes, repaired 11 miles of sidewalk and installed 80 ADA-compliant curb ramps, according to Caviness.
The Atlanta Department of Transportation coordinated more than 4 million MARTA trips and 600,000 micromobility trips on scooters and e-bikes.
Dickens said that the city processed 2,000 permits and business licenses in preparation for the tournament, including liquor and vendor licenses for pop-ups.
“From our airport to our neighborhoods, from Atlanta Stadium [Mercedes-Benz Stadium] to five neighborhood watch parties across our city, Atlanta’s spirit could be seen and felt everywhere. But one, thing’s for sure: that did not happen by accident. For years, countless people across the city government, community organizations, volunteers, and partners worked together to prepare for this very moment. And Atlanta delivered,” COO Burks said.
Every year, the TOUR Championship brings the world’s best golfers to Atlanta’s historic East Lake Golf Club for the thrilling conclusion of the PGA TOUR season. While the competition captures national attention, the tournament’s most enduring impact is felt far beyond the fairways. For Southern Company, a Proud Partner of the TOUR Championship and Official Energy Company of the PGA TOUR, the event represents far more than a sporting spectacle - it is a powerful platform for strengthening communities, aiding classrooms and creating opportunities that last generations.
As one of Atlanta’s most recognizable corporate citizens, Southern Company has built its reputation on the belief that success should be measured not only by business performance, but also by the positive difference made in the communities it serves. That philosophy is on full display through its decades-long involvement with the TOUR Championship and the many charitable initiatives connected to the tournament.
Here in Atlanta, the TOUR Championship has raised more than $71 million for local nonprofit organizations since the event was first played at East Lake Golf Club in 1998. Southern Company, alongside fellow Proud Partners, has played a significant role in helping make those contributions possible. The beneficiaries of these efforts are organizations that are transforming lives across Metro Atlanta. From the East Lake Foundation and First Tee – Metro Atlanta to Purpose Built Schools Atlanta, Focused Community Strategies and the Grove Park Foundation, funds generated through the tournament support education, youth development, neighborhood revitalization and pathways to economic opportunity. These organizations share a common mission: creating stronger, more vibrant communities where individuals and families can thrive.
That commitment to community also extends to the Payne Stewart Award, which is presented annually during the week of the TOUR Championship to a professional golfer who best exemplifies 12-time PGA Tour winner Payne Stewart’s steadfast values of character, charity and sportsmanship.
This year’s recipient, Notah Begay III, is a four-time PGA TOUR winner and has remained deeply connected to the Native American community, using his platform to mentor Native American youth and expand access to golf within their communities. A National
Native American Hall of Fame inductee, Begay III’s continued impact reflects a career defined not only by performance, but by purpose.
Begay III, the only full-blooded Native American to compete on the PGA TOUR, shares a similar mission of helping others with his NB3 Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to addressing health and wellness challenges fac-
ing Native American youth and their communities. Through its programs, the NB3 Foundation has reached more than 80,000 Native American youth and their families across the United States, supporting initiatives focused on physical activity, nutrition, youth development and cultural connection.
The Payne Stewart Award includes a $500,000 charitable grant, with $300,000 directed to causes selected by the recipient and $200,000 to the Stewart Family Foundation. Begay III has chosen to direct his funds to his NB3 Foundation and the Albuquerque Community Foundation, which aids in promoting educational, healthcare, and economic opportunities in Albuquerque, New Mexico and its surrounding communities. Begay III’s commitment to improving the game of golf and the lives of those who play it seamlessly aligns with the mission and values of both the Stewart Family Foundation and Southern Company.
Southern Company views community impact as a yearround commitment, not a once-a-year obligation. The TOUR Championship serves as a catalyst for collaboration among nonprofits, business leaders and community stakeholders working toward common goals. By leveraging the visibility and influence of professional golf, Southern Company helps generate resources that create meaningful change across Atlanta’s neighborhoods.
As the TOUR Championship continues to grow, so does its impact. Each charitable milestone reflects what can be achieved when corporate leadership, community organizations and civic partners work together toward a shared purpose. For Southern Company, the TOUR Championship is more than a world-class event - it is an opportunity to deliver on a promise. A promise to invest in the future, expand opportunity and ensure that the communities it serves are better because of its presence. That’s what it means to drive good energy on the course and off.
The Atlanta City Council approved $63 million in July to fund a new Delta One Lounge at HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport, while union groups threatened the city with “shutting down the airport” over inaccurate pay. The council approved the funding 14-1 for the premium lounge to be located in Concourse E at the airport.
The Atlanta City Council passed a resolution in July to partner with Morehouse School of Medicine and Atrium Health to open a hospital in West End by 2030.
Ronald Deabler, a 66-yearold former Certified Public Accountant from Atlanta, was sentenced to four years in federal prison for conspiracy to launder $5.3 million stolen from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc.
The Decatur Book Festival returns Oct. 2–3 with keynote author Brian Goldstone (pictured), “kidnote” authors Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko, U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, and Atlanta’s own bestselling novelist, Tayari Jones.
By Collin Kelley
If you regularly travel on West Peachtree Street in Midtown, then you’ve noticed the repaving, restriping, and installation of a new bike lane and parking spots.
According to Midtown Alliance, progress on paving and restriping from Linden Avenue to 14th Street is mostly complete. The new configuration includes three vehicular travel lanes on the west side of the street, on-street metered parking directly to the right of the vehicular lanes, and a protected bike lane along the eastern curb.
The bike lane will ultimately have concrete curbing with flexposts in the buffer area to define the space and protect bike lane users. However, these vertical elements are not expected to be installed until August.
In the meantime, the City’s contractor has placed temporary orange panels in the bike lane buffer to help drivers and cyclists/scooter riders understand where they should be.
Midtown Alliance reminded motorists that it is illegal to park in a bike lane or travel lane. In addition, the on-street parking stalls, now located away from the curb, have been restriped in their final location and are available for use. Drivers should also notice new “No Turn on Red” signs, which are now the law at most intersections in Midtown and Downtown.
advance to the next phase of work further north on West Peachtree and on Spring Street south of 17th Street.
The contractor will continue with the finishing touches on the corridor over the next two months. Then the project will
Get more details on the project page at.midtownatl.com/project/west-peachtreespring
By Collin Kelley
Atlanta Beltline, Inc. and Invest Atlanta boards of directors approved the FY27 budget of $265.8 million as the project progresses toward its 2030 trail completion goal.
The FY27 budget draws from a diverse mix of funding sources, including the Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD, Atlanta’s Special Service District (SSD), philanthropic support, plus local, state and federal grants, according to a press release
from ABI.
The Beltline TAD remains the primary funding mechanism, accounting for approximately $192.5 million – roughly 72.4% of the total budget. Here’s a breakdown of what’s in the 2027 budget:
■ Mainline Trail Delivery, Design & Construction: $128.6 million
■ Real Estate Acquisition: $45.4 million
■ Affordable Housing & Commercial Space: $41 million
■ Economic Development: $13 million
■ Transit: $6.7 million
■ Planning, Engagement & Art: $2.6 million
By Eryn Rogers and Collin Kelley
Atlanta is moving forward with a major road redesign on Monroe Drive that city leaders say will improve safety, but some neighbors worry it could make traffic worse and create new problems for surrounding streets.
The Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) broke ground July 22 on the Monroe Drive Safe Streets Project.
The nearly $18.5 million project will convert Monroe Drive from four travel lanes to three — one lane in each direction with a center turn lane — between Armour Drive and 8th Street. The first phase of construction will focus on the stretch from Armour Drive to Park Drive and is expected to take about a year to complete.
ATLDOT said it conducted traffic studies examining current and projected traffic volumes along the corridor. The city says the new three-lane design is intended to slow vehicle speeds and reduce crashes by as much as 30%.
Not everyone is convinced the changes will improve traffic.
Charlie Kaften, president of the Yorkshire Townhomes Homeowners Association, said he believes Monroe Drive is already too heavily traveled for a lane reduction.
“Monroe Drive, from all the statistics some of us have seen, it’s just about at that threshold where it’s no longer viable to reduce the lanes down,” Kaften said.
Kaften said many neighbors agree safety improvements are needed but believe there are less expensive alternatives.
“It’s not like people don’t think something needs to be done, but others of us have just said, just put traffic lights up and those crosswalks for pedestrians, and it should solve the problem, which would be a lot cheaper,” he said.
Residents also worry construction and the completed project could push
drivers onto neighborhood streets to avoid congestion on Monroe Drive.
“The side streets are going to become cut-throughs because people want to get away from Monroe Drive because it’s in gridlock,” Kaften said.
Following the groundbreaking ceremony, Dist. 6 Councilmember Alex Wan said in a statement: “I know that there are skeptics out there. I want to remind them of the grandson and brother that came to City Hall last year after his grandmother was struck by a car at Amsterdam. I want to remind them about Alexia Hyneman, the then Grady High School student who was struck by a vehicle while on her bike and lost her life. Those are the reasons why we do this.”
Hyneman’s father, Thomas Hyneman, co-founded Atlanta Families for Safe Streets after his daughter died in 2016 when she was struck by a car at the intersection of Monroe and 10th Streets.
“We truly are sorry if these changes make some commutes longer or create additional congestion. That’s a real concern, and we don’t dismiss it. But Atlanta is a Vision Zero city because we believe safety has to come first,” Hyneman said. “Every transportation decision involves tradeoffs, and choosing convenience over safety means accepting that some crashes, serious injuries, and deaths are simply the cost of moving traffic faster. As a member of Atlanta Families for Safe Streets, I can’t accept that. One death is too many. We can improve traffic over time, but we can never bring back someone who didn’t make it home.”
Construction is expected to continue through July 2028, a timeline that concerns some neighbors because it could overlap with the controversial Amsterdam Walk redevelopment project.
The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in about a year, with the overall project scheduled for completion by July 2028.
By Collin Kelley
stories to the contrary, and it remains true today,” the spokesman told Rough Draft.
A resolution to impose an 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses along Edgewood Avenue was permanently shelved by the Atlanta City Council Public Safety Committee at its July 13 meeting.
First introduced in January by Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari, the resolution asked the mayor and the Atlanta City Council to impose a moratorium on accepting any new alcohol license applications on the corridor.
The resolution had been held in committee for nearly seven months, but was “permanently filed” by a unanimous vote of the committee at Monday’s meeting.
A spokesman from Bakhtiari’s office said the moratorium did not have the necessary votes to pass in the Atlanta City Council.
“This was true when the proposal was introduced in January. It remained true two weeks ago, despite a series of news
“Yesterday, the Public Safety Committee voted to permanently remove this legislation from its docket,” the spokesman said. “Given the confusion and unnecessary consternation that the proposal had already generated, permanently filing the legislation was the right decision, and concerned business owners can rest assured that this is a settled matter.”
Residents from Old Fourth Ward and Sweet Auburn urged the Atlanta City Council to take action due to an increase in shootings on Edgewood Avenue. One of those actions was the alcohol license moratorium for the nightlife district, which was recommended last year in the Edgewood Corridor Public Safety Task Force report.
Since the report was issued in December 2025, four shootings have occurred along Edgewood Avenue.
By Rough Draft Staff
Invest Atlanta and Atlanta Beltline, Inc. have launched a new down payment assistance program designed to help legacy residents and public sector employees buy homes in Beltline neighborhoods.
Eligible long-term residents and public servants could receive up to $30,000 in assistance, while other qualified homebuyers may receive up to $20,000, according to a press release from Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development authority.
Eligible buyers may purchase homes within the Beltline Tax Allocation District
(TAD) on the south and west sides of the city. Funds can be used for down payments, closing costs, permanent interest rate buydowns, principal reduction, or a combination of these expenses, the press release said.
Eligible buyers can purchase singlefamily homes, townhomes, condos, or 2- to 4-unit properties using FHA, VA, or conventional 30-year fixed-rate loans. Key eligibility highlights include a minimum credit score of 620 and a maximum household income of 140% of area median income, and a minimum homebuyer contribution of $1,500.
Find out more at investatlanta.com.
By Laura Scholz
It’s impossible to scroll through social media or watch TV without seeing ads for a glucagon-like peptide-1, better known by the acronym GLP-1. Sold under brand names like Ozempic® and Wegovy®, these medications mimic a natural gut hormone that boosts insulin release, slows digestion, and curbs appetite.
Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, GLP-1s are now widely prescribed for weight loss. But GLP-1s have also ushered in an era of thinnesschasing, with doctors raising concerns about rapid muscle loss while on the medication and potential misuse by people with eating disorders.
Rough Draft Atlanta spoke to two area physicians on how GLP-1s work, why strength training and other lifestyle habits can support successful results, and who should take these drugs – or avoid them altogether.
According to board-certified physician Sharon Bergquist, M.D., GLP-1 is a hormone the body produces naturally.
sugar, boosts insulin production, slows digestion, and signals feelings of fullness to the brain.
While naturally occurring GLP-1 survives in the bloodstream for only a few minutes, GLP-1 medications produce the same effects for several hours, or even days.
“These medications work on the brain itself, which actually leads to decreased cravings and appetite, so people aren’t as hungry or thinking about food all the time,” said Alicia Shelly, M.D., a specialist in internal and obesity medicine at
Freedom Park is Atlanta’s designated Art Park, with a collection of permanent and temporary outdoor sculptures, throughout the 130 acre greenspace, less than a mile from downtown and connected to the Beltline
This is particularly helpful for people who experience “food noise,” or persistent, intrusive thoughts about food, Shelly explained. GLP-1s can also be useful for people in perimenopause and menopause, as the drugs can help reduce insulin levels, allowing the body to burn fat instead of storing it.
Supporting medications with lifestyle changes
With the “Ozempic chic” look seemingly fashionable among celebrities and social media influencers, Shelly is finding that many people are turning to GLP-1s for a quick fix.
“A common misconception is that a GLP-1 is a magic pill,” Shelly said. “I’ve actually had patients who gained weight because they were emotionally eating. We had to tackle the stress management part so that we could see the benefit of the GLP-1.”
Bergquist said GLP-1s work best when incorporated alongside lifestyle habits like regular exercise and a healthy diet.
So additional muscle loss due to taking a GLP-1 can increase risk for falls, fractures, and other complications.
Bergquist and Shelly both recommend that adults using these medications do structured resistance training two to three days a week, in addition to 150 minutes of weekly cardiovascular activity.
Increasing protein intake to up to 1.3 grams per kilogram of body weight per day can also help prevent muscle loss. So can getting adequate sleep and managing daily stress, whether that’s through meditation, talk therapy, journaling, or deep breathing exercises.
GLP-1s have become a successful tools for many people struggling with weight management and chronic conditions such as diabetes. But they’re not appropriate for everyone.
Shelly and Bergquist stress that people with thyroid cancers, pancreatitis, several gastrointestinal disorders, gallbladder disease, or who are actively breastfeeding or pregnant should avoid these medications altogether due to potential complications. And because these drugs suppress appetite and can cause rapid weight loss, GLP-1s can be dangerous for
“They are an incredibly powerful tool in the toolkit for developing and maintaining good habits, but [GLP-1s] work best when they support, rather than replace, the habits that build long-term health,” Bergquist cautioned.
One of the best ways to build longterm health is to strength train.
According to Bergquist, 20-38% of all weight lost on GLP-1s is lean body mass, or muscle and bone. This loss is especially risky for post-menopausal people and adults over the age of 65.
“After menopause, the loss of estrogen accelerates muscle and bone loss, and adults over age 65 are already losing about 1–2% of their muscle mass each year as part of normal aging,” said Bergquist.
As people age, muscles become less responsive to exercise and dietary protein.
Bergquist advises against using a GLP-1 for anyone with active anorexia or bulimia nervosa, as the medications may exacerbate restrictive eating behaviors. However, for people with a history of binge eating disorders or food preoccupation, a GLP-1 can help reduce hunger and manage cravings, especially if used in consultation with a qualified physician and professional support from psychologists and nutritionists.
“Don’t listen to social media. Don’t let someone else’s experience persuade you one way or another when it comes to your medical care,” said Shelly. “Always talk to your doctor about what might work for you.”
“GLP-1 medications don’t replace healthy habits, but they help people overcome some of the biological barriers that make healthy habits difficult to sustain,” said Bergquist.
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Score Atlanta, founded in 2004 as a weekly sports paper, is now one of the state's largest producers of television and digital broadcasts of Georgia high school sports and has a multitude of promotional print projects for partners such as the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, the Georgia High School Association, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Score Atlanta has the most-used app for Georgia high school sports scores and operates events such as the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic, the Great Atlanta Bash, the Drive for the GHSA State Title, the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame, and the Georgia Elite Classic. Score Atlanta also introduced its very own High School Football & Flag Awards, with an annual award ceremony that last year crowned the first-ever Mr. and Miss Georgia for football and flag football, respectively. Additionally, Score Atlanta produces the daily show "Georgia High School Sports Daily" which airs weekdays from noon - 1 p.m. on the Peachtree Sports Network, and covers anything and everything Georgia high school sports. In partnership with Rough Draft, these team previews were authored by Graham David, Craig Sager II, Seth Ellerbee, Hayden Gilbert, Max Wolborsky, Will Thorogood and Wesley Powell. Please check with your school to determine the location of each game.
Head Coach: William Felton
Coach Record: 40-24
2025 Record: 4-6
2025 Region: 4-5A
2025 Region Record: 4-3
2026 Region: 4-6A
Stadium Name:
Bulldog Stadium
2026 Schedule:
8/20 @ Blessed Trinity
8/28 @ Stephenson (Hallford Stadium)
9/04 Shiloh
9/11 @ Lakeside-DeKalb (Adams Stadium)
9/18 Meadowcreek
10/02 Alcovy
10/09 @ Midtown (Henderson Stadium)
10/16 @ Heritage-Conyers
10/23 Dunwoody
10/29 @ Chamblee (North DeKalb)
Decatur enters the 2026 season looking to build off a down 2025 season. The team made the move from Class 5A to Class 6A but remains with most of the same region as last year. However, the region is much more winnable than it has been the previous two years. Woodward Academy is out, and no team of the War Eagles’ caliber replaced them. The team will be replacing some star players, as running back Sadur Salahuddin and wide receiver Cameron Jacob Frazier both graduated after the 2025 season. However, quarterback Jenssen Kaivani will return for his second season as the team’s starter. On defense, the defensive back duo of Isaac McCalep and Chace Forbes should slow opposing passing attacks and take pressure off the front seven. One question that needs answering is who will replace Ronin Simms. Last year, Simms made 50 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks from his outside linebacker position. If players like Edward Senter can take on an even bigger role than last year, Simms’ production can be replaced. Region 4-6A is wide open this coming season, and the Bulldogs can most definitely make a run at the title. While region titles now only guarantee a first-round home game, winning the region is the only way a team can guarantee its spot in the playoffs. Decatur has the most recent region title, winning it in 2022, and has been one of the more consistent teams in the region.
Head Coach: Deuce Roberson
Coach Record: 14-38
2025 Record: 4-6
2025 Region: 5-4A
2025 Region Record: 3-5
2026 Region: 5-5A
Stadium Name: Adams Memorial
2026 Schedule:
8/20 Clarkston (Adams Stadium)
8/28 @ Marist
9/04 @ Landmark Christian
9/10 @ Redan (AV)
9/25 @ Tucker (Adams Stadium)
10/02 Southwest DeKalb (Adams Stadium)
10/09 Lithonia (Hallford Stadium)
10/15 Banneker (North DeKalb Stadium)
10/30 Mays (Adams Stadium)
11/06 @ Jackson-Atlanta (Henderson Stadium)
Entering 2026, Druid Hills will have its eighth head coach since 2005. Deuce Roberson enters his first season at the helm, taking over for Frederick Greene, who served as head coach for the last five seasons. Roberson had his first stint as a head coach at Savannah High School in 2017, where he led the Blue Jackets to a 7-5 record. He then became the head football coach at Stone Mountain in 2022 before becoming the head coach at Riverdale in 2023. After spending three seasons leading the Raiders, Roberson will be taking on a Druid Hills team seeking its first postseason appearance since 1985 and first double-digit win season since 1956. The Red Devils have won four games in back-to-back seasons and are looking for a fifth win this year. Quarterback Malachi Pace returns to the Red Devils as he enters his third season as the starting quarterback. Pace threw for 885 yards and six touchdowns last season while averaging 12 completions per game. Pace leads a young roster that graduated its top-five leading rushers as well as its top-six leading pass catchers. The Red Devils will need to replace that production this year. Leading tackler Caleb Rourk returns for his senior season after finishing with a team-high 80 total tackles and just over seven tackles for loss, along with an interception last season while leading the Red Devil defense.
Head Coach: Morris Starr
Coach Record: 46-104
2025 Record: 3-7
2025 Region: 4-5A
2025 Region Record: 1-6
2026 Region: 4-6A
Stadium Name: Adams Stadium
2026 Schedule:
8/21 @ Central Gwinnett
8/28 @ Spalding (Griffin Memorial)
9/04 @ Midtown (Henderson Stadium)
9/11 Decatur
9/25 Shiloh
10/02 @ Dunwoody
10/09 @ Alcovy
10/16 Chamblee
10/30 Meadowcreek
11/06 @ Heritage-Conyers
The Vikings are looking to take the next step forward in the program’s total rebuild that began when head coach Morris Starr took over in 2019. Since then, the team has gone from back-to-back winless seasons in 2019 and 2020 to playing a non-region schedule in 2022 and 2023 before returning to region play over the last two years. The team is losing a good bit of production from last year’s squad but is also returning some of its top players. On offense, the biggest returning player is leading receiver Canon Davis, who was named All-Region Honorable Mention last year as a sophomore. They are losing star athlete Spencer Wise, who was a second-team All-Region wide receiver and the team’s leading tackler. The Vikings will return their second-leading tackler in 4-star safety Seth Williams. Williams is a long 6-foot-2, 180-pound safety who is a hard hitter and isn’t afraid to play in the run game. The team will have a new quarterback, with Ayden Grubel the most likely player to take control of the position. On the offensive line, Ben Novak Sosa has transferred in from Druid Hills. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 300 pounds, he is a massive lineman with the ability to dominate in the trenches. The team will have the chance to make a run at its first playoff appearance since the 2015 season.
southerncompany.com/psa
Head Coach: Calvin Arnold
Coach Record: 12-29
2025 Record: 3-7
2025 Region: 4-4A
2025 Region Record: 3-4
2026 Region: 4-6A
Stadium Name:
Eddie S. Henderson Stadium
2026 Schedule:
8/21 @ Jackson-Atlanta (Henderson Stadium)
8/27 North Atlanta
9/04 Lakeside-DeKalb
9/18 @ Dunwoody
9/25 @ Chamblee
10/02 @ Heritage-Conyers
10/09 Decatur
10/23 @ Meadowcreek
10/30 @ Alcovy
11/05 Shiloh
Head coach Calvin Arnold is entering his second season at the helm of the Grey Knights after leading the program to a 3-7 finish last year. Arnold marks the team’s fifth coach in six seasons and the first coach to stay for his second season since Kevin Clark (2018-21), and stability could provide dividends for Midtown. A goal entering the season could be a playoff berth. The Grey Knights want another postseason game, last appearing in the playoffs in 2015 and 2016 as region champs under head coach Earthwind Moreland, both second-round exits. A program since 1947, Midtown, then known as Grady, won the 1953 Class 2A state championship under head coach Erskine Russell. Since that victorious and historic season, the team’s deepest playoff run is a semifinal appearance in 2005 under head coach Ronnie Millen, the team’s winningest coach who went 99-50 through 13 seasons (2001-13). Midtown opens the season on the road at Jackson-Atlanta on August 21 and will make its first home stand against North Atlanta on August 27. Entering the 2026 season, the team will look a little different. The program will look to replace some of its biggest names in offensive production. That list includes the graduations of quarterback Noah Williams, running back Cam Austin and wide receiver/safety Kentrell White. Rising senior Dorian Fox featured occasionally at quarterback last season and was 13-of-28 passing for 148 yards while rushing for 145 yards and a touchdown.
Head Coach: Eric Williams
Coach Record: 109-122
2025 Record: 7-4
2025 Region: 4-4A
2025 Region Record: 4-3
2026 Region: 5-5A
Stadium Name:
Eddie S. Henderson Stadium
2026 Schedule:
8/21 Midtown
8/28 Griffin
9/04 @ North Atlanta (Henderson Stadium)
9/11 @ Jefferson
9/25 Southwest DeKalb
10/02 @ Banneker
10/09 Mays
10/16 Tucker
10/23 @ Lithonia (Henderson Stadium)
11/06 Druid Hills
Maynard Jackson will face a new-look classification after being moved from Class 4A to Class 5A for the upcoming season, but the Jaguars have experience returning on the field and in the coaching box. Eric Williams took over the Maynard Jackson program in 2004 and has led the team to regular-season success in the majority of his years at the helm, going 109-122 in that span. However, Williams and the team enter the year searching for one thing that has been lacking since 2017 – a playoff victory. The Jaguars have advanced to the playoffs each season since 2017, when they beat Miller Grove 14-0 before losing to Buford 48-0 in the second round. But since then, Maynard Jackson has lost in either the region mini-tournament or the first round of the playoffs each season. The goal this year: extend the season deeper into November. Last year, the team finished 7-4 and entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed from Region 4 before losing to eventual quarterfinalist Cartersville. Quarterback Marcus Gray returns after a season where he was 83-of-165 passing for 1,274 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for six touchdowns. Wide receiver Kalil Lynch returns after making 21 catches for 268 yards and three touchdowns behind senior Jarvaris Reed, who had 36 catches for a team-high 627 yards and five touchdowns. Jackson opens its season on August 21 at home against Midtown.
Head Coach: Jamie Aull
Coach Record: 61-53
2025 Record: 5-5
2025 Region: 6-6A
2025 Region Record: 4-3
2026 Region: 3-7A
Stadium Name:
Eddie S. Henderson Stadium
2026 Schedule:
8/21 @ Hughes
8/27 @ Midtown (Henderson Stadium)
9/04 Jackson-Atlanta
9/11 Norcross
9/18 @ McEachern
10/02 Harrison
10/09 @ Kennesaw Mountain
10/23 @ Hillgrove
10/30 Campbell
11/06 Pebblebrook
After three straight seasons with eight or more wins, North Atlanta took a step back last season with a 5-5 record and its first year without a playoff appearance since 2021. The Warriors began their 2025 campaign by putting up a great fight against defending state champion Hebron Christian, but ultimately lost, 29-22, in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic at West Forsyth High School. North Atlanta rebounded with a 38-6 win against Paulding County, but returned to the loss column with a narrow 35-34 defeat to Wheeler in overtime. The Warriors grabbed midseason momentum with double-digit wins over Forsyth Central, South Forsyth and Alpharetta to sit 4-2 entering October. Again, North Atlanta had a chance to win the next two games, but the Warriors fell short in a 33-31 triple-overtime loss to Lambert and a 10-6 low-scoring defeat to North Forsyth. A 31-17 upset win over West Forsyth put the Warriors in position to make the playoffs, but that would not come to fruition as they lost 31-9 to Denmark to end their season. Returning on offense this season is quarterback Weston Goodman, who set a new school record with 22 passing touchdowns last season. The receiving corps will need guys to step up after Jack Ellenburg and Josh McCullough, who co-led the team in receiving touchdowns with seven apiece, graduated, while the running back room has to replace Bryce Little and Cayden Edwards. Defensively, Quinn Herring returns to build off a monster 57-tackle junior season.
Head Coach: Kevin Johnson
Coach Record: 0-0
2025 Record: 3-7
2025 Region: 4-4A
2025 Region Record: 2-5
2026 Region: 5-4A
Stadium Name: Walsh Field
2026 Schedule:
8/21 Holy Innocents’ (Riverview Sports Complex)
8/28 @ Lovett
9/10 @ Trinity Christian
9/18 @ Lithia Springs
9/25 Stephenson (Riverview Sports Complex)
10/02 @ North Springs (Riverview HS)
10/09 Westminster (Riverview Sports Complex)
10/23 @ Douglass-Atlanta (Lakewood Stadium)
10/30 Greater Atlanta Christian 11/06 @ Salem
Pace Academy is hoping to return to the playoffs in 2026 after two straight losing seasons. The Knights finished 3-7 last season under Sean Weatherspoon, which was the fewest wins in a season since 2012, and the program turned to long-time offensive line coach Kevin Johnson to step in as head coach. Pace Academy has not won a playoff game since its state championship season in 2015. Johnson has made changing the culture his chief priority this offseason. “To turn this thing around, it might take two seasons to be honest with you,” Johnson said. “The buy-in is there. When you have new guys coming in and old guys, you have to figure out how to break the old ways, so we have more guys that know the new way than the old way. Now everyone is getting on the same page.” Since the second week of June workouts, players have been leading their own additional conditioning workouts after practices, which has shown Johnson that this team is determined to achieve bigger things in 2026. The offseason wasn’t without its warts, however, as 4-star defensive lineman Justin Weeks transferred out of the program. Defensively, Jaxson Gasque is a senior who has been with the program for four years, and Randall Foster is a junior with collegiate potential. Both will be on the Knights’ defensive front. Additionally, James Jayson can play safety and corner and will also be used at receiver. According to Johnson, those three guys will be the pillars of the defense. Offensively, quarterback Kaiden Harley is back for his senior season.
Head Coach: Adam Pullen
Coach Record: 0-0
2025 Record: 6-4
2025 Region: 5-4A
2025 Region Record: 4-4
2026 Region: 6-5A
Stadium Name: George B. Maloof Stadium
2026 Schedule:
8/21 Dacula
8/28 McNair
9/04 @ Calvary Day School
9/18 Winder-Barrow
10/02 @ Chattahoochee
10/09 Centennial
10/16 Blessed Trinity
10/23 @ Cambridge
10/30 @ Sprayberry
11/06 Marist
St. Pius X is entering a new era under first-year head coach Adam Pullen. The team will look very different than it has for most of its history. The Golden Lions will be making the shift from their traditional triple-option offense to a more modern spread offense. The transition may take some time to fully take hold; the team has shown growth on the offensive side of the ball but still looked like a group adjusting to those changes. Last year, St. Pius X missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005. The Golden Lions went 6-4 but lost their final three games of the season to miss the postseason. The season also marked the end of the Chad Garrison/Paul Standard era, which dated back to 2001. The team will be led by the defensive back duo of Aidan Brown and Nathan Hildreth. The pair was named to the all-region team last year. Defense has been the strength of the program over the past several years, and it should remain that way heading into next season. The only all-region player returning on offense is fullback John Taylor. Taylor is a 6-foot, 230-pound back who can dominate as both a runner and a blocker. St. Pius X will now compete in Region 6-5A, a much different region featuring the likes of Marist, Blessed Trinity, Cambridge and Sprayberry, all of which have made the quarterfinals in the past two years.
Head Coach: Mike Muschamp Coach Record: 202-115
2025 Record: 6-5
2025 Region: 5-2A
2025 Region Record: 3-3
2026 Region: 5-3A
Stadium Name: Conley-Oakley Field at Kilpatrick Stadium
2026 Schedule:
8/21 @ Westminster
8/28 Pace Academy
9/04 Fellowship Christian
9/18 @ Wesleyan
9/25 @ KIPP Atlanta Collegiate
10/02 @ Holy Innocents’
10/09 North Cobb Christian
10/23 Haralson County
10/30 @ Temple
11/06 Therrell
The Lovett Lions are heading into the 2026 season under head coach Mike Muschamp for the 22nd straight season. Muschamp has called Lovett home since 2005 and has led the Lions to 177 wins over his 21 years at the helm. Since 2002, the Lions have made the postseason every year, including three region titles (2009, 2012-13) along with a state championship in 2013. Last season, Lovett lost in the first round of the playoffs to Trinity Christian, but this season, they have a young roster that has had time to develop in the offseason. After winning six games in 2025 and adding another playoff appearance to his resume, Muschamp will have his Lions ready to head into another season of Lovett football. Some of Lovett’s young talent includes quarterback Sam Abney, who is entering his junior season after his first year leading the Lovett offense. Rising junior running back Knox Thomason and a pair of senior wide receivers in Thomas Strang and Luke Darsey are ready to make an impact in the new year. With the new GHSA reclassification, Lovett moved from Class 2A to 3A, where they will face new region foes such as North Cobb Christian, Haralson County, Temple and Wesleyan. The Lions won three games in their division last season, including victories over KIPP Atlanta, Therrell and Washington. Lovett will open its season at Westminster and will have numerous tough matchups on the road, including games at Wesleyan, KIPP Atlanta, Holy Innocents’ and Temple.
Head Coach: Nelson Stewart
Coach Record: 2-8
2025 Record: 2-8
2025 Region: 6-4A
2025 Region Record: 0-4
2026 Region: 5-4A
Stadium Name:
Alfred E. Thompson Stadium
2026 Schedule:
8/21 Lovett
8/28 @ King’s Ridge
9/11 @ Chattanooga Christian, TN.
9/18 Riverwood
9/25 North Springs
10/09 @ Pace Academy (Riverview Sports Complex)
10/16 Salem (Hallford Stadium)
10/23 Stephenson
10/30 @ Douglass-Atlanta (Lakewood Stadium)
11/06 @ Greater Atlanta Christian
Heading into year two under head coach Nelson Stewart, the Wildcats are looking to improve upon their 2-8 season last year. They opened the year with back-to-back wins over Lovett (14-8) and Pace Academy (17-7) before dropping the final eight games of the season. 2028 tight end Owen Moore has been turning heads on the gridiron. Heading into his junior season, he will be a key piece of this Wildcats offense if they are to succeed, as he is poised to be one of quarterback Wyatt Garfinkle’s favorite targets. The Wildcats open the year against Lovett and then take a trip to King’s Ridge Christian before crossing the border to Tennessee to take on Chattanooga Christian. They return to the Peach State for a matchup against Riverwood. After that, they take on North Springs in the “Pigskin Picnic.” Then, they take on West Paces Ferry rival Pace Academy. This is followed by games against Salem, Stephenson, Douglass-Atlanta, and finally, Greater Atlanta Christian. All of these games will be very important for the Wildcats if they are to make the playoffs. Pace Academy and Salem will be the two games to keep an eye on for Westminster in that playoff push. If the Wildcats can win both of those games, there is a good chance they can return to the playoffs.
Head Coach: John Hunt
Coach Record: 149-43
2025 Record: 10-3
2025 Region: 4-5A
2025 Region Record: 7-0
2026 Region: 3-6A
Stadium Name: Graham Hixon Field at Colquitt Stadium
2026 Schedule:
8/21 Marist
8/28 @ Chapel Hill
9/11 @ Tri-Cities
9/18 McIntosh
9/24 @ Northside-Columbus
10/09 Newnan
10/16 @ Hughes
10/23 Morrow
After following up the 2023 state championship appearance season with a disappointing second-round exit in 2024, Woodward Academy returned to form last year with a 10-3 record and a quarterfinal appearance that coincided with the War Eagles’ fifth straight region title and tenth under head coach John Hunt. The 2025 season did not get off to a great start when Woodward suffered a 48-21 loss to Carrollton in the season opener, but the War Eagles responded by holding off Collins Hill for a 13-7 win the following week. Woodward’s record went back under .500 with a 16-12 loss to Marist before the start of region play. The first bye week provided the War Eagles with large momentum that led to a clean sweep of the region, as Shiloh was the only opponent that gave them any trouble. The playoffs saw the energy remain, as Seckinger and Statesboro fell to Woodward in the first two rounds before Woodward fell in the quarterfinals to the eventual state champions, Thomas County Central. The time is now for Woodward to get Hunt his first state title at the school and the program’s
Head Coach: Tim Hardy
Coach Record: 145-59
2025 Record: 10-3
2025 Region: 6-3A
2025 Region Record: 6-1
2026 Region: 5-4A
Stadium Name: Spartan Stadium 2026 Schedule:
8/21 North Hall
8/28 @ Calhoun
9/11 @ Prince Avenue Christian
9/18 Landmark Christian
10/03 @ Douglass-Atlanta (Lakewood Stadium)
10/09 Stephenson
10/16 @ North Springs (Riverwood HS)
10/23 Salem
10/30 @ Pace Academy
11/06 Westminster
Greater Atlanta Christian is coming off a 10-3 season in which the Spartans were runners-up in their region. This included going on two five-game winning streaks and defeating Landmark Christian and Athens Academy in the playoffs. The Spartans' season came to an end at the hands of the eventual champs, Hebron Christian. Their offense was incredible, scoring below 20 points on only one occasion, and putting up 40-plus points in every game during the second five-game winning streak that stretched into the playoffs. The Spartans return quarterback Michael Miller, who threw for 21 touchdowns last season and ran for over 1,000 yards. They also return 1,000-yard rusher Pierce Wilson and last season’s receiving yards leader, Adrian Hughes. On the defensive side of the ball, Florida State commit CJ Ohuabunwa and Alabama commit Tyler Younger will take command. Another key returner is Roe Williams, who led the team with five sacks last season. Overall, this Greater Atlanta Christian squad is full of returning players, and this could be a big year for the Spartans. They open the year against North Hall before taking on Calhoun, Prince Avenue Christian and Landmark Christian. Then, they begin region play against Douglass-Atlanta before taking on Stephenson in what could be a preview of the region championship. The Spartans close out the year with games versus North Springs, Salem, Pace Academy, and finally Westminster.
The sweeping view before me is said to be one of the most iconic waterscapes in Venice. Ferries, vaporettos, and wooden boats speed across the surface of St. Mark’s Basin with the city’s skyline as an impressive backdrop. To my left, I can see the Lido through the hazy air: a narrow barrier island that separates the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. It offers some protection from sea storms for the sinking metropolis–built over 2,000 years ago atop marshy islands–but not enough.
and whining from the magnificent plane trees that dominate the garden. The contemporary art exhibit in the nearby historic Central Pavilion is sensory, political, and contemplative. The people around me in the cafe are as animated in their conversations as are the insects.
ABOVE THE WATER LINE
Sally Bethea
Today, Venice is also grappling with rising seas. On the far side of the Lido, massive steel gates sit on the seabed, waiting to be activated to protect Venice from increasingly higher tides. The eight billion dollar flood-protection system is called the MOSE: named for its Italian acronym (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico) and the biblical figure Moses, who legendarily parted the waters of the Red Sea. Scientists and engineers consider the system to be a temporary “stopgap". More extreme measures will have to be evaluated to keep Venice above water, as climate change accelerates in the coming decades.
A Dystopian Hellscape
Sitting at a waterfront table in the Giardini della Biennale–the largest green space in Venice–I am surrounded by Italy’s notoriously loud cicadas, buzzing
Despite the rich sensory input, all I can feel is an oppressive dread: a vision of a dystopian hellscape. The heat and humidity on this first day of July are intolerable. Beads of sweat drip down my face. My clothes are wet. I am slightly nauseous and my head aches. The heat index–how the air feels to the body–is approaching 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Local weather experts issue red alerts and describe the heat wave as “unusually extreme and early.” My anxiety about the future for all of us persists. What will it be like in Venice and in other cities around the world in fifty years, or even in a few decades, if we don’t stop burning coal, oil and gas?
The Silent Killer
Called the “silent killer,’ extreme heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the United States. High humidity increases the risk, preventing sweat from evaporating
efficiently from the human body. This can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and death. The climate crisis is causing heat waves to become hotter, longer, and more frequent.
As I walk along the canals of Venice–eating my fast-melting gelato–parts of Western Europe are suffering under a more severe, stagnant heat dome that is killing thousands: a lid has been placed on a pot of boiling water. In Atlanta, where the heat index is 105 degrees F., the 57th Peachtree Road Race begins under “red flag” conditions on July 4, indicating potentially dangerous heat and humidity. Nationally, parades and celebrations to commemorate our country’s 250th birthday are cancelled or modified to reduce health risks. Temperature records are shattered in cities throughout the eastern U.S. with triple digit readings.
According to World Weather Attribution–a scientific collaboration that rapidly evaluates the role of climate change in driving extreme weather events–the severity of the recent heat wave would have been “virtually impossible” in 1776. Since its founding, the U.S. has warmed three degrees F., driven by the burning of fossil fuels. Climate change is “loading the weather dice” against us.
Ember Energy is a climate and energy think tank known
for its reliable, data-driven insights and freely accessible data. In this year’s Global Electricity Review, the organization reveals that clean power is scaling rapidly–meeting all growth in global electricity demand. Supported by battery storage, solar is the leading source of new generation around the world. Renewables (solar, wind, hydropower) overtook coal power last year for the first time in one hundred years, accounting for less than a third of global power generation.
The Ember report notes that fossil fuels continue to play a significant role in many places; however, for the first time, fossil generation declined last year in China and India, even as demand grew. China continued to lead the solar build-out. India installed more new solar capacity than the U.S. for the first time. This record solar growth in two of the biggest carbon emitters on the planet brought global net growth in fossil generation to a halt.
This worldwide structural shift in the power sector is largely market-driven. Clean, renewable sources are now less expensive and less vulnerable than volatile fossil fuels. According to Ember, we have “firmly entered the era of clean growth” and may be observing “a permanent route to energy security.” Its analysis predicts that fossil generation will plateau before consistently starting to decline in the early 2030s, assuming demand and clean electricity growth continue at the current pace.
This positive news has lifted my feeling of dread somewhat, along with returning to Atlanta’s slightly cooler temperatures.
By Sammie Purcell
In waiting for Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of “The Odyssey,” I’ve felt a lot of anticipation – as I’m sure many of us have – for certain set pieces. Whether it be Odysseus’s encounter with the man-eating cyclops Polyphemus, or with Charybdis and Scylla in the ocean, there’s a certain excitement in knowing that Nolan, a great director of huge, action moments, would be taking these moments on.
But, as the film rolled on, I found myself more taken with the smaller scenes – one in particular that feels more in line with what Nolan wants to say using this centuries-old epic. When Odysseus (Matt Damon) and his crew pass by the sirens –beautiful creatures who use their voices to lure sailors to their deaths – he has his crew put wax into their ears to resist the sirens’ song. But Odysseus, angling to become the first person to have heard the sirens and lived, asks his crew to tie him up to the mast, making them promise not to let him go no matter how much he begs.
When we think of a siren’s song, we think of something beautiful, but throughout the encounter Odysseus appears to be in exceptional pain – turns out, seduction is unbearable when you can’t reach out and grab the thing you want. In Homer’s story, the sirens promise Odysseus infinite wisdom. But here, Odysseus describes what he heard as something more tactile than knowledge –it’s his desire to return home paired with
his desire for glory, the idea of himself as a hero butting up against the real horrors of war. It’s everything he wants, but cannot have. Everything he is, the contradictions of which he cannot square inside himself.
He nails down the essence of the song as such: “It’s the sound of all the promises I failed to keep.”
Nolan’s version of “The Odyssey” feels like the sentimental counterpart to his previous film “Oppenheimer” – similarly anti-war, and interested in humanity’s ability to excuse abject evil in the name of cleverness or progress. When Odysseus came up with the idea for the Trojan Horse – when the Greeks faked peace in the form of a gift in order to slaughter the Trojans – a door opened that he spends the rest of the film trying to slam closed. Nolan’s interpretation brings up questions of trauma, of the ways in which we give ourselves permission to be cruel to each other, of where our responsibilities lie and to whom.
These are all ideas that you can glean from the original text, but Nolan pushes them to the forefront, digging through the plethora of ideas contained by this centuries-old story of a clever, complicated man (Nolan sure does love those, doesn’t he?) trying to get back home – and does it in spectacular, blockbuster fashion.
“The Odyssey” picks up where Odysseus’ journey will end – back home in Ithaca, where his kingdom has fallen into chaos. While Odysseus makes his way back home from the Trojan War, a group
of boorish suitors, led by Antinous (a gleefully evil Robert Pattinson), have taken over his home in his absence, vying for the hand of Odysseus’ wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway). She is doing her best to stave them off, while her son Telemachus (Tom Holland) desperately searches for proof that his father is, in fact, alive.
Right from the jump, “The Odyssey” has a soulfulness that you don’t often see in Nolan’s films. Despite the IMAX of it all, so much of the film feels incredibly
intimate. There is something so tactile about the world, with warmth and light infused in every shot, particularly in early moments where we see Ithaca before Odysseus left and the world became one ravaged by war.
Read Sammie’s full review by scanning the QR code.
By Collin Kelley
As part of its centennial celebration, the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead has opened its new exhibition, “More Perfect Union: The American Civil War Era.”
The expansive new exhibition debuts in the fully renovated DuBose Gallery and serves as the first phase of Atlanta History Center’s new Civil War-era exhibition experience. The second phase, “Hard Hand of War: Soldiers, Weapons, and Mass Production,” will open in the Goldstein Gallery this winter.
Together, the two galleries will comprise more than 15,400 square feet of interpretive space, almost doubling the footprint of the Center’s recently retired “Turning Point: The American Civil War,” which educated millions of visitors over its nearly 30-year run, according to a press release.
Through immersive storytelling, personal accounts from people who were there, deeply researched interpretation, and rare, never-before-seen artifacts, the exhibition examines the central questions that shaped the nation: Who was included in the promise of American democracy? Who was excluded? What does a more perfect union look like?
Among the featured objects are an original copy of Frederick Douglass’ speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”, the Confederate flag that flew over Atlanta at the time of the city’s surrender, Major General William T. Sherman’s personal copy of “Photographic Views of Sherman’s
Campaign,” and the battle flag of the 127th U.S. Colored Troops bearing the words “We will prove ourselves men.” Upon entering, visitors immediately step into an immersive media experience. Photographs, headlines, political cartoons, and other imagery flash across multiple screens, while period voices collide in a cacophony of political debate. These are the words of real Americans, revealing the deep divisions, conflicting opinions, and uncertainty that defined the era.
As visitors continue through the exhibition, interactive digital maps and animated timelines provide historical context and allow visitors to explore stories and connections at their own pace, while keeping original artifacts and primarysource interpretation at the center of the experience.
Learn more at AtlantaHistoryCenter. com.
By Sarra Sedghi
Love it or loathe it, the James Beard Foundation has near-unquestionable authority when it comes to the nation’s restaurant industry. In addition to giving chefs major star power through the James Beard Awards, the organization also hosts events throughout the year, connecting industry members with experts in their fields.
Founded in 1991, “the Beards” brought chefs, restaurateurs, bartenders, and other industry professionals to New York City in droves for the annual awards. The ceremony later moved to Chicago in 2015, where it’s been ever since. But that will change in 2029, when a new city takes over hosting duties.
In July, the James Beard Foundation announced it was seeking a successor to Chicago for the awards. The announcement invited tourism boards and local organizations with the cash to submit bids to become the next host city for the James Beard Awards.
Responses to the foundation’s initial request for information are due Aug. 7. Cities chosen to move forward in the process will receive a request for proposal by Aug. 17, with responses due by Sept. 30. The foundation will announce the new host city early next year, with the winner hosting the James Beard Awards from 2029 to 2033.
One lead organization can bid on behalf of a partnership of organizations, including regional and state collaborations. City, state, and regional tourism boards, for example, could combine forces, with one organization leading the charge. A minimum of $4 million during the first year of hosting the awards is required, with incremental increases each year not exceeding 5%.
In other words, a request for proposal must prove the future host city’s financial commitment to the awards ceremony over a five-year period.
According to Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company, the 2026 James Beard Awards and official events surrounding it generated $8.3 million. With a regional impact totaling $17 million, the awards also generated close to $1.2 million in state and local tax revenues for Illinois and Chicago.
The “Beard bubble”
Simply snagging a James Beard Award nomination can greatly alter a restaurant or hospitality professional’s trajectory. While Steven Satterfield won Best Chef: Southeast in 2017, his restaurant, Miller Union, experienced a boost each time he was nominated.
“Winning is great, but I was also nominated five years in a row. It was a huge deal for my career, but also for Miller Union. Some of our busiest times were from spring 2017 up until the pandemic. I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Satterfield said.
Claudia Martinez, who received nominations for Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2020, 2022, and 2026 for her work at Tiny Lou’s, Miller Union, and Bar Ana, respectively, called the James Beard Foundation’s recognition “a dream come true.”
People came to Miller Union just to try her desserts, Satterfield said of Martinez’s tenure at his Brady Avenue restaurant.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted, and I think it pushes me more. It’s great to see people being recognized for their work — not just me, but people in Atlanta. I think it’s helped me get more exposure, and it’s helped [Bar Ana],” she said.
Jen Hidinger-Kendrick, founder and senior director of individual giving at Giving Kitchen, said receiving the foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2019 helped the charity grow from a statewide organization to a nationwide organization.
The Atlanta nonprofit provides crisis grants and relief to hospitality workers. Giving Kitchen received inquiries from restaurant owners and operators and hospitality partners following the 2019 recognition.
“It really set a stage for us to do the national work that we’ve been doing,” Hidinger-Kendrick said of the James Beard award. “It really opened the door to new partnerships and new conversations about the realities facing food service workers.”
A survey conducted by the James Beard Foundation estimates that 96% of the 2025 finalists experienced a positive effect from just being nominated. That success naturally overflows to the host city, providing guaranteed revenue to
restaurants, beyond a particular year’s nominees. Exclusive after-party venues and partnerships regularly boost current host Chicago’s dining community.
Satterfield has been attending the Beards for 13 years, and witnessed the “Beard bubble” effect on Chicago.
“I [watched] how it changed the Chicago dining scene and opened up a lot of doors for the chefs there. I think a lot of the people that were dining in Chicago were spending a little bit more time drilling down onto the food scene,” Satterfield said. “As a result, there were a lot more nominees in the Chicago area.”
Satterfield isn’t alone in believing that hosting the James Beard Awards would shine a light on Atlanta’s dining scene. There’s no question that Atlanta is capable of hosting an event of this scale. The city hosted the 1996 Olympics, along with hundreds of thousands of fans during the FIFA World Cup this summer. And it will play host again to another Super Bowl in 2028.
Atlanta chef Deborah VanTrece, a 2023 nominee for Best Chef: Southeast, said there’s no question Atlanta could host the James Beard Awards.
“Why would we not believe in ourselves? We’ve proven we can pretty much handle anything at this point in this city, and do it well,” VanTrece insisted.
The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), however, independently told the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Rough Draft Atlanta that the organization would not be “pursuing a bid to host the James Beard Awards for the 2029–2033 cycle.”
The ACVB declined to comment further on the reason why the organization wasn’t bidding. Interestingly, the Philly Inquirer reported that the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) will also not pursue a bid to host the Beards. The tourism board stated that hosting requirements for the awards didn’t align with PHLCVB’s mission.
Of note, both convention bureaus spearheaded bringing the Michelin guide to their respective cities: Atlanta in 2023 and 2024, and Philadelphia in 2025. ACVB entered into a tourism partnership with Travel South USA last year to expand the Michelin guide to other Southern cities.
Atlanta food and culture writer Mike Jordan won the Jonathan Gold Local Voice Award in 2024 for his coverage of Atlanta’s restaurants and restaurant culture. With the rise of social media and influencers, Jordan worries that “performative and provocative” hot takes bury more nuanced coverage of innovative local chefs and restaurants.
possibility of being a host city for the awards.
By Beth McKibben
Edgewood Avenue cocktail bar and gaming lounge Joystick Gamebar will relocate to East Atlanta Village (EAV) later this fall.
The bar, which includes old-school arcade and pinball games and regularly hosts gaming clubs and game nights, pulled up stakes on Edgewood after 14 years there.
Joystick will take over the former East Side Lounge space across from The Earl in the heart of EAV and will feature new games, updated food menu, and the addition of a third partner in the business.
“I don’t think Atlanta, as a functioning city, understands how much better we need to be marketing our dining scene and how misunderstood it is, and what that can do overall for the city,” said Jordan of the importance of hosting major culinary events like the James Beard Awards.
Atlanta restaurants in the spotlight
Hosting what’s known in the industry as the “Oscars of the food world” would showcase how metro Atlanta’s diverse, diasporic population has helped shape the restaurant community, VanTrece said.
“We have so many different pockets all over the city, with different neighborhoods [home to] neighborhood restaurants [and] award-winning restaurants,” she said. “I don’t think we necessarily are getting the respect as a food community that we should here, and I think if people actually came [to Atlanta] for that, they will be surprised at what they see [on our restaurant scene.]”
Andrés Loaiza traveled to Chicago for the awards in 2025 and 2026. His Buckhead restaurant, Aria, was nominated two years in a row in the Outstanding Hospitality category. He sees two ways hosting the Beards could positively affect Atlanta’s restaurant community.
It would allow industry workers local access to the foundation’s panels and discussions without the need to travel and vastly expand networking opportunities.
“[Accessing] that level of talent can be really transformative for our city, like a young chef that goes to a panel discussion about sustainability can change the way they think about their whole career,” Loaiza explained of the
He also believes it would magnify the narrative of Atlanta being an established food city. And with Atlanta’s increased visibility, the positive effects from hosting the James Beard Awards could extend to other restaurant communities in Georgia.
“When we talk about Atlanta, we talk about what the opportunities are here, but I think there’s an opportunity to increase the vision that the Savannah restaurant community has, Columbus, Athens, Augusta, all of those,” said Stephanie Fischer, president and CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association.
“Atlanta has the most restaurants, of course, but we have some other great cities that offer lovely dining options for guests around the world.”
But if an organization doesn’t step forward to bid on behalf of Atlanta to host the awards, Martinez hopes another Southern city will bid.
“I think awards like [the Beards] need to be moved around just to see more talent and create more connections with other chefs and professionals,” she said.
Jordan agrees.
As the USA South Academy Chair for 50 Best North America, Jordan thinks Atlanta should consider bidding to host North America’s 50 Best Restaurants ceremony in the future.
“The final decision may not be Atlanta’s to make, but Atlanta could bid for both of these awards ceremonies,” Jordan said, who feels just vying for James Beard Awards hosting duties would build on the momentum created by the arrival of Michelin three years ago.
“We’ve already hosted Michelin, so why wouldn’t we bid for the Beards” he added.
Co-owner Johnny Martinez said the decision to close on Edgewood and relocate wasn’t one he and Joystick partner Brandon Ley took lightly. The decision was a slow burn over several years that factored in a pandemic shakeup, rising and unforeseen costs like a doubling power bill and hiring security, and a capacity cap that often restricted earning potential for the Edgewood Avenue bar.
“We never really recovered from the pandemic. Our sales never got above 85% of where we were before it,” Martinez told Rough Draft. “There are limits to what a small business can absorb. Joystick only has an occupancy of 98 people. No matter how busy we are, there’s a ceiling on what we can earn. But there hasn’t been the same ceiling on our expenses.”
While large crowds from unpermitted street parties sometimes turned Edgewood into a parking lot, and a handful of recent shootings caused challenges, Martinez said those issues had little to do with the final decision to move Joystick further east. With the bar’s lease up in February, the timing felt right.
“We love Edgewood. We wouldn’t have spent 14 years here if we didn’t. One thing I hope people understand is just how many people have worked incredibly hard to keep this street alive,” Martinez said
of businesses like his, including Our Bar, Church, Lore, Pisces, and Edgewood Pizza.
He personally served on the city’s Edgewood Security Task Force to represent the interests of the corridor’s small business owners.
But now Martinez and Ley are focused on the future and the next iteration of Joystick Gamebar. Like the neighborhoods surrounding Edgewood Avenue, Martinez said, EAV is full of people who care about where they live and support local businesses.
Not much will change in terms of the design or the vibe at Joystick in EAV.
People can still expect to find a mix of classic arcade games and pinball machines, including the possible return of a pinball cult classic: Dolly Parton. Gaming consoles will become permanent fixtures at the bar, along with gaming tournaments and events co-hosted with businesses like True Fire Tactics.
“We’re still going to focus on quality beer, wine, and spirits, along with creative cocktails. We’ll be bringing back some of the cocktail favorites we’ve created over the years,” Martinez said.
Kysha Cyrus will join Martinez and Ley as a partner and help oversee the food at Joystick in EAV. Cyrus worked behind the bar at Joystick for years, before opening cocktail bar Mambo Zombi with Martinez and Ley above their Edgewood Avenue beer bar, Georgia Beer Garden. (Both Georgia Beer Garden and Mambo Zombi have since closed.)
“Our priority is getting the doors open as quickly as possible, and because our permanent grease trap won’t be installed until later, we won’t be opening with a fryer,” Martinez said.
Rather than seeing the kitchen’s temporary limitations as a problem, Martinez said Cyrus got creative with the food menu. Think potato chips with
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By Yahsia Jabari
EDITOR’s NOTE: This story is a partnership with VOX ATL, a youth-led nonprofit media organization that prepares teens for life, career, and community by harnessing the power of youth voice and uncensored self-expression. Find out more at voxatl.org.
Most people in the world, regardless of age, feel powerless about something in their lives. Even adults, whom most people believe have all the “freedom” in the world, which is why everyone is in a hurry to grow up.
But as teenagers, we start to develop many of our own opinions. We naturally rely less on our parents as we make decisions. Although adults don’t have complete freedom, they are bound by the laws of society and government, with consequences for breaking them. Teens are often bound to their parents’ egocentric and biased opinions.
According to BBC UK, criminal behavior in boys tends to start as a teen and peak at 17, possibly due to a desire to go against any of their parents’ wishes to assert their independence. This is an example of how desperately teenagers want autonomy and the lengths they will go to in order to feel in control of their own actions, decisions, and lives.
It is a popular opinion that being 17 is the best teen year, and overall, one of the best years of your life. People say this because sometimes 16 is too cliché, and 18 is too adult.
I disagree.
Being 17 is frustrating. At this age, you stand on the brink of becoming — or wanting to become — an adult, and when your fingertips seem to brush something so close yet still out of reach, that frustration intensifies. This is the age when your desire for independence from your parents peaks; you get jobs and start to establish your own financial identity in the world separate from your parents, and often you finish high school and begin the inherently independent journey of college.
For example, I’ve always wanted to make my own money, establish credit early, and find ways to invest. All three of those things posed obstacles to achieving, since I was under 18. This frustrated me to an incomprehensible degree, especially in the few months leading up to my 18th birthday. I couldn’t stop obsessing over the fact that simply the second it hit midnight on Dec. 18, I would suddenly have so many more opportunities.
Members of Gen Z, in particular, have a reason for being frustrated with being underage. Amaya Connor, a junior at an Atlanta high school, and Jadyn
Biggers, a sophomore at Georgia State University, shared their current and past expectations about turning 18.
“I think that society puts a lot of false expectations on 18-yearolds anyway; they say that we’re adults, but there’s still so much we’re not allowed to do until we’re in our 20s,” Jadyn says.
Amaya agrees, “I think there should be less emphasis on 18-year-olds being full-fledged adults, but rather them still being considered young adults,” highlighting the clear difference between someone fresh out of — or still in — high school and someone in their 20s or 30s with a college degree, a steady career, and possibly kids.
Add to that the biological fact that a
person’s brain isn’t fully developed until the age of 25, with a man’s brain taking even longer to finish maturing.
The one thing both teens expressed as being their most anticipated legal adult activity is voting.
Kyra Tyson, a senior in high school, is most excited about getting her driver’s license at 18. ill be held back by age; it seems reasonable not to expect full rights and opportunities in American society until 25.
I can’t wait. While many people associate getting their license with being 16, what some might not realize is that getting your driver’s license as a minor requires a lot of time and money. It’s not just that you’re simply allowed to take the test; you have to complete instruction under a professional instructor for 16 hours, take a driver’s education course that can cost anywhere from $300 to $800, and achieve a total of 30 hours behind the wheel, all in the few years before your permit expires.
For a teen, it seems the frustrations never end.
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melted blue cheese and grilled cheese waffle sandwiches with condiments like bacon jam. Once the grease trap is installed, Cyrus will expand the food menu to include dishes requiring a fryer.
Leaving Edgewood Avenue after all these years is bittersweet, but Martinez said he and Ley are optimistic about its future.
“Look at what Church has built over the years. Look at Lore and the incredible community they’ve created,” Martinez
explained. “Pisces continues to bring new people to the neighborhood with lines down their block. Our Bar is one of the hardest-working businesses in Atlanta. Edgewood Pizza has become a neighborhood institution.”
“You’re seeing renovated apartment buildings, new retail, and more people choosing to invest in the corridor. There are a lot of people betting on Edgewood’s future,” he added.
By Sarra Sedghi
The original location of MetroFresh permanently closed at Midtown Promenade, nearly five months after sustaining damage from a fire. The One Midtown Plaza location on Peachtree Street will remain open.
Actor-turned-restaurateur Mitchell Anderson opened MetroFresh in 2005, drawing customers to the Monroe Drive shopping center long before Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, and the Beltline existed there.
In addition to being one of Midtown’s best lunch deals, as an LGBTQ-plusowned restaurant, MetroFresh also offered residents and visitors to the neighborhood a welcoming and inclusive environment in which to dine. The restaurant hosted weekly trivia and karaoke nights, and celebrated 20 years in Midtown last October.
“What I have always been most proud of is that MetroFresh represents exactly what Midtown Atlanta is, in all of its diversity and its special quality of the kind of people who live here,” Anderson told Rough Draft. “It’s old and young, and artistic and professional, and gay and straight. It’s cool to look out [on] a busy Tuesday afternoon and see so many
different kinds of people enjoying each other’s company.”
But a fire earlier this winter at the restaurant changed everything.
The Feb. 27 blaze began in the mop and storage room, sparked by a lithium battery from a leaf blower. While fire fighters quickly put out the flames, the kitchen and dining room suffered significant smoke damage. The restaurant closed, albeit temporarily – or so Anderson thought. The plan was to repair the damage and reopen MetroFresh.
In a July 16 post on the MetroFresh website, Anderson announced the permanent closure of his Midtown Promenade restaurant, calling the post-fire period an “emotional roller coaster.”
Anderson recognized how important MetroFresh was to many of its patrons and thanked them for their loyalty over the years, something he said he never took for granted.
“While the insurance has paid out everything they were supposed to, the actual cost of rebuilding and basically starting over makes it impossible,” Anderson wrote in the post. “I may feel like a young man, but the reality is, at this point in my life, it just doesn’t make sense to start from scratch.”
By Rough Draft Staff
Perennial Properties has opened leasing at Vela Park, a new mixeduse development at 1881 2nd Ave in Atlanta’s East Lake neighborhood that transforms the long-vacant Bag Factory site into a residential and retail community.
The nearly 12-acre project, located just south of East Lake Golf Club, includes 328 apartments and townhomes, about 5,000 square feet of retail space and a public greenspace designed to serve as the center of the development. The opening marks the completion of Perennial Properties’ broader redevelopment vision for the area, representing more than $200 million in investment in East Lake.
The community offers a mix of studio, one-, two- and threebedroom residences, including 43 rental townhomes. Amenities include coworking spaces, a podcast studio, a resort-style swimming pool, a two-story clubroom and pedestrian pathways intended to connect residents with nearby businesses and services.
A major feature of the development will be Vela Park Food Works, a food hall planned by the team behind Chattahoochee Food Works. The venue is expected to become the project’s primary dining and gathering destination, hosting restaurants, community events and other
programming. An opening date for the food hall has not been announced.
Robert Montwaid, founder of Gansevoort Companies, said the food hall is intended to create a neighborhood gathering place where residents and visitors can meet throughout the day for meals, events and community activities.
The development occupies a site that remained largely vacant for decades and is expected to add new housing, retail and public gathering space as East Lake continues to grow. Leasing is now underway.
By Rough Draft Staff
McShane Construction Company was selected by Pennrose to build The Overlook at Garson, a new apartment complex on Garson Drive in South Buckhead.
The six-story development will bring 130 affordable apartment homes to a 2.94-acre site at 579 Garson Drive NE, which is adjacent to the future Atlanta Beltline and Peachtree Creek.
According to a press release, the property will have 3,500 square feet of amenity space, including a leasing center, offices, workspace, a conference room, support services, a package room, an activity area, and a fitness center.
Residents will also have access to an outdoor amenity deck with seating areas and grilling stations. Additionally, the development will include 10,300 square feet of commercial space at the Beltline level and a two-level parking garage with 100 spaces.
Units will be offered in studio and one- to three-bedroom layouts with one to two bathrooms. Each apartment will feature high-end finishes including shaker-style cabinets, quartz countertops, GE appliances, and ceramic tile bath and shower surrounds.
Completion of the project is expected for May 2028. Smith Dalia Architects is the architect and Thompson Ehle Company is the civil engineer.
This marks McShane’s third project with Pennrose. The firm is currently constructing McAuley Station –Phase II, a 97-unit affordable senior living community, and Herndon Square Phase III, a 178-unit mixedincome multifamily community, both located in Atlanta.
Atl anta, meet your new pl ayground.
Centennial Yards’ Entertainment District is officially open sip at The Irish Exit, immerse yourself in Cosm, and get a first look at the unforgettable experiences still to come.
