Rough Draft Atlanta

01/18/2026

Sandy Springs unveils sign at Tibby DeJulio Park at Windsor Meadows

Sandy Springs officials unveiled a new sign at Tibby DeJulio Park at Windsor Meadows, which was renamed in honor of the former District 5 council member, who served for 20 years....

Former Sandy Springs Council Member Tibby DeJulio was honored Jan. 16 with a sign unveiling at Windsor Meadows Park in his home district.

01/18/2026

New scholarship program aims to boost financial aid for Georgia students

Gov. Brian Kemp has proposed a one-time investment of $325 million in state funding to expand the University of Georgia Foundation's DREAMS Scholarship program, which could provide up to $3,000 to students who meet qualifications, including financial need....

Georgia's need-based student aid is expanding with the DREAMS Scholarship program. Governor Kemp proposes $325 million for scholarships.

01/18/2026

Actor’s Express to open 38th season with ‘Girl From the North Country’

Performing arts theater Actor’s Express (AE) announced that it will open its 38th season on Jan. 31 with Girl From the North Country, an acclaimed musical that features songs written by the legendary Bob Dylan. Taking place at the King Plow Arts Center, the production tells the story about a group of tired travelers in 1930s Minnesota who converge at a boarding house during the Great Depression. Amidst economic hardship, the characters form connections that are shaped by love and loss, with “music, resilience and hope” instilling life into their “weary spirits,” according to a press release....

Performing arts theater Actor’s Express (AE) announced that it will open its 38th season with "Girl From the North Country"

01/18/2026

City of Refuge receives $1.25M grant for affordable housing project

Delta Community Credit Union has secured a $1.25 million grant for City of Refuge to help fund the construction of 35 multifamily rental units in metro Atlanta. The money was awarded through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta’s 2025 Affordable Housing Program General Fund. Delta Community, a member of the cooperative bank, facilitated City of Refuge’s application and serves as the administrator of the grant. The planned affordable housing units represent the final phase of a major development project that City of Refuge says advances its work in "helping individuals and families gain economic stability."...

Delta Community Credit Union has secured a $1.25 million grant for City of Refuge to help fund the construction of 35 rental units

01/18/2026

Kevin Stefanski named Atlanta Falcons head coach

Kevin Stefanski has been named the Atlanta Falcons' 20th head coach, replacing Raheem Morris, and will work with new president of football Matt Ryan to rebuild the team and end their 8-season playoff drought....

Kevin Stefanski named Atlanta Falcons head coach, replacing Raheem Morris. Proven track record and offensive philosophy impress team leadership.

01/18/2026

Former DeKalb superintendent faces child cruelty and strangulation charges

The DeKalb County School District announced that 2025 Career, Technical & Agricultural Education (CTAE) graduates attained a 98 percent graduation rate, with Arabia Mountain, Redan, and Tapestry Charter high schools leading the district with each garnering 100 percent CTAE pathway graduation rates....

Former DeKalb schools superintendent Devon Q. Horton faces child cruelty and strangulation charges. He was previously indicted on fraud and embezzlement charges.

01/17/2026

🍿 Trilith expansion

Going South Jan. 17 — Trilith is expanding its footprint in south metro Atlanta with the completion of Trilith Live, a 530,000-square-foot entertainment complex, including a movie theatre and concert venue. ⛅ Cloudy with a high of 50° today. Temperatures will drop to the 30s tomorrow, but it will be sunny. MARKET UPDATE 📉 Stocks were slightly down for the week as chatter about the Fed confused investors. Locally, Delta Air Lines fell by 1.28 percent, while Coca-Cola dipped by less than a percent. Home Depot and BATRA both rose slightly....

Trilith expands in south metro Atlanta with Trilith Live, a 530,000 sq ft entertainment complex. Local news, sports, events, and more.

01/17/2026

‘Pete the Cat’ returns to the Center for Puppetry Arts on Jan. 27

An iconic blue feline from children’s literature is returning to the stage at the Center for Puppetry Arts. “Pete the Cat,” a show based on the award-winning and New York Times best-selling book series, will run at the Atlanta puppet venue from Jan. 27 through March 15, 2026. The fan-favorite production will once again bring Pete and his friends to life through eye-catching puppets, original music and a story that is suitable for audiences of all ages. RELATED: Center for Puppetry Arts gifted giant Kermit statue from the family of Jim Henson…...

An iconic blue feline from children’s literature is returning to the stage at the Center for Puppetry Arts

01/17/2026

The Breman to host presentation detailing unlikely Holocaust connection in Atlanta

The Breman Museum in Midtown announced that it will open its 2026 "Bearing Witness" series on Jan 25 with a program centered on a Holocaust-era connection that was discovered in Atlanta. Titled “Corresponding Angles,” the program features speakers Gail Cohn and Atlanta orthopedic surgeon Dr. Reuben Sloan, whose fathers’ lives unexpectedly intersected during World War II. Cohn is the daughter of the late Aaron Cohn, a juvenile court judge and U.S. Army officer from Columbus, GA, who helped liberate prisoners from Ebensee, a subcamp of the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria; while Sloan is the son of Itzik Slodowski, a Polish Jew who survived more than a year of forced labor at Ebensee before being freed by General George S....

The Breman (Midtown museum and cultural center) announced that it will open its 2026 Bearing Witness series on Jan 25

01/17/2026

Welcome to Rough Cut, in which our dining team (Beth McKibben and Sarra Sedghi) offer their first impressions on the food, vibe, and service at restaurants around Atlanta.
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 Beth popped by Inner Voice Brewing in Decatur to check out Brain Wave Pizza, the new pizzeria that took over the counter operation from Glide Pizza inside the brewery. (Glide relocated to a permanent space on West Ponce in Decatur last September.) Brain Wave serves New York-style, thin-crust and tavern-style pizzas.🍕

While 18-inch pies range between $24 and $29, slices cost around $5 each and offer people the opportunity to choose their own adventure by trying multiple pizzas on the menu. Beth ordered three slices: vodka, margherita, and hot pepperoni.

💡Pro tip(s): Beth recommends pairing your pizza with the hoppy Lifeless Lager (5% ABV) brewed with pilsner malt (8 ounces $4; 17 ounces $7) or the American lager Cold Slice (4.5% ABV; 16 ounces $6). Also, take advantage of the pepper flakes and hot pepper sauce available at the counter to give your slices extra zing.

Check out slide 3 for Beth’s Rough Cut on the three slices she tried at Brain Wave Pizza. BTW, she’s eager to return to try more pizzas.

01/17/2026

The Atlanta News Quiz for January 17

It’s time to test your knowledge with this week’s Atlanta News Quiz! Click here to play, and please let us know how you do by sharing on Instagram, Facebook, or X . This week’s quiz is sponsored by SCAD. 🎬 Step into the world of sound at SCADFILM In Focus: The Art of Sound on Friday, Jan. 23, at SCADshow in Midtown! Discover how composers, sound designers, mixers, and music supervisors bring emotion, tension, and storytelling to life. Enjoy panels, presentations, and screenings that reveal the artistry, innovation, and technology behind every sound on screen. ➞ Don’t just watch—experience the heartbeat of film. Learn more at scadshow.com.

https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/01/17/the-atlanta-news-quiz-for-january-17/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Test your knowledge with the Atlanta News Quiz! Sponsored by SCAD, this week's quiz covers local news. Share your score on social media!

01/16/2026

Due to artist illness, the Morrissey show on January 17, 2026, at 8 PM has been canceled. All ticket purchases will be refunded automatically at the point of purchase. Please allow 7-10 business days for refunds to take place. If you have questions, please call our ticket line at 855-285-8499.