Rough Draft Atlanta

11/02/2024

Georgia voters exceeded the 4 million mark on Friday, concluding the last day of early voting, according to the Secretary of State's office.

Georgia voters exceeded the 4 million mark on Friday, concluding the last day of early voting, according to a press release from the Secretary of State’s office. According to the release, 4,004,588 voters cast ballots either by voting early or absentee by mail. With 55.3% turnout, Georgians cast 3...

11/02/2024

Fulton County School Board members Katie Gregory and Michelle Morancie do not support the closure of Spalding Drive Elementary School based on the information presented, and Rep. Deborah Silcox has written a letter to the Fulton County School Board protesting the closing....

Two Fulton County School Board members who represent Sandy Springs residents say they would not support closing Spalding Drive Elementary.

11/02/2024

The Fox Theatre has awarded $500,000 in financial support to help preserve historic theaters around the state.

11/02/2024

The latest survey results are in: Many Georgia educators need second jobs, they’re struggling without support staff in schools and most wouldn’t recommend someone go into the profession.

Many Georgia educators need second jobs, they’re struggling without support staff in schools and most wouldn’t recommend the profession.

11/02/2024

Georgia is shaping up to be a tight race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, with recent history and early voting trends pointing to a close contest....

Georgia's 2024 presidential election is shaping up to be a tight race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

11/02/2024

Mayor Andre Dickens cuts the ribbon for McAuley Station phase one. (Supplied) Housing developer Pennrose and healthcare provider Mercy Care held a ribbon cutting to mark the grand opening of phase one of McAuley Station, a 170-unit, mixed-income apartment community in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood. The $50 million project, part of the mixed-use McAuley Park master plan, is designed to provide affordable housing options combined with direct access to healthcare services — with the development being in close proximity of Mercy Care’s campus....

Pennrose, Mercy Care and various partners recently gathered to commemorate the grand opening of McAuley Station Phase I

11/02/2024

Whiskies of the World is hosting the nation's largest whiskey-tasting event in Atlanta on October 12, featuring over 150 whiskies from around the world and light gourmet bites....

Test your knowledge of Atlanta news with this week's quiz. Click here to play and find out how much you really know.

11/02/2024

Several survivors of the Sapelo Island dock collapse testified at a Georgia Senate hearing, calling for a federal investigation into the tragedy that killed seven people and injured an unknown number of others....

Survivors of Sapelo Island dock collapse testify at Georgia Senate hearing, call for federal investigation. Tragedy killed seven, injured unknown number.

11/01/2024

Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is shown at a press conference Nov. 4, 2020. On Oct. 31, 2024, he issued a warning to voters about disinformation from foreign sources. Credit: Stephen Fowler/GPB News Halloween night, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger released a warning to voters: Social media posts may include disinformation from foreign sources. This came after he announced that Georgia exceeded 50% statewide turnout among active voters, with 3,653,333 Georgians having cast ballots, 3,426,851 of those voting early as of Thursday....

Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger released a warning to voters: Social media posts may include disinformation from foreign sources.

11/01/2024

The new survey was released on Friday morning during the Atlanta Regional Commission's annual State of the Region event. (Photo by Lorie J. Smith) The economy replaced crime as the top concern facing metro Atlanta residents, according to a new survey released Friday by the Atlanta Regional Commission. This year also marks the first time since in a decade that residents living in the 11-county region ranked the economy as their No....

The economy replaced crime as the top concern facing metro Atlanta residents, according to a new survey released Friday.

11/01/2024

A man driving a motorcycle died in a single-vehicle accident on the Ga. 400 northbound exit to the Glenridge Connector between Thursday night and Friday morning....

A man driving a motorcycle was involved in a fatal, single-vehicle accident sometime overnight at Ga. 400 at Glenridge Connector.

11/01/2024

The U.S. Justice Department announced Friday that it plans to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in 86 jurisdictions in 27 states for the Nov. 5 general election. The Justice Department enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot, according to a press release. In Georgia, the jurisdictions include: Cobb County, Georgia;...

The U.S. Justice Department announced it will monitor federal voting rights laws compliance across the country, including Georgia.

11/01/2024

Elliott now... ...and then It was a laborious Labor Day Weekend. Kristen, Elliott and I dismantled our 15-foot round trampoline and built a 15-foot round firepit area in its place. We prepared the area. We hauled heavy bags of small rocks up the stairs to our elevated back yard and framed it out with larger rocks. We sweat a lot. I pounded light poles into the parched earth with a mallet....

May I Be Excused columnist Tim Sullivan reflects on how quickly his son Elliott has grown up as he prepares for college.

11/01/2024

This summer, Georgia Power employees teamed up with local organizations to host backpack and supply drives aimed at supporting families in need.

This summer, Georgia Power employees teamed up with local organizations to host backpack and supply drives aimed at supporting families in need. Spearheaded by 15 Citizens Chapters across the state, these grassroots efforts gathered more than 2,800 backpacks filled with essential school supplies lik...

11/01/2024

Chef Hector Santiago has opened Spanish tapas restaurant La Metro at Ponce City Market, serving traditional Spanish tapas, fresh seafood, and a tapamakase experience, with Spanish wines and sherry and vermouth selections and Spanish twists on cocktails....

Chef Hector Santiago opens Spanish tapas restaurant La Metro at Ponce City Market. Traditional tapas, paella, and cocktails on the menu.

11/01/2024

Elliott and Margo Sullivan when Tim Sullivan first began writing his monthly column for Atlanta Intown. Editor's Note: As Atlanta Intown turns 30, we bid farewell to longtime TimmyDaddy/May I Be Excused columnist Tim Sullivan, who has kept us laughing for 15 years. Thank you, Tim. Kristen, Elliott, and I had a great day visiting Georgia College in Milledgeville. On the ride home my usually nonplussed, High School Senior said, “That was actually kinda fun.” Clearly, he never expected it to be but saying so told us this was a positive experience....

May I Be Excused columnist Tim Sullivan bids farewell after writing his humorous parenting column for Atlanta Intown for 15 years.

11/01/2024

First Friday Nov. 1 — Welcome to November and a busy weekend of events, including the Fall-O-Ween festival at The Home Depot Backyard tonight, and both the Cabbagetown Chomp & Stomp and Día de los Muertos Festival on Saturday. And, enjoy the extra hour of sleep, as daylight saving time ends on Sunday at 2 a.m. ☁️ Cloudy and 79° today....

Discover the latest news from Atlanta, including the 2024 Michelin Guide, film reviews, and sports updates. Stay informed with Rough Draft.

11/01/2024

Chris Veal created the artwork for our special 30th-anniversary issue of Atlanta Intown. I’ve had the remarkable pleasure of editing Atlanta Intown for 22 of its 30 years. I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating: I am stunned and grateful to still have a job in print journalism nearly 40 years into my career. I came to Atlanta Intown in 2002 in a time of transition for the publication....

I’ve had the remarkable pleasure of editing Atlanta Intown for 22 of its 30 years. I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating: I am stunned and grateful to still have a job in print journalism nearly 40 years into my career. I came to Atlanta Intown in 2002 in a time of transition for [.....

11/01/2024

The American Red Cross is urging residents to check their smoke alarms and create a two-minute escape plan as part of their Home Fire Campaign, which has saved 253 lives in Georgia since its launch in 2014....

Check your smoke alarms as DST ends. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Get free smoke alarms from Red Cross.

11/01/2024

As the holiday season approaches, Lake Oconee transforms into a magical winter wonderland filled with festive traditions, cozy experiences, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re seeking Christmas nostalgia at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, shopping for unique gifts at local boutiques, or indulging in seasonal dining. Lake Oconee offers the perfect holiday retreat. From community events and tree lightings to lakeside s'mores and cozy cups of hot chocolate, there’s something for everyone to enjoy....

Plan a memorable holiday getaway at Lake Oconee! Community events, tree lightings, and lakeside activities abound for the perfect retreat.

11/01/2024

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. John McDonough will be the keynote speaker at the 15th annual Veterans Day Tribute in Sandy Springs, which will also feature the dedication of two new art sculptures....

Sandy Springs will hold its 15th annual Veterans Day Tribute at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center on Monday, Nov. 11.

11/01/2024

Tim Blake Neslon in Vincent Grashaw's film "Bang Bang." (Photo courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival) Tim Blake Nelson has been gracing our screens for decades. One of the signature character actors of his generation, Nelson will be the recipient of the Flannery O’Connor Award at this year’s Rome International Film Festival, which runs this weekend from Oct. 31 to Nov....

Tim Blake Nelson will be honored with an award at the Rome International Film Festival. Rough Draft spoke with him ahead of the event.

11/01/2024

69% of Americans have financial regrets for 2024, with 89% of Gen Zers regretting not saving for emergencies and 25% regretting overspending on entertainment....

69% of Americans have financial regrets for 2024. Learn how to avoid common money mistakes and make better financial decisions.

11/01/2024

Mikey Madison (right) and Mark Eydelshteyn in "Anora" (Photo courtesy of NEON). Anora – but don’t call her that. Her name is Ani – is a hustler. The titular character of Sean Baker’s “Anora” is a 23-year-old stripper who spends seven nights a week working the room at a Manhattan club – and boy, is she good at working the room....

The wildly funny and utterly heartbreaking "Anora" continues Sean Baker's exploration of the world of sex work.