Panda Fest, billed as the "biggest outdoor Asian food festival in the US", will take place in Atlanta for the first time on April 4-6, featuring hundreds of food stalls, including local restaurants and pop-ups, offering Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, and Vietnamese dishes. The post Country’s biggest outdoor Asian food festival, Panda ...

The state of Georgia has won another legal case in its long-running water wars with Florida and Alabama. A federal judge Monday sided with Georgia, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), and the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority in a dispute over allocation of water from Lake Allatoona. The decision upheld […] The post ...

A bill that sets up new security protocols that are intended to prevent another school shooting in Georgia is now in the governors hands. The 57-page proposal is a priority for House Speaker Jon Burns this year. When the measure came back to the House for a final vote Monday, it was missing some key elements from […] The post Georgia lawmakers OK bill ...

Nonprofit Livable Buckhead has released findings from its 2024 State of Buckhead Survey, providing a fresh look at how residents, businesses, and employees view the community now compared to previous years. Conducted between September and November 2024, the survey builds on data collected in 2020 and 2022 to identify trends in the community. According to ...

In 1975, the modest beginnings of a medical school at the Atlanta University Center spanned only two trailers, sitting in the middle of the Morehouse College campus as the nascent start of a two-year Medical Associate degree program.  With an initial state appropriation from Governor George Busbees administration as well as federal funds, the school […] ...

Dunwoody’s April Fool prankster is back. Night owls and early morning commuters were greeted with a sign at the Mt. Vernon Shopping Center at the corner of Jett Ferry and Mt. Vernon Road that said “Coming Soon! Oasis Goodtime Emporium Strip Club.” It proclaimed that the new establishment would have cold beer, alcohol and naked […] The post ...

No fooling Tuesday April 1  Since it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference between real news and jokes these days, we’re keeping this April Fools’ Day about the facts.  Sunny and 75 today.  U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams resigned Monday as chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Georgia. Democrat U.S. Rep Lucy McBath has suspended her Georgia […] ...

Several new restaurants opened around Atlanta in March 2025, including Steak and Grace in Dunwoody, Omakase Table in Buckhead, Cafe Momentum in Downtown, L5P Diner in Little Five Points, Psito in Summerhill, Cocina de la Tia in Marietta, and Altona Burger and Beer Garden in Norcross. The post Did you miss these March 2025 Atlanta restaurant openings? ...

Caring for your dog is a year-round commitment, but when spring arrives it brings unique challenges and opportunities to keep your pup healthy and comfortable. As temperatures rise and nature comes to life, it’s important to stay ahead of seasonal concerns like allergies, shedding, and muddy conditions. Discover theScenthounddifference at ...

The best dishes Rough Draft Dining Editor Beth McKibben ate from Atlanta restaurants in March 2025, including a taco brunch at Pata Negra, upside-down lamb pilaf from Bey Mediterranean, mojito chicken and a medianoche from The Cuban Diner, and a gin martini from Halfway Crooks Beer. The post Best dishes (and a martini) from March 2025: Pata Negra, The ...

A bill banning transgender girls from playing school sports in girls athletics competition is on the way to Gov. Brian Kemps desk after passing both chambers on mostly party lines Monday. If it receives Gov. Brian Kemps signature, Senate Bill 1 will require all schools from elementary through college to designate teams as male, female […] The post Georgia ...

Slater Nalley first caught American Idol fans attention when he auditioned with a song he wrote about his teachers late son. Now, hes hoping to let America get to know him a little bit better.  In a moment that went viral earlier this year, Nalleys audition began with an introduction from his English teacher, Michele […] The post Lovett’s Slater Nalley ...

Duunwoody Police arrested a 24-year-old man and charged him with driving under the influence and other charges after he hit a police vehicle while traveling down the wrong side of Ashford Dunwoody Road. The post Atlanta man charged with DUI after hitting Dunwoody Police officer’s car appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath is pausing her campaign for governor, citing her husbands health. McBath, D-Marietta, formed an exploratory committee early this month for a potential run for governor next year. But on Monday, she released a statement announcing her husband is recovering from cancer surgery. Im so grateful for everyone who has stood by […] The post ...

Employers often encourage individuals to bring their authentic selves to work, but what happens when authenticity includes navigating mental health or substance use challenges? The call for authenticity is commendable, but it raises an important question: do workplaces genuinely embrace this concept when someones true self includes these deeply human ...

U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams is stepping down as chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Georgia. Williams, D-Atlanta, decided to leave the post following a vote during the weekend by the Georgia partys State Committee amending the party bylaws to require the party chair to serve in that position full time. I was clear from the […] The post Nikema Williams ...

Fulton County Schools Superintendent Mike Looney told the board of education that increased revenue constraints and exemptions affecting property tax revenue will require some reductions to the fiscal year 2026 budget. We’re going to have to make some tough decisions together, and the budget that I propose to you is going to include some of […] The post ...

The Marcus Jewish Community Center's Club J afterschool program will be expanding to include students from Kittredge Elementary School, providing a well-rounded and enriching experience for Kindergarten through fifth graders including exercise, homework help, activities, and cultural programming. The post After-school program Club J to expand to Kittredge ...

Solidarity Sandy Springs has grown from feeding 10 families to providing food for up to 750 families per week, and has become a vital safety net for the community, with a market-style pantry and fresh produce available. The post Sandy Springs food pantry grows from humble beginnings to serve thousands appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Even when they were younger, Max Mutchnick and David Kohan best known for writing and producing the television series  Will & Grace have always focused on characters of a certain age.  Now that they are of that age, they have considerably more insight into their new creation, Mid-Century Modern. The Hulu sitcom, which […] The post ‘Will & Grace’ ...

At its annual fundraiser on March 28, Spruill Center for the Arts made several major announcements during its annual fundraiser, Artistic Affair, which this year served as the kickoff of the nonprofits 50th anniversary. The annual fundraising event, held in the renovated courtyard at the Spruill Education Center in Dunwoody, raised $112,000 for the ...

When Dunwoody began its operations on December 1, 2008, we embarked on a bold journey. With no preexisting ordinances, no established funding, and the urgent need to hire critical personnel and secure essential services, our early days demanded innovation and fiscal creativity. We forged our path using a Tax Anticipation Note from Truist Banka decision ...

See ya, March March 31  The NCAA Men’s Final Four is set: Duke will play Houston, and Florida will face Auburn on Sat., April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. It’s the first time since 2008 that all four top seeds have made the Final Four. The winners will play for the title on Mon., April 7.   […] The post Ready to run appeared first on ...

Unless something out of the ordinary happens, the Georgia Legislature only meets for 40 days each year over the course of about three months. The last day of the session is called sine die, which is Latin for without a day, because the lawmakers adjourn without a date set for their next meeting. The final […] The post End in sight, Legislature could pass ...

Atlanta pastry chef Jon'nae "Jaye" Smith is currently competing on Season 11 of Food Network's "Spring Baking Championship" for the chance to win $25,000 and be crowned the champion. The post Meet Atlanta pastry chef Jon’nae “Jaye” Smith appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.