🐊 Okefenokee x UNESCO

by Rough Draft Staff

Swampy

Monday, July 27 — Today is the 30th anniversary of the Centennial Olympic Park bombing, which killed two people and injured 111 others during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Security guard Richard Jewell, who first discovered the bomb, was wrongly suspected before being cleared, and bomber Eric Rudolph was captured in 2003 and sentenced to life in prison.

Scattered thunderstorms and 89° today.

The Okefenokee Swamp officially became a UNESCO World Heritage site over the weekend, Georgia’s first such designation, following more than four decades of advocacy from conservationists and local communities.

There’s still time to participate in the GDOT’s public survey about a passenger rail line between Atlanta and Savannah. The deadline is Aug. 6.

There were long lines outside the Thrillz Atlanta indoor amusement park that opened this weekend near Spaghetti Junction in North DeKalb.

The Brookhaven Police Department has a new four-legged K-9 officer, Recon, who is now serving alongside his handler, David Fikes.

Chef Anne Quatrano opened her latest restaurant, Summerland, at Upper West Market in Underwood Hills.

Italian restaurant and cocktail bar Y Bar e Ristorante opened last week at Buckhead Village.

Barbie unveiled a signature doll modeled after Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese, paired with Reebok shoes, ahead of an Aug. 3 “Barbie Game Day” in Atlanta.

Marietta’s Corey Heim, a part-time NASCAR driver, held off Christopher Bell and Joey Logano to win the Brickyard 400 Sunday.

Andruw Jones was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday, becoming the 60th Brave and the first player from Curaçao to make the Hall.

ELSEWHERE

A shootout between two gunmen at a Seattle food festival last night left three dead and four injured, including a toddler. Police arrested one suspect and are searching for another.

An Oklahoma social media influencer was fatally shot by her estranged husband, days after she publicly accused him of pedophilia on TikTok.

Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:

• Soccer mini-pitch

• Upcoming Events

• Global Headlines

AND

• Look & Listen

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1. USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams unveils new South Fulton mini-pitch

U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Tyler Adams helped unveil a new soccer mini-pitch at Sandtown Park in South Fulton on July 21.

The new mini-pitch is part of a national effort by Allstate, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and Adams to bring permanent soccer facilities to communities with limited access to the sport. By converting underused spaces into mini-pitches, the initiative aims to give young players a safe place to play, while building on soccer’s growing popularity in the United States.

South Fulton became the latest stop in that effort, following mini-pitch unveilings in Detroit and Philadelphia.

Read Ansley Kelly’s report here.

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2. Upcoming Events

The Friends of the Dunwoody Library are hosting a used book sale today from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the library, 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd.

Melanie Martinez brings her“Hades: The Sacrifice” tour to Gas South Arena in Duluth on Tues., July 28, at 8 p.m.

The Breman Museum will host a staged reading of local playwright Ali Viterbi’s“The World to Come” on Thurs., July 30, at 7 p.m.

Bob Dylan brings his iconic catalogue to Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park on Fri., July 31, at 7 p.m.

The Seattle Storm at the Atlanta Dream, Fri., July 31 at 7:30 p.m. at Gateway Center.

3. Berlin Pride attack; Slovenia’s Pogačar ties record with Le Tour win

The U.S.paused its strikes on Iran over the weekend amid ongoing talks, even as Iran-aligned Houthi rebels attacked Saudi oil sites and Tehran accused Ukraine of striking one of its vessels.

Massive wildfires forced roughly 300,000 people from their homes across southwest France and Spain over the weekend, with flames threatening Bordeaux and killing at least one person near Madrid.

A vehicle and machete attack at Berlin’s Pride parade killed one person and injured 29 others on Saturday in what German officials said was an Islamist terrorist attack. Police fatally shot the suspect Sunday after a manhunt.

International Criminal Court member states voted to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations, the first ouster of a prosecutor in the court’s history.

Tadej Pogacar won his fifth Tour de France yesterday, tying the record held by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin.

As one of Atlanta’s most significant redevelopment stories, South Downtown illustrates how historic preservation, creative placemaking, entrepreneurship, and community engagement can work together to strengthen Atlanta’s economic and cultural impact. Join the World Affairs Council of Atlanta on Aug. 14 for an exclusive tour led by Jon Birdsong, CEO of SoDo Atlanta, LLC. To ensure an intimate, high-value experience, participation is limited to just 15 attendees. We encourage early registration; this program is expected to fill quickly.

Soak up the sun with Midsummer at ArtsXchange for a two-day festival of art, community, and family. Enjoy an evening art auction and dancing on July 31, then return Aug. 1 for free workshops, live entertainment, vendors, food, crafts, and games for all ages. More details. SPONSOR MESSAGE

4. Data centers debate

Data centers and their impacts on communities and the environment remain a hot-button topic across Georgia. Just last week, the Chamblee City Council approved a temporary moratorium on data centers while it works to set standards. Here are some podcasts and reads to catch you up on the data center debate.

The“Politically Georgia” podcast discussed the recent pushback against data centers under the Gold Dome.

GPB takes a closer look at DC Blox, the Atlanta-based company that operates two data centers in Metro Atlanta and is looking to build another in Valdosta.

The“Close All Tabs” podcast discusses how data centers put a strain on historically Black communities in Atlanta.

CBS News takes a closer look at Project Camellia, the massive OpenAI data center coming to Effingham County.

The 2026 CHRIStal Ball is officially sold out! You can still make an impact by donating to CHRIS 180, helping Atlanta’s children, youth and families heal, live and thrive. Every gift makes a difference. Donate today. SPONSOR MESSAGE