Atlanta, GA
Delta’s new ATL Sky Club finally makes Atlanta layovers enjoyable
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is known as one of the busiest airports in the world. Not only is this airport known as a hub for Delta Airlines, but it’s also a major hub for layovers for connecting flights. On my recent trip to South America, I connected in Atlanta both on flight to Santiago, Chile and returning home from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
If you’ve ever spent any time in this airport, you know it can get hectic and a tad overwhelming, even for frequent travelers like myself. While the air train system does make it easy to shift from terminal to terminal, finding a comfortable spot to relax during a layover isn’t always easy. Luckily, Delta’s newest Sky Club on Concourse D, which opened last year, has changed the game for layovers in Atlanta — making them actually enjoyable. Here’s a look at my experience passing through this massive, 24,000 plus-square foot space exclusively for Delta travelers.
Space for everyone
There’s nothing worse than entering an airport lounge to find it’s overcrowded and there’s no where to sit. After you’ve already come off a flight and are awaiting your next flight, all you want is to find a comfortable, cozy place to relax. It’s clear Delta understood this when creating the newest of eight lounges across ATL.
Sitting at over 24,000 square feet, this massive concourse D lounge has plenty of space to hold over 500 guests (more than any other Delta Sky Club in ATL). Whether you want to work, dine, or relax, this massive lounge felt large enough to cater to everyone. Even though it seemed quite busy when walking in, I was able to find a seat to lounge immediately. The atmosphere also felt modern, upbeat, and inspirational.
Customization at your fingertips
The needs and demands of travelers in 2026 aren’t the same as they were ten years ago — and Delta has answered the call. Every airport lounge has similar amenities such as self-service food buffets and beverage stations. But when designing the new Sky Club in Concourse D, it’s clear Delta thought about how to take the experience to the next level for travelers.
Instead of just your average beverage selection options, this lounge takes things to the next level with a flavored water dispenser and a coffee bar equipped with customizable add-ins like flavored syrups. As both a coffee and travel writer, I love when my two favorite things collide. Little things like a fun flavored water dispenser or a coffee bar with sugar-free vanilla syrup on it may not seem like a big deal, but they make a huge difference in setting apart the complete Delta experience from other airlines. I appreciate that Delta understands that little things can make a big difference in how someone feels about their travel day and experience.
Efficient processes at ATL Delta Sky Club
With an airport lounge the size of Delta’s Sky Club in Concourse D, efficiency is key. Airport lounges mean that someones always in a rush — which means processes need to flow smoothly to keep travelers happy. The two-sided buffet design of this lounge was smart thinking to eliminate long buffet lines. Additionally, the bar service was super speedy with an extensive offering of included cocktails, like the Black Russian I had to perk me up to make it through a long travel day.
Throughout my one hour stay in this Delta lounge, I noticed many things around the lounge that made it feel different than other airport lounges I’ve been to. Lounge like this one make Atlanta layovers actually enjoyable. When you’re traveling somewhere where a direct flight isn’t always a possibility (such as Santiago), a Delta layover in ATL is certainly worth considering.
NASCAR O’Reilly Series qualifying results from EchoPark Speedway
Later today, NASCAR O’Reilly Series drivers take the green flag. Now, teams are rolling to the track for qualifying at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta.
View the Atlanta starting lineup for the NASCAR O’Reilly Series below.
Atlanta/Lime Rock Menu
ARCA: Race
Truck: Prac/Qual
O’Reilly: Qual
Atlanta/Lime Rock TV Schedule
The fields makes one lap in the opening round of qualifying. The top 10 from round one advance into round 2 and make another run for the pole position.
Atlanta Qualifying Results (Top 10 – Round 1) : 1. Carson Kvapil 31.987 2. Sam Mayer 32.035 3. Sammy Smith 32.117 4. Jesse Love 32.128 5. William Sawalich 32.171 6. Taylor Gray 32.218 7. Sheldon Creed 32.224 8. Rajah Caruth 32.238 9. Patrick Staropoli 32.224 10. Brent Crews 32.279
Sam Mayer will start from the pole position. He turned a laptime at 31.994 seconds in the second round of qualifying.
EchoPark Speedway
Starting Lineup
July 11, 2026
NASCAR O’Reilly Series
Pos | Driver
1. Sam Mayer
31.994
2. Carson Kvapil
31.978
3. Jesse Love
32.020
4. William Sawalich
32.106
5. Sammy Smith
32.119
6. Sheldon Creed
32.136
7. Brent Crews
32.155
8. Rajah Caruth
32.194
9. Taylor Gray
32.200
10. Patrick Staropoli
32.302
— Failed to advance into Round 2 —
11. Austin Hill
32.286
12. Brandon Jones
32.315
13. Corey Day
32.327
14. Jeremy Clements
32.335
15. Jake Finch
32.336
16. Justin Allgaier
32.379
17. Anthony Alfredo
32.393
18. Nick Sanchez
32.400
19. Ryan Sieg
32.429
20. Kyle Sieg
32.459
21. Jeb Burton
32.545
22. Parker Retzlaff
32.547
23. Dean Thompson
32.573
24. Leland Honeyman Jr
32.583
25. Harrison Burton
32.619
26. Garrett Smithley
32.709
27. Ryan Ellis
32.778
28. Mason Maggio
32.783
29. Nick Leitz
32.857
30. Brennan Poole
32.862
31. Glen Reen
32.884
32. Lavar Scott
32.942
33. Joey Gase
32.946
34. Josh Bilicki
33.035
35. Logan Bearden
33.619
36. Carson Ware
36.110
37. Blaine Perkins
46.808
38. Jordan Anderson
No Time
Links
Atlanta Motor Speedway | Lime Rock Park | NASCAR
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An Atlanta-based mentoring program is making a stop in Jacksonville this weekend — and its leader says the city could be next on the map.
Next Level Boys Academy will set up at Clanzel T. Brown Park in the Moncrief area Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. as part of the “Save Our Sons Tour.” The free, family-friendly event runs alongside Duval Day, the annual block party hosted by Jacksonville-born comedian Lil Duval, which follows from 3 to 8 p.m.
From a Little League Sideline to a National Movement
Gary Davis, CEO and Executive Director of Next Level Boys Academy, says it all started on a baseball field. While coaching little league in 2009, he decided mentoring had to go deeper than sports.
“I built this organization from that group of young men that I coached back in 2009,” Davis said.
What began with 11 young men has grown to serve between 200 and 300 youth each year. The program has drawn national media attention and support from high-profile names, including rappers T.I. and Killer Mike.
What the Program Does
Next Level Boys Academy mentors teens on Saturdays, working with youth ages 5 to 10. It also runs an alternative-to-incarceration program for first-time offenders ages 12 to 25.
Davis says the impact goes beyond mentorship.
“On average we’ve probably diverted about 100 years of prison time a week,” he said.
Former NFL player Will Sweet is also part of the Jacksonville visit. Sweet leads the entrepreneurship and professional development component of the academy’s Atlanta program.
A Vision for Duval County
Davis, a former educator and social worker, says this weekend is about more than one event. He wants Jacksonville’s leaders to take notice.
“The ultimate reason why we are coming to Jacksonville this weekend is because we want the city officials and local government to see there is an innovative mentoring organization that is working in Atlanta — and we have people that are in place there that could start this and move it,” Davis said. “There is no need in re-inventing the wheel.”
What You Need to Know
The Next Level Boys Academy and Empowerment Center program is free and open to families. Here are the details:
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What: Next Level Boys Academy — Save Our Sons Tour
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Where: Clanzel T. Brown Park
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When: Saturday, noon to 1 p.m.
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Duval Day: 3 to 8 p.m. at the same location
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
The NBA offseason has slowed down this week and there is not a lot of business left to be done around the league. Basketball fans and front offices alike are waiting for the decision from LeBron James, but there are still a few prized restricted free agents on the market that have unresolved situations for the 2026-2027 season.
One of them in Nuggets forward Peyton Watson. Watson had the breakout season that Denver fans had been hoping for, but injuries slowed things down towards the end of the season. Despite the injuries, Watson is a coveted player around the league due to being a high-level two-way wing that can guard and shoot from deep. Denver has been trying to extend Watson, but they have not come to terms yet.
The Clippers and the Nets have been mentioned most prominently as a suitor for Watson, but today, NBA insider Jake Fischer noted that a new team has been showing interest, and that team is no other than the Atlanta Hawks:
“Atlanta, sources say, has also shown some fresh interest in Watson, which would likewise require a sign-and-trade to make it happen.
That said, whether it’s the Hawks or the Clippers or any other suitor, sources maintain that the Nuggets are seeking compensation on par with what Utah received from the Lakers in their recent sign-and-trade swap that made Walker Kessler a Laker.
The Lakers’ determined interest in the 7-foot-2 center netted two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps for the Jazz.
Sources say that price point has been too rich for the Clippers or the Hawks when it comes to Watson.”
Could the Hawks actually acquire Watson?
This is the first report of the Hawks holding interest in Watson, but because he is a restricted free agent, I think it is going to be very, very difficult for Atlanta to actually obtain the talented young wing.
Because the Hawks don’t have the cap space to sign Watson to an offer sheet, the only way that they could acquire him would be through a sign-and-trade. If what Fischer says is true, that Denver is going to want a Walker Kessler type return (Utah traded Kessler to Los Angeles for two first round pick swaps and two unprotected first round picks), I think you can safely count Atlanta out of that kind of a deal.
Onsi Saleh and the Hawks front office have made it clear that they are not going to skip steps in building this team and that they are not “one move” away. Atlanta was continuously mentioned as a suitor for Jaylen Brown, but if they were not willing to surrender real assets to obtain him, why would they do that for Watson?
Watson is a very talented player and if healthy, there is a chance that his next contract is going to be a bargain deal. This past season, he averaged a career-best 14.6 PPG, a career-best 4.9 RPG, while shooting 49% from the floor and 41% from three and is a solid defender as well. He fits into the Hawks timeline perfectly, but again, the cost of multiple draft assets for a player who is more unproven than Walker Kessler was would not be a smart move by what is considered to be a very smart front office.
Could Denver lower the asking price for Watson? Possibly, but I think the more likely outcome this offseason is that Watson and Denver find a middle ground on a contract and he returns to the Nuggets.
Restricted free agents don’t have a lot of leverage in these situations and while Atlanta could be very interested in acquiring him, I would be pretty surprised if they overpaid for him like the Lakers did for Kessler.
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