Atlanta, GA
Federal task force grounds unauthorized drones over Atlanta World Cup crowds
Federal agents arrested repeat deportee Lorenzo Rojas-Martinez near Centennial Olympic Park in Downtown Atlanta for unlawfully operating a drone over restricted airspace during the FIFA Fan Festival on June 12, 2026. (FBI)
ATLANTA – A Mexican national faces federal charges after authorities caught him flying an unauthorized drone over Centennial Olympic Park during the FIFA Fan Festival in Atlanta, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Federal agents took 37-year-old Lorenzo Rojas-Martinez into custody on Friday after discovering he was unlawfully present in the United States following two prior deportations.
What we know:
Federal agents standing near Centennial Olympic Park on Friday spotted Rojas-Martinez operating a drone in a temporary flight restricted zone, according to the criminal complaint. Rojas-Martinez was standing in a nearby parking area recording video of the FIFA Fan Festival when agents approached him and requested his identification.
A review of his driver’s license confirmed his identity and led agents to discover his status as a repeat deportee who also holds a prior conviction for cocaine distribution, federal officials said. Rojas-Martinez was formally charged on Monday with operating a drone in a temporary flight restricted zone and illegal reentry by a removed alien.
What we don’t know:
Officials have not yet confirmed the exact type of drone Rojas-Martinez was operating or what he planned to do with the recorded video footage. It remains unclear how long he had been back in the country following his second deportation or where he obtained the aircraft.
Authorities have not disclosed whether Rojas-Martinez has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf. A trial date has not been set, and the government maintains the burden of proving his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
By the numbers:
The FBI Atlanta Counter UAV Task Force has seized 21 drones, including the aircraft used by Rojas-Martinez, as part of ongoing airspace protection measures around World Cup events. The enforcement action is tied to Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative targeting illegal immigration, cartels, transnational criminal organizations and violent crime.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg and Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham of FBI Atlanta noted that Ground Intercept Teams will continue monitoring restricted areas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dash A. Cooper is prosecuting the case, which is being jointly investigated by the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg and the FBI Atlanta Public Affairs Office, who explained how agents detected the illegal drone operation via a federal criminal complaint.
Atlanta, GA
Big Tigger leaving radio show after Sandy Springs arrest
STOCKBRIDGE, GEORGIA – JUNE 19: Radio personality Big Tigger speaks onstage during Juneteenth At The Bridge With Common at VyStar Amphitheater at The Bridge on June 19, 2026 in Stockbridge, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA – Atlanta radio host Big Tigger is stepping away from the microphone to focus on his family following his arrest on domestic violence charges, according to his Instagram.
Public statement defense
What we know:
Darian Morgan, known professionally as Big Tigger, released a statement confirming his decision to step away from his show to give his legal team room to work.
The full statement is below:
“For as long as I’ve been in this industry, my focus has always been to keep the spotlight on the culture and the incredible people I get to interview. But right now, my personal life is in the public eye and has become the subject of overwhelming speculation and misinformation. Through all of this, what hurts the most is being away from my son. Nothing is more important to me than being a great father. So I’ve decided to step away from the mic for a while to focus on my family and give my legal team the room they need. As I previously said, I unequivocally deny every allegation, and I am looking forward to clearing my name. Thank you so much all for the love and support.”
Sandy Springs arrest
The backstory:
It comes after Sandy Springs police arrested Morgan on charges of aggravated battery, battery and third-degree cruelty to children.
According to an arrest affidavit, Morgan’s wife, Alicia Brown, told investigators that he shoved her into an office door during an argument at their home in May.
The impact caused a deep cut above her left eye that required medical stitches.
Police stated that the couple’s 13-year-old son was upstairs during the physical altercation and heard the incident.
Brown was later granted a temporary protective order that legally requires Morgan to stay away from her, their home and their children.
What we don’t know:
It remains unclear how long Morgan will remain away from his broadcasting duties or if his employer plans to take further disciplinary action.
Related coverage
The Source: Information in this article comes from an Instagram post made by Big Tigger and prior FOX 5 reporting.
Atlanta, GA
Braves vs. Mets rain delay chat and discussion
If you will allow me to put my armchair meteorologist hat on, I read an article somewhere about how this heat dome that’s been causing temperatures to skyrocket in recent days has been collapsing since Thursday. As such, that’s been causing enough of a disruption in the atmosphere to where thunderstorms are even more likely to pop up than usual.
So with that being said, it’s not particularly surprising that the weather is a bit spotty over Truist Park in Cobb County and as of right now, the tarp is reportedly on the field and has been since around noon.
While the starting pitchers did both continue their warmups as if the game would start on time, the forecast worsened a bit and now Mark Bowman is reporting that a delay is possible.
We’ll have more updates as they come in, so stay tuned.
[UPDATE 1:30 p.m. ET]: Assuming there’s no more atmospheric instability, the game will begin at 2:15 p.m. ET. Lock in, folks!
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta United 2 Earns 1-0 Win Against Toronto FC II | Atlanta United 2
ATHENS, Ga. (July 4, 2026) – Atlanta United 2 earned a 1-0 win against Toronto FC II on Saturday at Turner Soccer Complex in Athens. Daniel Chica scored the only goal of the match as Atlanta maintained its fourth clean sheet of the season.
The first big chance of the match came from Atlanta in the 23rd minute. Cameron Dunbar, running across the top of the 18-yard box, picked out Arif Kovac in space to his left. Kovac, taking a touch to draw defenders to him, waited briefly before slipping Dominik Chong Qui in behind the defense on the left side of the box. Chong Qui nearly scored with a first-time shot on his left foot, but a deflection from a Toronto defender took the ball just inches wide of the far post.
In the 34th minute, Atlanta grabbed the opening goal. Chong Qui, taking a throw in from the right side, launched the ball into the Toronto box and found the head of Matthew Senanou. With a glancing flick off his head, Senanou guided the ball centrally, where Chica reacted before his markers to jump up and connect with a header, looping the ball into the bottom-right corner of the net.
Atlanta nearly added a second just before the half. In the 40th minute, Dunbar pounced on a Toronto turnover in the Atlanta half and broke through the defense. Carrying the ball down the Toronto half and into the box by himself, Dunbar wrapped a left-footed shot toward goal, but goalkeeper Adisa De Rosario was able to get down quickly and block the shot. Despite the save, the rebound spilled only as far as Kovac, who dropped a defender and De Rosario with a fake shot, but his ensuing effort was deflected out of play by center back Stefan Kapor.
It was a quiet second half, with Atlanta content to pass the ball around and maintain possession as it attempted to see out its lead. However, Toronto nearly equalized in the 78th minute. Striker Jahmarie Nolan, picking the ball up on the left side of the box, lofted a cross to the back post of the Atlanta goal toward fellow striker Dekwon Barrow. Rising up just inches from goal, Barrow connected with a header, but Jonathan Ransom quickly reacted to palm the effort off the goal line with his right hand. The chance was still alive as Kapor attempted to tap in the rebound, but Ransom, who was on the ground, extended his body to come away with a double save, sealing the three points.
Atlanta United 2 (8-5-3, 27 points) returns to action Saturday, July 11, when it takes on Inter Miami CF II at Turner Soccer Complex (7 p.m. ET, MLSNEXTPro.com, OneFootball App, Soccer Down Here).
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