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Grand Theft Auto: Atlanta style | Krog Street Tunnel pays homage to iconic game, city

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Grand Theft Auto: Atlanta style | Krog Street Tunnel pays homage to iconic game, city


Grand Theft Auto has finally come to Atlanta… sort of. 

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The iconic GTA series has parodied metropolitan areas such as New York, Miami, and most recently, southern California, with GTA V being released more than 10 years ago. However, it has never set its sights on the ATL. 

Artist SparkyZ, whose real name is Zack White, shows off his latest mural paying homage to the Grand Theft Auto series and the city of Atlanta at the Krog Street Tunnel on July 9, 2024.  (Billy Heath | FOX 5 )

Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online 

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Released on Sept. 17, 2013, Grand Theft Auto V was the last installment released by Rockstar Games and its publisher, Take-Two Interactive. Set in southern California, the game was the 15th installment in the series. Upon its release, the game broke records becoming the highest-grossing video game in 24 hours and the fastest entertainment property to gross $1 billion.  

As of 2024, it has sold over 175 million copies, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time. The game has generated billions of dollars in revenue, a feat rarely seen in the entertainment industry. 

The online version of GTA was released a month later, guaranteeing updates spanning three different generations of gaming consoles. 

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Artist SparkyZ, whose real name is Zack White, shows off his latest mural paying homage to the Grand Theft Auto series and the city of Atlanta at the Krog Street Tunnel on July 9, 2024.

Artist SparkyZ, whose real name is Zack White, shows off his latest mural paying homage to the Grand Theft Auto series and the city of Atlanta at the Krog Street Tunnel on July 9, 2024.  (Billy Heath | FOX 5 )

The open-world, sandbox concept interwoven with a strong narrative, simple mechanics, and deeplevel of detail has captivated players for years, becoming a cultural phenomenon. 

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Grand Theft Auto: Atlanta

That sentiment is what artist Zack White, also known as SparkyZ, aimed to capture in his latest work adorning the entrance to the Krog Street Tunnel. 

Artist SparkyZ, whose real name is Zack White, shows off his latest mural paying homage to the Grand Theft Auto series and the city of Atlanta at the Krog Street Tunnel on July 9, 2024.

Artist SparkyZ, whose real name is Zack White, shows off his latest mural paying homage to the Grand Theft Auto series and the city of Atlanta at the Krog Street Tunnel on July 9, 2024.  (Billy Heath | FOX 5 )

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“They know what it is; it’s an iconic video game,” White told FOX 5 photojournalist Billy Heath. 

White was out putting the finishing touches on the mural on Tuesday. It features a bikini-clad lady, as is prevalent in the 17+ video game. Adjacent is the iconic Grand Theft Auto logo followed by “Atlanta style” and the Rockstar games logo. It all sits above a red late ‘80s, early ‘90s style Ferrari Testarossa, which in-game, is named the Grotti Cheetah. And above it all is the five-star wanted level that gamers will know all too well. 

“Atlanta style, it’s kind of wild out here. It can get five stars if you know what I mean,” he said. 

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Artist SparkyZ, whose real name is Zack White, shows off his latest mural paying homage to the Grand Theft Auto series and the city of Atlanta at the Krog Street Tunnel on July 9, 2024.

Artist SparkyZ, whose real name is Zack White, shows off his latest mural paying homage to the Grand Theft Auto series and the city of Atlanta at the Krog Street Tunnel on July 9, 2024.  (Billy Heath | FOX 5 )

The homage was created to pair two of White’s favorite things, despite not being able to play GTA as much as he used to.  

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“I just wanted to do something, you know, dedicated to the game and Atlanta at the same time,” he said. 

He said he wanted to tie the beautiful city to the legendary game play. 

Artist SparkyZ, whose real name is Zack White, shows off his latest mural paying homage to the Grand Theft Auto series and the city of Atlanta at the Krog Street Tunnel on July 9, 2024.

Artist SparkyZ, whose real name is Zack White, shows off his latest mural paying homage to the Grand Theft Auto series and the city of Atlanta at the Krog Street Tunnel on July 9, 2024.  (Billy Heath | FOX 5 )

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“Atlanta’s where it’s at,” White said. 

Where is Grand Theft Auto VI set?

Unfortunately for GTA fans in Atlanta, the next installment, scheduled to be released sometime in 2025, will feature Vice City, a stand-in for Miami, in the state of Leonida, satirizing Florida. 

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This is the first return to the fictional setting since the 2002 release of GTA IV.  

Artist SparkyZ, whose real name is Zack White, shows off his latest mural paying homage to the Grand Theft Auto series and the city of Atlanta at the Krog Street Tunnel on July 9, 2024.

Artist SparkyZ, whose real name is Zack White, shows off his latest mural paying homage to the Grand Theft Auto series and the city of Atlanta at the Krog Street Tunnel on July 9, 2024.  (Billy Heath | FOX 5 )

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The gaming franchise has also lampooned New York with Liberty City and the greater Los Angeles area with San Andreas.  

GTA VI’s first trailer broke records, which were set by GTA V with much hype being given to the second trailer release, expected soon.

There is a joke among Atlanta GTA fans that the city could never be part of the GTA franchise because, simply stated, the traffic is just too bad. 

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Atlanta, GA

Miguel Almirón: World Cup profile | Paraguay & Atlanta United midfielder | MLSSoccer.com

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Miguel Almirón: World Cup profile | Paraguay & Atlanta United midfielder | MLSSoccer.com


MLS background

An Atlanta United icon, Almirón is in his second stint at the club.

After initially joining in 2017, Almirón led Atlanta to a historic MLS Cup triumph in 2018 alongside Venezuelan striker Josef Martínez. That came in the Five Stripes’ second year as a team.

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Almirón’s success fueled a blockbuster move to English Premier League side Newcastle United, where he spent seven years. But Atlanta brought Almirón back stateside in 2025, and now, alongside head coach Tata Martino, he hopes to return the Five Stripes to their previous heights.

  • 27g/38a in 101 MLS appearances
  • 2x MLS Best XI (2017, ’18)
  • 2x MLS All-Star (2017, ’18)
  • 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year

International experience

Almirón is among Paraguay’s most experienced players; his 75 caps are second-most on the squad.

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The 32-year-old enters the World Cup as La Albirroja’s leader in goals. He’s scored nine international goals, with Antonio Sanabria (seven) the next-closest player.

This will be Almirón’s first World Cup appearance.

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World Cup schedule

Paraguay are in Group D alongside the United States, Australia and Türkiye.

  • June 12: Paraguay vs. United States, 9 pm ET | Los Angeles, California
  • June 19: Paraguay vs. Türkiye, 11 pm ET | San Francisco, California
  • June 25: Paraguay vs. Australia, 10 pm ET | San Francisco, California

The 2026 World Cup has expanded from the usual 32 nations to 48 total. The top two teams advance from each group, and the top eight third-place finishers also make the knockout phase (Round of 32).

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The tournament, which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, spans from June 11 to July 19.

World Cup history

This is Paraguay’s ninth overall World Cup trip and first since South Africa 2010. 

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Last time out, La Albirroja reached the quarterfinals for the country’s best-ever finish.

How Paraguay qualified

Paraguay finished sixth in South American World Cup qualifying with 28 points. 

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The top six nations in Conmebol’s 10-team round robin secured automatic spots.





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Atlanta, GA

19 new metro Atlanta restaurants opened in May, but 11 closed

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19 new metro Atlanta restaurants opened in May, but 11 closed


Food & Dining

Nearly a dozen restaurants closed during the month, including the Alden.

The waakye served at Ike’s Cafe and Grill shown on Monday, March 24, 2025. The bean and rice mixture is served with spaghetti, plantains, a tomato stew, fish, beef, a boiled egg, dried cassava and a chili sauce. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

May was another strong month for restaurant openings in metro Atlanta, with at least 19 new food businesses setting up shop.

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But nearly a dozen restaurants closed during the month, as well — including the Alden, which was unexpectedly shut down when the Chamblee apartment building where it occupied a ground-floor space was destroyed by a fire.

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Metro Atlanta restaurant openings

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Joupe Jeht’s fresh spring rolls. (Courtesy of Jude Downs)

Joupe Jeht’s fresh spring rolls. (Courtesy of Jude Downs)

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A rendering of the Ledger Bar and Lounge at the recently renovated JW Marriott Downtown Atlanta hotel. (Courtesy of Marriott)

A rendering of the Ledger Bar and Lounge at the recently renovated JW Marriott Downtown Atlanta hotel. (Courtesy of Marriott)

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PopUp Bagels offers five kinds: plain, salt, sesame, poppy and everything. They are sold whole and meant to be ripped and dipped into schmears. (Courtesy of PopUp Bagels)

PopUp Bagels offers five kinds: plain, salt, sesame, poppy and everything. They are sold whole and meant to be ripped and dipped into schmears. (Courtesy of PopUp Bagels)

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Showdown Social opens this May in Alpharetta with host-led card games. (Courtesy of Showdown Social)

Showdown Social opens this May in Alpharetta with host-led card games. (Courtesy of Showdown Social)

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Onlookers watch the Parkview on Peachtree Boulevard apartment complex burn. (Courtesy of Jared Hucks/The Alden)

Onlookers watch the Parkview on Peachtree Boulevard apartment complex burn. (Courtesy of Jared Hucks/The Alden)

Metro Atlanta restaurant closings

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Waffle with Chicken Tenders made and styled by Johnny's Chicken & Waffles in Atlanta, Ga., Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Aaliyah Man for the AJC)

Waffle with Chicken Tenders made and styled by Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles in Atlanta, Ga., Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Aaliyah Man for the AJC)

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Henri Hollis

Henri Hollis is a restaurant critic and food reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he covers Atlanta’s restaurants, chefs and dining culture. As part of the AJC’s Food & Dining team, he reviews new restaurants, reports on industry trends and explores metro Atlanta’s culinary scene through the neighborhoods and people that shape it.



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Falcons sign Drake London to four-year extension

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Falcons sign Drake London to four-year extension


One of the most inevitable moves of the summer is complete. The Atlanta Falcons have given Drake London a lucrative four year deal worth up to $150 million, locking up their top receiver for the foreseeable future.

It’s a deserved extension for a physical, sure-handed talent who has been consistently excellent in Atlanta despite a constantly rotating cast of quarterbacks. London, who has averaged 1,086 yards over four NFL seasons and has 22 touchdowns over that span, has also emerged as one of the locker room’s most vocal and accountable players.

The 2022 first round pick came into the NFL catching passes from Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder and flourished immediately, with 806 yards and four touchdowns in year one and 905 yards and two touchdowns in year two. When the coaching staff turned over and Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. entered the picture, London exploded for 100 catches, 1,271 yards, and nine touchdowns in 2024, following that up with 919 yards and seven touchdowns in just 12 games a year ago. Through just four seasons, London is already 10th in team history in receiving yards, eighth in receptions, and 13th in touchdowns, and mixes that with solid blocking. He’s been the ideal receiver for the last two iterations of this Falcons offense, and I have no doubt that will continue here.

The contract’s guaranteed money would be tops in the NFL if the $100 million figure is accurate, but by overall money it’s just the third most lucrative contract in the league, and will likely be hovering near the bottom of the top ten in a couple of seasons. The Falcons were never going to risk losing their top receiving option, and if all goes well, London will continue to thrive in Atlanta and set his sights on surpassing some franchise legends in the years to come. I’m glad the deal is done, and we’ll see the exact terms soon enough.

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How do you feel about this extension?



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