Atlanta, GA
Things to do this weekend in metro Atlanta, North Georgia | June 6-8, 2025
ATLANTA – Looking for fun around metro Atlanta and North Georgia this weekend? From live music and art shows to foodie festivals and family adventures, there’s something for everyone. Here’s your guide to the best things to do!
Atlanta Bites: Father’s Day, events and deals, new eats | June 2025
LIVE MUSIC & CONCERTS
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Mahler’s Symphony No. 7
When: Thursday, June 5, and Saturday, June 7, 8 p.m.
Where: Atlanta Symphony Hall, Atlanta
What: The orchestra’s season finale features guest conductor Peter Oundjian leading Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 and Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1, with pianist Inon Barnatan and a trumpet showcase.
Cost: Tickets start around $30
River Tiber
When: Friday, June 6
Where: Aisle 5, Atlanta
What: Canadian R&B/electronic artist River Tiber performs live.
Cost: Tickets from $20
First Friday Concert Series: Funky Fresh Night
When: Friday, June 6, 7–10 p.m.
Where: Historic Downtown Square, Gainesville
What: Free outdoor concert featuring The Sentimental Gentlemen and Go-Machine.
Cost: Free
Happy Together Tour 2025
When: Friday, June 6, 7 p.m.
Where: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee
What: A nostalgic concert featuring The Turtles, Jay & The Americans, Little Anthony, and more.
Cost: All seats $50
Lil Baby – Wham World Tour
When: Saturday, June 7
Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta
What: Atlanta native and Grammy-winning rapper Lil Baby brings his high-energy performance to the hometown crowd.
Cost: Tickets start at $59
Atlanta Opera: Semele
When: Saturday, June 7; Tuesday, June 10; Friday, June 13; and Sunday, June 15
Where: Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta
What: The Atlanta Opera presents Handel’s Baroque masterpiece Semele, telling the story of Princess Semele entangled in a love triangle with Jupiter, king of the gods, and his wife Juno.
Cost: Tickets start around $40
The Kooks – All Over The World Tour
When: Saturday, June 7
Where: The Tabernacle, Atlanta
What: British indie rock band The Kooks perform hits from their latest album.
Cost: Tickets from $35
The Isley Brothers with After 7
When: Saturday, June 7
Where: Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, Mableton
What: Legendary R&B group The Isley Brothers perform classic hits with special guests After 7.
Cost: Tickets start at $45
Ray Howard Band Concert
When: Saturday, June 7, 7–10 p.m.
Where: Village Green Park, 1250 Powder Springs St. SE, Smyrna
What: Bring a lawn chair, blanket, and cooler to enjoy classic soul and R&B by the Ray Howard Band. Reserved tables with six chairs available for rent.
Cost: Free; table rental $60 for residents, $75 for nonresident
Fuzzstock Festival 2025
When: Saturday, June 7, doors at 2 p.m.
Where: Boggs Social & Supply, Atlanta
What: Celebrate the fifth year of Fuzzstock with a night of peace, love, and fuzz featuring Leafblower, Bleach Garden (Album Release), Bog Monkey, The Pinx, MammaBear, Gas Hound (7″ Release), and more. Enjoy brunch from Ria’s Baby Bird, dinner from Jimmie’s Jerk Chicken, and a DJ set from Vikki Vaden. Sponsored by Nocturnal Brewing, WFMU, Now Dig This, and others. 21+ event with ADA-accessible facilities.
Cost: $10 Early Bird, $15 Advance, $20 Day of Show
Classical Remix Music Festival: Music Under the Moon
When: Sunday, June 8, 7:30 p.m. (additional performances June 22 and June 27)
Where: Leafmore-Creek Park Club, Decatur (June 8); Historic DeKalb Courthouse, Downtown Decatur (June 22 and 27)
What: The Classical Remix Music Festival blends pop and classical music, beginning with Music Under the Moon. Musicians from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Symphony, Toronto Symphony, and others perform in this unique series.
Cost: Varies by performance
ART SHOWS & EXHIBITS
Cheryl Henos: It’s Not Just Black & White
When: June 5–Aug. 7
Where: The Gallery at Abernathy Arts Center, Bridgewood Valley Road NW, Sandy Springs
What: Cheryl Henos presents It’s Not Just Black & White, an exhibit of hand-painted photography using oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolor, and pencil. Henos blends her background in painting and photography to revive the traditional technique of hand-coloring black-and-white photos.
Cost: Free
Marietta Square Art Walk
When: Friday, June 6, 5–9 p.m.
Where: Marietta Square, Marietta
What: A free, self-guided tour of local art galleries and studios with live music and food vendors. First Friday event.
Cost: Free
Noah James Saunders: Wire Portraits
When: Through Sunday, June 8
Where: Marietta Cobb Museum of Art
What: Intricate three-dimensional wire sculptures of human faces.
Cost: Included with museum admission
Beth LaCour: Mountains and Valleys
When: Through June 19
Where: Zuckerman Museum of Art, Kennesaw
What: Artist Beth LaCour presents a series of folded paper vessels and a large installation, exploring themes of form and space.
Cost: Free
Anonymous Fragments
When: Through June 29
Where: Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, Atlanta
What: Timothy Hull’s series of paintings and drawings inspired by ancient Greek vase fragments, exploring histories of collecting and antiquities.
Cost: Free – $10
Call and Response
When: Through June 22
Where: Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, Atlanta
What: An exhibition featuring five contemporary artists responding to the museum’s collections, examining whose voices are heard in the stories museums tell.
Cost: Free – $10
Ferguson Family: Clay and Kin Exhibit
When: Through Sept. 17
Where: Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, Sautee Nacoochee
What: An exhibit showcasing the Ferguson family’s contributions to folk pottery.
Cost: Included with museum admission
Solomon C. Judge: Contemporary Art Exhibition
When: Through July 8
Where: Stonecrest Library, Stonecrest
What: Multidisciplinary artist Solomon C. Judge explores themes of normalcy and identity through works created over three years, focusing on the intersection of mind, body, and soul.
Cost: Free
FOODIE EVENTS & FARMERS MARKETS
Wonderful Wizards of Raw
When: Friday–Sunday, June 6–8
Where: Tassili’s Raw Reality Cafe, Atlanta
What: A festival celebrating raw, plant-based cuisine with workshops, vendors, and tastings.
Cost: Varies
Alpharetta Brew Moon Festival
When: Saturday, June 7, 6:30–11 p.m.
Where: Milton Avenue between Hwy 9 and Roswell/Canton Street, Alpharetta
What: Enjoy an evening of craft beer, food trucks, and live music by Chuck Martin and the Line Up in downtown Alpharetta.
Cost: Free
Epic Farmer’s Market
When: Saturday–Sunday, June 7–8
Where: Riverside EpiCenter, Mableton
What: A weekend market featuring fresh produce, artisanal goods, and live entertainment.
Cost: Free
Midtown Black Makers Market
When: Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: The Art Walk, 987 Peachtree Walk NE, Atlanta
What: Support Black-owned businesses and creators at this outdoor market featuring vendors, live performances, and interactive art installations.
Cost: Free
Taste of Korea
When: Saturday–Sunday, June 7–8
Where: Uptown Atlanta, Main Street
What: Experience Korean culture with traditional food, music, dance performances, and cultural exhibits.
Cost: Free admission
Farmers Market Featuring the Bark Market
When: Sunday, June 8 and 22, 1–4 p.m.
Where: The Battery Atlanta
What: Browse a selection of farm-fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods, and wellness products. Dog owners can explore the Bark Market for treats and accessories. A petting zoo will also be on-site.
Cost: Free
Grant Park Farmers Market
When: Sunday, June 8
Where: Grant Park, Atlanta
What: Local produce, meats, artisanal foods, and live chef demos.
Cost: Free admission
THEATER & COMEDY
Atlanta Fringe Festival
When: Through Sunday, June 8
Where: Multiple venues across Atlanta
What: Experimental and boundary-pushing performances, including “Don Toberman: Ping Pong Champ” and “40.4.40 (The Hip Hop Musical for Dreamers).”
Cost: Tickets vary by show
Atlanta Fringe Festival returns bigger, weirder and wilder for 2025
Millions
When: Through June 15
Where: The Coca-Cola Stage, Alliance Theatre, Atlanta
What: “Millions” is the heartwarming tale of brothers dealing with the loss of their mother in different ways.
Cost: Tickets from $60 (various discounts)
Best of Atlanta Comedy Showcase
When: Friday, June 6, 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 7, 5 p.m., 8 p.m., 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, June 8, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Laughing Skull Lounge, Atlanta
What: A rapid-fire showcase featuring 10+ of Atlanta’s top comedians performing their best 10-minute sets.
Cost: Tickets start at $25
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations
When: Friday–Sunday, June 6–8
Where: Fox Theatre, Atlanta
What: A Broadway musical chronicling the rise of The Temptations.
Cost: Tickets from $39
Grease – The Musical
When: Through June 22
Where: Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, Marietta
What: A live stage production of the classic musical “Grease.”
Cost: Tickets from $25
Mark Curry Stand-Up Comedy
When: Friday–Saturday, June 6–7
Where: City Winery, Atlanta
What: Comedian and actor Mark Curry performs stand-up comedy.
Cost: Tickets from $30
City of Atlanta honoring Mark Curry
Actor and comedian Mark Curry has been making people laugh for years and now he’s getting a special honor from the city of Atlanta ahead of his shows at City Winery. He talked with Alex Whittler about being on the road, where he finds inspiration, and more.
Witch Cake
When: Saturday, June 7
Where: 7 Stages Theatre, Atlanta
What: Immersive horror play set in a dystopian neocolonial village.
Cost: Tickets from $25
Jackie Fabulous
When: Saturday-Sunday, June 6-7
Where: Atlanta Comedy Theater, Norcross
What: Comedian Jackie Fabulous was a semi-finalist on the 2019 season of “America’s Got Talent.”
Cost: Tickets start at $20
FESTIVALS & COMMUNITY EVENTS
Virginia-Highland Summerfest
When: Friday-Sunday, June 6-8
Where: Virginia-Highland neighborhood, Atlanta
What: Arts festival with live music, food, art vendors, and a 5K run.
Cost: Free
Flying Colors Butterfly Festival
When: Saturday–Sunday, June 7–8
Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, Roswell
What: A family-friendly festival with butterfly encounters, educational exhibits, and live entertainment.
Cost: Included with general admission
Suwanee Asian Festival 2025
When: Saturday, June 7, 12–8 p.m.
Where: Suwanee Town Center Park, Suwanee
What: The 3rd Annual Suwanee Asian Festival, founded by Michelle Kang, celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander culture with performances from JAAGO and traditional acts from Korea, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and more. Enjoy family-friendly activities including bounce houses, K-pop dance challenges, Squid Game-inspired games, and a Korean circle dance. Explore over 80 food and retail vendors along with civic and nonprofit booths.
Cost: Free
Georgia Mountain Scottish Festival & Highland Games
When: Saturday–Sunday, June 7–8
Where: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee
What: Scottish cultural festival with traditional games, music, and food.
Cost: Tickets from $20
FAMILY
A Turtles Shell-ebration
When: Saturday, June 7
Where: Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta
What: Celebrate the grand opening of the “Turtles” exhibit with hands-on activities, crafts, and opportunities to meet live turtles.
Cost: Included with museum admission
Zoo Atlanta Neighborhood Block Party
When: Sunday, June 8, 3:30–7:30 p.m. (last entry at 6 p.m.)
Where: Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta
What: Take advantage of reduced admission to see the animals, attend Ask-A-Zookeeper Talks, engage with interactive displays, enjoy music by DJ Matt, color a mural, get airbrush tattoos, and play yard games.
Cost: Adults $19.95, children 3 and up $14.95, free for under 3 and Zoo Atlanta members
Summer Party at Atlanta Botanical Garden
When: Saturday, June 21
Where: Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta
What: Celebrate the summer solstice with an enchanted evening of glowing lanterns, live music, magic, artistic exhibits, and more.
Cost: Tickets from $60 (for adults)
Family Saturday and UPS Second Sunday at the High Museum of Art
When: Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Family Saturday); Sunday, June 8, noon–5 p.m. (UPS Second Sunday)
Where: High Museum of Art, Atlanta
What: Family Saturday features toddler programming (ages 15 months–3 years), drop-in art-making classes for older kids, and docent-led family tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Sunday, enjoy free admission with art activities, free art supplies, music by an Atlanta DJ, and a 3 p.m. workshop and open rehearsal with Giwayen Mata, an all-sistah African drum, dance, and vocal ensemble.
Cost: Saturday included with museum admission; Sunday free admission
Kennesaw Outdoor Movie Series
When: Saturday, June 7, 6 p.m. premovie fun, movie starts at 8:15 p.m.
Where: Swift-Cantrell Park, 3140 Old 41 Highway NW, Kennesaw
What: Enjoy food vendors, games, and other activities before a screening of “Moana 2” on a large inflatable screen.
Cost: Free
RockFest at Tellus Science Museum
When: Saturday–Sunday, June 14-15
Where: Tellus Science Museum, Cartersville
What: Experience geology-themed activities to explore rocks, minerals, and jewels.
Cost: Included with museum admission
HEALTH
Strength In the City Wellness Fest
When: Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: The Battery Atlanta
What: A rain-or-shine event with over 35 fitness and wellness classes, including yoga, HIIT, dance, and meditation. The day kicks off with a free 5K run and 2-mile walk led by Body Art Run Club. Local vendors, recovery services, and prize giveaways included. Advance registration required.
Cost: Free to $115 (portion benefits Strength in the City Foundation)
OTHER
Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race
When: Thursday–Saturday, June 5–7
Where: Downtown Helen
What: Witness the South’s oldest balloon event with colorful hot air balloons launching and competing in a race to the Atlantic.
Cost: Free to attend
JuneFest and Forest Forms Exhibit at Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville
When: Saturday, June 7 (JuneFest); Exhibit runs June 7–October 5
Where: Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville
What: Celebrate the Garden’s 10th anniversary with JuneFest, a family-friendly day featuring a DJ, educational booths, local vendors, kids’ activities, and an artist-led tour. Continue the experience with Forest Forms: Woodland Wonders, an outdoor exhibition of 21 larger-than-life metal sculptures of plants and animals by artist Huelani Mei.
Cost: Tickets from $25.95
Bark in the Park
When: Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Thurman Springs Park, 4485 Pineview Drive, Powder Springs
What: Bring your leashed pet for a “paw-ty” with story time for pets and kids, pet vendors, exhibitions, adoptions, and contests for best costume, biggest dog, smallest pet, most exotic pet, and best owner/pet look-alike.
Cost: Free
Lakewood 400 Antiques Market
When: Friday–Sunday, June 6–8
Where: 1321 Atlanta Highway, Cumming
What: A monthly market featuring antiques, collectibles, and designer items.
Cost: $3 admission
COMING UP
Suwanee Summer Porch Jam
When: Friday, June 13, starting at 6 p.m.
Where: Old Town Suwanee, Suwanee
What: Enjoy a free evening of live music from local talent across 14 unique venues—including the mayor’s front porch! Performances feature bluegrass, folk, and rising artists like Anu & Ash, Rachael Mann, and Little Gracie. Food trucks and drinks available near the caboose. Free shuttle service from Town Center provided.
Cost: Free
Decatur Beach Party
When: Saturday, June 13
Where: Downtown Decatur, Decatur
What: Bask in the glow of summer with a pop-up beach, live music, games, boardwalk fare, and frozen treats.
Cost: Free
ATL Kids Summer Fest
When: Saturday, June 14
Where: Starr Park Amphitheatre, Forest Park
What: This summer concert specifically for kids features talented kid artists, vendors, engaging activities, and more.
Cost: Free
Midnight Market Atlanta
When: Saturday, June 14
Where: Pinnacle Lot, Atlantic Station, downtown Atlanta
What: Night market with food vendors, DJs, and games.
Cost: Tickets from $15
Atlanta Summer Beer Fest
When: Saturday, June 14
Where: Old Fourth Ward Skatepark, Atlanta
What: Sample over 100 beers, plus wine and seltzers, with live music.
Cost: Tickets from $45
Wine & Wildflower Festival at Serenity Cellars
When: Saturday, June 21, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Serenity Cellars, Cleveland, GA (about 10 minutes from Helen)
What: Celebrate the inaugural Wine & Wildflower Festival at Serenity Cellars with wine tastings, food trucks, local artisan vendors, flower bouquet sales, and live entertainment. Guests can also explore Luce dei Flori, the winery’s new wildflower field planted with over 325 million blooms.
Cost: $30 advance tickets
If you would like to submit an item for a future list, send an email to joyce.lupiani@fox.com.
Atlanta, GA
World Cup now just weeks away. Is Atlanta prepared for the tournament?
Meet the USMNT players headed to the 2026 World Cup
United States men’s national soccer team has officially unveiled its 2026 FIFA World Cup roster, featuring a mix of veteran stars and rising young talent ahead of the tournament.
The FIFA 2026 World Cup is just weeks away, and as teams begin to set up camp across North America ahead of the first matches, host cities are putting the final touches on their preparations.
Eight tournament matches will be played in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, referred to as “Atlanta Stadium” for the duration of the tournament. The venue sits in the heart of the city’s entertainment district, and fans will be able to watch the world’s best soccer players from the group stage all the way to the semifinal.
In a recent study from Action Network, Atlanta was ranked fifth overall for World Cup fan experience during this year’s tournament, citing the city’s walkability around the stadium and time from the airport to the venue. It ranked second among United States host cities, just behind Seattle.
But from road infrastructure to public transportation to hotels, it looks like Atlanta may not quite be ready for the soccer rush to begin in June. Here’s how parts of the city have prepared for the World Cup.
FBI will back up Atlanta Police, partner agencies during tournament
During a press conference on May 28, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Atlanta Office outlined their preparations for the tournament, and where their expertise could be needed.
Special Agents said the FBI SWAT teams would “maintain a high level of visibility” throughout the tournament, and fans should not be alarmed to see them around the stadium and at fan events as a precautionary measure.
Agents said there are “no known threats” to the tournament in Atlanta, but fans are encouraged to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior. The FBI also noted that human trafficking can take place during large events, like the World Cup, and the agency will have task forces working during the tournament period and throughout the summer.
FBI agents from across the state have been pulled into Atlanta to support the World Cup operations, and other agents could be requested throughout the southeast if an attack or threat were to occur, the Special Agents said.
Drones will also be prohibited from the area around the stadium and fan events, agents said. The “no drone zone” means unauthorized drones could be brought down.
MARTA prices will remain low, but safety benchmarks not yet met
The MARTA train and bus system, Atlanta’s public transportation, will not raise prices for their normal passes during the World Cup. The decision was made as public transportation officials in other states faced backlash for their exorbitant train fees during the period of the tournament.
A Breeze pass, which can be purchased online ahead of match day, will cost $2.50 one way to Mercedes-Benz, no different than any other day in Atlanta.
There are multiple MARTA stations near the stadium, including the newly-named Sports, Entertainment, and Convention District Station just steps away from Mercedes-Benz, the Georgia World Congress Center, State Farm Arena, Centennial Yards, the College Football Hall of Fame, the CNN Center, Centennial Park, the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola.
Spectators hoping to use MARTA for a match day can use a physical bank card, a mobile wallet, a virtual Breeze card, a physical Breeze card or cash to pay for their ride at any MARTA station. Many fans, both local and from out-of-town, are expected to rely on the MARTA system for their primary transportation in and around the stadium.
However, some MARTA upgrades that were intended to be complete by the World Cup may come up short, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported earlier this week.
As of May 26, the new trains developed by a Swiss manufacturer had not met the full suite of safety checks to be operational within 30 days, after the World Cup begins in Atlanta, the outlet reported. Interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt said in an interview that he believes MARTA will still be able to meet the June 4 safety deadline, but he was willing to delay signing off on the new trains if they were not deemed 100% safe for passengers. More safety screenings took place this week.
Stadler, the manufacturer, said in a statement to the AJC the company was “confident about meeting the service start goal in line with the testing and training protocols,” and that so far “the trains are performing as expected.”
MARTA will still be available if the new trains are not deployed before the World Cup, but it will be a major setback for the city.
Hotels, Airbnb not full during World Cup period
A report published by Airbnb and Deloitte in December found that the World Cup was expected to bring in $70 million for the accommodation sector in Atlanta.
Deloitte estimated a $23 million direct impact to the hospitality industry driven by Airbnb guests, as well as an additional $24 million in indirect financial gains and $23 million in induced gains. Rental and hotel guests were predicted to not only spend money on their stay, but also at restaurants, activities and transit.
A tracker from Airbnb published in April showed how much money a homeowner could make if they decided to rent out their space for the World Cup, predicting thousands of dollars in profits for Atlanta locals.
Instead, many Airbnb hosts are reporting open nights at their rentals, and hotels are far from full on the dates in June and July.
One Midtown hotel told 11Alive their officials had predicted $600,000 in revenue during the June portion of the World Cup, assuming their rooms would be nearly booked full. Instead, as of May 27, the hotel only has $13,000 in reservations for that time period.
One Airbnb host, who goes by “omosblack” on TikTok, said his rental is just 5 minutes away from the Atlanta Stadium, and is almost always booked no matter the time of year. He said he increased his prices “a little bit” for the World Cup, and now his place isn’t booked at all for the FIFA match days which he called “insane.” He asked other hosts in the area to weigh in from the comment section, wondering if anyone else was having the same issue. Many accounts argued the price increase would keep fans from booking his rental, but others said it was a larger issue with the overall tournament selling fewer tickets than expected.
FIFA president Gianni Infantina was forced to defend the high ticket prices earlier this spring when many soccer supporters said they would go to the World Cup if it wasn’t so expensive. Infantina said the prices were comparable to college football playoff tickets in the same cities, and that while some tickets were thousands of dollars, others were more affordable in his mind.
Now, with just weeks before the start of the tournament, ticket prices have started to come down for some matches that still have tickets left, including many in Atlanta.
‘Road work ahead? Yeah, I sure hope it does’
In the words of an iconic Vine video, Atlanta locals are hopeful that a significant amount of roadwork in the city will be wrapped up by June, but it seems unlikely.
Officials with the Georgia Department of Transportation have been adamant that many of the major road closures and resurfacing projects are unrelated to the World Cup, and therefore are on a multi-year timeline. A recent closure of a large section of I-285 forced traffic into the city and caused major backups.
Recent heavy rain has also shown weak spots in Atlanta’s road infrastructure as major sections of the Atlanta Connector flooded during rush hour traffic, and even forced the Waymo driverless car service to suspend operations as road conditions became too unsafe.
There are regular road closures around the city, and while many people may try to use public transportation instead to avoid traffic issues, some fans will still be trying to drive to the Atlanta Stadium for matches, making an already gridlocked city even worse. It’s an issue that will definitely not be corrected before the first match on June 15.
When are the World Cup matches in Atlanta?
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium) will host five group stage matches, a round of 32 match, a round of 16 match and one of the tournament’s semifinal match.
- Monday, June 15 — Spain vs Cabo Verde, Group H – Shop tickets
- Thursday, June 18 — South Africa vs Czechia, Group A – Shop tickets
- Sunday, June 21 — Spain vs Saudi Arabia, Group H – Shop tickets
- Wednesday, June 24 — Morocco vs Haiti – Shop tickets
- Saturday, June 27 — Uzbekistan vs Congo, Group K – Shop tickets
- Wednesday, July 1 — Group L winners vs third place from Group E/H/I/J/K – Shop tickets
- Tuesday, July 7 — Match 86 winners vs Match 88 winners – Shop tickets
- Wednesday, July 15 — tournament semifinal, teams TBD – Shop tickets
Irene Wright covers the FIFA World Cup as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Federal judge reprimanded over affair with police officer in chambers
The Richard B. Russell Federal Building (FOX 5)
ATLANTA – An Atlanta federal district court judge remains on the bench after an investigation revealed she had an extramarital affair and sex in her chambers, initially lying to investigators before admitting to the actions.
Atlanta federal judge reprimanded
What we know:
TMZ reports that the investigation revealed that the judge engaged in an extramarital sexual relationship with members of the Atlanta Police Department.
The Associated Press reports that two had sex in the judge’s chambers during business hours within hearing distance of staff. Law clerks reported the activity after overhearing the encounters on multiple occasions.
Security footage and logs confirmed that the officer frequently visited the judge’s chambers in uniform around lunchtime. The judge initially called the allegations “outrageous” and denied them. She later recanted and admitted to the relationship.
The committee issued a private reprimand, keeping her name secret because she demonstrated a propensity for rehabilitation and had an otherwise exemplary service record. The judge agreed to write apology letters to six former law clerks, decline the position of chief judge of the district, and refrain from serving on any Judicial Conference committee. Her identity was later unmasked in a report by Bloomberg.
What we don’t know:
Officials have not yet confirmed the exact dates when the misconduct occurred inside the Atlanta federal building.
The police department has not disclosed whether the officer faces internal disciplinary action or if his employment status has changed following the investigation.
Big picture view:
Federal judges receive lifetime appointments under the U.S. Constitution and can only be removed from office through impeachment by Congress. The judicial system relies on internal circuits to review misconduct complaints through committees. These bodies can issue private or public reprimands, censure judges, or temporarily withhold new cases, but they lack the legal authority to strip a judge of their title.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the Associated Press, who reviewed investigative reports from the Judicial Council of the 11th Judicial Circuit, as well as a digital report from TMZ detailing the unmasking of the judge’s identity by Bloomberg.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Regional 2026 NCAA Baseball Tournament Preview
Image credit:
Vahn Lackey (Photo by Mike Janes/Four Seam)
The 2026 NCAA baseball tournament is set to get underway on Friday, May 29, with teams opening regional play across the nation.
To get ready, Baseball America presents the ultimate tournament guide with preview breakdowns of all 64 teams. Check out the full list of regional previews here.
No. 1 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech is the most dangerous offensive team in the country because there is no obvious place to breathe. The Yellow Jackets lead the nation in scoring, average, on-base percentage, slugging and overall offensive production, and they pair that thump with enough swing-decision discipline to make every inning feel pressurized. A 10-run lead does not feel safe against this group because Georgia Tech can build rallies patiently, then end them violently.
The lineup has as much draft gravity as any team in the field this year. Vahn Lackey is the best catcher in the class and might be the best position player available, Drew Burress gives Georgia Tech another first-round ba, and Jarren Advincula is one of the toughest pure contact hitters in the country—and that accounts for just a third of a star-studded group. That trio, though, gives the Yellow Jackets significant force. The lineup’s depth is what makes it exhausting.
Georgia Tech’s pitching is not the headliner, but it is more than passable for this roster. Georgia Tech misses bats at a strong clip, limits damage well enough and keeps opponents from turning every game into a race. It does not need a dominant staff to win this regional. It needs enough strikes, enough swing-and-miss and enough runway for the best offense in America to take over.
No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma’s regional case is thinner than its seed line suggests. The Sooners have one bankable separator: a pitching staff that can miss bats at a high enough rate to survive against quality lineups. That gives them some theoretical upset equity, but it comes with a major caveat. Oklahoma walks too many hitters, allows too much traffic and has not consistently prevented runs, which is a brutal combination in a regional built around Georgia Tech’s offense.
The Sooners also do not have the kind of lineup that can comfortably chase crooked numbers if the pitching staff slips. They draw some walks and have individual bats capable of doing damage, but overall this is a middle-of-the-pack offense in the field, not one built to overwhelm mistakes.
Oklahoma can win games if its arms command the zone and turn strikeouts into clean innings. Winning the regional, though, likely requires its best pitching weekend and most explosive offensive stretch of the season to happen at the same time.
No. 3 The Citadel
The Citadel’s path is narrow because the majority of its run prevention is built on pitching to contact, a difficult way to survive in a regional with Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs do a decent job keeping games manageable, but they do not miss many bats, which means too many innings will depend on defense, sequencing and batted-ball luck.
For a light offense that does not walk much or hit for much power, that leaves very little margin. Lefty Will Holmes and two-way righty Michael Gipson account for much of The Citadel’s swing-and-miss, so any real run probably has to flow through them.
No. 4 Illinois-Chicago
UIC is a true longshot four-seed in a regional that does not offer many soft landings. The Flames have some power and avoid excessive free passes on the mound, but the larger profile is difficult to square with a realistic path forward. They do not score enough, do not prevent runs at a high enough level and are staring at a Georgia Tech offense that punishes ordinary pitching quickly. One win would be a major achievement.
-
South-Carolina3 minutes agoTrump jumps into 2 GOP governor primaries, backing Evette in South Carolina and Feenstra in Iowa – WTOP News
-
South Dakota9 minutes agoMaternity care deserts: Where they are and how to improve
-
Tennessee15 minutes agoAnswering Tennessee Football’s Burning Questions Less Than 100 Days Until Kickoff | Rocky Top Insider
-
Texas21 minutes agoWhy are Mississippi State softball fans wearing broccoli shirts vs Texas at WCWS?
-
Utah27 minutes agoVideo: Utah startup employs those right out of prison and celebrates new milestone – KSLTV.com
-
Vermont33 minutes agoWith two major vacancies, who will lead the Vermont House and Senate? – VTDigger
-
Virginia38 minutes agoNetflix casting Central Virginia singles for “Love on the Spectrum” after Danville man joins show
-
Washington45 minutes agoAs an AI tech-hub, Washington must lead with conscience