Atlanta, GA

Trump’s 2024 GOP rivals converge on Atlanta just days after his latest indictment

Published

1 year ago

August 18, 2023

Trump’s 2024 GOP rivals converge on Atlanta just days after his latest indictment

ATLANTA (AP) — Several Republican White House hopefuls are set to greet a conservative conference with hopes of making up ground against Donald Trump. But his shadow may be especially difficult to escape in the city where he was most recently indicted.

Trump won’t speak at The Gathering, an Atlanta event by syndicated radio host Erick Erickson taking place Friday and Saturday about 10 miles from the jail where the former president has to surrender before next Friday on a racketeering indictment related to the 2020 election. Six of his 2024 rivals, meanwhile, are scheduled for onstage interviews with Erickson, an influential conservative who has been critical of the former president.

The timing sets up one more example of the struggle Trump’s GOP opponents face: He dominates the primary polls and media attention — especially on cable news and talk radio — even as he faces multiple criminal indictments for alleged actions before, during and after his presidency. While they carry immense legal jeopardy, the four indictments seem to have hardened Trump’s support among core GOP voters, even as a majority of Americans disapprove of him. And many party loyalists who say they are open to alternatives still don’t want to hear criticisms of Trump.

“It’s hard for anybody to get any oxygen in the room with President Trump,” said Terry Lathan, a former Alabama Republican Party chairwoman who has previously backed Trump but now supports Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the 2024 nomination.

“Donald Trump can be exhausting,” Lathan said. “But people will walk on broken glass to vote for the guy.”

DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley are set to appear Friday in the Atlanta neighborhood of Buckhead, a Republican-leaning enclave in an otherwise Democratic-dominated city. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy will speak Saturday.

Each candidate will join Erickson for a Q&A, with the host promising a focus on their goals and issues, including artificial intelligence, Christian nationalism in America, and dealing with China as a global U.S. rival. Erickson said attendees come from 47 states. In his previews, Erickson has not mentioned Trump, though his chosen theme for the conference — “Forward: Which Way” — nods at how he wants to define the moment for Republicans.

Of the candidates appearing with Erickson, though, only Christie has consistently blasted Trump for alleged acts contained in the indictments. The rest typically echo in some fashion Trump’s counterassaults against a “witch hunt,” while avoiding details of the cases.

Addressing reporters in the early primary state of New Hampshire, DeSantis said he had not “had a chance to read” the Georgia indictment, a sweeping 98-page case in which District Attorney Fani Willis invoked state racketeering laws used to prosecute organized criminal networks. DeSantis instead attacked Atlanta itself and, implicitly, the Black prosecutor Trump has labeled as “racist.”

“I will tell you,” DeSantis said, “Atlanta has huge problems with crime right now, and there has been an approach to crime which has been less than exacting.”

He offered no supporting evidence for that deflection, which was reminiscent of Trump lashing out at civil rights icon John Lewis in 2017. The late Atlanta congressman had declared Trump was “not a legitimate president” and refused to attend his inauguration. Trump answered that Lewis’ district, which still includes downtown Atlanta and Buckhead, was “falling apart (and) crime infested.”

Leading Republicans say GOP candidates have few practical options other than to campaign on Trump’s terms — or at least sidestep him whenever possible.

Whit Ayres, a national pollster based in Virginia, handicapped the GOP electorate as 10-15% “Never Trumpers” — those who might gravitate to Christie for his attacks on Trump — and 35% or so “die-hard MAGA Trump supporters,” referring to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.

The rest, half or a slim majority of the party, “have doubts about his electability” in a general election but are still “reliable Republicans who voted for him twice,” Ayres said. Trump’s rivals cannot win over that remaining faction by “going after him frontally,” the pollster argued.

As a Republican, “you can’t call him unfit for office,” Ayres said. “That’s basically requiring half the party to admit they screwed up and put someone unfit for office into the Oval Office. That’s just a psychological step too far for most people.”

Erickson this week tacitly acknowledged the dynamics. He spent significant time on his radio show dissecting Trump’s legal peril and pushed back at some Trump supporters’ reactions, albeit gingerly. A former practicing attorney, Erickson rebutted online memes and conservative social media conversations that have dismissed the indictment because it includes defendants’ actions that appear to be routine political activity.

“Trump supporters believe the 2020 election was stolen from him. The district attorney in Georgia says actually it was Donald Trump who was trying to steal the election,” Erickson said. “Whether you believe it or not, whether you believe it’s political or not, that’s what the indictment is about.”

Perhaps the best Trump’s rivals can do — in Atlanta, the first primary debate next week and going forward — is maintain a foothold in the quiet hopes that one of the pending trials takes place and damages the former president before he secures another GOP nomination.

“This race may appear frozen,” Ayres said. “The surface of the ocean looks calm, but there are all kinds of currents underneath that could disrupt the surface.”

Yet a former Trump ally like Lathan demonstrates the challenge for his opponents.

She said she is alarmed by the Florida indictment on allegations that Trump wrongly kept classified material at his Mar-a-Lago residence. But the other cases, she added, are evidence of “Democrats and the Biden administration” targeting him.

And if Trump wins the nomination, she said: “I’m there. Game on.”

Trump has “taken more arrows than anyone who has ever held that office,” Lathan argued. “There are a lot of Republicans who will break back to him because of this. I mean, do all these ‘get Trump’ people not realize they’re just making him stronger?”

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Hawks vs Chicago Bulls: Starting Lineups

Published

5 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Atlanta Hawks vs Chicago Bulls: Starting Lineups

The Atlanta Hawks and the Chicago Bulls are getting ready to tip off in Chicago for another NBA Cup game and both teams just announced their starting lineups.

G- Trae Young

G- Dyson Daniels

F- Zaccharie Risacher

F- Jalen Johnson

C- Clint Capela

G- Coby White

G- Josh Giddey

F- Zach LaVine

F- Ayo Dosunmu

C- Nikola Vucevic

Here is a preview for tonight’s game from our own Rohan Raman:

Tonight is not only an important game for their NBA Cup hopes – it is also an opportunity to respond against an opponent that handled them during their last matchup. When these teams played on November 9th, Atlanta was in control for most of the game before Chicago stormed back and won the game due to the Hawks faltering late. The 14-3 scoring run that the Bulls went on ended up winning them the game and sealed a 125-113 loss that was simply hard to watch. In their last meeting, Chicago also won the game largely due to a team-based scoring performance. Their entire starting lineup finished with double-digit points and a positive plus/minus. Ayo Dosomnu also made a massive impact off the bench with 19 points on 7-10 shooting.

Atlanta’s inconsistency has been an issue all season. Against Golden State, they had a dismal first quarter. The Hawks shot 35% from the field and 29% from three. Golden State on the other hand was 60% from the field and 46% from three. The bench for the Warriors outscored the Hawks bench 19-3. However, this game was more of a fluke in terms of how bad their start was. That being said, they have consistently struggled in the clutch. This year, they have the 10th-fewest points in the third quarter and the fifth-fewest points in the fourth quarter.

Coming into tonight’s game, the Hawks are 11th in the NBA in PPG, 19th in FG%, 18th in 3PA, 19th in 3P%, 4th in FTA, 25th in turnovers, and 11th in rebounding. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 18th in points per 100 possessions, 19th in effective field goal percentage, 21st in turnover percentage, 9th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 7th in free throw rate. On defense, they rank 28th in PPG allowed, 15th in field goal percentage allowed, 30th in three-point attempts allowed, and 30th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 19th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 26th in effective field goal percentage allowed.

The Bulls have a pretty simple team profile – they take a lot of threes and make a good amount of threes without standing out much in other areas. They are 10th in PPG, 16th in FG%, 3rd in three attempts, 10th in three point percentage, 25th in free throw attempts, 9th in rebounding, and 21st in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, Chicago is 23rd in points per 100 possessions, 12th in effective field goal percentage, 19th in turnover percentage, 28th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 27th in free throw rate. Defensively, the Bulls are 29th in PPG allowed, 29th in field goal percentage allowed, 22nd in three point attempts allowed, and 5th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Chicago is 25th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 23rd in effective field goal percentage allowed.

Even though the Bulls have an exploitable defense, the Hawks are going to need a strong performance from Trae Young to salt this game away early. Young has not really looked like himself as a scorer this year. In his last two games against the Kings and Warriors, he’s scored a combined 19 points on 5-19 shooting despite playing 30+ minutes in both games. On the year, he’s averaging 21.9 points (his lowest since his rookie year) and shooting a career-worst 34.1% from deep. Fortunately, he is still one of the best playmakers in the NBA and hit double-digit assists in those same games to alleviate some of the effect of his scoring dip. In a game where he has his full rotation avaliable to him, I expect him to continue to shine as a playmaker while taking advantage of the improved spacing.”

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Atlanta, GA

Thanksgiving Turkey Trots in metro Atlanta, North Georgia | 2024

Published

13 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Thanksgiving Turkey Trots in metro Atlanta, North Georgia | 2024

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ATLANTA – It’s become a tradition for many serious and not-so-serious athletes and families to go for a run or walk prior to eating a big Thanksgiving meal. Many of these runs/walks often benefit worthy causes. Here’s a list of runs and walks around metro Atlanta and North Georgia.

Acworth Turkey Chase

When: 8 a.m., Nov. 23
Where: Downtown Acworth
What: Includes the Little Pilgrim Trot (2K walk) and a 5K run. This event is a qualifier for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race.
How Much: Starting at $10 for Little Pilgrim Trot, $20 for untimed fun run, $30 for timed run
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Early Bird Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

When: 8 a.m., Nov. 23 (check-in begins at 6:30 a.m.)
Where: 200 Chastain Meadows Court, Kennesaw
What: 5K/10K/15K/Half Marathon
How Much: $25 on race day
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Get Basted Turkey Trot

When: 8 a.m., Nov. 24
Where: North Forsyth Middle School, 3645 Coal Mountain Drive, Cumming
What: 5K/10K/15K/Half Marathon
How Much: $25 on race day
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Turkey Trot of McDonough

When: 7 a.m., Nov. 28
Where: Academy Sports & Outdoors, 198 South Point Blvd., McDonough
What: 1-mile fun run, 5K, and 10K options
How Much: Starting at $30
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Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K, Dash

When: 7:45 a.m., Nov. 28
Where: Center Parc Stadium, 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta
What: Half marathon, 5K, and 1-mile dash. Starts under Atlanta’s Olympic rings with a post-race celebration.
How Much: Starting at $25
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Thanksgiving Day Gobble Wobble 5K/10K/Fun Run

When: 7:45 a.m., Nov. 28
Where: Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta
What: 9th annual 5K, 10K, and fun run
How Much: Starting at $25
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Tryptophan Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K

When: 7:30 a.m., Nov. 28
Where: 405 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming
What: 14th annual race on Big Creek Parkway
How Much: Starting at $70
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MUST Ministries Gobble Jog

When: 7:30 a.m., Nov. 28
Where: Marietta Square, downtown Marietta
What: 10K and 5K timed races, as well as untimed 5K, 1K, and Tot Trot. Benefits MUST Ministries.
How Much: Starting at $40
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Five Star Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K/10K/15K/Half Marathon

When: Nov. 28
Where: 3835 Johns Creek Parkway, Johns Creek
What: 5K, 10K, 15K, and half marathon
How Much: $25 on race day
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Gainesville Turkey Trot 5K & 10K

When: 8:30 a.m., Nov. 28
Where: Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary, 12626 NW CR 231, Gainesville
What: Scenic 5K and 10K through fields and forests
How Much: Starting at $40
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Rome Turkey Trot

When: 9 a.m., Nov. 28
Where: AdventHealth Stadium, 755 Braves Blvd., Rome
What: 5K USATF-certified race and a 3K family stroll
How Much: Starting at $30
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Dahlonega Turkey Trot 5K & Fun Run

When: 8:30 a.m., Nov. 28
Where: Lumpkin County High School, 2001 Indian Drive, Dahlonega
What: 11th annual 5K and fun run
How Much: Starting at $40
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Blue Ridge Turkey Trot

When: 8 a.m., Nov. 28
Where: Downtown Blue Ridge
What: Thanksgiving Day race/walk for all ages
How Much: Starting at $30
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Oconee River Greenway Turkey Trot

When: 8 a.m., Nov. 28
Where: Oconee River Greenway, 420 E. Greene Street, Milledgeville
What: 1-mile fun run/walk or 5K race on the scenic Greenway
How Much: Starting at $15
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West Georgia Turkey Trot

When: 9 a.m., Nov. 28
Where: Hobbs Farm Greenbelt Trailhead, Carrollton
What: 5K, 10K, and Gobble Wobble for kids. Benefits foster care programs.
How Much: Starting at $20
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Atlanta, GA

Things to do this weekend in metro Atlanta | Nov. 22-24, 2024

Published

20 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Things to do this weekend in metro Atlanta | Nov. 22-24, 2024

article

ATLANTA – Looking for fun and festive ways to spend your time in and around metro Atlanta this weekend? Whether you’re in the mood for dazzling holiday lights, live music, engaging art events, or a little holiday shopping, this list has something for everyone.

Holidays

WildWoods AGLOW

When: Now–Feb. 23 (select nights)
Where: Fernbank Museum, 767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta
What: A multi-sensory experience blending real environments with glowing displays and original music. Discover large dandelions, dragonflies, bat displays, glowing garden towers, and more.
How Much: Starting at $23.95
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Holidays at Georgia Aquarium

When: Now–Jan. 2
Where: Georgia Aquarium, 222 Baker Street NW, Atlanta
What: Festive holiday music, winter-inspired projections, a 40-foot live tree, photos with Santa, a holiday-themed dolphin presentation, and more.
How Much: Starting at $39.99
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IllumiNights at the Zoo

When: Now–Jan. 19
Where: Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta
What: A nighttime wonderland with lanterns, hot cocoa, roasted marshmallows, and more.
How Much: Starting at $20.99
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Georgia Festival of Trees

When: Nov. 23–Dec. 1
Where: Gas South Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth
What: A festival with fully decorated Christmas trees, live entertainment, Santa visits, a boutique gift shop, and more. Proceeds benefit local charities.
How Much: Starting at $15
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Merry Grinchmas Market

When: 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Nov. 23–24
Where: Catoosa Colonnade Event Center, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold
What: Over 100 vendors offering unique gifts, food trucks, free pictures with Santa, the Grinch, and Cindy Lou Who.
How Much: $5 general admission for adults
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12th Annual Christmas Parade, Jingle Market & Tree Lighting

When: 2–8 p.m., Nov. 23
Where: Dawsonville City Hall, 415 GA-53, Dawsonville
What: A festive market, parade, food trucks, and a tree lighting at dusk.
How Much: Free admission
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Mable House Lights The Night

When: 4 p.m., Nov. 23
Where: Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road SW, Mableton
What: Kicking off a 12-day celebration with a makers market, live entertainment, refreshments, and a tree lighting.
How Much: Free admission
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Light Up Trilith

When: 4–8 p.m., Nov. 23
Where: Town at Trilith, 305 Trilith Parkway, Fayetteville
What: Live music, festive activities, Santa visits, food trucks, and a tree lighting at 8 p.m.
How Much: Free admission
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Light the Station

When: 6–9 p.m., Nov. 23
Where: Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta
What: A parade with floats, bands, stilt walkers, ice skating, a DJ, and the lighting of a 50-foot Christmas tree.
How Much: Free admission
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Atlanta Christkindl Market

When: Nov. 23–Jan. 5
Where: Buckhead Village District and Galleria on the Park
What: German-inspired food, handcrafted goods, and Santa appearances.
How Much: Free admission
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Misfits Toys Market

When: 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Nov. 23
Where: Harmony Park, 380 Mead Road, Decatur
What: Handmade goods, oddities, crafts, and a DJ.
How Much: Free admission
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Holiday in the Park

When: Nov. 23–Jan. 5 (select nights)
Where: Six Flags Over Georgia, 275 Riverside Parkway SW, Austell
What: Over 1 million LED lights, festive shows, holiday treats, rides, and Santa visits.
How Much: $40+
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Dunwoody Village Holiday Celebration

When: 4–6:30 p.m., Nov. 24
Where: Dunwoody Village, Downtown Dunwoody
What: Performances, family-friendly activities, free Santa photos, a tree lighting, and a lantern parade.
How Much: Free admission
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Music

The Reflex

When: 7 p.m., Nov. 22
Where: MadLife Stage & Studios, 8722 Main Street, Woodstock
What: An Atlanta-based Duran Duran tribute band.
How Much: Starting at $29.50
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The Lone Bellow

When: 7 p.m., Nov. 22
Where: Eddie’s Attic, 515 N. McDonough Street, Decatur
What: Folk rock band with a fan-curated setlist as part of their “By Request Only” tour.
How Much: $40 general admission
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The Fab Four

When: 7:30 p.m., Nov. 22
Where: Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta
What: An ultimate tribute to The Beatles.
How Much: Starting at $35
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Stephen Wilson Jr.

When: 8 p.m., Nov. 22
Where: Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta
What: Americana artist on his “Son of Dad” tour.
How Much: Starting at $29
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Jabroni Fest 9

When: Nov. 22–23
Where: Boggs Social & Supply, 1310 White Street SW, Atlanta
What: Performances by multiple bands, including The Carolyn, Seafulls, Chimes, and others.
How Much: $20 for a one-day pass, $30 for a two-day pass
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Manchester Orchestra

When: 7 p.m., Nov. 23
Where: The Eastern, 800 Old Flat Shoals Road SE, Atlanta
What: Celebrating the 15th anniversary of their album Mean Everything to Nothing during their “Stuffing XIV” tour.
How Much: Starting at $49.50
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Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time

When: 7:30 p.m., Nov. 23
Where: State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta
What: Mariah Carey celebrates the 30th anniversary of her Merry Christmas album.
How Much: Starting at $79.95
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Musiq Soulchild

When: 7 p.m. & 10 p.m., Nov. 23
Where: City Winery, 650 North Ave. NE, Atlanta
What: One of the most influential R&B singers of this generation.
How Much: Starting at $75
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Cowboy – Tribute to Kid Rock

When: 9:45 p.m., Nov. 23
Where: 37 Main, 37 East Main Street, Buford
What: Kid Rock tribute band performing across major venues and biker events.
How Much: $10+
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Mannheim Steamroller Christmas

When: 3 p.m., Nov. 24
Where: Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta
What: Enjoy timeless Christmas classics performed by Mannheim Steamroller.
How Much: Starting at $49.50
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Comedy

Lucas Zelnick

When: Nov. 21–24 (multiple shows)
Where: The Punchline, 3652 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta
What: New York native Lucas Zelnick rose to fame on social media and now tours as a comedian.
How Much: Starting at $28
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Art

The Art of Competition Tour

When: Nov. 23
Where: ABV Gallery, 1206 Metropolitan Ave. SE, Atlanta
What: A live art battle featuring DJs, drinks, and more.
How Much: Starting at $18
More Info

Theater

Beauty and the Beast Jr.

When: 7 p.m., Nov. 22
Where: Roswell Cultural Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell
What: Roswell Youth Theatre presents the junior version of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
How Much: $16.50+
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Other

Laughs, Llamas, and Pajamas

When: 6–8 p.m., Nov. 21
Where: Uptown Atlanta, 575 Morosgo Drive NE, Atlanta
What: Llamas in pajamas, a comedy show, children’s activities, crafts, and more.
How Much: Free admission
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Upper Deck Golf at Truist Park

When: Nov. 21–23
Where: Truist Park
What: Play golf from the upper level of Truist Park while enjoying music, food, and drinks. Tee times are available throughout the day.
How Much: Starting at $89.99
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Cobb County Gem & Mineral Society Annual Show

When: Nov. 22–24
Where: Cobb County Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta
What: Rocks, gemstones, fossils, beads, jewelry, and supplies from over 30 professional dealers.
How Much: Free admission
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Acworth Turkey Chase

When: Nov. 23
Where: Downtown Acworth
What: Includes the Little Pilgrim Trot, a 2K walk, and a 5K run. A qualifier for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race.
How Much: Starting at $10 for Little Pilgrim Trot, $20 for untimed fun run, $30 for timed run
More Info

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