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Peachtree Road Race T-shirt sparks debate over color, design

The design, titled "We the Peaches," was created by Marietta artist Dyan Szall and unveiled Saturday.

Culture

Days after tens of thousands of people walked, wheeled and ran the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race, Atlantans are still talking about this year&#x27;s T-shirt.Why it matters: Receiving the shirt at the end of the race is the pinnacle of Atlanta&#x27;s 4th of July tradition of running a 10K in the Georgia heat and humidity along the city&#x27;s most famous street from Buckhead to Midtown.

Where to watch July 4th fireworks around Atlanta this weekend

From Stone Mountain to Truist Park, here's where to catch fireworks and other holiday weekend fun.

Things to Do

Put in your ear plugs, open your eyes wide, and celebrate America&#x27;s 250th birthday with some colorful explosions in the sky.Pro tip: Expect traffic delays and road closures early Saturday morning in Midtown and Buckhead due to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlantatrackclub.org/peachtree" data-vars-content-id="11bceacb-4147-4609-9cd8-ee89e7e8b2ae" data-vars-headline="Where to watch July 4th fireworks around Atlanta this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlantatrackclub.org/peachtree" target="_blank">Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race</a>, and in places where holiday parades and events are planned<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">🎆 Fireworks!</h2>Stone Mountain Park: One of the Southeast&#x27;s largest July 4th celebrations features a drones, lasers, music, and nightly fireworks. (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="through July 6" data-vars-click-url="https://www.stonemountainpark.com/" data-vars-content-id="11bceacb-4147-4609-9cd8-ee89e7e8b2ae" data-vars-headline="Where to watch July 4th fireworks around Atlanta this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.stonemountainpark.com/" target="_blank">through July 6</a>)

4 years after closing, Barnes & Noble returns to Edgewood

The store will open at 10am Wednesday, July 8. Atlanta author Tayari Jones will cut the ribbon and sign copies of her new book, "Kin."

Business

Four years after closing its store in Edgewood, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Barnes &amp; Noble" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/01/barnes-noble-new-bookstores" data-vars-content-id="aba4f496-d8c4-4993-abcb-03870029df4a" data-vars-headline="4 years after closing, Barnes &amp; Noble returns to Edgewood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/01/barnes-noble-new-bookstores" target="_self">Barnes &amp; Noble</a> will re-establish its presence in the east-side neighborhood with a new store. Why it matters: The reopening is part of Barnes &amp; Noble&#x27;s plan to open dozens of stores this year across the country.

Wellstar uses federal grant to expand maternal care in rural Georgia

The $1.2 million federal Health Resources and Services Administration grant allows Wellstar to expand obstetrician and gynecological care and hire three doulas.

Health

Wellstar Health System is using a federal grant to help improve health outcomes for pregnant women and new mothers in nine rural counties across Georgia.Why it matters: Georgia continues to have worse-than-average infant and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="maternal health" data-vars-click-url="https://thecurrentga.org/2026/07/02/report-nearly-90-of-georgias-maternal-deaths-were-preventable/" data-vars-content-id="49b1799b-b7ac-46d0-8caa-05f315b0f1b3" data-vars-headline="Wellstar uses federal grant to expand maternal care in rural Georgia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thecurrentga.org/2026/07/02/report-nearly-90-of-georgias-maternal-deaths-were-preventable/" target="_blank">maternal health</a> outcomes. According to a 2025 March of Dimes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/reports/georgia/report-card" data-vars-content-id="49b1799b-b7ac-46d0-8caa-05f315b0f1b3" data-vars-headline="Wellstar uses federal grant to expand maternal care in rural Georgia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/reports/georgia/report-card" target="_blank">report</a>, the state&#x27;s infant mortality rate was 7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023, higher than the national average of 5.6.<ul><li>The preterm birth rate (11.8) is also higher than the national average (10.4).</li></ul>

Georgia House shelves redistricting in special session

Lawmakers sidelined new political maps for now, despite pressure to move quickly this summer.

Politics

Georgia House Republicans shelved plans to redraw political maps during a special legislative session that began Wednesday.Why it matters: Georgia Republicans worried a redistricting fight over state legislative and congressional seats could energize Democrats and overshadow the campaign season.

Rick Jackson wins Republican runoff for governor's race

Jackson will face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms in the Nov. 3 general election.

Billionaire health care executive Rick Jackson, who entered the governor&#x27;s race late and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pledged loyalty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/trump-georgia-endorsement-maga-mantle-governor-primary-runoff-rcna349226" data-vars-content-id="e7d89255-fe3e-48bf-82ab-b54d95950bb3" data-vars-headline="Rick Jackson wins Republican runoff for governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/trump-georgia-endorsement-maga-mantle-governor-primary-runoff-rcna349226" target="_blank">pledged loyalty</a> to President Trump, won Tuesday&#x27;s Republican primary runoff election.Why it matters: Jackson, who failed to secure <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump&#x27;s support" data-vars-click-url="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/11/trump-burt-jones-georgia-governor-00504647" data-vars-content-id="e7d89255-fe3e-48bf-82ab-b54d95950bb3" data-vars-headline="Rick Jackson wins Republican runoff for governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/11/trump-burt-jones-georgia-governor-00504647" target="_blank">Trump&#x27;s support</a> over rival Burt Jones, will face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms in the Nov. 3 general election.

Collins wins Georgia GOP Senate runoff, advances to Ossoff fight

Collins wins Georgia GOP Senate runoff, will face Ossoff

The result sets up one of the nation's most closely watched Senate races.

Republican Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mike Collins " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/27/mike-collins-georgia-senate-race-trump" data-vars-content-id="ca5bcfa3-dd63-4eab-ab4e-c8090386aff1" data-vars-headline="Collins wins Georgia GOP Senate runoff, advances to Ossoff fight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/27/mike-collins-georgia-senate-race-trump" target="_self">Mike Collins </a>on Tuesday defeated Derek Dooley and will face off against Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) in November.Why it matters: President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="ca5bcfa3-dd63-4eab-ab4e-c8090386aff1" data-vars-headline="Collins wins Georgia GOP Senate runoff, advances to Ossoff fight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> endorsed Collins after the May 19 primary. He now faces a well-funded Democratic incumbent who&#x27;s won a statewide campaign in Georgia before.<ul><li>Republicans view the Georgia Democrat&#x27;s seat as key to maintaining control of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Senate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/gop-senate-midterms-2026" data-vars-content-id="ca5bcfa3-dd63-4eab-ab4e-c8090386aff1" data-vars-headline="Collins wins Georgia GOP Senate runoff, advances to Ossoff fight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/gop-senate-midterms-2026" target="_self">U.S. Senate</a>.</li></ul>

PAD halts operations at Diversion Center amid city contract dispute

The Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative, known as PAD, told Axios proposed contract changes by the city would make it harder to serve clients.

The city of Atlanta and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlantapad.org/" data-vars-content-id="55a20336-cdcf-4565-8b3c-d19e63251665" data-vars-headline="PAD halts operations at Diversion Center amid city contract dispute" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlantapad.org/" target="_blank">Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative</a> are again at odds over changes to their contract that the latter contends will affect how they serve clients.Why it matters: The dispute over the contract, which expired at the end of December, means PAD has not been able to accept new clients who are referred to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Center for Diversion Services" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlantapad.org/diversion-center" data-vars-content-id="55a20336-cdcf-4565-8b3c-d19e63251665" data-vars-headline="PAD halts operations at Diversion Center amid city contract dispute" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlantapad.org/diversion-center" target="_blank">Center for Diversion Services</a>.

Ossoff and Bottoms fire up Democratic voters at Atlanta rally

Sunday's rally was the first joint appearance by the pair, who hope to capitalize on the surge of voter turnout in the Democratic primary.

U.S. Sen Jon Ossoff and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms came together Sunday to convince voters that party unity is Democrats&#x27; best shot at winning in November.Why it matters: Sunday&#x27;s rally was the first joint appearance by the pair, who are banking on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surge of Democratic voter turnout" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ajc.com/politics/2026/05/democrats-outpace-republicans-in-early-voting-in-georgia-primaries/" data-vars-content-id="b4dff614-fde3-4014-bdf7-be72b2ed7e0a" data-vars-headline="Ossoff and Bottoms fire up Democratic voters at Atlanta rally" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ajc.com/politics/2026/05/democrats-outpace-republicans-in-early-voting-in-georgia-primaries/" target="_blank">surge of Democratic voter turnout</a> in the May 19 primary to lead to a victory on Nov. 3.

Georgia primary results: Supreme Court, lieutenant governor

Candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, lieutenant governor and more must get voters back to the polls

Here&#x27;s what happened in Tuesday&#x27;s down-ballot races:🧑‍⚖️ Judicial races: Former Democratic state Sen. Jen Jordan&#x27;s and plaintiff attorney Miracle Rankin&#x27;s efforts to oust Republican-backed Georgia Supreme Court Justices Charlie Bethel and Sarah Warren failed.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump election interference case" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/26/georgia-drops-trump-election-prosecution" data-vars-content-id="c26131f2-8e29-4899-8496-07243b7d5fd9" data-vars-headline="Georgia primary results: Supreme Court, lieutenant governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/26/georgia-drops-trump-election-prosecution" target="_self">Trump election interference case</a> prosecutor Will Wooten also lost his bid to unseat Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Trenton Brown. Brown was part of the appellate panel that disqualified Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.</li></ul>

Georgia election results: GOP gubernatorial primary heads to runoff

The winner of the runoff will face Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Georgia&#x27;s Republican gubernatorial primary is headed to a runoff next month after no candidate secured a majority of the vote.<ul><li>The winner of the runoff will face Keisha Lance Bottoms, who clinched the Democratic nomination with 57% of the vote. </li></ul>Why it matters: Incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited, so Georgia voters will elect a new governor this year.

Georgia primary voters choose nominees in high-stakes 2026 races

More than 1 million voters cast early ballots before Tuesday's statewide primary contests.

Georgia voters head to the polls Tuesday in high-stakes primaries for statewide offices, legislative seats and unusually contentious judicial races.Why it matters: Georgia&#x27;s primaries are an early test of voter enthusiasm in one of the country&#x27;s top battleground states and set the stage for a potential overhaul of state government.

DAs will challenge bill that makes their offices nonpartisan

House Bill 369 makes certain countywide races nonpartisan in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.

Two metro Atlanta district attorneys say they&#x27;ll take legal action against a controversial law that makes certain countywide positions nonpartisan.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="House Bill 369" data-vars-click-url="https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/247976" data-vars-content-id="5d5fda67-c536-4cbc-a1ed-71cb979cc142" data-vars-headline="DAs will challenge bill that makes their offices nonpartisan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/247976" target="_blank">House Bill 369</a>, which was passed by the Republican-led General Assembly, only affects voters in Democratic-leaning Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.

Kemp calls special session to redraw Georgia congressional maps

New maps could break up majority-Black districts in Congress and the state General Assembly.

Georgia lawmakers will convene a special session next month to consider redrawing state House, state Senate and congressional district boundaries and determine how voters will cast ballots later this year.Why it matters: New maps could break up majority-Black congressional districts and dilute Black- and other minority-majority districts in the General Assembly.

Politics 🇺🇸

Georgia House shelves redistricting in special session

Rick Jackson wins Republican runoff for governor's race

Collins wins Georgia GOP Senate runoff, advances to Ossoff fight

PAD halts operations at Diversion Center amid city contract dispute

Ossoff and Bottoms fire up Democratic voters at Atlanta rally