Happy Thursday, Atlanta! Stay cool!

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny. High around 96, with the heat index as high as 101. Low near 75.

Situational awareness: New data from real estate services firm CBRE says Georgia has leapfrogged Virginia to become North America's leader in data center construction, the AJC reports.

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Dragon Con, the largest sci-fi and fantasy convention in the Southeast and an Atlanta treasure, is back. But you don't need a badge or deep understanding of "Doctor Who" history to experience the fun.

Why it matters: The five-day convention is a Labor Day weekend tradition, and organizers estimate roughly 75,000 people will attend the parties, panels and a concert by a "Star Wars"-themed heavy metal band that performs composer John Williams' scores.

Reality check: One of Atlanta's greatest pastimes — grabbing a drink at the hotel bars and watching cosplayers — may be hard to enjoy.

• As in recent years, organizers say hotels will limit access to Dragon Con badge holders; the Hyatt Regency told Axios the cutoff is Thursday at 4pm.

Yes, but: There are plenty of ways to be one with the con.

🦸 Line the streets: Saturday morning's free parade features every sci-fi and fantasy character you can imagine, plus a phalanx of "Star Wars" stormtroopers and hideous monsters courtesy of Netherworld. The fun starts at 10am and will also be broadcast live on CBS Atlanta.

• Pro tip: The route runs along Peachtree Street and is within walking distance of the North Avenue, Civic Center and Peachtree Center MARTA stations. Don't bother driving.

🕹️ Frogger, anyone? Joystick Gamebar is operating a pop-up arcade running into the wee morning hours with free-play classic games and pinball machines in the former Benihana space on Peachtree Center Avenue.

• $5 gets you an all-day pass. Dragon Con badge holders get in free.

🍔 Feed me, Seymour: Captain America's gotta eat, which means nearby Downtown restaurants will be filled with Con attendees.

🐋 Swim with the fishes: The Georgia Aquarium hosts its after-hours Dragon Con Night on Saturday with music, bars, food and a special sea lion presentation.

• Tickets are $62.99 and a Dragon Con badge doesn't grant admission.

🧝 People watch: The sidewalks, plazas and public spaces surrounding the host hotels become a never-ending display of cosplay as tens of thousands of attendees move between venues.

• Peachtree Center's Hub food court also makes a great base of operations.

The bottom line: There's nothing like Dragon Con weekend in Atlanta. Go enjoy it.

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Go deeper: Dragon Con traditions we love

Labor Day weekend wouldn't be the same in Atlanta without the annual Black Pride celebration.

Why it matters: The weekend of festivities, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, allows Black LGBTQ Atlantans and visitors to come together in a safe space and build community with one another.

First up: The seventh annual Mayor's Black Pride Reception returns Thursday from 5-10pm at Atlanta City Hall. Tickets are $20, and proceeds will benefit the Mayor's Youth Scholarship Program.

What else is happening? The Pure Heat Community Festival runs from noon to 8pm Sunday at Piedmont Park. Expect appearances and performances by Durand Bernarr, Oliver Twixt, Patrice "Sway" McKinney, Saucy Santana, Billy The Goat and more.

Go deeper for more events

Are you ready for some football? Because this weekend is a three-day college football festival.

Thursday: Georgia Tech opens its season against Colorado at Bobby Dodd Stadium at 8pm.

• Head to the Helluva Block Party on Bobby Dodd Way at 4pm or join the ESPN SportsCenter on Campus live broadcast on the top level of the Peters Parking Deck at 5pm.

Friday: Georgia State University hosts North Carolina A&T at 7pm at Center Parc Credit Union Stadium for the two teams' first-ever showdown.

• First-year students are invited to run on the field with the team as part of the #FanFromDay1 tradition.

Saturday: Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the battleground between Auburn and Baylor in the annual Aflac Kickoff Game. The game starts at 3:30pm.

• SEC Nation will broadcast from 9am-noon at Tailgate Town, a free event outside the stadium with food, football activities and contests.

Saturday: Morehouse College plays cross-campus rival Clark Atlanta University for the inaugural ATL Labor Day Classic at B.T. Harvey Stadium.

• Fan Fest starts at 10am and includes food, DJs, a student zone and more.

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Emory University's Department of Film and Media will use the fall semester to celebrate one of America's most widely-respected movie directors.

Why it matters: Spike Lee's legacy stretches across generations, and his films have not only received critical acclaim and awards, but have influenced mainstream American pop culture.

The latest: Emory Cinematheque hosts "40 years of Brother Spike Lee" with weekly screening of his films including "School Daze" (Sept. 9), "Do the Right Thing" (Sept. 16), "Jungle Fever" (Sept. 23) and more.

Zoom in: Emory's screenings are free and open to the public. They will be held Wednesdays at 7:30pm at Room 208 in the White Hall building.

See the full schedule

🚔 An investigation found a police officer in Gwinnett County had 65 DUI cases tossed out or reduced since April 2025 because field sobriety information in police reports did not match body camera footage. (WSB)

🚲 People across Atlanta are finding alternative ways to get around the city as improved infrastructure have made streets safer for walking and biking. (Rough Draft)

⚖️ Shadowbox Studios is appealing a DeKalb County zoning staff decision to deny its request to build a data center on 155 acres of land near the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. (Decaturish)

😭 Kristal is so grateful for Thomas' wisdom that stops her from crashing out over small things she can't control.

👂 Thomas is always happy to lend an ear and accepts most insurance plans.

This newsletter was edited by Crystal Hill.