A.M. ATL: 🍸 All or nothing?

Morning, y’all. Temperatures are back in the 20s this morning — and it’s looking increasingly likely that metro Atlanta will see some snow (and ice and sleet) later this week. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for Friday.

Otherwise, we’ve got a funny story about Jimmy Carter, a truly massive data center proposal and a big-time win for Georgia men’s basketball. Plus, your French fry favorites!

But first: How not to keep a resolution.

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JUST GIVE IT A SHOT

A holiday bundle of non-alcoholic spirits from Atlanta-based The Zero Proof.

Ah, January. The most ambitious month.

The time when people publicly make promises to themselves about being better. Working out. Eating healthy. Eschewing alcohol altogether.

For a week or two, at least.

• As my colleague Nedra Rhone points out in her latest column, Jan. 10 is (very unofficially) referred to as National Quitters Day. Most folks give up on their goals for the New Year right around then.

Which is depressing! But not without explanation.

Going all in can backfire when it comes to things like Dry January — mess up one day and the tendency is to call it. You’re a failure. The bigger, truer goal of just … drinking less? That gets forgotten in a flash.

• “These challenges rely too much on proving to others and external motivation rather than what is the deeper intrinsic motivation,” the clinical director at one recovery center told Nedra.

Far be it from me to pooh-pooh anyone’s quest for personal improvement, especially when it comes to booze. The U.S. Surgeon General recently declared alcohol “a well-established, preventable cause of cancer” that’s responsible for something like 100,000 cases every year.

That’s resolution fuel right there.

The point, though, is to get out there and get after it, no matter what the goal.

And cut yourself a little slack while you’re at it.

Make sure to read Nedra’s column for more — and if you’re observing Dry January, check out our guide to ditching the booze this month and beyond.

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PRESIDENTIAL PROCESSION

Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff pay their respects as former President Jimmy Carter lies in state inside the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

Jimmy Carter’s funeral procession departed Georgia and made its way to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, with the former president being honored at the U.S. Naval Memorial before a somber service at the U.S. Capitol. (More photos here.)

• On a lighter (and stranger) note: AJC columnist Bill Torpy writes about the time Carter and conservative radio host Neal Boortz … took a hot-air balloon ride together.

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THAT’S BILLION, WITH A ‘B’

Amazon Web Services says it’s planning to spend an estimated $11 billion on data center expansions just outside metro Atlanta — projects that combined would “likely rank as the largest corporate investment in state history by dollar amount.”

• Carvana to add 200 new jobs at expanded south Atlanta auction center

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LOCAL HOUR

» Atlanta City Council members will get a $27,000 pay bump next year. The mayor will earn an extra $35,000 or so. But both numbers are about half what was originally proposed.

» More than a year behind schedule, DeKalb County is finally building a “pet neighborhood” aimed at relieving severe overcrowding at the local animal shelter.

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PRISON AND POLITICS

The interior of one Georgia prison.

Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday recommended spending more than $600 million over the next 18 months to try and address Georgia’s prison crisis. The proposal comes after an AJC investigative series repeatedly highlighted the system’s widespread issues with staffing, violence and corruption.

• The Georgia GOP wants to expel Geoff Duncan from the party
• Bill named after Laken Riley the first one passed by U.S. House in 2025

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MISUSE OF FORCE?

Down in Warm Springs (the one-time stomping grounds of Franklin Delano Roosevelt), the former police chief recently filed a lawsuit. Why? He says the city fired him and suspended almost his entire department without providing a concrete explanation.

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BALLING OUT

Georgia's Asa Newell celebrates with fans after the Bulldogs' win over No. 6 Kentucky.

Georgia men’s basketball took it to No. 6 Kentucky last night, playing smothering defense to score an 82-69 upset win. The Bulldogs now sit at 13-2 on the season — and may be destined for their first NCAA Tournament appearance in nearly a decade, Michael Cunningham writes.

“It was amazing,” freshman Asa Newell said. “They told me that the ‘Steg’ was going to be rocking, and it definitely rocked tonight.”

• Hawks: Not to be outdone, Trae Young hit a half-court shot to seal a 124-121 win over the Jazz.

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RIP, HOLLYWOOD 24

The Regal Hollywood 24 — you know the one, right off I-85 near Chamblee — was once metro Atlanta’s busiest movie theater. Now it’s closed for good.

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FRENCH FRIED FEEDBACK

The sesame fries at Yumbii are tossed with sesame oil and a sweet-salty seasoning that includes the heat of Korean chili flakes.

Yesterday I wrote about Chick-fil-A’s tweaked waffle fry recipe and asked y’all your favorite Atlanta spots for fries. Here’s a selection of the responses, the typical fast food joints set aside.

• 🤤 Del loves Le Bilboquet, a French bistro in Buckhead: “They are crispy, thin, and just about perfect, served in a paper cone.”
• 🍟 John suggests Holeman & Finch. And Shake Shack, too!
• 🤔 Hersch digs Yumbii and their sesame fries (but prefers regular ketchup, not their chipotle version).

My slightly offbeat suggestions: Farm Burger’s FB fries come with garlic and parmesan and always hit the spot. And The Po’Boy Shop in Decatur offers what are essentially super thin, crispy steak fries — fantastic.

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MORE TO EXPLORE

» Ted Turner recuperating from a bout of pneumonia

» Atlanta school board appoints new member to fill District 6 seat

» Jail diversion services restart in Atlanta

» Georgia ACA health insurance enrollment surges again, to 1.5 million

» Local pastry chefs discuss how they keep the dining scene sweet

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