Morning, y’all, and a hearty shanah tovah to all our Jewish friends observing Rosh Hashana. Expect temperatures in the mid-80s today.
- Also in the forecast: the smoke and chlorine smell wafting west from Conyers and settling over the Atlanta area this morning. Here’s what to do if you start having symptoms.
- President Biden is headed to Helene-ravaged areas of Florida and Georgia today, a day after the veep visited Augusta and announced expanded federal relief efforts.
More on all that — plus the Braves calling it a season — momentarily. But first: music festival maladies.
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ROCKING, OUT?
Credit: Ryan Fleisher for the AJC
Credit: Ryan Fleisher for the AJC
Music festivals are … having a moment.
And not in a good way!
The AJC’s DeAsia Paige reports that One Musicfest, Atlanta’s annual festival for Black music and culture, will take place in Atlanta’s Central Park this month. Not Piedmont Park, as originally planned.
- Organizers attributed the last-minute downsizing to “challenging logistics and economics facing the festival industry.”
I am, admittedly, too old and tired for music festivals these days. Washed, the kids might say. But this development struck a chord — because such decisions seem to be picking up tempo in Atlanta and beyond.
Music Midtown should’ve happened last month but got the ax. The electronic music fest Imagine befell a similar fate. And Sweetwater 420 Fest downsized significantly this year.
So what’s the deal?
Organizers say inflation plays a big role, with everything from portable toilets to security costing more. Not to mention ticket prices. And other folks suggest the younger generations just ain’t feeling it anymore.
Then there’s this, posited by our friend DeAsia: After a yearslong, COVID-19-fueled lull, a lot of major artists are simply touring on their own.
- “Last year alone saw the return of pop stars like Drake, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé on the road, so it’s become increasingly difficult for some festivals to attract consumers who are interested in acts they’ve already paid to see on tour — and often at a lower rate than what festivals are charging.”
Case in point: Among One Musicfest’s five 2024 headliners, Cardi B’s the only one who hasn’t hit the road in the past year or so.
All of that makes sense. And remains kind of a bummer. But here’s to a bigger and better 2025?
Not signed up yet? What’re you waiting for? Get A.M. ATL in your inbox each weekday morning. And keep scrolling for more news.
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HUCK AND HELENE
Credit: Adam Van Brimmer/AJC
Credit: Adam Van Brimmer/AJC
With a wide swath of Georgia continuing its slow climb back from Hurricane Helene, reporter Adam Van Brimmer brings us a happy story — one about a man named Huck, his dog and good Samaritans getting their houseboat back afloat.
“Only another hurricane would have gotten him free from where he was,” one of those Samaritans said.
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CLOSING TIME?
As Rockdale County’s BioLab saga rolls on — and that cloud travels back and forth across metro Atlanta — calls continue mounting for the chemical maker to shut down permanently. U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson and the Georgia Sierra Club joined the chorus Wednesday.
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LUCKY DOGS
Good news! DeKalb County says its new approach to getting “court dogs” out of the local shelter is paying off. Thus far, Coco, Dolce, Janet and Black have all entered foster care or found a forever home.
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READY TO ROLL
Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC
Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC
Every Friday morning, the kiddos from Atlanta’s Parkside Elementary hit the road: pedals churning, music blasting, parents in tow.
It’s called a “bike bus,” a growing trend here and across the country. They love it, and it’s got the grown-ups rethinking everyday life in the city, too. (Don’t miss the video!)
- “It’s opened my eyes,” mom Kristen Silton told the AJC. “The more I get on my bike the more I’m like, why am I not riding my bike more?”
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CAMPUS CONUNDRUM
Meanwhile: More metro Atlanta elementary schools are beefing up security, adding safety-focused staffers and front entrance vestibules meant to limit bad guys’ access. But is it enough to prevent tragedy?
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NOT OUR YEAR
Credit: Jason Getz/AJC
Credit: Jason Getz/AJC
The bullpen put in yeoman’s work after Max Fried’s early exit. Michael Harris II’s eight-inning homer made it a one-run game. But the Braves’ playoff series with the Padres, and their season, ended with a 5-4 loss.
A downer of a finale to a snake-bitten campaign.
“I wish spring training started tomorrow, quite honestly,” manager Brian Snitker said, confirming he intends to stick around for 2025. “I just told the guys that. I can’t wait to get to camp and hopefully have our guys whole again.”
- Dream: Atlanta fired coach Tanisha Wright, whose team reached the WNBA playoffs after finishing the regular season 14-25.
- Falcons: The Dirty Birds host Tampa Bay and a resurgent Baker Mayfield at 8:15 p.m. (Fox 5 and Amazon). Falcons great Matt Ryan joins the team’s Ring of Honor, too.
- United: A 2-1 loss at the hands of Montreal and old friend Josef Martinez put yet another dent in Atlanta’s playoff hopes.
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MMM FOOD
Credit: Courtesy photo
Credit: Courtesy photo
The latest cookbook from AJC food columnist Virgina Willis drops Oct. 15. It’s an updated version of her initial offering called “Bon Appetit, Y’all: Recipes and Stories from Three Generations of Southern Cooking.”
- Go ahead and check out her recipe for seafood gumbo!
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MORE TO EXPLORE
» Feds say Trump ‘resorted to crimes’ after losing 2020 election
» Judge: Suit against State Election Board targeted wrong defendant
» What’s filming in Georgia this month?
» State program gets $156M to increase access to solar power
» Atlanta tech veteran raises $2M for new startup
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ON THIS DATE
Oct. 3, 1995
After an eighth-month trial that captivated America (including my third grade teacher, who played the proceedings in class!), a jury declared former football star OJ Simpson not guilty of killing his ex-wife and a friend.
Credit: File photo
Credit: File photo
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PHOTO OF THE DAY
Credit: Phil Skinner for the AJC
Credit: Phil Skinner for the AJC
AJC contributor Phil Skinner recently caught Susan Perdue (right) giving customer Richard Hermann a trim. Perdue, who was born deaf, is living her dream as a salon manager in Cumming.
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ONE MORE THING
Bank of America’s mobile app went bonkers Wednesday, showing some customers zero balances or refusing access to their accounts altogether. But you do have money (probably?). And things should be fixed now.
So go buy yourself that fancy coffee!
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Thanks for reading to the very bottom of A.M. ATL. Questions, comments, ideas? Contact me at tyler.estep@ajc.com.
Until next time.
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