Morning, y’all! Happy Friday. Hope you had a joyous holiday and are not yet tired of people saying, “Can you believe it’s almost 2025?” (But, can you?!)
It’s Lindsay Deutsch filling in as your A.M. ATL host one last time. Today’s weather: low 50s and a chance of rain through the weekend as temps get warmer.
We’ve had a calm few days of news in metro Atlanta, so I’ll keep this newsletter short and sweet.
Let’s get to it.
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HEADING HOME
Credit: Ben Hendren
Credit: Ben Hendren
Two words for anyone traveling today: Deep. Breaths. Friday is expected to be the busiest day of the holiday season at the Atlanta airport, and officials also project high traffic on roads across the region, particularly in the afternoon.
Just how busy are we talking? Hartsfield-Jackson International expects to host a record-breaking 3.7 million people from Dec. 20-Jan 5 (with today as the season’s peak travel day), the AJC’s Emma Hurt reports.
Things to know for a smooth travel day:
» Arrive early: The airport urges travelers to allow 2½ hours for domestic flights during busy periods like 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m., and three hours for international flights.
» Plan your parking: Due to construction, parking is tight at the airport. Consider taking transit, rideshare or reserving an airport parking spot early.
- Catching MARTA as part of your travels? This rider made a ‘SMARTA’ app to track arrivals
» Get the TSA 411: Review the TSA’s holiday packing reminders, including packing gifts in gift bags rather than wrapping paper in checked bags and carry-ons.
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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AROUND THE STATE
» Georgia Tech leads state in enrollment with multifaceted approach
» Creative initiative to feed Buford Highway families ends after a trial run
» What to know about metro Atlanta’s job gains in November
» Jimmy Carter doesn’t drink. So why is this Savannah bar so dear to him?
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DRAWING THE NEWS
Credit: Mike Luckovich
Credit: Mike Luckovich
Editorial cartoonist Mike Luckovich is known for his poignant visual takes on the news, with cartoons shared widely for their sometimes-biting, sometimes-funny, always conversation-stirring depictions.
This year had plenty to draw about. Check out the Best of Luckovich 2024.
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YELLOW JACKETS AT THE BIRMINGHAM BOWL
Georgia Tech faces Vanderbilt today in the Birmingham Bowl. It’s on at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN (along with other options to tune in). The AJC has you covered with pre and post-game analysis and coverage from Alabama. Check it out:
- Pair of Georgia Tech defensive starters out for Birmingham Bowl
- Birmingham Bowl is long-awaited homecoming for Georgia Tech coach Brent Key
- North Oconee state title puts Georgia Tech’s Buster Faulkner and son in unique club
- Why Trenilyas Tatum graduating from Tech is ‘one of the highlights’ of Brent Key’s career
Here’s info on how to watch the Birmingham Bowl, the odds and more.
Plus, Michael Cunningham has made his usual weekend predictions: Georgia and Georgia Tech win bowls, Falcons lose at Washington. We’ll see what happens.
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HOLIDAY WEEKEND FUN
Looking for something to do this post-Christmas weekend in metro Atlanta? Several Hanukkah events are on the calendar. You can also celebrate Kwanzaa with the family as the Children’s Museum of Atlanta hosts musical drum and dance performances by Djoli Kelen. Here are 15 things to do in metro Atlanta, from Mary Caldwell.
Doing some last-minute planning for New Years Eve? We don’t judge. From Peach Drop to a ‘90s party, here are ideas for New Year’s Eve in Atlanta.
More for the weekend:
» Go on a walk! Here are 8 ways to enjoy Georgia state parks in cold weather.
» Thinking of throwing away your Christmas tree? Try recycling it instead. Here’s a list of where you can do that in metro Atlanta.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
» Stowaway apprehended on Delta Seattle-Honolulu flight
» Teen actor best known for role in Atlanta-filmed ‘Baby Driver’ dead in Alabama
» A talk with Andy Stanley on the church, extremism and getting back to its mission
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ON THIS DATE
Dec. 27, 1932
Radio City Music Hall — billed as the “largest entertainment center of its kind in the world” and a “structural miracle that blossomed in an economic drought” — officially opened in New York City.
It would be another year before the debut of another classic: the venue’s Christmas Spectacular, starring the Rockettes.
Credit: File photo
Credit: File photo
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Thanks for reading to the very bottom of A.M. ATL. Questions, comments, ideas? Contact me at lindsay.deutsch@ajc.com.
Until next time.
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