AGP Executive Report

Braves-Phillies: Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a tying three-run homer and got a curtain call after boos, but Atlanta still rallied to beat Philadelphia 5-4 and push its NL East lead to five games. Local Sports Spotlight: In Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, WWE’s Sunday Night’s Main Event delivered a major Orton-Rhodes rematch finish plus a surprise Bronson Reed return that derailed Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker. Community & Culture: Black-owned vintage and thrift shops in Atlanta are helping preserve fashion and culture while tapping into the booming resale market. College/Prep Sports: Brevard College men’s soccer edged No. 4 Emory 2-1 in the Sonny Carter Invitational finale at Woodruff P.E. Center. Public Safety: South Fulton firefighters battled a massive recycling facility fire, sending thick smoke plumes visible from the airport; officials said the smoke wasn’t toxic but urged people to stay indoors and protect breathing.

Women’s Basketball World Cup: Mali stunned Spain 82-73, with Atlanta Dream forward Sika Kone scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds as Mali turned a halftime deficit into a third-quarter surge. Local Business/Health: Trulieve is opening a new medical cannabis dispensary in Dunwoody (DeKalb) with a Sept. 10 ribbon-cutting and expanded access for metro Atlanta patients. Local Governance/Safety: Cherokee County is considering county-wide rules for e-bikes and e-scooters, aiming to close a regulatory gap and set where devices can be ridden plus safety and enforcement standards. Politics: Georgia’s high-stakes midterm debates are set for October, with governor candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson agreeing to a televised Oct. 6 debate, and U.S. Senate contenders also lined up. Public Safety/Crime: East Point police and SWAT responded to a Bayrose Circle home after reports of gunshots; no suspicious activity was found, and the case remains under investigation. Weather/Power: Severe storms knocked out power across metro Atlanta, with trees down and outages affecting thousands as crews assess damage.

Severe Weather & Power Outages: Storms rolled through metro Atlanta overnight, knocking down trees and leaving more than 50,000 Georgia Power customers and 20,000 Georgia EMC customers without electricity, with traffic signals out in parts of Buckhead. Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United: Lionel Messi made his first match since retiring from international soccer, recording two assists in a 2-2 draw against Atlanta United after a 90+ minute weather delay at Nu Stadium. Animal Shelters Overcrowding: DeKalb and Fulton animal shelters are operating above capacity, forcing weekly euthanization lists as intake surges during warm months. Auburn vs. Baylor (Atlanta): Auburn escaped Baylor 17-16 in the Aflac Kickoff Game, with safety Eric Winters stopping Baylor’s two-point try inches short with nine seconds left. Tennessee Football (Atlanta-area fans): Faizon Brandon starred in Tennessee’s 56-9 season-opening win over Furman, throwing three TD passes and running for two more. Sports Roundup: The Phillies beat the Braves 4-2 behind Zack Wheeler’s strong start, while Orlando City edged San Diego FC 1-0 with Antoine Griezmann scoring early. Public Safety Reminder: A safety alert flagged Horizon chocolate milk and Great Value “triple berry blend.”

Community Development: The City of Atlanta and Atlanta Urban Development Corporation will host a community celebration Sept. 12 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) at Microsoft’s donated Quarry Yards land in Grove Park, marking the company’s last-year donation of about 22.5 acres aimed at affordable housing and neighborhood resources. Public Safety & Surveillance: Athens-Clarke County commissioners heard concerns about Flock license-plate cameras, including claims tied to the firing of an employee over alleged misuse of the system; officials described access rules and approval steps. Metro Atlanta Weather: A Heat Advisory stays in effect for much of north Georgia through Saturday evening, with heat index values near 107 and highs in the mid-to-upper 90s, plus a chance of isolated storms. Sports (Local Connection): Former Atlanta Dream forward Sika Kone helped Mali stun Spain 82-73 at the Women’s Basketball World Cup, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Local News Brief: One person died and two were hospitalized after an incident at a Gwinnett apartment complex Saturday morning; police are still investigating.

Heat & Safety: A heat advisory is in effect across metro Atlanta and North Georgia through Saturday night, with heat indexes near 106 as Labor Day events ramp up, including Dragon Con and Atlanta Black Pride; officials also say rain chances stay modest. Public Safety & Crime: Gwinnett police say at least one person died after a train struck someone near Bankers Industrial Drive; separately, Atlanta police cleared up a “kidnapping” report after confirming a 1-year-old was taken with permission. Local Quality of Life: Residents near the Lindbergh-area Creek Walk Connector are raising alarms about trash and makeshift camps, asking for cleanup plus services for people experiencing homelessness. Tech & Policing: Gwinnett fired and charged three officers over alleged Flock license plate reader misuse, citing new auditing and stricter access rules. Sports (Atlanta): The Braves opened a key series in Philadelphia with a 5-2 win behind Chris Sale and a late Mauricio Dubón homer, pushing the NL East lead to five games. Atlanta Events: Dragon Con’s 40th anniversary continues downtown as thousands pour in, with organizers urging hydration and breaks in the heat.

Public Safety: A wrong-way crash on Highway 29 North in Athens killed one man and sent two others to the hospital early Thursday. Crime & Justice: Atlanta police say three suspects are in custody after a man was shot and killed in a Buckhead apartment parking deck; investigators say they later found the connected vehicle in Cobb County and arrested all three. Corrections: A Douglas County inmate trustee escaped from a sheriff’s car wash, fleeing in a woman’s sedan before being taken back into custody. Border Security: CBP at Hartsfield-Jackson seized more than 4,000 pounds of khat this year, including multiple interdictions in cargo and passenger luggage. Local Life: Dragon Con’s 40th celebration is underway downtown, with a major parade Saturday and heat advisories urging hydration. Transportation & Infrastructure: Hartsfield-Jackson received a $100 million FAA grant for runway, taxiway and terminal upgrades. Education: DeKalb County says five Lakeside High students were hospitalized after a vehicle ran a red light and hit their school bus.

Transportation & Infrastructure: The U.S. DOT announced a $481M push for airport upgrades, with $100M headed to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta for runway, taxiway and terminal work ahead of Labor Day travel. Public Safety & Privacy: Flock surveillance cameras are becoming a campaign flashpoint nationwide, as critics argue the tech enables warrantless mass tracking and supporters call it a crime-fighting tool. Local Law Enforcement: A funeral is set for Warm Springs Officer Chris Fisher, remembered by colleagues as a dedicated officer killed in the line of duty. Metro Crime: An Atlanta man, Carlos Salazar-Garcia, was sentenced to 10 years for smuggling cocaine hidden in “sham” produce and electronics shipments. Community & Health: Atlanta-area families are dealing with a reported apartment mix-up where a tenant says his unit was cleared out and belongings were dumped. Sports (Georgia): Georgia Tech fell to Colorado 14-13 in a season-opening thriller at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Public Safety & Justice: Fulton County agreed to a proposed $68M purchase of the Atlanta City Detention Center, but the deal hinges on the city dropping a condition requiring Fulton to commit $200M toward a new Southside hospital. Law Enforcement Tech Oversight: Metro Atlanta counties are escalating audits after reports of Flock Safety camera misuse, including a Hall County investigator fired for personal tracking and a Clayton County deputy facing GBI review. Violent Crime: An 18-year-old died in a Forsyth County motorcycle crash after a collision with a Honda Pilot; investigators are still sorting out what happened. Courts & Sentencing: A Hall County man was sentenced to more than a decade after abusive head trauma allegations involving his infant; in federal court, an Atlanta-area man received 10 years for smuggling cocaine using sham produce businesses. State Politics: Gov. Brian Kemp marked the two-year anniversary of the Apalachee High School shooting, as Georgia’s governor race heats up with affordability proposals from Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson. Local Economy: Gas South Arena in Duluth begins a $175M, two-year renovation without fully shutting down events. Sports & Culture: Dragon Con returns for its 40th year with an estimated $80M economic impact, while Auburn and Baylor kick off the season in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Falcons QB Decision Still a Group Effort: Atlanta’s Falcons say the Week 1 starting quarterback call won’t be made by one person, with GM Ian Cunningham, coach Kevin Stefanski, president Matt Ryan and owner Arthur Blank all weighing in as Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. continue working back from injuries. Braves Make MLB History: Ronald Acuña Jr. powered the Braves to a 9-0 win over the Nationals, becoming the fastest player to reach 200 homers and 200 stolen bases. Local Housing Push: Fulton County approved new affordable housing developments in Vine City and English Avenue, including an apartment complex and single-family homes aimed at long-term affordability. Labor Day Cost Pressure: Metro Atlantans report gas and food prices staying high heading into the holiday weekend. Public Safety Updates: Atlanta police seek tips on a man allegedly stealing a bike on Monroe Drive and another caught exposing himself on a woman’s porch in Kirkwood. Film Tax Incentives: Georgia entertainment leaders say federal tax incentives backed by Trump could help boost Georgia’s film and TV rebound. Community Event: AIDS Walk Atlanta returns Sept. 26 at Piedmont Park with Kelly Rowland set to headline.

GBI Accountability: Georgia investigators arrested Clayton County Sheriff’s Office deputy Errol Farrell Jr. and charged him with misuse of a license plate reader system after allegations he used the Flock tool for non-law-enforcement purposes. Officer-Involved Shooting: The GBI is also investigating a South Fulton officer-involved shooting that left one man dead after a 911 call about a suicidal man with a gun. Public Safety Tech Debate: Athens-Clarke County leaders heard renewed concerns about Flock cameras after an ACCPD employee was fired over alleged misuse tied to searching for an ex-wife’s vehicle, with officials describing access safeguards. MARTA Service Upgrade: MARTA rolled out a refreshed MARTA Reach on-demand fleet—blue Dodge ProMaster vans with improved accessibility and Breeze tap-to-pay at the door. Health Care Innovation: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is testing a new microneedle “skin stamp” in a clinical trial aimed at preventing peanut allergy reactions. Local Crime/Community: Atlanta police charged a mother after a child was found wandering near Luckie Street; the case is ongoing. Sports & Atlanta: Deion Sanders returns to Atlanta as Georgia Tech hosts Colorado in the season opener, with ESPN carrying the game.

Public Safety: An Atlanta police recruit, Moses Russ, 24, died Tuesday after a motorcycle crash at Moreland Avenue and McDonough Boulevard, with the department and Mayor Andre Dickens calling for prayers for his family and fellow trainees. Crime & Courts: In Gwinnett, a judge granted $100,000 bond with strict house arrest for Danyel Smith after vacating his 2003 murder conviction in a shaken-baby case, while prosecutors appeal. Local Governance: DeKalb County faces a legal fight over a proposed data center after film studio Shadowbox Studios sued over a construction moratorium and asked a zoning board to reverse a denial. Elections: Georgia governor race debate plans are heating up as Keisha Lance Bottoms presses for six statewide debates and Rick Jackson’s team pushes back. Health & Safety Tech: Hall County deputies resigned amid an internal audit tied to unauthorized Flock camera searches, renewing privacy concerns. Metro Life: Hartsfield-Jackson expects about 2.3 million Labor Day travelers, with peak congestion Friday and airport guidance on arriving early and packing firearms properly.

Labor Day Travel: Hartsfield-Jackson expects about 2.3 million passengers over the holiday, with Friday the busiest day (335,000+), and AAA data shows Atlanta is a top domestic destination (No. 10) as gas, airfare and hotels push costs higher. Public Safety & Crashes: A serious crash on Moreland Avenue in southeast Atlanta killed an Atlanta Police Department employee; the road reopened after hours-long disruption. Health: Georgia’s Department of Public Health confirmed additional measles cases tied to a metro Atlanta daycare outbreak, urging families to watch for symptoms and call ahead. Local Governance: Norcross is weighing whether to fund about $30,000 to restore historic windows at a city-owned property, after a downtown development authority previously backed replacement. Entertainment in Georgia: André 3000 is joining Netflix’s live-action “Scooby-Doo: Origins,” filming across metro Atlanta, including Conyers and Rutledge. Sports (MLB): The Braves’ playoff picture is part of a wider MLB homestretch guide as teams sort out wild-card and division matchups.

Falcons-Football: The Atlanta Falcons’ 2026 roster shuffle continues as they claim three players off waivers, adding LB Yasir Abdullah, LB Jared Ivey, and OT Cameron Williams to bolster depth ahead of the season. Braves-Baseball: San Francisco snapped Atlanta’s seven-game win streak with a 7-3 makeup win at Truist Park, led by Rafael Devers’ 30th homer and a big sixth inning. Local Governance: A Stockbridge hearing officer removed Councilwoman Lakeisha Gantt from an investigative panel over allegations against Mayor Jayden Williams, citing contacts with the mayor’s family. Public Safety: Newnan police say a 14-year-old girl was hospitalized after being hit in the head with a golf club during an assault; several arrests were made. Metro Atlanta Weather & Travel: Heat is expected to linger around Metro Atlanta through the weekend, and the week’s road-project guide is out for drivers. Community & Health: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta named a new CEO focused on getting care within 30 minutes of every child.

Sandy Springs Murder Arrest: Police say 17-year-old Christopher Castillo was arrested in the Aug. 28 fatal shooting of 25-year-old Williams Lopez Rodriguez at an apartment complex, with an immigration detainer filed after the arrest. Coweta Game Fight Charges: Six people, including a juvenile, face charges after a fight at the East Coweta–Newnan football game led deputies to recover a stolen handgun that was not fired. Gwinnett Court Appointments: Gov. Brian Kemp named Veronica H. Cope and Kathrine M. Armstrong to Gwinnett Superior Court seats tied to a judge vacancy and 2026 law changes. Metro Job Market: Georgia Labor reports unemployment fell in July, including 2.7% in the Gainesville metro area and statewide declines across regions. Public Health Alert: Four additional measles cases were confirmed in Georgia, all linked to close contacts from an earlier metro daycare outbreak. Crime & Safety: Atlanta police are investigating a burglary at a southeast business where suspects allegedly cut into a safe and stole cartons of cigarettes; no arrests were announced. Health Inspections: Bowties Bar and Grill in Atlanta scored 57 after inspectors found unsafe food temperatures, dirty utensils, and issues with handwashing and allergen training. Parks Access Update: The National Park Service proposed changes to expand e-bike and bicycle access rules across the system, opening for 60 days of public comment.

WNBA Spotlight: Angel Reese powered the Atlanta Dream to an 89-81 win over the league-leading Minnesota Lynx, posting a record-setting 29th double-double and sparking a late-game surge from Rhyne Howard. Local Sports: DeWanna Bonner made her Atlanta debut after signing with the Dream, finishing with seven points in 17 minutes. PGA Tour at East Lake: Scottie Scheffler rallied from three shots back to win the Tour Championship and claim his second FedEx Cup in three years, also passing Tiger Woods for PGA Tour career earnings. College Football (Georgia ties): Howard University beat Alabama A&M 31-24 in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, with Ja’Shawn Scroggins throwing for a career-high 315 yards and a new head coach getting his first win. Atlanta Beltline Update: Stairs connecting Grant Street to the Beltline’s Southside Trail are closed for reconstruction just months after opening, after deficiencies were found. Public Safety: Friends held a vigil for Ramon Harris, killed in a Beltline-area stabbing; police charged Johnathan Hamby.

NFL Roster Deadline: The NFL’s 53-man cutdown hits Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, and the Falcons made the biggest move early—trading CB Clark Phillips III and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Bears for DT Gervon Dexter Sr., a boost to Atlanta’s interior pass rush after injuries left the line thin. Public Health: The FDA approved Rasonque, a daily pill for metastatic pancreatic cancer patients with RAS mutations, shown to extend survival but priced at about $40,000 for a 30-day supply. Sports (Atlanta): The PGA Tour Championship final round at East Lake starts 1:30 p.m. on CBS, with Viktor Hovland leading by one over Ryan Gerard and Scottie Scheffler among the top contenders; the $40M purse includes $10M for the winner. Local Safety & Community: Friends and family held a vigil for Ramon Harris, killed in a Beltline stabbing, calling for change as records show suspect Johnathan Hamby had been arrested at least 30 times. Georgia Policy: Georgia approved a federal fuel waiver aimed at lowering gas prices and increasing fuel supply while keeping quality standards. Weather: Sunday stays sunny and hot near 90, with a stray shower or storm possible.