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I-285 in Atlanta closes this weekend. Here's how to get around it.

Weather permitting, I-285 will be closed between the Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (Exit 9) and Cascade Road (Exit 7) interchanges between Friday evening and Monday morning.

Transit

The Georgia Department of Transportation will shut down Interstate 285 on Atlanta&#x27;s west side this weekend as part of a project to rebuild that part of the highway.Why it matters: Closing a major interstate in a city that already suffers from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traffic congestion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/10/29/were-spending-more-time-stuck-in-traffic-in-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="da8f7203-7c4b-4c0b-a38b-f346fb99e647" data-vars-headline="I-285 in Atlanta closes this weekend. Here&#x27;s how to get around it." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/10/29/were-spending-more-time-stuck-in-traffic-in-atlanta" target="_self">traffic congestion</a> will make getting around even harder.

Atlanta Beltline bike and scooter lane proposal alarms rail advocates

Transit supporters say Council member Mary Norwood's idea would kill rail's future along the Beltline.

Atlanta Beltline transit advocates are breathing a sigh of relief after a City Council proposal to build separate bike and scooter lanes — which could threaten future rail plans — was pulled.Why it matters: Rail transit has been central to the Beltline vision for decades. But recent opposition from residents and developers concerned over costs, construction and compatibility has slowed momentum.

How to see the FIFA World Cup trophy in Atlanta

Fans can visit The Home Depot Backyard for soccer experiences Friday and Saturday.

Sports

Fans of soccer and shiny gold objects will have an opportunity this weekend to see the FIFA World Cup trophy in person.Driving the news: The Coca Cola-sponsored Trophy Tour will make a stop at The Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this Friday and Saturday from 2-9pm.

Kemp calls special session to redraw Georgia congressional maps

New maps could break up majority-Black districts in Congress and the state General Assembly.

Politics

Georgia lawmakers will convene a special session next month to consider redrawing state House, state Senate and congressional district boundaries and determine how voters will cast ballots later this year.Why it matters: New maps could break up majority-Black congressional districts and dilute Black- and other minority-majority districts in the General Assembly.

U.S. Soccer opens first-ever permanent home in Fayette County

The 200-acre complex gives American soccer a base to develop players and write history.

U.S. Soccer Federation officials were looking for the organization&#x27;s first permanent home in its 113-year history. They found it in Fayette County.Why it matters: The newly opened Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center deepens metro Atlanta&#x27;s soccer footprint and fuels more housing and retail growth on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="booming southside" data-vars-click-url="https://www.georgiatrend.com/2026/02/28/south-metro-atlanta-the-next-chapter/" data-vars-content-id="854e9680-da1a-4777-883f-f37d9a7198a2" data-vars-headline="U.S. Soccer opens first-ever permanent home in Fayette County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.georgiatrend.com/2026/02/28/south-metro-atlanta-the-next-chapter/" target="_blank">booming southside</a>.

South Downtown Atlanta sprints to open before World Cup

Crews are rushing to open restaurants, parks and pop-ups ahead of eight matches downtown.

Development

The FIFA World Cup is 45 days away, and more than 10 contractor crews are working simultaneously against the clock to turn South Downtown Atlanta into a food, retail and activity hub.Why it matters: South Downtown is undergoing a multi-block construction blitz to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rebuild a walkable historic neighborhood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/04/11/south-downtown-jon-birdsong-david-cummings" data-vars-content-id="22e50859-c5ff-4e4d-b9c9-e75569ac41c0" data-vars-headline="South Downtown Atlanta sprints to open before World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/04/11/south-downtown-jon-birdsong-david-cummings" target="_self">rebuild a walkable historic neighborhood</a> with local businesses before the city hosts eight games, including one semifinal match.Yes, but: Most of the investments — wider sidewalks, new public spaces — and new businesses are meant to last long after the World Cup ends.

Georgia Tech turns dorms into World Cup stays

With 500,000 visitors expected, Tech is offering $237-a-night rooms near Atlanta's Fan Zone.

News

Georgia Tech is joining your neighbors (and maybe you) and getting in on the FIFA World Cup <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home-sharing bandwagon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/04/10/airbnb-fifa-world-cup-rentals-cost" data-vars-content-id="a9433540-7fc5-4044-a199-4b1373b35f5d" data-vars-headline="Georgia Tech turns dorms into World Cup stays" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/04/10/airbnb-fifa-world-cup-rentals-cost" target="_self">home-sharing bandwagon</a>.Why it matters: Atlanta&#x27;s host committee expects hundreds of thousands of people to visit the city during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the six-week tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/12/2026-fifa-world-cup-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="a9433540-7fc5-4044-a199-4b1373b35f5d" data-vars-headline="Georgia Tech turns dorms into World Cup stays" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/12/2026-fifa-world-cup-atlanta" target="_self">the six-week tournament</a>, which starts on June 11.<ul><li>Those visitors need a place to sleep. As with college students, sometimes anywhere will suffice.</li></ul>

Braves use Opening Day to mark 60 years in Atlanta

An on-field ceremony Friday before the first pitch will mark the team's 60 years in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Braves kick off the 2026 season at home Friday with a three-game stretch against the Kansas City Royals, and fans are invited to join the festivities.Why it matters: This season marks 60 years since the Braves have called Atlanta home.

NBA cancels Hawks' Magic City Night after backlash

The NBA canceled the Atlanta Hawks' planned "Magic City Night" promotion days after the idea went viral and sparked backlash online.

The NBA late Monday canceled the Atlanta Hawks&#x27; planned &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Magic City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/08/15/magic-city-documentary-debuts-today-on-starz" data-vars-content-id="1fd2b3af-e5ac-42f3-b04a-3764ba2cb1b3" data-vars-headline="NBA cancels Hawks&#x27; Magic City Night after backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/08/15/magic-city-documentary-debuts-today-on-starz" target="_self">Magic City</a> Night&quot; promotion after backlash, commissioner Adam Silver said.Driving the news: The league pulled the plug just days after the team announced the idea and it quickly went viral online.

Falcons close the book on Kirk Cousins era in Atlanta

After eight playoff misses, releasing the veteran QB frees cap space and hands the reins to Michael Penix Jr.

The Atlanta Falcons plan to cut ties with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, closing out a $180-million investment that never produced sustained success.Why it matters: The Falcons&#x27; short-lived quarterback experiment created confusion about the team&#x27;s direction and stalled momentum during another losing season.<ul><li>The team plans to release the veteran from the roster when the new league year starts next month, Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ajc.com/sports/2026/02/new-gm-ian-cunningham-says-falcons-plan-to-release-quarterback-kirk-cousins/" data-vars-content-id="8c6f71a6-4a5f-4d2b-a5b9-2741aab0d70a" data-vars-headline="Falcons close the book on Kirk Cousins era in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ajc.com/sports/2026/02/new-gm-ian-cunningham-says-falcons-plan-to-release-quarterback-kirk-cousins/" target="_blank">announced</a> Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.</li></ul>

MARTA preps for massive ridership during FIFA World Cup

Elected officials and civic and business leaders are hoping MARTA can handle the ridership surge in June.

MARTA says it&#x27;s prepared to transport hundreds of thousands of soccer fans from around the globe when the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/12/2026-fifa-world-cup-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="6a3b3b94-dc6e-4292-909b-c33744eae346" data-vars-headline="MARTA preps for massive ridership during FIFA World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/12/2026-fifa-world-cup-atlanta" target="_self">FIFA World Cup</a> comes to town.Why it matters: MARTA moves millions of people every year — but it hasn&#x27;t been tested by such a large event since the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Arthur Blank appoints new Falcons president and CEO

Greg Beadles will succeed Rich McKay to serve as president and CEO of the Falcons.

The Atlanta Falcons will undergo significant changes after the team wrapped its eighth consecutive losing season.Why it matters: The shakeup comes days after Falcons owner Arthur Blank <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fired" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/atlanta-falcons-part-ways-with-raheem-morris-terry-fontenot" data-vars-content-id="baecff87-7091-4fe7-b64d-158b92fd538b" data-vars-headline="Arthur Blank appoints new Falcons president and CEO" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/atlanta-falcons-part-ways-with-raheem-morris-terry-fontenot" target="_blank">fired</a> head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot Sunday following the team&#x27;s season-ending game against the New Orleans Saints (which it won). <ul><li>Long-suffering fans are also fed up with a team that often ends the first half with a winning score, but blows the lead and eventually loses in the second half.</li></ul>

Atlanta Airbnb hosts could earn $3M during 2026 World Cup games

A study commissioned by the platform says the average earnings per host in Atlanta will be about $3,700 throughout the games.

Business

Airbnb hosts in Atlanta and other U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/06/2026-fifa-world-cup-schedule" data-vars-content-id="c0d1143b-f308-48e7-b329-0880e00f096c" data-vars-headline="Atlanta Airbnb hosts could earn $3M during 2026 World Cup games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/06/2026-fifa-world-cup-schedule" target="_self">World Cup</a> cities could earn $4,000 on average by renting out their homes during the tournament, research from the company shows.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Visiting fans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/23/2026-world-cup-parking-transit-road-trips" data-vars-content-id="c0d1143b-f308-48e7-b329-0880e00f096c" data-vars-headline="Atlanta Airbnb hosts could earn $3M during 2026 World Cup games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/23/2026-world-cup-parking-transit-road-trips" target="_self">Visiting fans</a> are expected to boost local economies, with Airbnb guests pouring $865 million into accommodations, food, shopping and more nationwide, per a Deloitte <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="study" data-vars-click-url="https://airbnb.app.box.com/s/riy8ulen3labs1ykhfo863hrs57nuesi" data-vars-content-id="c0d1143b-f308-48e7-b329-0880e00f096c" data-vars-headline="Atlanta Airbnb hosts could earn $3M during 2026 World Cup games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://airbnb.app.box.com/s/riy8ulen3labs1ykhfo863hrs57nuesi" target="_blank">study</a> commissioned by the platform.

Charted: Atlanta United player pay

Atlanta United spends nearly $28 million on player payroll

A bar chart that compares 2026 MLS team guaranteed compensation as of April 16. Inter Miami leads at $54.6 million, far ahead of LAFC at $32.6 million. Atlanta United ranks third at $27.9 million. Among the 10 teams shown, Chicago Fire is lowest at $21.7 million.

Sports 🏅

Atlanta United spends nearly $28 million on player payroll

How to see the FIFA World Cup trophy in Atlanta

U.S. Soccer opens first-ever permanent home in Fayette County

South Downtown Atlanta sprints to open before World Cup

Georgia Tech turns dorms into World Cup stays