Atlanta

• MLS teams are scheduled to play one final match before entering the international break for the 2026 World Cup. • The league is projected to set a new record this summer for the highest number of active MLS players selected for World Cup squads. • This trend highlights the growing global competitiveness and talent level within Major League Soccer.

City official says staffers were performing ‘routine park maintenance’ where 15 people have gathered for monthsCity employees in Atlanta, Georgia, recently threw away tents, medication, identification and other belongings of unhoused people at a public park without warning. This led activists and a local official to point to an apparent violation of procedures created after a city employee ran over a tent with a front loader last year, killing a man.The sweep through the park occurred less than a mile from a popular spot for World Cup watch parties, drawing into focus ongoing tension over the issue of what happens to the city’s several thousand unhoused people during the month-long event. Continue reading...

• All Stripes, the LGBTQ+ supporter group for Atlanta United, has partnered with Pride House to ensure the safety and inclusion of LGBTQ+ fans during the 2026 World Cup in Atlanta. • The collaboration aims to provide dedicated venues for visitors to watch matches and engage with LGBTQ+ sports issues, countering human rights concerns raised in a recent travel advisory. • This initiative is critical for creating a supportive environment for international travelers and locals amid the large-scale sporting event.

• Atlanta Braves climbed to the top of MLB Power Rankings for the first time this season with a 30-13 record, up from No. 3 last week. • The Braves' offensive surge is powered by Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin, while the Dodgers fell to No. 2 after their top hitters cooled off, including Shohei Ohtani's 11-game homer drought ended Tuesday. • Top five remains stable with Yankees, Cubs, and Rays holding positions 3-5; St. Louis Cardinals entered top 10 at No. 10 with a 24-18 record after series wins over Dodgers, Pirates, and a split with Padres.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees are reluctant to return to work following a deadly shooting at the agency's Atlanta headquarters on Friday. • The shooting incident has created a climate of fear and uncertainty among CDC staff about workplace safety and security protocols. • CDC leadership is facing pressure to address employee concerns and implement enhanced security measures to restore confidence in the workplace.

Students and faculty have also protested against surveillance cameras on campus and handling of racist posts by a studentAtlanta’s Emory University is facing a lawsuit from three tenured professors over its handling of 2024 protests against Israel’s assault on Gaza, capping off a tumultuous end to the spring semester.In recent months faculty and students have also demanded the removal of Flock surveillance cameras on campus, and Black law school students and others protested the school’s response to a student’s social media posts and emails that were filled with the N-word. Continue reading...

• The New York Knicks overwhelmed the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4 with a blowout victory, securing a commanding series advantage. • The Hawks' defensive struggles and offensive inefficiency led to their decisive defeat in front of the Knicks' home crowd. • New York's dominant performance positions them favorably as they look to advance further in the playoff bracket.