Since 2010, the cost of healthcare in Georgia school districts has risen astronomically, stressing already-tight budgets. (Illustration: Devinne Moses for the AJC)

Rising healthcare costs are ‘crippling’ Georgia school systems

The cost of healthcare has become one of the biggest financial burdens that Georgia school systems deal with.

Delta jet from Atlanta hit by July 4th firework while landing in Chicago

Ga. teacher gets nearly $300K in settlement over Charlie Kirk social media post

‘Suspected’ gunshots break up metro Atlanta fireworks show

Runners prepare to begin at the starting line during the 57th running of the Peachtree Road Race on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Mother Nature gives Peachtree Road Race a reprieve on America’s 250th

Heat and humidity couldn’t take down the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race and its 45,000-plus runners, one of Atlanta’s most enduring traditions.

DAVID PLAZAS

Atlanta’s Peachtree Road Race was humid, inspiring and emotional

Check out Peachtree Road Race results

PHOTOS: Runners showcased their fashion sense at 2026 Peachtree Road Race

Sports This Weekend

Game 1 of Atlanta Braves vs Toronto Blue Jays

MLB

Five Braves make National League All-Star roster

MLB

Andrew McCutchen is ‘pretty cool name’ to have in Braves organization

NFL

Jahan Dotson wants to prove the Falcons — and himself — right

Atlanta Hawks introductory press conference for their 2026 NBA Draft Picks

NBA

Flemings shakes off rust, and other takeaways from Hawks’ Summer League loss

MLB

Behind All-Star Chris Sale, Braves beat Mets for second straight win

MLB

Braves place shortstop Ha-Seong Kim on injured list

BULLDOGS

Georgia among title favorites, hardened by last year’s fiery games

World Cup 2026

U.S. will have Folarin Balogun available vs. Belgium after red card overturned

1h ago

‘Best stadium on the planet’: World Cup experience in Atlanta wows England fans

Argentina holds on to beat Cape Verde, will face Egypt on Tuesday in Atlanta

FROM

Kick off the World Cup semifinals with the AJC

Atlanta guide: Schedule, tickets, watch parties and what to know

World Cup serenade: Mexican fans blast horns outside hotel to disrupt England players' sleep

How 'Country Roads' became the soundtrack of the US team's World Cup run

Today's Videos

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Weekend Reads

Here are the new Georgia laws in effect

New Georgia laws, which took effect July 1, will impact cellphones in schools, medical cannabis rules, paid maternal leave and more.

Yes, that’s a bald eagle on your Delta flight

On a flight from Atlanta to Philadelphia on the eve of the nation’s 250th anniversary, Delta passengers had an unexpected travel companion: a bald eagle

The glamour and grind of preparing for Miss Georgia

Aleks Arwood from Miss Gwinnett County gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her journey to the crown.

Food and Dining

Rreal Tacos has several locations in Atlanta. It serves up the genuine flavors of Mexican street food, complemented by a vast collection of 200 tequilas and more than 100 mezcals. (Courtesy of Rreal Tacos)

Rreal Tacos expands into Florida, plus more from Atlanta’s restaurant scene

A spate of closures comes after a June full of openings.

12 essential Atlanta cocktail bars you need to try

How to smoke the best BBQ ribs: Chef David Rose’s foolproof 2-2-1 method

Atlanta’s 50 best restaurants list is changing. Here’s why.

Arts & Entertainment

BOOKSHELF

Murder sparks mayhem in 5 new thrillers by Southern authors

Snake handlers, missing teens and dead bodies populate summer page-turners.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce marry in front of famous friends at Madison Square Garden

Adam Sandler was the surprise officiant and Stevie Nicks performed among a crowd filled with sports and entertainment stars.

FROM

Black women-led bookstores host second Black Girl Book Fair in Decatur

Six Atlanta-area bookstores led by Black women will unite to host the second annual Black Girl Book Fair at Brave and Kind Bookshop on Saturday, July 11.

Latest Headlines

‘Suspected’ gunshots break up metro Atlanta fireworks show

Delta jet from Atlanta hit by July 4th firework while landing in Chicago

Atlanta’s Peachtree Road Race was humid, inspiring and emotional

12 essential Atlanta cocktail bars you need to try

Curiosities of the South

Same Civil War, different story: How textbooks rewrote slavery and Lincoln

For generations, American students were taught drastically different versions of the Civil War based on where they lived.

Why people still reenact the Civil War 160 years later

Who really put Confederate monuments across the South?

America’s largest Confederate monument still divides Georgia today

Georgia and Metro News

Emory Healthcare said it plans to expand at Northlake Mall, which was just sold. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Northlake Mall sold; Emory Healthcare to expand

The deal comes after several mall tenants were told to vacate in early June.

One dead, one injured in shooting after Gainesville concert, police say

GRIDLOCK GUY

E-bikes are exploding in popularity, but they are not toys

FROM

July 4 reopening of Martin Luther King Jr.’s childhood home is both symbolic and patriotic

Opinion and Voices

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese reacts during pregame warmups before the start of a WNBA game against the Las Vegas Aces at State Farm Arena on Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Atlanta. (Colin Hubbard for the AJC)

FROM

What Angel Reese said about singing ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’

July 2, 2026

GUEST COLUMN

America at 250: Was slavery wrong? Museums must now answer that question.

Descendants of enslaved ceramist David Drake invite all museums holding his works to return ownership to rightful heirs.

7 hours ago

Readers write

AJC readers write about politics, politicians and society.

8 hours ago

THE STEERING COLUMN

Cars on campus: What families should consider before teens go off to college

A vehicle can make college life easier, but parking rules, insurance costs, maintenance, and campus transportation options can quickly change the math.

July 3, 2026

ERICK ERICKSON