Morning, y’all! Welcome to the last A.M. ATL of 2025. Make a note, though: We’ll be in your inbox New Year’s Day to gently usher you into the new all-digital AJC era. If you’re a print subscriber with doubts about how this is all gonna work, you’ll want to read it.
Then we’ll be off Friday and back on Monday, Jan. 5 to hit the ground running for 2026.
Let’s get to it.
A QUICK NEWS RUNDOWN
Maybe I’m not supposed to say this, but who wants to read news on New Year’s Eve? We’re trying to cultivate an aura of peace and relaxation, after all. Here’s all you need:
⚖️ Charges dismissed: Fulton County Superior Court Judge Kevin Farmer dismissed racketeering charges Tuesday against dozens of activists who protested Atlanta’s Public Safety Training Center, more than three months after signaling he would do so.
📿 Buddhist monks: The 20 or so Buddhist monks on a “peace walk” that just passed through Georgia will press on even after a vehicle crash left two monks injured.
🏈 Sugar Bowl scams: The University of Georgia will play Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. If you know someone still looking for tickets, warn them to watch out for creative new scams. Here’s a lookahead from Coach Kirby Smart, too.
✍🏽 New 2026 laws: Some interesting new laws will take effect in several states starting Thursday. Here in Georgia, that includes new American flag-festooned specialty license plates with the words “America First.”
💡 More Atlanta AP classes: More schools are offering Advanced Placement classes, particularly in underserved areas. That’s a double boon, since AP classes can translate to college credits.
🤒 Flu’s going around: Flu activity is “very high” in Georgia, according to the CDC, and will likely stay that way. Be careful who you kiss tonight.
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.
OTHER GOOD READS
‘Whaddaya got, Loran?’: The enduring legacy of an eternal Georgia Bulldog
Get your red and black feelings Sugar Bowl-ready with a lovely profile of 87-year-old Loran Smith, who’s been a stalwart UGA storyteller and ambassador for 65 years. Read here
The 10 best albums by Georgia artists in 2025, ranked
Playboi Carti, Teddy Swims, Mariah the Scientist and others did us proud. Read here
Over 20 years, the Beltline has forever altered Atlanta’s path
The popular trail loop sparks debates over affordability, economic impact and transit. Still, no one disputes that it transformed Atlanta. Read here
NYE PREP
📺 WATCH: What music and TV to stream to keep up your New Year’s Eve traditions
🍑 WONDER: Where are the wackiest New Year’s Eve drops in the U.S.?
MORE NEWS BITES
Oysters, crab and $400,000 worth of lobster meat stolen in New England
Having lived close to New England, I know this is basically a capital offense.
And the Falcons play the Saints for, um, vengeance.
Atlanta tops the U.S. in self-storage facilities
This is highly validating to my husband, who loves to complain about the scourge of new self-storage buildings.
The American Kennel Club adds three breeds
Each one just as smart and strong and perfect as the next.
NEW YEAR PREVIEW
🗳️ QUESTION: These are the 10 queries that will shape Georgia politics in 2026
📈 WORK: What’s ahead for metro Atlanta business next year
🩰 LEARN: 10 stellar Atlanta cultural events coming up in the new year
🎶 PLAY: Ariana Grande, Cardi B and 8 more metro Atlanta concerts to see in 2026
ON THIS DATE
Dec. 31, 1884
New Year Eve’s amusement, and a nice time to all. There will be racing, prize skating ... at the Globe Roller Skating Rink on New Year’s evening at the Kennesaw building, South Forsyth street. The hall is nicely fitted up; three electric lights, nicely polished floor … and the ladies need not feel a delicacy in attending, for the gentlemen propose to have the best people of the city to visit their rink or none at all. … Admission 20 cents; skates free.
Thank goodness, ladies! No creeps allowed at these festivities. And three electric lights? Sign me up.
ONE MORE THING
Can’t wait for more A.M. ATL in 2026. “And a nice time to all,” indeed! Be good.
Thanks for reading to the very bottom of A.M. ATL. Questions, comments, ideas? Contact us at AMATL@ajc.com.
Until next time.
About the Author
AJ Willingham is an National Emmy, NABJ and Webby award-winning journalist who loves talking culture, religion, sports, social justice, infrastructure and the arts. She lives in beautiful Smyrna-Mableton and went to Syracuse University.
