5 things to know tonight: I-85 bridge to reopen ahead of schedule and more

May 1, 2017 Atlanta: Work continued Monday, May 1, 2017 on the new I-85 bridge in Buckhead. Since a fire led to the collapse of a segment of I-85 in Buckhead March 30, the Georgia Department of Transportation has scrambled to reopen the vital stretch of highway into the heart of Atlanta. Contractor C.W. Matthews is rebuilding 350 feet of northbound and 350 feet of southbound lanes on I-85. JOHN SPINK/JSPINK@AJC.COM

Credit: John Spink

Credit: John Spink

May 1, 2017 Atlanta: Work continued Monday, May 1, 2017 on the new I-85 bridge in Buckhead. Since a fire led to the collapse of a segment of I-85 in Buckhead March 30, the Georgia Department of Transportation has scrambled to reopen the vital stretch of highway into the heart of Atlanta. Contractor C.W. Matthews is rebuilding 350 feet of northbound and 350 feet of southbound lanes on I-85. JOHN SPINK/JSPINK@AJC.COM

1. Officials say I-85 bridge to reopen before May 26. Authorities expect the collapsed section of I-85 to be rebuilt just in time for Memorial Day weekend and much sooner than the original June 15 deadline set by the Georgia Department of Transportation. [Read more.]

2. Donald Trump makes puzzling statement about Civil War. In an interview, President Donald Trump said, "People don't ask that question, but why was there the Civil War? Why could that one not have been worked out?" [Read more.]

3. Model, friend found dead in Buckhead apartment. Their roommate called 911 to report a possible drug overdose, Atlanta police said. [Read more.]

4. UGA's Elijah Holyfield arrested. Georgia tailback Elijah Holyfield, the son of former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, was arrested for marijuana possession after UGA police were called to his dorm because a resident assistant smelled the odor of marijuana, according to authorities. [Read more.]

5. Deal signs record Georgia budget. Gov. Nathan Deal signed a $25 billion state budget Monday that includes pay raises for 200,000 teachers and state employees. [Read more.]