Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency.
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The new COVID vaccine will be available In Atlanta in a matter of days, according to local health officials.
The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising everyone 6 months and older to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine as fall and winter approach.The new vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna will be available across the nation at local health departments, clinics and pharmacies.
Is The New COVID Vaccine Free?
Health officials have said that most people can still get a COVID-19 vaccine for free. For people with health insurance, most plans will cover the vaccine at no cost to you. People who don’t have health insurance or with health plans that do not cover the cost ($100 to $125) can get a free vaccine from their local health centers; state, local, tribal, or territorial health department, according to the CDC.
An uptick in COVID-19 cases has prompted health officials to plan to produce new vaccines to combat its spread, according to U.S. government officials.The news comes just four months after the Biden Administration ended COVID vaccine requirements for federal employees.
Before approval of the new COVID shot was granted by pharmaceutical manufacturers, a rigid safety process must pass muster with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration then the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which makes its recommendations to a the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on its vaccination decisions, will weigh the safety and effectiveness of the new shots and make recommendations for their use.
When Will the New COVID Shot Be Available?The new COVID shot has begun being made available in mid-September, according to health officials.
President Biden, on vacation in early September in Lake Tahoe, told reporters that he is pushing to get a new COVID shot for the American people.
“I signed off this morning on a proposal we have to present to Congress a request for additional funding for a new vaccine that is necessary, that works,” Biden told a reporter. “Tentatively it is recommended that it will likely be recommended everybody get it no matter whether they’ve gotten it before or not.”
The latest wave of sickness is tied to a version of the omicron strain called XBB.1.5, health experts said.
if you want to test yourself to see whether you have COVID, there are several at-home tests that work.
How to order free COVID tests in the mail.
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On the heels of severely limiting access to its SkyClub lounges, Delta Air Lines has streamlined its SkyMiles rewards program.
Loyalty members will now only be able to earn Medallion Status through the airline’s “Medallion Qualification Dollars.”
That means loyalty members will no longer be able to use the amount of miles they’ve earned to qualify for higher rewards and membership levels.
Customers also will no longer need to track Medallion Qualification Miles or Medallion Qualification Segments.
The new rules have been met with frustration on social media, where many people see the changes as less appealing.
What Are Medallion Qualification Dollars?
Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) are the sum total of the SkyMiles members’ earnings from buying Delta-marketed flights and products, according to the airline.
MQDs can be earned by buying Delta airfare or a flight from a partner airline. They also can be earned from booking hotels, car rentals, or Delta Vacations on Delta.com.
How Many Dollars Equal An MQD?
According to Delta, you can earn one MQD for every dollar spent.
An MQD will also be the only qualification for Medallion Status, the airline says.
The Atlanta-based carrier recently announced the changes on its news website, which details when the new rules go into effect.
When Do The New Delta SkyMiles Policies Start?
The new SkyMiles policy goes into effect starting January 1, 2024.
Final Flight
Delta’s SkyMiles Program will use MQDs as the single qualifier toward Medallion Status. But the airline is giving you more ways to earn reward points.
Not only is it the world’s busiest airport, but it’s state-of-the-art in every way. If you’re interested in traveling around Atlanta via car or even on scooter, here’s what to know.
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It’s going to be a So So Def October. The inaugural So So Def Festival is taking place in Atlanta this fall.
It’s only fitting that the festival happen in So So Def’s birthplace, Atlanta.
When is The So So Def Festival Happening?
The dates for the So So Def Festival are October 7-8. The two-day event will take place in Atlanta’s Central Park in Midtown.
Who Is Performing At the So So Def Festival?
The musical lineup includes:
- Ari Lennox
- T.I.
- Monica
- Jagged Edge
- Da Brat
- Gucci Mane
- Xscape
- Anthony Hamilton
- Bow Wow and more
Legendary Atlanta music mogul Jermaine Dupri announced the festival on his Instagram in July.
“We celebrating 30 years of So So Def and the way that we gon’ celebrate this is So So Def Festival,” he said. “I need all my day ones in the building.”
Final Word
In Atlanta Festival season goes deep into the year.
Atlanta is for tourists, but it’s also for locals. If you want to explore Georgia’s largest city, do it on your terms and check out the fun, cool and new things happening in Atlanta this weekend and even on the weekday. You can start downtown, and get it crackin’ in Buckhead. Check out the newest Atlanta restaurants, beautiful parks and unexplored spots you’ve only heard about. AtlantaFi your experience!
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Delta Air Lines has tightened the rules around gaining access to its SkyClub lounges, a favorite for its most valued customers.
The airline announced on Sept. 13, 2023, that beginning in January 2024, SkyMiles Platinum Amex Card holders will no longer have access to Delta SkyClubs.
Delta Ends SkyClub Access For SkyMiles Members
The airline says that starting on Jan. 1, 2024, Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Platinum Business American Express Card Members and Basic Economy passengers, regardless of card type, will no longer be eligible for Club access.
The new guidelines for SkyClub access come as the carrier seeks to “help preserve the premium experience in the airline’s popular lounges,” Delta says in a news release.
Only the most elite credit card-holders — Black Card members — will retain access to Delta SkyClubs, the airline said. As for the other cardholders, here are the rules:
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business American Express Card Members will receive 10 Club visits per year.
- Amex Platinum Card: 6 annual visits a year.
- -Amex Business Platinum Card: 6 annual visits a year.
The card holder changes take effect from Feb. 1, 2025 onward.
How To Retain Access To Delta’s SkyClub Lounges
Delta says loyalty members can earn unlimited Club access after spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their eligible Card in a calendar year.
If they spend big, SkyMiles members will have unlimited Club access for both the remainder of the current program year (which ends on January 31) and for the next full program year.
Final Word
Delta will soon restrict the number of times its loyalty members and premium card holders can access Sky Lounges.
Spend tracking begins Jan. 1, 2024, for the 2025 Medallion year.
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The Atlanta Falcons have a decent chance to do well in the NFC South this year, which not a position they’ve enjoyed in recent past seasons.
Do the Falcons Play On Thursday Night Football This Year?
unfortunately, the Falcons are not slated to play on Thursday Night Football this season. That being said, the NFL goes to a flex schedule in December so it’s possible that Atlanta shift to a Thursday Night Football game or even make a Monday Night Football appearance.
Announcers: Wes Durham, Dave Archer
Pre-Game Reporting: Taylor Rooks
If you want to watch the game, you can sign up for Amazon Prime, which has a 30-day free trial. Yes, that means new signups can watch immediately for free.
How To Watch Thursday Night Football On Prime Video For Free
- Open the Prime Video app on your TV, tablet or phone.
- Sign in or sign up for Prime at Amazon.com/Prime
- In the Prime Video app, select Thursday Night Football
Want to see the full Thursday Night Football slate? Download the Thursday Night NFL Schedule.
Where Can I Watch Thursday Night Football?
You can watch Thursday Night Football on Prime Video. People who are already Amazon Prime members already have access to the games. If you’re not a member, you can sign up. Again, it’s no cost for the first 30 days.
If you keep Amazon Prime past 30 days, it will cost you $8.99 a month.
Can The Games Be Live Streamed On Any Device?
You can livestream Thursday Night Football games on Amazon.com or on an Amazon device such as Fire TV and Fire Tablet as well as the following:
If you have Prime Video, you can also access Thursday Night Football matchups via any tablets and smartphones running iOs or Android.
Final Word
Football is a religion in the South. Want to leave the house? Catch all the games at your favorite local bar.
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Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old tennis phenomenon from Atlanta, Georgia, made history on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
She won the U.S. Open by beating Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.Just 11 years ago, Gauff went from dancing at the US Open as an 8-year-old to winning her first career Grand Slam at the same tournament 11 as a 19-year-old.
She is the youngest American US Open champion since Serena Williams in 1999.
“Thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me,” Gauff said in her victory speech. “To those who thought they were putting water on my fire, you were really adding gas to it.”
Ranked No. 6 in the world, Gauff had to beat No. 2 player in the world to win the U.S. Open.
Sabalenka made 46 unforced errors on the day, while Gauff only committed 19.
Who Are Coco Gauff’s Parents?
Coco Gauff’s parents are Corey Gauff, a former athlete who played basketball at Georgia State University in Atlanta and Candi (Odom) Gauff who ran track for Florida State.
The Gauffs exposed Coco to many disciplines while she was young, including dance, basketball and tennis. While Coco was born in Atlanta, she was raised in Delray Beach, Florida.
After her win, Gauff thanked her parents for their dedication to her craft.
“Today was the first time I’ve seen my dad cry,” she said after the match. “Thank you guys. You believed in me from the beginning. I’ve been coming to this tournament, siting right there watching Venus & Serena compete. It’s incredible.”
Gauff credited Venus and Serena Williams as the reason for her victory.
“They’re the reason why I have this trophy today. They’ve allowed me to believe in this dream,” Gauff said. “Growing up, there weren’t too many black tennis players dominating the sport. It was just them at the time that I can remember, & obviously more came because of their legacy. It made the dream more believable. All the things they had to go through, they made it easier for someone like me to do this. You look back at the history of Indian Wells with Serena, all she had to go through. Venus, fighting for equal pay. It’s crazy & it’s an honor to be in that same lineup as them.”
Final Serve
Coco stands to become a household name now that she’s won the U.S. Open.
She already has had several endorsement deals from the likes of companies like Dior and Porsche. Those deals will only grow now.
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During the second weekend in Atlanta of September, the 2023 edition of Music Midtown is happening in Midtown’s Piedmont Park.
This year’s musical event is going to be a great one with big acts like Billie Eilish, Lil Baby, Pitbull, GloRilla and more. Back after a one-year hiatus, Music Midtown is known as the preeminent music festival in the city.
Want to know who’s on tap to perform at Music Midtown? Here’s what you need to know about the festival.
Music Midtown 2023: Everything You Need To Know
Music Midtown is one of Atlanta’s most prominent music festivals, attracting a steady stream of mid-level artists.
When Is Music Midtown This Year?
Music Midtown is taking place on Friday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 17 in Midtown Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. Here’s what you need to know about the festival.
For Music Midtown, organizers wanted to be sure that you residents be left out the project.
How Much Does Music Midtown Cost?
Here are the prices for Music Midtown:
- 2-day general admission – $135
- 2-day general admission plus – $315
- 2-day VIP – $650
- 2-day Super VIP – $1,300
Get tickets to Music Midtown here.
Lineup: Who’s Performing At Music Midtown?
The following artists are confirmed:
Friday, Sept. 15
- Skai Water
- J.I.D.
- Flume
- Leah Kate
- Pitbull
- Pink
Saturday, Sept. 16
- Ed Rox
- Sueco
- Thirty Seconds to Mars
- Yung Gravy
- Calder Allen
- Upsahl
- Destroy Lonely
- The 1975
- Niah Horan
- The Rose
- The Midnight
- Sarah Kinsley
- The Moss
- Loud Latour
- Fletcher
- Louis the Child
- Lizzy McAlpine
- Billie Eilish
Sunday, Sept. 17
- The National Parks
- Magic City Hippies
- Big X The Plug
- Swavay
- Inhaler
- Joy Oladokun
- JP Saxe
- PJ Morton
- First Aid Kit
- Big Wild
- Tove Lo
- Mosego
- GloRilla
- Lil Baby
- Young Nudy
- The Garden
- Guns N’ Roses
- Incubus
- And More!
What To Expect At Music Midtown
Music Midtown is one of the best music festivals in the Southeast. If you’re thinking about going, here’s what to expect:
While it’s warm, take advantage of the outdoors. Don’t miss these awesome summer festivals.
The fun is just starting. Are you a beer drinker? You also may want to visit a craft brewery in the city.
Explore Atlanta At Your Own Pace
First, to find all the good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. CNN Center often has something cool going on!
This event is just one among many Atlanta happenings going on weekly in the city. Keep up with AtlantaFi.com for more events.Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com:
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Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis responded in a letter Thursday to Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, a critic of her investigation into former President Donald Trump. You can read the letter below.
Willis, a Democrat, has been under intense scrutiny after indicting Trump under the state’s wide-ranging RICO statutes.Any trial of Trump and 18 other co-defendants would likely take place in Atlanta, the seat of Fulton County, and attract huge national and international interest.
Jordan, a Republican who is the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has been trumpeting that he is going to open an investigation into Willis on the grounds that she has overstepped her authority.A close ally of Trump, Jordan said his inquiry would look for interference and collusion between the Fulton DA’s Office and the Biden Administration.
In her letter, she says Jordan is trying to “obstruct a Georgia criminal proceeding and to advance outrageous partisan misrepresentations.” She also told him that he didn’t understand RICO laws.
Your letter makes clear that you lack a basic understanding of the law, its practice, and the ethical obligations of attorneys generally and prosecutors specifically,” Willis said.
Read Fani Willis’ Letter To Jim Jordan
Final Word
The letter serves as yet another chapter in what will be a legal slugfest as Willis has announced that a trial against Trump and 18 co-defendants will be done at the same time and she hopes to do it in a four-month span.
When Willis handed down the indictments in early August, she knew she was in for a fight. Her actions over the past month have shown that she is up to the task.
Willis has taken a no-nonsense approach to prosecuting Trump, which has brought her and those in her office death threats.
In her latter, Willis said that because Jordan seems to have taken a more-than-personal interest in the business of the Fulton DA’s Office, “you should consider directing the USDOJ to investigate the racist threats that have come to my staff and me because of this investigation.”
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If you’re looking for something cool to do in Buckhead, Gypsy Kitchen, one of its coolest restaurants, has just what you need in the way of good food and live music.
The top Buckhead restaurant has resumed its weekly “Basque in the Sun” Party. The event happens on Sundays starting at 4:30 p.m. until close.
What Is Gypsy Kitchen’s ‘Basque In The Sun’ Event?
Basque in the Sun is a lively culinary event that celebrates the beautiful Basque Country every Sunday afternoon. You can enjoy music, the sun and fellow revelers from Gypsy Kitchen’s balcony.
You may also choose to:
- Sip on tintos de verano
- Try draft gintonics with Gypsy Kitchen’s very own proprietary tonic
- Indulge on Spanish ciders while enjoying a variety of pintxos.
If you’re interested in something to munch on, try these tantalizing goodies:
- Caramelized pork belly with blistered shishito peppers and chile oil ($3
- ) Shaved Serrano ham with soft cheese and blackberry jam ($3)
- Skewers stacked with oil cured tuna and piquillo peppers ($3)
- Shrimp, chorizo, potato and red pepper ($4).
The event also usually includes half off select bottles of wine, although I’ve not heard that this time.
For those staying in Atlanta this weekend come join the fun on Sunday for a special edition of Basque in the Sun!
Gypsy Kitchen, which draws inspiration from a mix of Spanish, Moroccan and Indian influences, is known for their adventurous tapas and drink menu. It is located at 3035 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305.
Final Word
Buckhead has a LOT to do over the course of one weekend, from cool dining spots to recreational activities.
If you want to check out some other food spots in the area, here are the best restaurants in Buckhead. Or you might like to read our Buckhead Steak Guide to find all the best eateries offering mouth-watering prime cuts.
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Automaker Kia is under renewed pressure to act as thefts of its vehicles continue to rise. In Atlanta, incidents of Kia car thefts have increased 700%, according to a local news report.
Citing Atlanta police statements made at a Public Safety Committee meeting in August 2023, Atlanta News First reported that Kia thefts in Atlanta are on an unprecedented pace.
The developments come several months after Kia and Hyundai reached a $200 million settlement to end a class-action lawsuit brought by car owners whose vehicles had been stolen. The plaintiffs alleged that the automakers made their cars easier to steal.
. In October, an East Point resident initiated a class action lawsuit against the automakers, alleging that newer Kia and Hyundai models lacked immobilizers. Immobilizers are security features that prevent unauthorized individuals from using an unprogrammed key or key fob to steal a vehicle.
Initially, law enforcement attributed this increase in thefts to a social media challenge, wherein criminals stole Kia and Hyundai models and shared their actions using the hashtag #kiaboyz.
On just about any social media site, under the hashtag #kiaboyz, you’ll find some debauchery.
What Is Kia Doing About Car Thefts?
For its part Kia says it’s been working on various technologies and security measures to prevent car thefts. These efforts often include:
Keyless Entry and Start Systems: Implementing advanced keyless entry and start systems with encryption to make it harder for thieves to clone key fobs.
Immobilizers: Installing immobilizer systems that prevent the engine from starting without the correct key or fob.
Alarms and Anti-Theft Systems: Equipping vehicles with alarms, motion sensors, and anti-theft systems to deter thieves.
GPS Tracking: Many manufacturers offer optional GPS tracking systems that can help locate a stolen vehicle.
Remote Shutdown: Some advanced systems allow owners or law enforcement to remotely disable a stolen vehicle.
Secure Software Updates: Regularly updating the vehicle’s software to patch security vulnerabilities and improve overall security.
Collaboration with Law Enforcement: Working closely with law enforcement agencies to recover stolen vehicles and apprehend thieves.
Final Word
Law enforcement in the Atlanta area continues to probe the Kia Boyz but it’s going to take police as well as the public’s help to stop auto thefts in the metro area.
The automobile industry as a whole is going to have to do more to educate customers about best practices for preventing car theft, such as not leaving valuables in the car and locking doors and windows.
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