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ATLANTA — Mellow Mushroom, the beloved Atlanta-based stone-baked pizza chain, is stepping beyond its signature pies with a fresh pilot menu of eight creative sandwiches and wraps now available for a limited time at select spots in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
The new handheld offerings were designed to broaden the brand’s flavor lineup while keeping the same inventive spirit that has made its pizzas legendary — think layered ingredients, unexpected combinations, and craveable sauces reimagined in portable form.
Mellow Mushroom’s New Sandwiches: What To Know
If the pilot proves popular, the sandwiches could become a permanent addition to menus across the chain.
“Expanding our menu with more sandwiches gave us a new canvas to play with bold flavors in a handheld format,” said Dave Woolley, Head of Culinary at Mellow Mushroom. “We took the same creative spirit behind our pizzas with layered ingredients, unexpected combinations and craveable sauces, and reimagined them into sandwiches and wraps that feel both familiar and totally new.”
Mellow Mushroom’s New Sandwich Lineup
Here’s what’s on the pilot menu:
• Beer Cheese Philly — Steak or chicken with bell peppers, caramelized onions, garlic aioli, topped with beer cheese and tangy peppers.
• Meatball Parmesan — Meatballs smothered in vodka sauce, provolone, topped with mozzarella, pesto, and grated Parmesan.
• Chicken Pesto — Pesto chicken topped with melty mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, shredded romaine, creamy pesto, and grated Parmesan. (Available as a sub or wrap.)
• Buffalo Bang Chicken — Crispy chicken tossed in Buffalo sauce, topped with applewood-smoked bacon, provolone, shredded romaine, pickled onions, Grillo’s® pickles, and bleu cheese. (Available as a sub or wrap.)
• Italian Deluxe — Salami, honey ham, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, banana peppers, creamy pesto, topped with shredded romaine and a balsamic vinaigrette drizzle. (Available as a sub or wrap.)
• Sweet Heat Jerk Chick — Jerk chicken, pineapple, mushrooms, banana peppers, topped with provolone and creamy pesto.
• The Greek — Cucumbers, kalamata olives, banana peppers, roasted tomatoes, shredded romaine, topped with sheep’s milk feta, lemon pepper seasoning, and garlic aioli. (Available as a sub or wrap.)
• Chicken Caesar Wrap — Melty mozzarella with chicken, shredded romaine, grated Parmesan, and pickled red onions tossed in Caesar dressing.
Mellow Mushroom’s New Sandwiches: Where to Find Them
These sandwiches are available exclusively at the following Mellow Mushroom locations through Tuesday, July 7 (with a possible extension based on demand):
• Hickory, NC
• Athens, GA
• Decatur, GA
• Cartersville, GA
• Peachtree City, GA
• Hiram, GA
• Warner Robins, GA
• Dunwoody, GA
• Gatlinburg, TN
The lineup will also launch at the Grant Park (Atlanta) location on Tuesday, May 12.
Guests are encouraged to try the new items and share their thoughts. Feedback can be submitted via a QR code provided with to-go orders or tableside at the test locations.
That input will directly influence whether — and how — these sandwiches make their way onto more menus in the future.
“This new, piloted sandwich lineup is all about listening to our guests and evolving the menu while staying true to what our guests love about Mellow,” said Elizabeth Brasch, EVP of Marketing at Mellow Mushroom. “We intentionally chose a mix of markets with highly engaged fans to help us test, learn and refine. Guest feedback will directly shape what comes next, making this a truly collaborative step in growing the Mellow menu and expanding into a competitive lunch-forward option.”
Mellow Mushroom fans in metro Atlanta and beyond now have even more reasons to visit their local spot this spring and summer.
Whether you’re craving something familiar with a twist or ready to explore bold new flavors in handheld form, these limited-time sandwiches offer a fresh way to enjoy the Mellow experience.
Head to one of the participating locations, scan the QR code after your meal, and help shape the future of the menu. The ‘Shroom is listening.
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Invest Fest, the financial education and entrepreneurship conference that combines investing, business, pop culture, and entertainment, is once again being held in downtown Atlanta this year.
The Invest Fest 2026 financial event Atlanta is one of the best festivals in the city time and time again.
Organized by Earn Your Leisure, it aims to empower attendees with tools for wealth-building and saving money through keynote speeches, ppanels, live interviews, vendor activations, pitch competitions, and networking events.
Invest Fest 2026: What To Know
The event features prominent speakers like Magic Johnson, Jack Dorsey, Issa Rae, Steve Harvey, and others, focusing on topics like AI, crypto, real estate, and estate planning.
It’s known for its vibrant atmosphere, including musical performances and a marketplace with over 400 vendors.
When Is Invest Fest This Year?
Invest Fest 2026 will take place from August 7-9, 2026, at the Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313.
Additional Details:
- Attendance: Expected to draw over 40,000 attendees across three days.
- Highlights: Includes a $125,000 tech pitch competition, Operation HOPE Business Scholarships ($25,000 each for five entrepreneurs), and a VIP-only Deal Room for investor-entrepreneur connections.
- Tickets: General admission starts at $250, VIP tickets at $1,500. Presale is ongoing, with group discounts available.
- Theme: Focus on AI and future economic trends, with panels on financial empowerment and innovation.
- Related Events: A comedy show on August 21, 2025, and a kickoff party at Embr Lounge on August 21–22, 2025.
Open Pitch is the high-energy startup competition built to discover and support the most promising early-stage companies. With hundreds of applicants, five finalists, and one ultimate winner, the competition delivers more than exposure—it connects founders directly with active investors and business leaders who know what it takes to scale.
Finalists will pitch live on stage at Invest Fest at the Georgia World Congress Center. The top five startups will be selected from 25 semi-finalists and evaluated by a panel of guest investor judges. Finalists receive real-time feedback, strategic connections, and a shot at national visibility—and one will walk away with a $125,000 investment from Open Opportunity Fund.
“Invest Fest has become one of the most powerful platforms for economic empowerment in our culture,” said Paul Judge, Managing Partner at Open Opportunity Fund. “Bringing Open Pitch to this audience is about spotlighting world-class founders who are building the future. We’re proud to back them with capital and community.”
Final Word
“At Earn Your Leisure, our mission is rooted in ownership, access, and opportunity,” said Rashad Bilal, Co-founder of Earn Your Leisure & Invest Fest. “Partnering with Paul and Open Opportunity Fund to launch Open Pitch is a natural evolution of that mission. This is more than a pitch competition—it’s a movement to fund the future.”
Atlanta has a lot of inspirational people and AtlantaFi.com is going to introduce you to many of them as well as cool places to go, great restaurants and other ATL happenings.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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In the latest twist of what has become one of the messiest divorces in Real Housewives of Atlanta history, court documents have revealed a stark income disparity between Drew Sidora and her estranged husband, Ralph Pittman.
The filings, first highlighted in a widely shared social media post, show Sidora earning an average of $12,066 per month in gross income — while Pittman pulls in $71,524 monthly from his technology career.
RHOA Star Drew Sidora’s $12K Monthly Income Exposed in Bitter Divorce Battle — While Husband Ralph Pittman Earns Nearly $72K a Month in Tech
The revelation comes at a critical juncture in the couple’s ongoing split.
Just days earlier, Sidora had filed court papers arguing she lacks the “financial resources” to secure new housing and could face homelessness if forced to move out of the marital home by the court-ordered May 31 deadline.
She also claimed the custody arrangement had shifted against her during proceedings, with a final ruling still pending.1
According to the documents obtained by TMZ, Ralph was recently awarded temporary primary custody of the couple’s two children. The decision followed testimony that the kids had been excessively absent from school while in Drew’s care.
Sidora was simultaneously ordered to vacate the family residence by the end of next month — a ruling she says leaves her and at least one child at risk of being without a home.
A High-Stakes Reality TV Divorce
Drew Sidora, known for her roles on RHOA, as well as acting and music projects (including appearances in films frequently streamed on platforms like Tubi), has been open about the personal toll of the divorce on the show.
Pittman, who works in the tech sector, has largely stayed out of the spotlight but has been vocal in court about the children’s schooling and household stability.
The income figures have ignited heated debate online. Many pointed out that $12,066 a month — roughly $145,000 annually before taxes — is a substantial salary by most standards, especially in Atlanta.
Critics questioned how Sidora could claim inability to secure housing, while others noted the couple’s high-cost lifestyle, including the marital home’s mortgage and the expenses of raising children in an affluent area.
Supporters of Sidora countered that her Bravo salary is episodic and supplemented by variable entertainment income, and that Ralph’s nearly six-figure monthly earnings (approximately $858,000 annually) give him far greater financial flexibility.
Social media reactions ranged from shock (“He makes what in tech?!”) to skepticism (“Those Housewives checks are way more than $12K”) and even memes comparing the former couple’s appearances.
Some users recalled earlier claims in the divorce that Ralph had sought spousal support, adding another layer of irony to the newly public numbers.
What Happens Next?
The May 31 move-out deadline remains in place unless overturned.
A final custody determination is still pending, and the divorce proceedings continue to play out publicly — both in court and across RHOA episodes. Sidora has not yet commented publicly on the income documents beyond the filings themselves.
This latest chapter underscores a common reality in high-profile divorces: what looks like substantial income on paper can quickly become strained when split between two households, legal fees, and maintaining a certain lifestyle.
For now, Drew Sidora finds herself fighting on two fronts — in court and in the court of public opinion — while the numbers tell a story of vastly different financial realities.
As the saga unfolds, fans of the franchise will no doubt be watching closely to see how this high-earning tech husband and his reality-star wife navigate the next courtroom battle. One thing is clear: in the world of Real Housewives, the drama is rarely just for the cameras.
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Atlanta Beltline and city leaders are celebrating the grand opening of the final 1.2-mile segment of the Southeast Trail (formerly known as Southside Trail Segments 4 and 5).
The ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place at 3:30 p.m. at 905 Glenwood Ave SE, marking a significant step toward completing the ambitious 22-mile Beltline loop.
Atlanta Beltline Opens Southeast Trail, Adding 1.2 Miles of Connectivity to Southside Neighborhoods
This new paved multi-use trail runs from Boulevard to Glenwood Avenue, completing the full 2.5-mile Southeast Trail from the iconic Krog Street Tunnel to Boulevard Southeast.
It brings the total paved Beltline trail network to 14.8 miles, with more expansions on the horizon.
Connecting Communities and Enhancing Access
The Southeast Trail directly serves four vibrant Southside neighborhoods: Glenwood Park, Grant Park, Ormewood Park, and Boulevard Heights
It provides safer, more accessible routes for walking, biking, and commuting, including improved paths to Parkside Elementary and Maynard Jackson High School—the second Atlanta public high school located directly on the Beltline.
By improving connectivity between these areas and linking to the broader Eastside Trail network, the project promotes active transportation, recreation, and economic activity in historically underserved communities.
When did the Southeast Trail Open?
The Southeast trail opened Thursday, April 16, 2026.
What to Expect on the New Trail
Visitors can enjoy a scenic, well-designed path featuring:
- Vibrant public art, including colorful murals along Wylie Street.
- Proximity to attractions like the Stumpery Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Arboretum.
- Easy access to retail, dining, and entertainment in Glenwood Park and along Memorial Drive.
- Nearby highlights such as Zoo Atlanta and Grant Park.
The trail is designed for all users—walkers, runners, cyclists, and families—offering a safe, multi-use corridor that reflects the Beltline’s vision of transforming old rail lines into vibrant public spaces.
Broader Impact and Future Plans
This opening advances the Beltline’s goal of creating a 22-mile loop of trails, parks, and future transit that will connect 45 neighborhoods. Construction was handled by Reeves Young, with design by Kimley-Horn.
Looking ahead, the completion of the remaining Southside Trail (expected by June 2026) will add even more continuous paved trail, pushing the network toward 17.9 miles total.
Additional projects, including lighting, cameras, and connections like the Westside Trail expansions, continue to progress.
A Milestone for Atlanta
Atlanta Beltline President and CEO Clyde Higgs, along with local officials including City Councilmember Jason Winston and representatives from Grant Park Neighborhood Association, highlighted the project’s role in fostering equity, health, and community pride.45
Whether you’re a longtime resident exploring new routes or a visitor discovering Atlanta’s urban renaissance, the Southeast Trail offers fresh opportunities to experience the city’s dynamic mix of nature, art, and culture.
Lace up your shoes, hop on a bike, or grab the family—the Beltline’s latest chapter is open and ready for adventure. For maps, directions, and updates, visit beltline.org.
More Content From AtlantaFi.com:
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Gwinnett County, Ga. — King Harris, the son of Atlanta rapper T.I. (Clifford “T.I.” Harris) and singer Tameka “Tiny” Harris, was arrested early Sunday morning after a routine traffic stop escalated when he refused to exit his vehicle.
According to body camera footage obtained by TMZ and reports from local outlets, officers pulled over the 20-something aspiring rapper around 1 a.m. on April 12 while he was driving a Tesla Cybertruck on Holcomb Bridge Road near Peachtree Corners Circle.
King Harris Arrested After Trafficking Stop Escalates
Harris was clocked speeding — one report cited him traveling over 75 mph in a 45 mph zone, while another placed it at 60 mph in a 45 mph zone. He was also cited for not wearing a seatbelt.
During the stop, officers spotted a firearm on the dashboard and ordered Harris out of the vehicle to separate him from the weapon. Harris, who was wearing a bright yellow Pikachu onesie, remained seated and refused repeated commands to exit
He made calls to his lawyer while officers waited. The situation led to his arrest on a misdemeanor charge of willful obstruction of law enforcement officer.
A search of the vehicle turned up a THC vape pen containing 10 milligrams of THC, resulting in a felony charge for possession of a controlled substance (reported as Schedule II in some accounts). Harris was booked into the Gwinnett County Jail around 2:30 a.m. and released on bond approximately five hours later.
Body cam video released by Gwinnett County police shows the tense exchange, with Harris calmly but firmly declining to comply. His father, T.I., arrived at the scene shortly afterward to retrieve the Cybertruck and the firearm.
In the footage, T.I. is seen attempting to speak with officers and asking if the matter could be resolved without further action, but officers proceeded with the arrest and booking.20
Harris, who has pursued a career in music like his father, took to Instagram shortly after the incident with a series of lighthearted posts referencing his Pokémon-themed outfit.
One story featured his face with the caption, “Pikachu got pulled over THEY NOT CATCHING THIS PIKACHU TONIGHT.” A follow-up booking photo post read, “Welp guess you can say they caught da Pikachu wit a master ball.” He later shared a shirtless photo captioned “Fck dat police” and a video joking about his “good Pikachu life” being interrupted by “Team Rocket (F**IN POLICE).”
His mugshot, released by authorities, shows him still in the Pikachu onesie, which quickly went viral across social media.
This is not Harris’s first brush with the law. He has faced prior traffic-related charges, including a 2024 arrest tied to a failure-to-appear warrant stemming from an earlier speeding and suspended license case. T.I. and Tiny have not publicly commented on the latest incident as of Tuesday morning.
Gwinnett County police have not released additional statements beyond the body cam footage, citing the ongoing case.
Harris faces court dates on the felony drug possession, misdemeanor obstruction, and traffic citations.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by celebrity offspring navigating public scrutiny, even in seemingly routine encounters. As of now, no further updates on the legal proceedings have been announced.
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Atlanta — Parent company Seven & i Holdings announced that 7-Eleven plans to close 645 convenience stores across North America in fiscal 2026.
The move is part of an ongoing effort to optimize its portfolio by shedding underperforming locations, converting some sites to wholesale fuel operations, and focusing on larger, food-focused formats.
7-11 Store Closures: Hundreds of Locations Affected
While the national cutbacks are significant—the fifth straight year of net store losses for the chain—Georgia customers will see little to no change when it comes to 7-11 store closures.
The state has only a small handful of 7-Eleven locations (around 15, many operating under the Speedway banner), a tiny fraction of the chain’s roughly 12,000+ U.S. stores.
Why So Few 7-Elevens in Georgia?
Georgia’s convenience store market is dominated by strong regional players like QuikTrip, RaceTrac, and Circle K. Decades ago, many 7-Eleven locations in the Southeast were sold off (including to Circle K in the late 1980s), leaving the brand with a limited presence here compared to states like California, Texas, and Florida.
The few existing 7-Eleven/Speedway stores in the Atlanta metro area and North Georgia are unlikely to be heavily targeted in this round of closures, though the company has not released a state-by-state or location-specific list.
Broader Context for the Closures
- Net reduction: 7-Eleven expects to open more than 200 new locations while closing 645, for a net loss of about 440 stores.
- Strategy shift: Some “closures” involve converting sites to wholesale fuel models (which don’t count in the retail store tally) as the company moves toward bigger stores with enhanced fresh food offerings to compete with rivals like Wawa, Sheetz, and Buc-ee’s.
- Recent history: The chain closed hundreds of stores in 2024 and 2025 as part of the same portfolio optimization push.
What This Means for Georgia Shoppers
Georgia’s competitive c-store landscape—known for clean stores, fresh food, and excellent fuel pricing from local leaders—has long operated without heavy reliance on 7-Eleven.
The national shakeup at 7-Eleven is unlikely to disrupt local options.
For the small number of Georgia locations that could be affected, customers may see conversions to different formats or, in rare cases, full closures.
However, the state’s dominant players continue to expand aggressively, filling any potential gaps with new stores and upgraded experiences.
This latest announcement reflects broader industry trends: convenience retailers are consolidating weaker sites and investing in larger, higher-margin stores that emphasize foodservice over traditional quick-stop models.
In Georgia, that evolution is already well underway among the brands that dominate the market.
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ATLANTA, Ga. — Good news for Atlanta drivers tired of dodging craters on our roads: Your next Waymo ride could literally help fix the potholes plaguing the city.
Starting now, Waymo’s self-driving vehicles in metro Atlanta will use their advanced sensors and onboard systems to automatically detect and report potholes while shuttling passengers around town.
The data feeds directly into the Waze for Cities platform, giving Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) officials a powerful new tool to prioritize repairs more efficiently.
Waymo Joins Atlanta’s “Pothole Posse”
The pilot program, announced Thursday by Waymo and Waze (both under Alphabet), launches in five mature Waymo markets: Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin. Together, the fleets have already flagged about 500 potholes needing attention.
Atlanta revived its popular Pothole Posse program this year to tackle complaints coming in through 311. While resident reports remain important, they don’t always give a full picture of road conditions.
Waymo’s fleet — constantly rolling through neighborhoods, highways, and surface streets — can now help fill those gaps with real-time, data-driven insights.
“Potholes can cause significant vehicle damage and contribute to crashes,” Waymo said in its announcement. “This pilot program… is intended to help fill reporting gaps and support cities’ efforts to maintain safer streets.”
How It Works for Atlantans
- For riders: When you hop in a Waymo, the car is quietly scanning the road. You might even get a smoother ride as the vehicles learn to avoid detected hazards.
- For drivers on Waze: Pothole alerts from Waymo will start appearing in the app, just like user-reported ones, so you can steer clear.
- For the city: ATLDOT gets access to the data through Waze for Cities, helping crews target the worst spots faster and more equitably.
Andrew Stober, strategic partner manager at Waze, said the partnership builds on what Waze users have done for years: “This pilot program with Waymo adds another source of data… giving cities a clearer picture of road conditions.”
What This Means for Atlanta
Waymo launched commercial service here last June and has quickly become a common sight on Atlanta roads. This new initiative shows the company doubling down on being a good neighbor — turning everyday rides into useful data for fixing infrastructure that affects every driver in the city, whether you ride robotaxis or not.
City officials hope the extra eyes on the road will help the Pothole Posse keep up with Atlanta’s notorious wear-and-tear, especially after heavy rains or temperature swings.
Have you hit a bad pothole lately? Report it through 311 — and if you spot a Waymo, know it might be helping the city spot the next one.
Stay safe out there, Atlanta. Smoother roads could be on the way.
This story is developing. We’ll update as ATLDOT shares more on how the data is being used.
Check Out Our Atlanta Travel Guide
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Atlanta, GA | April 2026 — In the heart of Kirkwood, where tree-lined streets meet a tight-knit community vibe, Urban Pie has been slinging pies for over 20 years.Tucked at 2012A Hosea L. Williams Dr. NE, this casual pizzeria and bar feels like your favorite local hangout—unpretentious, dog-friendly on the patio, and always buzzing with regulars.
I recent ate there and wanted to share my thoughts around it in case you’re in Kirkwood and want a good Atlanta pizza place.
The Vibe
Urban Pie nails that perfect Atlanta neighborhood spot balance: laid-back indoor seating with a cool, relaxed energy and a spacious patio ideal for people-watching or catching a game.
Staff are genuinely friendly and attentive, often treating you like family
It’s the kind of place where you can grab a quick slice and a craft beer or settle in for a full meal with friends. Bonus: free street parking and options nearby after hours.
The Food
Urban Pie specializes in thin, crispy New York-style crust with just the right chew—nothing soggy here when eaten fresh.
They offer a solid mix of signature pies, build-your-own options, wings (13 flavors!), salads, calzones, and even gluten-free and vegan choices that don’t feel like afterthoughts.
Standout Dishes We Tried/Loved:
- The Urban Pizza: Olive oil base, roasted garlic, spinach, roasted red peppers, feta, and mozzarella. Fresh, flavorful, and a great showcase of their veggie-forward creativity.
- Urban Beets: Homemade pesto, roasted veggies, and goat cheese (or vegan cheese swap). A standout for both meat-eaters and plant-based diners.
- BBQ Chicken or Kirkwood BBQ Chicken Pie: Sweet-smoky sauce, roasted chicken, smoked gouda, red onions, and scallions—comfort food done right.
- Other notables include creative options like Pickle Pie, Vegan Chorizo, or Thunderbird Pizza. Wings and truffle fries also get frequent shoutouts.
Portions are generous, prices are reasonable (most large pies around $24–$25), and the kitchen puts care into the details
Fresh ingredients shine, especially on the creative toppings. Note: Takeout can sometimes lose a bit of that fresh-from-the-oven crispness, so dine-in is ideal when possible.
Drinks & Extras
They’ve got a nice selection of craft brews (many local), plus other beverages. Desserts are creative if you’ve got room left. Events like bingo nights on the patio add extra fun to the community feel.
The Verdict
Urban Pie earns a solid 8.2/10 from us. It’s not chasing trends or fine-dining polish—it’s delivering reliable, tasty thin-crust pizzas in a welcoming neighborhood setting.
Perfect for weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or supporting a longtime Kirkwood business.
Some variability in service during busy times or with delivery is noted in reviews, but the overall love from locals (and creative menu) keeps us coming back.
If you’re in East Atlanta/Kirkwood, stop by. Great pizza, good friends, zero pressure—just how neighborhood spots should be.
Urban Pie
2012A Hosea L. Williams Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30317
(404) 373-2778 | urbanpieatl.com
Open afternoons/evenings—check for current hours. Delivery via major apps. -
ATLANTA — Colonial Pipeline has fully restored service on its critical Line 1, the primary gasoline artery supplying fuel from the Gulf Coast to East Coast markets, after a brief shutdown caused by third-party damage in Paulding County.
The company announced Wednesday that repairs were completed and the line was back in operation following the incident on Tuesday.
Colonial Pipeline Briefly Goes Offline in Paulding County
A third-party well-drilling crew accidentally damaged the pipeline in Paulding County, just west of Atlanta, prompting a temporary shutdown as a precaution.
Line 1 delivers about 1.5 million barrels of gasoline per day from Houston, Texas, to storage terminals in Greensboro, North Carolina.
From there, the fuel is distributed across the Southeast and up the East Coast to major hubs like New York Harbor. The quick resolution means minimal disruption for Georgia drivers and regional fuel supplies.
This marks the second notable issue for Line 1 in Paulding County in recent memory. Early last year, a leak in the same area led to a roughly five-day shutdown, though it had limited impact due to lower winter demand.
The timing of this latest event comes as U.S. gasoline prices have already climbed above $4 per gallon amid global energy market pressures. Local Atlanta-area stations have felt the pinch, with many drivers keeping a close eye on pump prices.
Colonial Pipeline, the largest fuel pipeline operator in the United States, emphasized that the rest of its system continued normal operations during the brief outage. No injuries or major environmental issues were reported from the incident.
What This Means for Metro Atlanta Drivers:
While the fast repair avoided any significant shortages, experts note that prolonged outages could affect supply chains and prices in Georgia and beyond.Authorities continue to stress the importance of safe excavation and drilling practices near critical infrastructure to prevent future accidents.
Stay with us at Atlanta Local News for updates on fuel prices, infrastructure developments, and how these events impact your wallet. We’ll keep you posted on any further details from Paulding County or Colonial Pipeline.
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NASA’s Artemis II mission tonight marks a historic milestone as the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft since the Apollo era.
This 10-day lunar flyby will send four astronauts around the Moon, testing deep-space systems ahead of future Artemis landings.
The SLS rocket—NASA’s most powerful ever—will launch from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. If you’re searching for Artemis II launch time, NASA Artemis rocket launch, or how to catch every moment, here’s your complete guide.
Artemis II Launch Time and Schedule
Primary launch target: Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with the window opening at 6:24 p.m. EDT (22:24 UTC). The two-hour window closes at 8:24 p.m. EDT.34
NASA has additional backup opportunities if needed:
- April 2: ~7:22 p.m. EDT
- April 3: ~8:00 p.m. EDT
- April 4: ~8:53 p.m. EDT
- April 5: ~9:40 p.m. EDT
- April 6: ~10:36 p.m. EDT
- Next fallback: April 30, 2026, at ~6:06 p.m. EDT
The onsite countdown clock began ticking on April 1 at 4:44 p.m. EDT. Weather is currently favorable (around 80% chance for the primary window), with cloud cover and winds as the main concerns.5
Artemis II launch time in other time zones (April 1 primary):
- Eastern Daylight Time (EDT): 6:24 p.m.
- Central: 5:24 p.m.
- Mountain: 4:24 p.m.
- Pacific: 3:24 p.m.
- UTC: 22:24
Liftoff will propel the crew on a trajectory that loops around Earth before a distant lunar flyby (coming within about 6,000 miles of the Moon’s surface) and return to Earth.
Crew for Artemis II
The four-person crew includes:
- Commander Reid Wiseman (NASA)
- Pilot Victor Glover (NASA)
- Mission Specialist Christina Koch (NASA)
- Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency)
This diverse team will test Orion’s life support, navigation, and re-entry systems in deep space.
How to Watch the NASA Artemis Rocket Launch Live
You can follow the entire NASA Artemis rocket launch from home with multiple free options. NASA provides comprehensive coverage starting hours before liftoff.
Official NASA streams (recommended for the most detailed technical commentary):
- NASA YouTube channel: Live launch broadcast and pre-launch coverage.
- NASA+: Free streaming service with full mission coverage.
- Amazon Prime Video: Watch via NASA’s live channel (no Prime subscription needed for this content).
- Additional platforms: Peacock and others may carry the feed.
Live coverage typically begins in the early afternoon EDT, with intensive countdown starting around 12:50 p.m. EDT or earlier. NASA also offers a continuous 4K camera view of the rocket on the pad.21
Other ways to watch:
- Major news networks (CBS, NBC, etc.) will carry special reports with launch at ~6 p.m. EDT.
- YouTube channels from NASA Spaceflight, CBS News, and others for alternative angles and expert analysis.
- Social media: Follow @NASA, @NASAArtemis, and Kennedy Space Center for real-time updates.
For the best experience, open multiple tabs: one for NASA’s official feed (with mission audio) and another for public viewing cameras.
In-Person Viewing for the Artemis II Launch
If you’re near Florida, the NASA Artemis rocket launch creates a spectacular sight visible for miles.
Best public spots (free):
- Titusville area, especially the Max Brewer Bridge and along the Indian River (~10–12 miles from the pad). Arrive early for parking and traffic.
- Other locations along the Space Coast with clear eastern views.
Ticketed options:
- Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers special Artemis II Launch Viewing Packages at the Apollo-Saturn V Center (closest public viewing). These often sell out quickly. Note: On April 1–2, access may be restricted to ticket holders only.33
Visibility tips:
- The SLS rocket’s massive engines will produce a bright plume, potentially visible from parts of central Florida and even southern Georgia depending on timing and weather.
- Evening launches mean a dramatic twilight or nighttime show. Check real-time visibility maps from NASA or local outlets closer to launch day.
Be prepared for heavy crowds and road closures. Playalinda Beach is typically closed for SLS launches due to proximity.
What to Expect During the Launch and Mission
- T- minutes: Final fueling, crew ingress (astronauts board hours before), and “go/no-go” polls.
- Liftoff: Powerful ignition of the SLS core stage and solid rocket boosters—watch for the signature “waterfall” sound suppression.
- Ascent: Booster separation, core stage burn, and Orion separation.
- Mission highlights: Earth orbit, lunar flyby (no landing), and splashdown ~10 days later.
NASA will provide real-time tracking of the spacecraft throughout the journey.
Why Artemis II Matters
This mission paves the way for Artemis III (first crewed lunar landing in over 50 years) and eventual sustained human presence on the Moon. It tests critical technologies for Mars exploration and returns humans to lunar vicinity for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Stay updated via NASA’s official Artemis II page for any last-minute adjustments to the Artemis II launch time or schedule. Delays are possible due to technical or weather issues, so monitor official sources.
Clear skies and safe travels to all watching this historic NASA Artemis rocket launch—whether from your couch or the Florida coast! The next giant leap for humanity begins soon.
