Category: News

As families across the city gather to celebrate Christmas Eve, a dedicated group of volunteers will be out spreading cheer in a unique way: Delivering hot meals to every police precinct and fire station in Atlanta.

The sixth annual Holiday Ham Haul, a heartwarming tradition that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to honor the city’s first responders for their tireless service and the personal sacrifices they make – including spending holidays away from their own loved ones.

Holiday Ham Haul Comes To Buckhead

“This event is our way of saying thank you to the men and women who keep our community safe year-round, especially when they’re working through the holidays,” said a spokesperson for the organizing groups.

For many participants, the Holiday Ham Haul has become a cherished family tradition.

One mother-son duo has volunteered every year, and the experience left such a lasting impression on the son that he centered his college application essay around the vital role first responders play in the community and the importance of giving back.

The event is organized by the Buckhead Rotary Club, Livable Buckhead, and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation.

It receives generous support from local sponsors, including the Buckhead Community Improvement District (CID), Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods, Buckhead Coalition, Georgia Primary Bank, Southern Baked Pie, and HoneyBaked Ham.

Volunteers will fan out across the city on December 24 to ensure no shift goes without a warm holiday meal, continuing a tradition that reminds Atlantans of the everyday heroes in their midst.

When people thing about “Atlanta mall,” they more times than not imagine Lenox Square. From timeless luxury brands to trendy contemporary labels, Lenox Square combines luxury with budget.

Located in the heart of Buckhead, Lenox Square is one of the best malls in Atlanta. It also offers a look at some of Atlanta’s priciest retail shops and department stores.

Aside from being a happening place, have you ever wondered what’s recently opened at Lenox Square and more? This article explores Lenox Square, it’s history, present and future.

What To Know About Atlanta’s Lenox Square

Lenox Square, Atlanta’s iconic upscale shopping destination in the heart of Buckhead, continues to thrive as a premier spot for luxury retail and diverse dining.

Opened in 1959, this 1.5 million-square-foot mall features nearly 250 stores, anchored by Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and Neiman Marcus. In 2025, the mall welcomed 18 new and expanded retailers and restaurants, including several Atlanta debuts, keeping the energy fresh for fashionistas, families, and foodies alike.

Whether you’re hunting for high-end designer pieces or a quick bite, Lenox Square delivers a pretty cool experience.

What’s The History Of Lenox Square?

The earliest recollections of the acreage that would become Lenox Square is that it was owned by Mary Gromet, who acquired it in the 1820s through one of the land lotteries that the state administered by taking it from the Native Americans and distributing it to the area’s white citizens.

The land was then bought by John Simpkins, a farmer who grew corn and cotton.. He passed away in 1912, according to Buckhead.net.

After that, John Ottley, the president of Atlanta’s First National Bank,, turned the parcel into his country estate and family home. It was the Ottley family that popularized Buckhead as an abode for the rich.

Soon, the Ottley family sold “Joyeuse,” the name of their country estate, and it fell into the hands of city developers.

Businessman Edward Noble was tasked with building a suburban mall several miles from downtown, which was unheard of then.

Lenox Square opened its doors on August 3, 1959 during the era when going to the local department store was an event. Anchored by Rich’s and Davison’s, Lenox Square was the largest mall in the Southeast at the time.

What’s New At Lenox Square?

From timeless luxury brands to trendy contemporary labels, Lenox Square caters to every style and budget. The mall’s mix includes exclusive boutiques unique to the Southeast.Luxury Highlights:

• Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry, Fendi, Salvatore Ferragamo, Bvlgari, Tiffany & Co., David Yurman
• Neiman Marcus (anchor for high-end fashion and beauty)
• Recent expansions: Rolex, Burberry, and Ferragamo have upgraded storefronts

New in 2025 (Atlanta Debuts and Additions):

• Good American (inclusive sizing by Khloé Kardashian)
• Panerai (luxury Swiss watches)
• AllSaints (British fashion)
• Mejuri (modern jewelry)
• Cole Haan, Claire’s, and more mass-market favorites

Everyday and Trendy Favorites:

• Apple Store, Zara, J.Crew, Banana Republic, Nike
• Diesel, True Religion for edgy denim

Where to Eat at Lenox Square

Lenox Square offers everything from quick food court grabs to sit-down upscale meals, and it’s just one of the great things to do in Buckhead. The Dining Pavilion (formerly Lenox Fashion Café) on the lower level is perfect for casual bites, while full-service spots line the exterior.Full-Service Restaurants:

• The Cheesecake Factory (classic American with massive menu and cheesecakes)
• True Food Kitchen (health-focused, seasonal dishes)
• North Italia (handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas)
• California Pizza Kitchen (innovative pies and salads)
• New in 2025: Kelly’s Cajun Grill (Atlanta debut for bold flavors)

Food Court Quick Bites:

• Sweetgreen (fresh salads and bowls)
• Farm Basket (Southern food, choice of meat and three vegetables)
• Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, and diverse international options

Pro tip: Grab a table in the food court for people-watching, or head outside for a more relaxed vibe.

Where Is Lenox Square Located?

Lenox Square is located at the intersection of Peachtree and Lenox roads at 3393 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30326. Here’s a map to help you find it.

Tips for Visiting Lenox Square

• Parking: Free in decks; valet available for convenience.
• Hours: Typically 10 AM–8 PM (Mon–Sat), noon–7 PM (Sun); check simon.com for holidays.
• Access: MARTA-accessible via Lenox Station; across from Phipps Plaza for double the shopping.
• Events: Holiday tree lighting, fashion shows, and more throughout the year.

Lenox Square remains Buckhead’s go-to for luxury shopping and satisfying eats—perfect for a solo splurge or group outing. With ongoing updates in 2026, there’s always something new to discover.

Lenox Square is an oasis and has been for many decades now.

If you’re looking to take in Buckhead at night, here are some cool suggestions.

Along with the wonderful things to eat and do in Atlanta, there are also so awesome places to shop.

In addition to malls, many Atlanta boutiques and consignment shops have daily deals so that you can save money.

Atlanta’s retail scene continues to be a bright spot for the local economy — and that means more sales for everyone!

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In a move that’s rippling from the silver screens of Burbank to the bustling newsrooms of downtown Atlanta, Netflix has clinched a staggering $82.7 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios and streaming empire.

Announced Friday morning, the cash-and-stock transaction—valued at $27.75 per share—positions the streaming behemoth to swallow up iconic franchises like Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and the DC universe, while merging HBO Max into its already dominant platform.

Netflix’s Blockbuster Bid for Warner Bros.: A Hollywood Shake-Up with Atlanta Echoes

But for the Peach State’s media heartbeat, CNN, this seismic shift spells both continuity and uncertainty, as the network’s cable roots remain firmly planted in a soon-to-be-separated entity.

The deal, which Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos called a “rare opportunity” to fuse innovation with century-old storytelling, caps a frenzied bidding war that pitted the Los Gatos-based streamer against heavyweights like Paramount Skydance and Comcast.

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), still reeling from its 2022 merger that ballooned its debt to $55 billion (now whittled down to about $34 billion), had already set the stage for this divestiture back in June.

That’s when the company unveiled plans to cleave itself into two: a glitzy Streaming & Studios arm—now Netflix’s prize—and a leaner Global Networks division housing cable stalwarts like CNN, TNT, TBS, and Discovery Channel.

Is The Deal Illegal?

The pending aquistion of Warner Bros. by Netflix has ignited immediate concerns about reduced competition in an already consolidating entertainment industry.

Regulators in the U.S. and Europe are poised to scrutinize the transaction, with the Clayton Act serving as a primary legal tool for potential intervention.

What Is The Clayton Act?

The Clayton Act, enacted in 1914 as an amendment to the Sherman Antitrust Act, is a cornerstone of U.S. antitrust law designed to prevent mergers and acquisitions that could substantially lessen competition or create monopolies before they fully materialize.

Unlike the broader Sherman Act, which targets existing anticompetitive behavior, Section 7 of the Clayton Act focuses on prospective harm, empowering the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) to block deals that threaten market dynamics. Violations are assessed through a “reasonableness” standard, considering factors like market concentration, barriers to entry, and potential effects on consumers, competitors, and innovation.

If the Netflix-WBD deal runs afoul of this, it could be enjoined by a court, forcing divestitures or outright abandonment.

Key Ways the Deal Could Violate the Clayton Act

To understand the risks, consider how regulators might apply Clayton Act principles to this merger.

The core allegation would likely center on the deal’s potential to entrench Netflix’s dominance in subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) streaming, a market already strained by cord-cutting and content wars. Here’s a breakdown:

These factors align with the DOJ/FTC’s 2023 Merger Guidelines, which emphasize “serial acquisitions” (Netflix’s history of smaller content buys) and the cumulative impact on nascent markets like streaming. Critics, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Richard Blumenthal, and Bernie Sanders, have urged the DOJ to probe for “political favoritism,” while anonymous filmmakers called for “the highest level of antitrust scrutiny.”

Paramount, a losing bidder, has accused WBD of bias and may lobby the Trump administration to intervene, citing ties to figures like ex-DOJ official Makan Delrahim.

What Happens To Atlanta’s CNN Operations?

For Atlanta, where Ted Turner’s legacy looms as large as the CNN Center’s glass facade, the implications hit close to home.

CNN, born here in 1980 as the world’s first 24-hour news channel, employs thousands across its Techwood Campus and the iconic CNN Center—once the world’s largest cable news facility before a 2020 sale amid AT&T’s debt-slashing frenzy.

Though much of the network’s high-profile anchoring has migrated to New York and Washington, D.C., Atlanta remains the nerve center for operations, from digital production to global bureaus.

The city’s media ecosystem, bolstered by these jobs and the economic ripple of events like the annual CNN Political Forum at the nearby Georgia World Congress Center, stands to feel the aftershocks.

A Clean Break for CNN: Stability in Separation?

Crucially, CNN isn’t crossing over to Netflix’s subscriber-driven world. The acquisition explicitly excludes WBD’s linear TV assets, leaving the news giant under the umbrella of the newly minted Discovery Global—a standalone public company expected to launch in Q3 2026, post-regulatory hurdles.

Led by WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels, this entity will encompass CNN alongside sports powerhouse TNT Sports, lifestyle networks like HGTV, and digital offshoots such as Discovery+ and Bleacher Report

It’s a nod to the enduring power of cable in a streaming age, even as cord-cutting erodes viewership.

Indeed, WBD CEO David Zaslav has long championed CNN’s “editorial integrity,” a stance echoed in past mergers. During the 2022 Discovery-WarnerMedia union, Zaslav vowed to “lean into” news, praising CNN’s global reach as rivaling only the BBC.

Yet, that era wasn’t without pain: Layoffs hit 200 in CNN’s TV division earlier this year, part of broader cost-cutting that trimmed bloat from the merger. With Discovery Global inheriting a chunk of WBD’s remaining debt, whispers of further efficiencies—perhaps in back-office ops at Techwood—aren’t off the table.

Atlanta’s Media Mosaic: Jobs, Legacy, and the Streaming Shadow

Zoom in on the ground, and the deal underscores Atlanta’s evolution from Turner’s scrappy superstation to a Southern Hollywood contender. The city’s film tax credits have lured over $10 billion in productions since 2008, with Warner Bros. Television contributing hits like Ozark spin-offs filmed at Pinewood Atlanta Studios.

Netflix’s absorption of Warner’s studios could indirectly boost this: Expanded U.S. production capacity, as promised in the deal, might mean more shoots in Georgia’s tax-friendly environs, creating spillover jobs for Atlanta crew and vendors.

But for CNN staffers—over 1,000 in metro Atlanta alone—the mood is cautiously optimistic. “We’ve weathered mergers before, from Time Warner to AT&T to Discovery,” says one anonymous producer at the CNN Center, where the network’s digital arm hums alongside a bustling atrium drawing tourists and locals alike. “This feels like a reset: No more subsidizing HBO’s prestige dramas with news budgets.”

The separation could free up resources for innovations like CNN’s award-winning VR documentaries or its push into podcasts, areas where Atlanta’s tech-savvy talent pool shines.

Challenges persist, though. Cable ad revenue, CNN’s lifeblood, dipped 10% industry-wide last quarter, forcing pivots to events and syndication. Rivals like Fox News and the rebranded MS NOW (formerly MSNBC, spun off earlier this year) are adapting with hybrid models, and Discovery Global’s success will hinge on bundling CNN with sports and lifestyle content to stem subscriber bleed.

Locally, that means more integration with TNT Sports’ NBA coverage—headquartered here—or Discovery’s real estate shows tying into Atlanta’s booming housing market.

Broader economic ripples could touch Atlanta’s creative class. Theater owners nationwide, including Georgia Exhibition Hall of Fame inductees like Regal’s local chains, decry the deal as a “threat to exhibition,” fearing Netflix’s day-and-date releases will gut box office hauls from Warner films like the upcoming Superman reboot.

With Atlanta’s AMC Dine-In Tara screening rooms already hurting post-pandemic, fewer theatrical runs could mean less buzz for local premieres and red carpets.

What Lies Ahead: A Peachtree Path Forward?

As the deal awaits shareholder nods and antitrust scrutiny—likely smoother than past sagas, given the cable carve-out—Atlanta watches with bated breath.

Netflix’s vow to “maintain Warner Bros.’ current operations, including theatrical releases” offers some solace, but the real story for CNN is reinvention under Discovery Global.

Final Word

In a city that’s hosted civil rights marches and Olympic flames, where MLK’s legacy inspires CNN’s town halls, the network’s Atlanta roots could be its anchor.

For now, the Techwood Campus in Midtown Atlanta buzzes on, a testament to resilience.

As Sarandos put it, this merger is about “stories that matter most to audiences.” In Atlanta, that means ensuring the city’s voice—fierce, diverse, unfiltered—stays amplified, whether via cable, stream, or the next big scoop from the CNN Center. Hollywood may have new overlords, but the South’s media capital isn’t fading quietly.

As Atlantans gear up for holiday shopping, Chef Hector Santiago’s beloved Poncey-Highland gem La Metro is making gifting easy (and delicious) with a new lineup of Spanish-inspired gift baskets packed with premium tinned seafood, pantry staples, and everything needed for an authentic paella night at home.

Starting Friday, November 28, guests can stop by the restaurant at 675 Ponce de Leon Avenue to browse and purchase the beautifully curated baskets in person.

Each one showcases Chef Santiago’s personal favorites from Spain and beyond – perfect for the food lover or home cook on your list.

Here are the three gifting options now available:

Tinned Goods & Pantry Basket – $85
A Spanish essentials collection featuring Marcona almonds, cornichons, fig jam, two varieties of crackers, extra-virgin olive oil, sherry vinegar, and a trio of premium tinned seafood.

Paella Kit Gift Basket – Large $95 | Small $65
Everything needed to host paella night at home. Both sizes include authentic paella rice, house-made paella broth, a traditional paella pan, and tinned octopus. The large version adds gourmet crackers, seaweed tartar, and tuna pâté for extra indulgence.

Build-Your-Own Gift Basket – Items $5–$30 each
Create a fully customized gift by mixing and matching from La Metro’s Iberian retail selection, including tinned seafood from acclaimed brands like La Narval, Fishwife, and Porto-Muiños, plus olive oil, olives, crackers, Marcona almonds, cured meats, fruit preserves, and paella kits.

“These baskets are a love letter to Spanish cuisine and the products I’m most passionate about,” said Chef Hector Santiago. “Whether you’re treating a paella enthusiast or someone who just loves great tinned fish and snacks, there’s something here that feels special.”

The gift baskets will be on display inside the restaurant and available for purchase during regular business hours starting Black Friday, November 28.

No pre-orders are required – just swing by, pick your favorite (or build your own), and check a few names off your holiday list.

La Metro is located at 675 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, inside Ponce City Market.

Final Word

Atlanta has a thriving cultural, food, sports and music scene, with venues like the Tabernacle and the Fox Theatre hosting concerts and shows throughout the year. The city is also home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Opera, offering world-class performances for music lovers.

Atlanta has a lot of cool things to do and places to eat, including some of the top soul food joints and remarkable Thai food spots. Explore the city.

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In a stunning conclusion to one of the most high-profile legal battles ever to grip Fulton County, a state prosecutor has formally dismissed the racketeering charges against former President Donald Trump and his allies for their alleged efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results.

The decision, announced Wednesday, marks the end of a saga that began in Atlanta’s courthouses and jails, drawing national attention while straining local resources and spotlighting the city’s role at the heart of American democracy.

The case, which centered on Trump’s infamous January 2020 phone call pressuring Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” enough votes to secure the state’s electoral votes, was spearheaded by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Filed on August 14, 2023, the sweeping indictment accused Trump and 18 co-defendants—including former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and attorney Rudy Giuliani—of orchestrating a criminal conspiracy under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act to unlawfully alter the election outcome in the Peach State.

End of Trump Case Concludes 2020 Election Legal Saga

For Atlantans, the case became a symbol of the city’s pivotal place in national politics.

Trump himself surrendered at the Fulton County Jail in downtown Atlanta in August 2023, enduring a brief but historic booking process that produced the first-ever mug shot of a U.S. president.

The image, snapped in the very facility that houses thousands of local inmates, went viral and underscored the gritty, real-world implications of federal-level drama playing out in Atlanta’s justice system.

The downfall of the prosecution traces back to turmoil within Willis’s office.

In early 2024, a motion filed by co-defendant Michael Roman exposed Willis’s romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she had hired to lead the investigation.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled in March 2024 that Willis could remain on the case only if Wade resigned—a move he made shortly after.

But the controversy escalated, with a Georgia appeals court disqualifying Willis entirely in December 2024 over the relationship and questions about her prosecutorial conduct.

The Georgia Supreme Court declined to intervene in September, leaving the case in limbo.

Enter Peter Skandalakis, director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, who stepped in as the interim overseer.

In a detailed order released Wednesday, Skandalakis cited a litany of insurmountable hurdles—including constitutional challenges, presidential immunity claims, jurisdictional disputes, and the sheer timeline of a potential trial stretching into 2029 or beyond—as reasons to pull the plug.

“Given the complexity of the legal issues at hand… bringing this case before a jury in 2029, 2030, or even 2031 would be nothing short of a remarkable feat,” Skandalakis wrote.

He emphasized that continuing would impose “undue burden and cost” on the state and specifically on Fulton County taxpayers, whose courts and staff have been tied up in the proceedings for years.

Skandalakis, a former elected official who has run as both a Democrat and Republican, framed his decision as apolitical.

“As a former elected official… this decision is not guided by a desire to advance an agenda but is based on my beliefs and understanding of the law,” he stated. He likened the case to a patient on “life support,” opting against prolonging what he called an unviable path forward. Four defendants, including three attorneys tied to Trump’s post-election efforts, had already pleaded guilty to lesser felony charges in plea deals, but the core RICO allegations against Trump and the remaining co-defendants now evaporate without a trial.

Trump’s lead defense attorney in Georgia, Steve Sadow, hailed the outcome as a victory over “lawfare.”

“This case should never have been brought. A fair and impartial prosecutor has put an end to this political persecution,” Sadow said in a statement.

The dismissal also aligns with the earlier dropping of federal election interference and classified documents cases brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, leaving Trump free of criminal accountability for his 2020 election challenges.

Locally, the news reverberates through Atlanta’s legal and political circles. Willis, a Democrat elected in 2020 on a promise to tackle high-profile corruption, saw her career trajectory altered by the scandal.

Her removal from the case has fueled debates about prosecutorial ethics and the pressures on Atlanta’s district attorneys, who often juggle national headlines with everyday local crime.

Community advocates worry about the precedent: Does this embolden future election meddling in a battleground state like Georgia, where Atlanta’s diverse electorate played a decisive role in Biden’s narrow 2020 victory?

Fulton County officials have yet to comment on potential resource reallocations, but the end of the case frees up courtrooms and personnel long dedicated to what was once touted as the strongest state-level threat to Trump’s return to power.

As Trump prepares for his second term, Atlantans are left reflecting on a chapter that put their city on the map—and in the mug shot books—forever.

This story will be updated as reactions pour in from local leaders and the Fulton County community.