Peach Drop Swapped for Drone Show

Atlanta is retiring the Peach Drop, replacing the New Year’s Eve event with a high-tech celebration dubbed Countdown Over ATL.

The new celebration will feature a 12-minute show with synchronized fireworks across the city and a digital drone Peach lighting up the sky over Midtown and Downtown.

Viewers are encouraged to watch from rooftops or backyards.

Mayor Andre Dickens announced the change on Monday. City leaders say the shift aims to reduce costs, boost safety, spread out crowds, and make the festivities more accessible for all Atlantans.

The Peach Drop has faced uncertainty in recent years, with periodic cancellations due to COVID-19 and funding issues.

  Hanukkah Attack Victims Mourned

A terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, shook Jewish communities in Georgia, including a Savannah rabbi whose family was close to the event organizer.

Rabbi Zalman Refson of Chabad of Savannah said the rabbi in Australia who organized the event grew up in his childhood hometown in England, and their families were close. “It was tremendously tragic. And it was like a weight on our hearts as we got ready to celebrate Hanukkah together with the entire Savannah community,” he said.

Georgia leaders responded to the attack with grief and resolve.

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff called the assault “cowardly antisemitic violence,” while U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock said, “We have to be very clear in condemning antisemitism. We’re seeing a rise of antisemitism in our own country and across the globe.”

Thieves Target Pokémon Cards

More than $100,000 in Pokémon cards have been stolen from game shops across metro Atlanta in a string of smash-and-grab burglaries in recent weeks.

Stores in Calhoun, Duluth, and Suwanee have been hit by thieves—often wearing motorcycle helmets—who were caught on video stuffing high-value cards into duffel bags. One Duluth shop was hit twice, losing more than $50,000 worth of merchandise.

Police are investigating possible links between the burglaries, while store owners say the crime spree is especially frustrating so close to Christmas.

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➤ Jackson: The state parole board on Monday ordered an indefinite delay in the execution of double murderer Stacey Humphreys, after Humphreys’ attorneys raised issues of possible conflicts of interest involving two board members. Humphreys’ execution had been scheduled for Wednesday. (More)

➤ Cobb County: A U.S. Postal Service worker resigned after allegedly stealing gift cards from mail in Acworth. The worker faces charges of theft and possession of stolen mail. (More)

➤ Peachtree Corners: Georgia Tech engineering students proposed adding a “displaced left turn” and a crosswalk to improve traffic flow near a school, with city leaders expressing interest. (More)

➤ Cumming: Retired police officer Robert Muth was killed when struck by a car while serving as a volunteer to direct traffic at the city’s Christmas parade on Saturday. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Gov. Brian Kemp urged U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, to lift his hold on Georgia National Guard officer Tom Carden’s confirmation hearing to serve as vice chief of the National Guard Bureau. (More)

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➤ The state’s high school football championships take place this week at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, including the 6A showdown between nationally ranked Buford and Carrollton at 8 p.m. today. (Details)

➤ Georgia men’s basketball made its first appearance in the AP’s weekly Top 25 rankings at No. 25. (Full Poll)

➤ Georgia Tech running backs coach Norval McKenzie may join the Virginia Tech coaching staff. (More)

➤ Atlanta Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis will miss at least the next two weeks with an unspecified illness. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ A survey found that Georgia small businesses are more optimistic than their peers nationally, citing a shortage of qualified workers as their top challenge. (More)

➤ FedEx has hired more than 200 workers in Pooler to help with holiday shipping, which has doubled to 50,000 packages daily. (More)

➤ Philanthropic organization Knight Foundation praised Macon as a model for revitalization, citing university investment, cultural preservation, and thriving small businesses as keys to the community’s success. (More)

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➤ Dave & Buster’s plans to open a restaurant and game room in Columbus this upcoming summer, as part of the expansion of the Columbus Park Crossing. (More)

➤ Metro Atlanta hospitals Northside Gwinnett, Northside Cherokee, and Tanner Medical Center were rated high-performing for maternity care in U.S. News’ latest national hospital rankings. (More)

➤ An Atlanta plumber offered winter weatherization tips, including how to use space heaters safely and close shutoff valves to prevent winter damage. (More)

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