The annual preseason celebration of all things Atlanta Braves will be here before you know it, and the free tickets are available now, according to a recent release by the franchise.
Braves Fest 2026, which takes place at Truist Park and The Battery and features free events, interactions with former Atlanta Braves players, and more, won’t take place until Saturday, January 31. However, free tickets to the event are available here.
Along with the live entertainment that takes place at Braves Fest, there will be photo sessions, Q&A panels, and an MLB The Show live competition for the gamers and fans of the popular video game.
Truist Park, September 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Braves Fest offers the casual baseball fan and the diehard Braves superfan the chance to experience the energy of Major League Baseball before the team departs for spring training at CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida.
Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training in early February. The season opener for the Braves against the Kansas City Royals will take place on Friday, March 27, at Truist Park (7:15 p.m. first pitch).
There will also be a few new wrinkles to Braves Fest. The opportunity to welcome the players participating in Braves Fest during the player walk & rally will kick off the day-long celebration. Fans can sit in on a recording of the Behind the Braves podcast and the Braves Country Convos podcast. The latter will be making its debut at Braves Fest. Both shows will feature special guests and what the release describes as “special moments.”
Along with the food and drinks that are sold at The Battery, there will also be a paint & sip with the Braves. Braves Bingo, baseball & softball instructional clinics, and a content creation corner are also scheduled to take place.
Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna, Jr. (center) and the Braves will be in North Port, Florida in less than two months for spring training. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Tickets to the autograph sessions with Braves players and coaches go on sale (keyword: SALE) a few weeks before Braves Fest begins on Wednesday, January 7.
Braves Fest is presented by Delta Air Lines, and all proceeds will benefit the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
The Atlanta Falcons came into Sunday‘s game against the Carolina Panthers ( now 6-5 overall) three games under .500, quite a distance from first-place Tampa Bay, whom the Falcons had already lost to in week one, and on a four-game losing streak. Believe it or not, things have gotten worse.
The Falcons, now 3-7 overall, managed to score just six points in the fourth quarter against the Panthers, resulting in a 30-27 loss. Three of these points came courtesy of a clutch 52-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez late in regulation.
This season, Atlanta is averaging 5.3 points per game during the 10 fourth quarters they have played. With the exception of the 10 points Atlanta scored against the Minnesota Vikings in week two, they haven’t reached the double-figure mark in a fourth quarter this season. Let’s get into the numbers:
The Falcons scored seven points against Tampa in a week-one loss, no points in the fourth quarter at Carolina in a 30-point loss in week three, and just three points against the Washington Commanders in a 34-27 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta was ahead 31-16 after three quarters and only managed a field goal the rest of the way.
In a week six win over the Buffalo Bills, the Falcons scored only three points in the fourth quarter, marking the last game they would win for the next five weeks. Atlanta did not score in the fourth quarter of their 20-10 loss at San Francisco in week seven.
The fourth-quarter scoring picked up a bit when the Falcons scored nine points against New England in a one-point loss on the road, and eight points in an overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin, Germany, last week.
The Atlanta Falcons are averaging 5.3 points per game in the fourth quarter this season. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The first game of the two meetings with the New Orleans Saints, the last-place team in the NFC South and one of the worst in the National Football League, will take place in two weeks on Nov. 23 at the Caesars Superdome (4:25 p.m. kickoff). Fourth-quarter scoring might not be needed to defeat the struggling Saints (2-8 overall),
The team’s saving grace this season, despite the play on the opening drives to start the game and to start the second half on Sunday, has been the Falcons’ defense. On Carolina’s second drive of the game, the Falcons forced a punt following a sack by rookie corner Billy Bowman, Jr. That sack almost knocked Young out of the game as he was slow to get back on his feet afterward. Young had started nine of the Panthers’ 10 games this season.
This team should be able to score more points in the fourth quarter. Falcons receiver Drake London went over 100 yards receiving with his fifth reception of the first half on Sunday. Bijan Robinson had over 90 yards rushing at halftime of the loss to Carolina. It has been the second half of games that have been the issue this season.
The Saints game is followed by a trip to New Jersey to play the New York Jets on Sunday, Nov. 30. The opportunity for the Falcons to make the playoffs might be dwindling, but getting back to .500 is a realistic possibility. That, however, will start with scoring in the fourth quarter.
The Atlanta Falcons are now 3-7 after wasting away a huge first-half lead to the visiting Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon. The 30-27 overtime loss put the Falcons on a nearly impossible road to a playoff berth.
Being swept by the Carolina Panthers can singularly define the 2025 season. A 28-yard field goal from Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, his second of the game, was the final blow of the afternoon.
Fourth-quarter scoring has been an issue for the Falcons this season. Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins came in for an injured Penix, Jr. at the beginning of the fourth quarter and proceeded to lead the team into several punt situations. Carolina followed with a three-and-out and gave the ball back to Atlanta with 10:11 remaining in the game. Neither team could move the ball during the final 15 minutes of the game.
With 2:43 remaining in the game, Zane Gonzalez made a 52-yard field goal to give Atlanta some breathing room at 24-19. The three points were the only points the Falcons scored during the second half of the game.
Carolina mounted a successful eight-point scoring drive to take the lead at 27-24 with less than a minute and a half remaining in the game. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young has always played well in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Sunday’s game was another notch in his belt.
The Falcons’ defense was without veteran starters Dee Alford, Mike Hughes, and Leonard Floyd on Sunday. And that didn’t help as the National Football League (NFL) leader in pass defense gave up a touchdown on the opening drive of the game. Despite rookie edge rusher James Pearce, Jr. recording another sack, the Panthers converted two third downs and a fourth down possession en route to Panthers quarterback Bryce Young to rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan. The touchdown was Young’s 12th of the season and McMillan’s third.
The Falcons’ offense, led by quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., immediately marched downfield and scored on a four-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a four-yard touchdown run by Bijan Robinson. During the drive, Penix found his best receiver, Drake London, for two long pass plays. The ease with which the Falcons scored on that drive leads one to believe this can happen all the time. At least in terms of this season, it hasn’t.
The team’s saving grace this season, despite the play on that opening drive, has been the defense. On Carolina’s second drive of the game, the Falcons forced a punt following a sack by rookie corner Billy Bowman, Jr. That sack almost knocked Young out of the game as he was slow to get back on his feet afterward. Young had started nine of the Panthers’ 10 games this season.
Both Young and Penix, Jr., were knocked around a bit during this game. Penix, Jr., took a tough hit during a third-down possession in the third quarter and was also slow to get to his feet. Penix, Jr. was also announced as “questionable” with knee soreness. Falcons backup quarterback Kirk Cousins started the fourth quarter.
Atlanta’s third offensive possession of the game wasn’t as smooth, but it ate up 8:07 of game clock and ended in a second touchdown for Robinson. Arguably one of the five best offensive players in the NFL, Robinson only had three touchdowns coming into the game. His one-yard rush put the Falcons ahead 14-7 midway through the second quarter. He was well on his way to having a 100-yard game before halftime. If accomplished, it would be his third such game of the season.
London went over 100 yards receiving with his fifth reception of the first half. The pass from Penix, Jr. was for 22 yards down into the Panthers’ red zone. The Panthers had a pair of holding penalties that further hurt their chances of stopping the Falcons’ offense. Another short run, this time by Tyler Allgeier, resulted in a third Falcons touchdown and a 21-7 lead with 1:41 remaining in a nearly flawless first half. The touchdown gave Allgeier seven touchdowns for the season, a team-high.
Carolina wasn’t through, with Young finding McMillan again for a long gain down into Falcons territory with just under a minute and a half to play in the half. The Panthers left the field for the locker room with a successful 29-yard field goal in hand, and a 21-10 deficit in the books.
Similar to the first half, Carolina scored on its opening drive of the half. Young found receiver Xavier Leggette for a touchdown to cut the Atlanta lead to 21-16. Panthers second-year head coach David Canales decided to go for a two-point conversion, which was unsuccessful. No matter, the Falcons immediately gave their guests the ball back after fumbling the ensuing kick-off.
That fumble was the turning point of the game as the Panthers drove the field with Young finding Legette again, and Panthers running back Rico Dowdle moving the chains into Falcons’ territory. On a fourth and one on the Falcons’ eight-yard line, Canales, apparently a gambling man, decided to go for it instead of kicking a field goal. Young was stopped on a bootleg run, and Atlanta got the ball back. A touchdown there could have been apocalyptic for the Falcons.
Carolina would pick up three points on a 34-yard field goal following a 10-play drive to move within two points, 21-19, at the end of the third quarter.
BELLEAIR, Fla. (AP) — Kai Trump shot a 13-over 83 on Thursday in her LPGA Tour debut in The Annika, leaving President Donald Trump’s granddaughter last in the 108-player field.
In breezy afternoon conditions at Pelican Golf Club, the high school senior bogeyed the first four holes and finished the birdie-less round with nine bogeys and two double bogeys.
“I was definitely more nervous than I expected, but I thought I hit a lot of great shots out there,” she said. “I hit a lot of good shots just to the wrong spots.”
“It was pretty cool because I know I hit it far, but kind of playing with the best players in the world and being literally right there or even outdriving on some of the holes, it felt pretty good,” said Trump, the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. “Felt like my game is in a good spot, and especially only being a senior in high school.”
One of the things that makes Atlanta a sort of utopia for Black Americans is the number of Black-owned businesses within its borders. According to a recent report by the Pew Research Center, only three percent of American companies are owned and primarily operated by Black people. In comparison, just over 11 percent are owned by Asians, while Hispanics own eight percent of companies.
While Florida leads with the most Black-owned businesses, totaling 21,000 according to Pew, Georgia, with just under 17,000, has Atlanta, which is the city with the most Black-owned businesses in America.
Family photos like the one above are located all over the funeral home. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
The continued success of Black-owned businesses is vital to Atlanta’s lifeblood and reputation as one of the dwindling number of larger “Black cities” in the United States, alongside sister cities such as Chicago, Washington, D.C., Houston, and Philadelphia, respectively.
Murray Brothers Funeral Home, Inc., located in Southwest Atlanta off Cascade Road, is one of many family-owned Black businesses that began and continue to operate in Atlanta. Founded by Hubert Murray on Labor Day, September 7, 1981, Murray Brothers is a name synonymous with Black business in Atlanta.
Murray Brothers Funeral Home was founded by Hubert Murray on Labor Day, September 7, 1981. The current address is the third home for the business. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
From Hubert to Kenneth to William and beyond
On a cool Tuesday morning in late October, inside the funeral home’s chapel, William Murray, Jr. and his youngest sister, Ayako Murray, stood on either side of their father and stared into the photographer’s camera.
“Hubert Murray used to walk around Booker T. Washington High School, telling people he was going to open up a funeral home,” Murray, Sr., the family’s master storyteller, said. “I believe he was inspired by our uncle, Norris Gunby.”
Murray Brothers Funeral Home founder Hubert Murray. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
A photo of Hubert rests in a frame on a dresser in the hall of Murray Funeral Home.
Murray, Sr. recalled Gunby, originally from Lincolnton, Georgia, traveling the 130-plus miles to Atlanta to see family and discuss the idea of opening a funeral home. When Murray family members, back in what Murray Sr. called their “ancestral home,” passed away, they all trekked back to Lincolnton for funerals.
“You had to go, there wasn’t no way out of it,” Murray, Sr, said.
Gunby owned several businesses in Lincolnton, one of which was the funeral home he eventually opened. Years later, the family would open Murray Brothers Funeral Home. Murray, Sr, and his family were living in Pennsylvania when he got the call to come home and help out on a family project.
“I worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week, and 30 days later on Labor Day, we opened Murray Brothers Funeral Home,” Murray, Sr. said.
William Murray, Sr. and William Murray, Jr., October 2025. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
The first Murray Brothers was located at 195 Senoia Rd. in Fairburn, and the second at 502 Pryor St., SW, in Atlanta. What began as a trip to buy additional furniture for the funeral home at an auction turned into an expansion. A local funeral home, J. Austin Dillion, had closed, and Hubert Murray ended up securing the building and everything in it.
“He met the owners, they came to an agreement, and then he said, ‘Look what we got,’” Murray, Sr. said.
Today, William Murray, Sr., along with his children William Murray, Jr., Zenia Murray McCray, Ayako Murray, and Candis Mathis, continue to represent the family name in the bereavement and funeral services business. There’s only one location in Cascade, which was purchased in 1991, but the reach of Murray Brothers is citywide.
William Murray, Sr. (seated), Ayako Murray (left), and William Murray, Jr. inside the chapel at Murray Brothers Funeral Home, Oct. 2025. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Murrays have always run the business; Hubert ran the business up until his passing in 1991. Kenneth Earl Murray, Sr., ran the business for 26 years, and Murray, Sr. ran the business for five years. Kenneth was featured in a May 1976 issue of Ebony magazine. On the cover were the gleaming domes of singer/songwriter Isaac Hayes and actor Telly Savalas. The story was titled, “The Shaved Head Syndrome: What’s It all About?” Murray wasn’t bald; he was a sought-after interior designer and was included in a list of “The 100 Most Influential Blacks.”
The company reorganized, and William Murray, Jr., was elected managing partner in November 2023. Along with his sister Zenia, they are the future of the business. Having grown up in the funeral home, the company would be passed down.
“I can always remember as a kid, I would say that I never wanted to work in a funeral home,” Zenia said.
Zenia’s fifth-grade teacher brought a copy of a homework assignment, “What are you going to be when you grow up?” to the funeral of her mother, with whom she shared a name, and showed it to her. The assignment said she would be a funeral director one day. Zenia laughed while retelling the story.
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
“I guess I lied,” she said.
Today, she is one of the funeral directors alongside Ron Jenkins.
“We can all agree on how blessed we are to have served the public all these years,” Jenkins, an unofficial member of the Murray family, the other funeral director, and the funeral home’s head embalmer, said.
A native of Beaufort, South Carolina, Jenkins, came to Atlanta to attend mortuary school at Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur. On his first-ever visit to Murray Brothers, he would wind up helping bring boxes in off of a delivery truck.
Jenkins remembers Kenneth Earl Murray, Sr., asking him three questions, one of which was when he wanted to move into the living quarters at Murray Brothers. That was in 1986, and he has been at Murray Brothers ever since.
“He gave me a chance of a lifetime,” Jenkins said.
William Murray, Jr., Jenkins, and Zenia all shared stories of working with families. The common thread of all of the stories was the quality of service Murray Brothers is expected to deliver to families during one of the worst times. Zenia continues that tradition by opening a funeral home, McCray Family Funeral Service & Cremation, in Bankhead.
“It’s a hell of an accomplishment,” Murray, Jr. said.
Murray Brothers handled the funeral service for Atlanta’s first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson, and the funeral for Bobby Brown’s sister, Elizabeth Brown. William, Jr. remembers watching the late Whitney Houston walk into the church and take to the pulpit to sing, “I Love the Lord.”
Having Houston sing at a service was something William Jr. said he would never forget, but he remained professional.
“This position is a calling, so people look at you a certain way,” said William, Jr., who has been married to his wife Valarie for the past 28 years, said. “Murray Brothers is the standard, and we handle things in a professional manner.”
William Murray, Sr. (above). Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Planting Seeds
Towards the end of a recent interview with the family one afternoon, Murray, Sr., brought a plate of peppers, bean sprouts, and mustard greens from his garden to the table. A member of the Georgia Master Gardener Association, he learned how to garden by watching his late mother, Myrtice Murray. Murray, Sr., believes there’s power in providing nourishment from the earth.
“It’s important because they label anything, but if you grow it yourself, you will know what you’re eating,” he said. “With gardening, I am able to reach out and touch people. It’s good for your mind, soul, and spirit.”
Murray, Sr. said Murray Brothers has helped start gardens at local churches, including Lindsey Street Baptist Church, Zion Hill Baptist Church, and Salem Bible Church. At Thanksgiving time, Murray, Sr. said he has been able to give back to the community that has helped make Murray Brothers a household name in Atlanta for many years. He gives back through the garden.
“On some instances, I have been able to give out two or three hundred bunches of collard greens for families at Thanksgiving,” he said, calling his efforts, “creating goodwill.”
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Murray, Sr., handed the reporter a piece of mustard greens off the plate next and asked him to try it. “It’s spicy. You bite it twice, you’ll say it ain’t nothing, but bite it a third time and you’ll get to sweating.”
He took a tiny ghost pepper off the plate and waved it around.
“You’ll need to wash your hands if you touch that one,” he joked.
Explaining what the family business has done for the community for the past 44 years, Murray, Sr. simply said, “We care for the dead, but we also care for the living.”
BELLEAIR, Fla. (AP) — Kai Trump is ready to live out her childhood dream in the spotlight.
The granddaughter of President Donald Trump will be making her LPGA debut this week in The Annika at Pelican Golf Club.
The 18-year-old high school senior already sounds like a pro. She handled a 12-minute news conference Tuesday with poise and maturity.
“I think I’m going to learn a lot no matter what happens,” Kai Trump said. “I’m just going to go out there and have fun and see which way it goes. I’m going to take a lot away from it. Obviously, competing with the best players is going to be cool. To be inside the ropes with them, playing with them, learning what kind of shots they hit, what do they do on the course. So, yeah, just looking forward to it and playing with the best.”
Trump began playing golf at age 2 and has committed to going to the University of Miami. She received one of the three sponsor exemptions for the tournament that are usually given to players who can help promote women’s golf. Trump has more than 9 million followers on social media. WNBA star Caitlin Clark is also playing in the tournament in the pro-am.
“So the idea of the exemption, when you go into the history of exemptions, is to bring attention to an event,” said Dan Doyle Jr., owner of Pelican Golf Club. “She’s lovely to speak to and she brought a lot of viewers through Instagram and things like that that normally don’t watch women’s golf was the hopes, and we’re seeing it now on Instagram and social media. So it’s created a buzz on top of the other great players that we have here.”
Trump played half the course with legendary golfer Annika Sorenstam, the tournament host, on Monday. Sorenstam mentioned how she received a controversial invitation to play on the PGA Tour in 2003 and that turned casual spectators into experts with strong opinions.
“Kai brings a lot of different people to the sport and we want people to hear about our tournament and be part of it,” Sorenstam said. “The word is spreading and I think that’s a good thing. Keep in mind, The ANNIKA Foundation is a beneficiary here, and we’re all about providing and empowering our women. It really fits in our mission as well. We’re really looking forward to the week.”
Trump asked Sorenstam for a few tips while they were on the course together.
“It was amazing,” Trump said. “I asked her a few questions about her swing and what I should maybe do differently. I just asked her questions around the greens, too, because around these greens it’s tough and you can hit different shots into them and what her opinion would be on some of those shots. It was really cool meeting her. She’s a legend, so nice to play nine holes with her.”
No, Kai’s grandpa isn’t coming to watch her play this weekend.
“He’s running the world right now, so a little busy,” Trump said. “To me, he’s just a normal grandpa. Always has been.”
Yes, she’s plays with President Trump but wouldn’t reveal who wins.
“He’s pretty good. We have some tight matches. Yeah, can’t say much,” she said. “We play a lot. We have a great time out there. We’re always on the same team as well.”
Grandpa’s advice?
“Go out there and have fun. Just don’t get nervous,” she said.
Tiger Woods also gave Trump advice.
“I mean, he is the best golfer in the entire world. I would say that. And even better person,” she said. “He told me to go out there and have fun and just go with the flow. Whatever happens, happens.”
Trump’s best finish was runner-up on a Hurricane Junior Tour event. She finished last (by 22 shots) at 52-over par at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. Currently. Trump is ranked No. 461 by the American Junior Golf Association.
“I think what I love most about golf is that it’s challenging. You’re never going to be 100% and there is always something to work on,” Trump said. “I think that’s kind of keeps on bringing me back to play golf and practice golf.”
Kai Trump rose to prominence with her speech during last year’s Republican National Convention where she talked about having a “normal grandpa” who would give her soda and candy when her parents weren’t watching.
She’s the eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr.
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AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson contributed to this report.
Parents and family members gathered to eat pizza and drink soft drinks in what would normally be the press box at OTE Arena on Saturday night. It was the opening week of the fifth season of what was once a basketball experiment for young players looking to go pro, and has since sent players to the National Basketball Association (NBA), high-level Division I NCAA programs, and overseas.
The family members watched their relatives, young basketball prospects like Marcus Spears, Jr., David Baliraine, Kam Mercer, Mathias Vazquez, Taylen Kinney, and Tyran Frazier move up and down the court. Former NBA All-Star and McDonald’s All-American Jermaine O’Neal roamed the sideline for one of the teams, Faze. Still looks like he could play a couple of minutes at the age of 47.
Fans of all stripes filled the stands inside OTE Arena. Another opening weekend sellout was taking place.
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Basketball was in the air in Midtown.
Artwork of the Thompsopn twins, currently in the NBA, in the Overtime Elite offices. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Five years ago, the idea of hosting a high-level basketball game in Atlantic Station was just that – an idea. Bringing in young, talented amateurs who would give up their eligibility to turn pro and play for Overtime Elite was like nothing the sport had ever seen. Would it work? Flash forward five years, and success stories like the Thompson twins, Amen and Ausar are playing significant minutes for the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons.
Overtime Elite is working, says the league’s co-founder and CEO, Dan Porter. Asked what he believes are the reasons why, Porter said, “If I had to pick the top three reasons, I’d say that we never forget that we’re in the audience business. I also think that young people want to see people who are like them. There’s something about seeing someone and saying, ‘I can be like him one day. ’
Sitting back in his seat, Porter paused before he gave his third reason.
“Atlanta,” he said. “The city really welcomed us.”
At halftime, fans made their way over to the multiple concessions stands around the arena and over to the gift shop. During the league’s first year, there were barely any concessions for sale. Other fans were making signs at the poster station. Small improvements like these are part of the league’s growth.
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
“To me, personally, it speaks to the power of possibility and the ability to take an idea and turn it into reality,” said Anna Karefa-Johnson, the VP of Experiential Strategy and Live Events.
The buzz around OTE feels like it hasn’t subsided over the years. There are 20 new players in the league this year, with 12 of them being ranked among the top 100 2026 recruits in the country. Players like Kinney and Spears, Jr., are being recruited by hundreds of collegiate programs.
Karefa-Johnson said the continued high level of interest from college programs is more proof that five years in, OTE is working beyond any expectations.
“What we have been able to prove is that there isn’t a problem or challenge we’re not able to meet,” Karefa-Johnson said.
Overtime Elite fans create signs at the poster station during Saturday night’s game. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Mindy DeBruce, OTE’s Head of Player Services and Experience, has been with OTE for the past four years. The former head softball coach at Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Albany State University, DeBruce’s focus is on the players. Having been in charge of a non-revenue sport at an HBCU, DeBruce understands the importance of balancing the needs and wants of players.
“I believe it’s going incredibly well because of our ability to pivot in the marketplace,” DeBruce said. “We’ve grown and grown.”
During the game, the first of two on Friday night, DeBruce could be seen making her way down a hallway while escorting the family of one of the players.
“We provide multiple options for the kids,” said DeBruce, a wife and mother.
One of the players OTE personnel hopes will grow up during this season is Vazquez. A 6-foot-8 forward from Brazil in his first season with OTE, on one particular trip upcourt, Vazquez took a jab-step, pump-faked his defender, and instead of driving by him, he took a three-pointer. The ball went through the net. The chances of a talented young player like him with full college eligibility getting a shot at a Division I scholarship at a Power 5 program like the ones at Georgia Tech or the University of Georgia are assured. He could also go play overseas after he’s done at OTE. Like DeBruce said, these players have options, and that is why they continue to choose OTE five years after the first group signed on the dotted line. The experiment that is OTE continues.
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
“It’s unique, it’s not patterned after anything else,” Karefa-Johnson said about OTE.
Asked what she’s most proud of after being a part of the program from day one, Karefa-Johnson said it was the opportunities this league has been able to provide to players and staff members.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in file photo at the White House with President Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
WASHINGTON, DC – The White House is announcing another plan meant to lower the cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced said the Food and Drug Administration will be making it easier for ” biosimilars” to enter U.S. markets, something Europe has been doing for decades. Biosimilars are drugs similar to those that have been proven to work and have already been approved by the FDA.
“This is a victory for patients, for innovation, and commonsense,” Kennedy told reporters. “In Europe, for example, regulators have approved more than twice as many biosimilars as the United States,” he added.
Kennedy says he is cutting the red tape, and clinical trials that are necessary before these types of drugs can be sold in the U.S.
New York (CNN) — OpenAI announced that it has “paused” users’ ability to generate videos of Martin Luther King Jr. on its artificial intelligence video tool Sora, following backlash over “disrespectful depictions.”
“While there are strong free speech interests in depicting historical figures, OpenAI believes public figures and their families should ultimately have control over how their likeness is used,” the company said in a Thursday statement posted on X. “Authorized representatives or estate owners can request that their likeness not be used in Sora cameos.”
The change comes a few weeks after the launch of Sora 2, which lets users make realistic-looking AI-generated videos using real and historical people. Critics charge that it’s contributing to an era of misinformation and “AI slop” that is blurring the lines between what’s real and what’s fake.
The product has also generated online discussion about ethics around the use of this technology. Some creators were using King’s likeness for inappropriate purposes. Users recently recreated the late actor Robin Williams in AI videos, prompting his daughter Zelda to call them “disturbing.”
OpenAI said it “thanks Dr. Bernice A. King for reaching out on behalf of King, Inc., and John Hope Bryant and the AI Ethics Council for creating space for conversations like this.”
The King Center didn’t immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.
The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Buffalo Bills, 24-14, on Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of more than 70,000 fans. Atlanta last hosted Buffalo on October 1, 2017, and the Falcons lost that game. After Monday’s game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris called the victory “a big-time team win” and was “well-fought by the guys.”
Currently on a two-game win streak, the Falcons will have to travel to the West Coast in order to extend that streak of success. Up next: the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers are tied at the top spot in the NFC West at 4-2, tied with the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, who each have the same overall record. The Falcons and 49ers have something in common: they both have lost to Tampa Bay. The 49ers are coming into the Sunday Night Football matchup with the Falcons following a 30-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. To ref
During the first half of the victory over Buffalo, the Falcons’ defense sacked Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen twice. The Falcons’ front four kept pressure on Allen the entire game, and several of his pass attempts were thrown under duress. Falcons defensive back Dee Alford intercepted an Allen pass, one of the quarterback’s two interceptions.
The Falcons’ defensive front line gets all the praise a day after the smoke has cleared. Still, the secondary’s play allowed Ruke Orhorhoro, David Onyemata, and James Pearce, Jr. to help hold Allen to just 42 rushing yards to go along with his underwhelming passing night (15-26 for 180 yards and two touchdowns). According to Morris, the return of veteran corner A.J. Terrell, Jr. was also an assist.
“AJ coming back this week was awesome,” Morris said after the game. “He’s one of our leaders in the back end. “We had a couple of penalties down the field, but those things will happen when you’re fighting throughout the play.”
Morris said, along with Terrell and Alford, veteran corner Mike Hughes was among the players who made “big plays” during the game.
“I really like how those guys went out there and fought. I think they all made big plays at different times throughout the game against one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League, if not the best,” Morris said.
Falcons quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., now nine starts into his NFL career, said he wanted to credit the defense for securing the victory. When asked about the play of the secondary, Penix, Jr. said the play was “really good!”
“Midway through the week, I heard [coach] say the defense was going to play a lot of man, and they did that, and those guys were up for the challenge,” said Penix (20-32 for 250 yards and a touchdown). “They played great football and allowed our defensive line to get sacks and stuff like that because Josh [Allen] had to hold the ball whenever people weren’t open down the field.”
“We definitely couldn’t have won that game without what they did on that side of the ball,” Penix said.
49ers quarterback Mac Jones was intercepted twice during his team’s loss to Tampa last week. The Falcons’ secondary has intercepted passes during all of their victories this season.
Atlanta will need Penix, Robinson, the defensive line, and smart coaching decisions to win the game at San Francisco on Sunday night. They will also need the secondary to be as stellar, if not better, than it was on Monday night against the Bills.
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (above) had over 200 yards from the line of scrimmage, including 170 yards rushing. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Buffalo Bills, 24-14, on Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of more than 70,000 screaming fans (the majority of whom felt and sounded like they were from up North).
The last time Atlanta hosted Buffalo was on October 1, 2017. The Falcons lost that game.
After the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris called the victory “a big-time team win” and was “well-fought by the guys.”
Falcons and Bills fans make their way over the bridge to Mercedes-Benz Stadium before Monday night’s game. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The Falcons (0-2 in the NFC South) came into Monday night’s game with as much rest as any team in the league. Getting a bye week followed by a game on Monday on your home turf has to be the best-case scenario for any team.
It didn’t take the Falcons’ offense long to get into the end zone. For a consecutive game, the Falcons scored on their opening drive. Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. (20 for 32 for 250 yards and a touchdown) completed two passes to his go-to receiver, Drake London (10 receptions for 158 yards), before runs by Bijan Robinson (more than 200 total yards from scrimmage) led to a touchdown run by the team’s other running back, Tyler Allgeier.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris (above) after the 24-14 victory. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Atlanta was ahead for four minutes before Buffalo put together a long drive on their opening drive, which ended with a pass from quarterback Josh Allen to tight end Dawson Knox to tie the game at seven.
The first quarter ended with a three-minute Falcons drive capped by a long run by Robinson, Penix’s first touchdown pass of the game to London, and a 14-7 advantage. The Falcons were ahead at the end of the first 15 minutes of play for a consecutive week. The good vibes continued early in the second quarter when the Falcons’ defense stole the show at first, sacking Allen twice in the same drive. Following a Buffalo punt, Robinson took a handoff from Penix and raced up the right sideline for an 81-yard touchdown. Robinson shook off a couple of would-be tacklers en route to the Buffalo end zone and a 21-7 lead for the home team.
The Falcons scored on their possession of the game and twice during the first quarter. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The Falcons could have gone ahead by 17 points, but head coach Raheem Morris decided to go for it on fourth down instead of attempting a 40-plus-yard field goal. The Falcons went into the locker room with a 14-point lead.
During the first half, the Falcons’ defense sacked Allen twice and intercepted a pass. The latter went to Dee Alford, his second career pick as a Falcon.
Buffalo began the second half by scoring on an efficient drive that ended with a short touchdown run by Ray Davis. The Bills pulled closer to the Falcons, 21-14. Both teams traded wasted possessions during the remainder of the third quarter.
In the fourth, Buffalo got the ball back with 8:30 remaining in the game.
A pair of Colorado Rockies fans (center) and thousands of Atlanta Braves fans enjoy The Battery before Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Sunday will be the final game of the season.
The Atlanta Braves’ 2025 season is nearly over. There will be no postseason play for the Braves this time around, though. The National League East belongs to the rival Philadelphia Phillies. A potential wild card spot may go to Atlanta’s other rival, the New York Mets. For Braves fans, the final series against the Pittsburgh Pirates and whether the team wins matters less than what will be in place when the team meets at CoolToday Park in Venice, Florida, for spring training next year.
There’s a lot that went wrong this season (injuries, losing streaks, blown leads, blown saves, and Michael Harris II’s month of May and June, to name a few), but there were also enough positive performances for the fan base to be looking forward to the 2026 season.
Michael Harris II (above) celebrates after hitting a home run during the series against the Chicago White Sox at Truist Park. Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves
The 10-game win streak may have taken place at the end of the season, but it did happen. That streak of close wins, blowout victories, and stellar pitching performances (by Spencer Strider, Chris Sale, and Bryce Elder in particular) was an example of what this team can do when healthy.
All-Star first baseman Matt Olson had a career year. On Saturday night against the Pirates, Olson, an Atlanta native, played his 161st game of the year. During that time on the field, he has managed to lead the team in home runs (29), RBI (94), batting average (.272), doubles (40), and walks (90). His defense at first base has been Golden Glove-level.
Hurston Waldrep emerged as the club’s next star on the mound. Waldrep began his career in the majors as a last-minute call-up and had to pitch in Bristol, Tennessee, following a rainout. That was the Speedway Classic against the Cincinnati Reds on August 2, and Waldrep has been impressive during his nine starts (6-1 overall record).
Michael Harris II had one of the best offensive second halves in Braves history. He hasn’t been too bad over the past week, either. Harris II is hitting over .370 with three home runs, seven RBI, four steals, and is slugging over .800. Harris will be an important piece of the 2026 team, with his defense in centerfield and speed on the basepaths. Harris’s bat will also be needed if Atlanta is going to be a postseason team next year. Even with his early-season struggles, Harris will finish this season second on the team in RBI, first in steals, and one of five players with at least 20 home runs.
Ozzie Albies, a fixture at second base for years, had a strong second half as well. He played in 157 games before injuring his hand late in the season. Albies hit 16 home runs, drove in 74 runs, and had 23 doubles, second only to Olson.
Hurston Waldrep (above) of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Truist Park on August 20, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves
The Lows:
Atlanta began the 2025 season with seven consecutive losses and never seemed to get back on track. The 2026 season will begin at Truist Park, though. The opponents will be the Kansas City Royals and the (add city here) A’s.
The Atlanta Braves will finish the 2025 season under .500 at Truist Park.
All five of the opening day starting pitchers missed significant time this season. All of them. In his final start of the season, Spencer Strider gave up three earned runs and seven hits against the Pirates.
Drake Baldwin (above) of the Atlanta Braves celebrates scoring during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Truist Park on September 8, 2025. Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves
The Future: The Braves have a ton of young talent on this roster, and most of those players will be needed if Atlanta is going to retain its spot atop the National League East.
Braves catcher Drake Baldwin is one of the top rookies in the National League. The Wisconsin native and former hockey player is on his way to becoming the full-time catcher for this team after platooning with Sean Murphy early in the season. Baldwin has 19 home runs and 80 RBI, and has quickly become one of the clutch hitters on this team.
Nacho Alvarez Jr. (above) hits a single in the fourth inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on September 22, 2025. Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves
Along with Waldrep, there are other young arms on the roster. Grant Holmes (21 starts this year), Spencer Swellenbach (17), and AJ Smith-Shawver (9) all gave the team quality starts when their numbers were called. All three pitchers will get starts next season alongside veterans like Strider, Sale, and Bryce Elder.
Currently at third base, Nacho Alvarez, Jr. has been impressive defensively in place of Austin Riley, who was hurt a few months ago. Alvarez, Jr. will not and cannot replace the offensive out of Riley, but will make a fine addition to the Braves’ bench when the time comes to give Riley a rest.
And of course, there’s Ronald Acuna, Jr., arguably one of the best players in baseball when healthy.
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker (above) didn’t hint to the media about his future plans after today’s game. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The Atlanta Braves’ win streak ended Wednesday afternoon following a 4-3 loss to the Washington Nationals. The Braves chipped away at the Nationals’ lead throughout the game, but came up short.
First pitch was at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The Braves, now 75-84, were looking to win their 11th straight game. Tough-luck starter, Bryce Elder (8-10 with a 5.36 ERA), was on the mound for his 28th and final start of the season. Elder had been pitching well over his past seven starts, striking out 37 batters while going an impressive 3-1.
He didn’t pitch too badly on Wednesday, but not well enough to get the win.
Elder, as is his penchant this season, gave up an earned run in the first inning of the game. Three of the first four Nationals to take the plate had hits, including an RBI single from left fielder Daylen Lile. Elder would give up another run in the fourth inning following a solo home run by Josh Bell.
Washington’s starter, Andrew Alvarez, was doing the opposite of Elder and cruising through three innings. Following a walk to Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna, Jr. to start the fourth inning, Alvarez got Drake Baldwin to ground out, Ha-Seong Kim to fly out, and Marcell Ozuna to strike out. Through four innings, Alvarez had only given up a single and struck out five Braves. Wednesday’s game was the Anaheim, California native’s sixth career start.
Braves starter Bryce Elder after the game on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The Braves played some of their best baseball at the end of this season, leaving the fan base with something to look forward to in 2026. Whether manager Brian Snitker is manning the ship is another question.
The Braves will have three more home games to close the regular season. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
One of the players who will be key to a successful 2026 season is center fielder Michael Harris II. Harris II, one of the best defensive center fielders in the Majors, had two home runs during the win on Tuesday night and began the fifth inning of this game with a single. Harris II stole third base during the inning, giving him 20 steals for the season. Another home run would lock up a 20-20 season.
Down 2-0 in the fifth inning, Atlanta had the bases loaded with one out before Matt Olson popped up to second base and Acuna, Jr. grounded out to short, ending the inning.
Elder gave up another solo home run to start the sixth inning, this time to James Wood. Elder pitched seven innings and struck out seven Nationals.
Woods hit another solo home run, his 29th of the season, off reliever Tyler Kinley in the seventh inning to put his team ahead 4-1. Ozuna got a run back for the Braves with a solo home run in the eighth inning.
In the ninth inning, Eli White came off the bench to hit another solo home run off Washington reliever Jose A. Ferrer to bring Atlanta within a run at 4-3.
Atlanta will end the regular season with a three-game weekend series with the Pittsburgh Pirates at Truist Park.
The Atlanta Falcons are headed back home to Georgia following a 22-6 victory in Minnesota on Sunday night.
The Falcons will be back on the road in week three of the schedule, this time in Carolina to face the 0-2 Carolina Panthers. Losers to Arizona by five points, 27-22, the Panthers got big offensive outputs from quarterback Bryce Young (328 yards passing and three touchdowns) and rookie receiver Tetairoa (six catches for 100 yards). Both players must be high up on the Falcons’ defensive scouting reports.
Wasted opportunities: The Falcons’ defense held the Vikings to six first-half points in front of a sold-out home crowd during their home opener and only managed to get three field goals for their efforts. Parker Romo made 38, 29, and 33-yard field goals, but should have been kicking extra points instead. They would get that first touchdown late in the game. That lack of offensive production might not be enough against the Washingtons and Buffalos of the world, though.
Rookies Stepping Up: Falcons rookies James Pearce, Jr., Jalon Walker, and Billy Bowman, Jr. each had big first halves on Sunday night. Bowman intercepted a pass from Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy during the second quarter. Pearce, Jr. and Walker each registered their first solo sacks during the game. Rookie safety Xavier Watts secured his first interception with 2:35 remaining in the game. He dropped two potential interceptions during the season-opening loss to Tampa Bay last week.
Mooney over Minnesota: Darnell Mooney made his season debut and caught his only two Penix, Jr. passes of the game during the third quarter. Mooney (two receptions for 20 yards) will be a massive weapon for Penix, Jr. going forward.
Romo, Parker Romo: The Falcons brass decided to leave Younghoe Kim at home and brought Peachtree City native and former University of Georgia kicker Parker Romo to the Twin Cities for Sunday night’s game. Parker didn’t disappoint, making all of his first five field goal attempts, including a 33-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 54-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. He also made his only extra points attempt of the game in the fourth quarter, following a touchdown run by Tyler Allgeier (76 yards on 15 carries).
Very Special Teams: The Atlanta special teams unit was very good Sunday night. It didn’t force a turnover until recovering a muffed punt in the fourth quarter, but kept the Vikings from getting better than average field position the entire game.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. (above) will be playing his first game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 14. The Falcons lost by three touchdowns in Minnesota last season, but Penix, Jr. did not play in that game. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The Atlanta Falcons are on their way to Minnesota for a Sunday Night Football meeting with the Vikings. The warm and friendly confines of Mercedes-Benz Stadium (71,000-plus football fans were in the building for the season opener) and a pro-Falcons crowd will not be waiting for them when they arrive.
Falcons quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. made just his fourth professional start on Sunday against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The game in Minnesota will only be his second on the road. It won’t be the first time he will be in uniform in Minnesota. The Falcons lost 42-12 to the Vikings last season during former starting quarterback Kirk Cousins’s return to his former home on Dec. 8. That game was in the middle of a four-game losing streak and near the end of Cousins’s time as the starter in Atlanta.
Minnesota won its season opener in Chicago on Monday night and will have a sold-out crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, similar to Penix, Jr., will be making his first career start at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday night. Unlike Penix, Jr., McCarthy threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns and helped lead his team to victory.
Now Penix, Jr. is starting and coming off of a quality, if not stellar, performance in front of the home fans on Sunday against the Buccaneers (298 yards and a touchdown on 27-42 passing, 21 rushing yards and a touchdown), he was appreciative of the environment at The Benz.
“Oh yeah, man, that’s big time. We need that. We love it,” Penix said of the crowd participation. “Each and every home game, we want it. We know that they will bring it. Whenever we’re making big-time plays, the city is going to be behind us.”
Falcons receiver Chris Blair, who was inactive for the game, agreed with Penix, Jr. about the environment in The Benz on Sunday afternoon.
“I feel like it was the right energy,” said Blair, an Alcorn State alum. “They showed up for sure.”
There were plenty of big plays during the game that kept the crowd into it -Penix, Jr.’s fourth quarter go-ahead touchdown run, Bijan Robinson’s six receptions for 100 yards- but the Falcons lost the home and season opener 23-20 to a division rival. Atlanta kicker Young Koo missed a 44-yard field goal that could have tied the game and when he got to the sideline he threw his helmet to the ground in disgust.
Penix spoke to the press about what he said to Koo after the game. He said he told Koo not to let this kick get him down and to keep being the kicker that the team believes in.
The Falcons won’t be back at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for two weeks as the National Football League schedule’s week three matchup will take place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte against the Panthers (0-1 after losing at Jacksonville on Sunday, Sept. 7).
Penix, Jr. said he is “looking forward” to getting back in front of the home fans that don’t make the trips to Minnesota and Charlotte in the coming weeks.
“We appreciate them and we look forward to being back home again and having that influence that they brought today,” Penix, Jr. said.
The Falcons will host the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Sept. 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. This will be a rematch of sorts for two young quarterbacks. Penix, Jr.’s second career start came against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in Washington last season. Though the Falcons lost 30-24, Penix, Jr. (19-35, 223 yards, a touchdown and an interception) displayed poise late in that game.
Performing in a hostile environment will be what Penix, Jr. and the Falcons will have to do in Minnesota on Sunday night.
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The American Flag on full display moments before kickoff during the Atlanta Falcons season opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The Falcons lost the home and season opener 23-20 on Sunday. Atlanta kicker Young Koo missed a field goal that could have tied the game.
Mistakes will cost you everything in the National Football League. Three roughing the passer penalties, a pair of missed field goal, a missed extra point attempt, they all mattered during this game.
“We have to find a way to win next week,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said after the game.
“We have to keep going, it’s just one game,” Leonard Floyd said in the locker room after the game.
The biggest play will go down as the touchdown pass from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield to receiver Emeka Egbuka that made the score 23-20. But it was the roughing the passer penalty from the Falcons that helped extend the Bucs’s drive.
Minutes earlier, the score was 17-13 in favor of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The game clock read 3:33 in the fourth quarter. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. (27-42 for 298 yards, a touchdown pass and run) ran for the goal line and was short of scoring a touchdown. He was however past the first down marker. The Buccaneers had two roughing the passer penalties called on them during the drive.
The biggest play of the game came courtesy of the feet of Penix, Jr., because Atlanta’s fresh set of downs lead to another Penix, Jr. run, this time for a one-yard touchdown with 2:17 left to play. The touchdown put Atlanta ahead 20-17 following the extra point by kicker Younghoe Koo.
Back on defense, the Falcons put pressure on Mayfield (17-32 for 167 yards) late in the game, but not enough to keep him from throwing three touchdown passes.
The video montages featuring former Falcons Andre Rison, Ray Buchanan, and Roddy White, Freddie the Falcon bungee jumping from the rafters, a smoke-filled entrance to the field, and a loud roar from a crowd of re than 70,000 when starting quarterback Michael Penix, Jr.’s name was announced. The Falcons season opener had it all.
The Atlanta Falcons opened the 2025 season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7. Their opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have won the NFC South division crown time after time, and this game was an opportunity for Atlanta to set the tone for the next 17 weeks.
Under current head coach Raheem Morris, the Falcons have had success against the Buccaneers and head coach Todd Bowles. Atlanta swept Tampa last season, winning on the road by five points, and winning at home by six points.
The Falcons put together a one-minute and 46-second offensive drive to open the game. The big play came on a Penix, Jr. screen pass to running back Bijan Robinson for a long run and score. Robinson caught two passes during the abbreviated drive.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Tampa’s first score, a 48-yard field goal from kicker Chase McLaughlin, came eight minutes after they began their third drive at the tailed of the first quarter. By the time the score was 7-3 in favor of the Falcons, it was midway through the second quarter.
The Buccaneers took their first lead of the game at 10-7 when quarterback Baker Mayfield found perennial Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans over the outstretched hands of Falcons rookie safety Xavier Watts for a touchdown at the seven-minute mark of the second quarter.
The Falcons tied the game at 10 on a 41-yard field goal from kicker extraordinaire Younghoe Koo. That subsequent Falcons offensive drive included a fourth and one that was completed by running back Tyler Allgeier. The Falcons offense rushed for only 27 yards during there first half.
The second half began with a Tampa Bay drive dow to the Atlanta 26 yard line. The Bucs and McLaughlin attempted a 44-yard field goal that missed the mark and kept the score tied at 10.
A 53-yard punt return and 20-yard scramble by Mayfield gave Tampa Bay the kind of field position deep in Falcons territory that usually leads to a touchdown. And it did. A few plays later, Mayfield found running back Bucky Irving on a screen for a touchdown a 17-10 advantage with seven minutes to play in the third quarter.
The Falcons offense found a way back into the scoring column, adding three more points on a 36-yard field goal from Koo. The 11-play drive included receptions by Kyle Pitts, Ray-Ray McCloud III, Drake London, and the team;’s leading receiver at that moment of the game, Robinson (5 receptions for 94 yards). On one play, Robinson took a Penix pass 23 yards to get into the team into field goal possession.
Down 17-13 with less than 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, the Falcons
Hurston Waldrep (above) made his sixth career start on Saturday night. It was his third career start at Truist Park. Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves lost 10-2 to the Seattle Mariners tonight.
Atlanta Braves rookie starter Hurston Waldrep made his sixth career start on Saturday night against the Seattle Mariners. He would leave the game without a victory, but his stellar performance allowed the game to remain close.
Waldrep was done for the night after throwing 91 pitches through five innings. During his time on the mound he continued his strong play, striking out five Mariners, walking five more, and only giving up the two earned runs on the first inning home run.
Following the game, Braves manager Brian Snitker was complimentary of Waldrep despite the outcome.
“Pretty impressive for a young guy not to cave in,” Snitker said about the first inning of the game. “I really like what I have seen of him. he’s really handled adversity.”
Waldrep is 4-0 with 1.33 ERA in six starts this season.
On Saturday night, the Braves bullpen, however, did not pitch well tonight. Not even close.
Plenty of young Atlanta Braves fans made their way into the stadium over the weekend. There were a combined 71,000 fans in attendance for the games at Truist Park on Friday and Saturday. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Braves
The fireworks got started early on as Waldrep, one of the future stars for this franchise, gave up two early runs on a home run by Mariners centerfielder Julio Rodriguez. The fastball that went over the left field fence came on an 0-2 count. Waldrep, a native of Cairo, Georgia, would settle down through the next three innings, only giving up a double to Seattle right fielder Victor Robles in the fourth inning.
The first run of the game for Atlanta would come in the same inning on a solo home run by Matt Olson. The home run was the 22nd home run of the season for Olson and a team high. With Ozzie Albies on third base, Michael Harris II came to the plate with two outs and swung at the first pitch from Seattle’s starter, Bryce Miller. The results of that at-bat were similar to the four Harris II took on Friday night, it resulted in an out and no RBI.
Seattle left fielder Randy Arozarena started the fifth inning with a walk by Waldrep and proceeded to steal his second base of the night. Arozarena had two walks and the two steals during his first three at-bats. The Mariners failed to score between the second and fifth innings, and a large part of that was the defense behind Waldrep. Ha-Seong Kim, playing at shortstop, snagged a hard hot ball up the middle from Seattle first baseman Josh Naylor and threw him out to end the inning.
Ronald Acuna, Jr. came to the plate in the sixth inning with Baldwin and Kim on base, one out in the books, and the Braves down 2-1. Miller had already thrown 87 pitches for Seattle, and this was the first inning of the game in which he had given up more than one hit. Baldwin and Kim reached base on consecutive singles. Acuna, Jr. walked and Harris II hit a deep sac fly to center field which allowed Baldwin to score and tie the game at two.
With Arozarena back on second base for the third time in the game, Rodriguez hit his second home run of the game to put Seattle back in front 4-2. It was his third multi-home run game of the season. Eugenio Suarez followed Rodriguez with a solo home run to left. Both home runs came courtesy of Daysbel Hernandez pitches. That ended the night for Hernandez and brought Hayden Harris out of the Braves bullpen in relief with two outs and Atlanta behind 5-2. Harris gave up a single to J.P. Crawford that brought in another Seattle run before the inning was over.
Major League Baseball’s leader in home runs, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, managed to go 0-4 with a walk and Seattle still scored six runs through eight innings. Raleigh hit his 52nd home run of the year in the ninth inning to put Seattle ahead 10-2. Braves reliever John Brebbia, who came on in the eighth inning, gave up a three-run home run down the right field line to Josh Naylor along with the home run to Raleigh. The mariners hit five combined home runs on Saturday night.
Drake Baldwin (above) bats in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on May 15, 2025. Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves
Still Leading the Pack:
Braves rookie catcher Drake Baldwin is racing towards the National League Rookie of the Year award. Baldwin is hitting .283 with 64 RBI and 15 home runs. Though he has only won National League Rookie of the Month once, Baldwin has played a large role in the Braves’ offense this season. His defense behind the plate has also been a plus for a Braves team with very little to celebrate this season. On Saturday night against Seattle, he got a base hit in the sixth inning that started a rally.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Friday signed a redistricting law that could strengthen Republican influence in Washington, a move that could tilt upcoming congressional elections in the party’s favour.
“Texas is now more red in the United States Congress,” Abbott said in a video on X, referring to the state’s Republican lean. In his post, he added that the move “ensures fairer representation in Congress.”
The legislation redraws congressional boundaries to give the Republican Party an advantage in the House of Representatives, where each member represents a single district. Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress.
The process, known as gerrymandering, involves drawing districts to concentrate a party’s own voters while splitting the opposition, allowing the party to win more seats even without a majority of votes.
Redistricting is normally based on the decennial census, but the new law bypasses this requirement. All 435 seats in the US House of Representatives are up for election in November 2026.
Texas, one of the nation’s most populous states, currently sends 38 representatives to the House, second only to California. Small shifts in district lines can therefore change the balance of power.
Republicans hope the redistricting could deliver up to five additional house seats. California, led by Democrats, has already signalled plans to review its own redistricting, potentially challenging the Republican’s efforts.
Hours after Abbott’s move, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced on X that he is convening a special legislative session to redraw congressional districts in the Republican-led state.
Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (above) is hitting over .400 in his last 30 games. Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images
With Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (a pair of singles and doubles during the game) on third base and two outs in the first inning, Michael Harris II (1-4 with two RBI) stepped to the plate and hit a two-strike, two-run home run to give the Braves the lead. A night earlier, Harris was 4-4 with a home run. He was pinch-run for in the eighth inning and missed an opportunity to bat with the bases loaded and the Braves down by four runs. Harris didn’t waste any time getting those lost RBIs back. The home run gave him 16 for the season and 68 RBI, second on the team behind Olson’s 72.
Michael Harris II might be in the midst of the best second half in the history of The Atlanta Braves franchise. Heck, the Boston Braves, Milwaukee Braves are included in that hyperbole as well.
When Harris came up to bat during the series against the Chicago White Sox earlier this week, the rounds of applause were typical of a star player playing on another level. In the third inning on Tuesday, with Ronald Acuna, Jr., on second base following a walk and stolen base, Harris didn’t get a hit. He did, however, advance the runner to third base with a ground ball up the middle that Lenyn Sosa threw to first.
In the past 30 games, including all three games against the White Sox, Harris is batting over .400 with 10 home runs and 24 RBI. Harris is also slugging over .770 and has an on base percentage just over .420.
During his 12-game hitting streak, Harris is batting closer to .500 and has seemed to take full advantage of the amount of baserunners he has seen while batting in the cleanup, fifth and sixth spots in the lineup.
When Harris wasn’t helping the team with his bat on Tuesday, he used his glove. A pair of catches in the night inning helped Atlanta secure the victory. Braves manager Brian Snitker was complimentary of Harris after the game.
“He never takes a play off on defense,” said Snitker. “Michael has been the hottest player on the planet for a while.”
Jurickson Profar has been playing just as well of late. His two-run home run off White Sox starter Shane Smith in the fourth inning gave Atlanta a 4-3 lead. Profar homered in three consecutive games, something he has done twice this season.
Bryce Elder (above) started Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox. Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves
The last time Elder started, the Braves defeated the New York York Mets 4-3. Elder pitched one of his best games of the season, going seven innings with six strikeout, two walks, while only giving up two earned runs.
Last night the White Sox hitters lit up Braves pitching, in particular Spencer Strider. On Tuesday night against Elder, the White Sox found a way to score eight runs through five innings following RBI singles from White Sox first baseman Miguel Vargas and Sosa, and a bases clearing double by Luis Robert, Jr. All three players had multi-hit games on Monday night and continued their strong run of play. Elder (4.2 innings, eight earned runs) was knocked out of the game and replaced by Connor Seabold.
White Sox catcher Kyle Teel hit a two-run home run off Seabold down the right field line to give Chicago a 10-4 lead. Acuna, Jr.made the score10-5 with an RBI single in the seventh, Drake Baldwin walked with the bases loaded to make it 10-6, and Ozzie Albies hit a single to drive in two more runs, cutting the Chicago advantage to 10-8. A fielder choice would allow another run to score, so the braves were down 10-9. The inning would end with Vidal Brujan getting picked off at first base.
Baldwin drive in a pair off runs in the eighth inning to put Atlanta ahead 11-10. Braves reliever Raisel Iglesias came on in the ninth and earned the save.
There’s still time for the Braves to play spoiler and ruin the playoff chances for the Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros.
What’s Next: The Braves will host the White Sox in the third game of this series and have Thursday, August 21, off before hosting the New York Mets in a three-game weekend series. Wednesday’s first pitch is scheduled for a 7:15 p.m.
Spencer Strider (above) pitched 3.1 innings against the visiting Chicago White Sox and was responsible for six runs during his time on the mound Monday night. Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves returned home from having won series in New York and Cleveland to lose the first game of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox. The loss was credited to the evening’s starter, Spencer Strider, but it also has to belong to Braves manager Brian Snitker.
Let’s start with Snitherm, who made the perplexing decision to pinch-run for the hottest hitter in Major League Baseball, Michael Harris after he started the eighth inning with a single. That hit was Harris’s fourth of the game in four at-bats. Snitker took Harris out of the game, presumably to give him a rest, and the Braves managed to bat around the lineup so long that Harris’s spot came up with the bases loaded and Atlanta in need of runs. Eli White, Harris’s replacement struck out.
That strike out effectively ended the game while simultaneously ending Atlanta’s best chance at cutting the White Sox lead or tying the game.
Now about Strider.
The game began with Strider (now 5-11 overall) digging himself out of ditches. Strider gave up a single to the first batter he faced, Mike Tauchman, on the first pitch he threw (fastball). The White Sox failed to score with a runner on third and two outs as Lenyn Sosa flew out to Jurickson Profar in left field.
Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider (above) started Monday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox. he only managed to strike out two White Sox before being taken out of the game in the fourth inning. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
There were more White Sox runners on first and second in the second inning when Strider got out of trouble again. This time he got Chicago second baseman Chase Meidroth to hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Strider’s luck ran out in the third inning when Chicago left fielder Brooks Baldwin took him deep for a solo home run to left center to give the White Sox a 1-0 lead. A sliding catch near the Braves dugout helped end the inning with another Chicago runner on base.
Things got worse when Luis Robert, Jr. (13 home runs and 49 RBI) hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to put Chicago ahead 3-0. Strider had thrown 55 pitches before pitching coach Rick Kunitz came out to talk to him.
By the end off his time on the mound, Strider had thrown 68 pitches, given up five hits during the fourth inning, and four earned runs. Austin Cox came on to relieve him with one out and runners on second and third base. Strider only managed to strike out two White Sox before being taken out of the game in the fourth inning.
Chicago was ahead 7-0 through four innings. Atlanta had an opportunity to cut into the White Sox lead when a single and a double from Profar and Matt Olson gave Ronald Acuna, Jr. something to shoot for. He grounded out to second while driving in Profar from third base for Atlanta’s first run of the game. Drake Baldwin flew out to center with Olson on third to end the inning.
During the game, Michael Harris II continued his hot run of play, hitting a pit of singles in his first two plate appearances, and a two-run home run in the sixth inning. With a single in the second inning, Harris extended his 11-game hit streak. Over the last seven games, Harris was hitting .438 with a .438 on-base percentage and a .759 slugging percentage. His 15 home runs are third on the team behind Marcell Ozuna (20) and Olson (19).
Cox (58 pitches, three earned runs) was pitching strong in relief, holding Chicago scoreless during the fifth inning before giving up a two-out 3-run home run to White Sox first baseman Lenyn Sosa in the sixth inning.
Harris’s home run was only the second extra-base hit for Atlanta through five innings before Profar hit a two-run home run down the right field line in the sixth inning to make the score 10-5.
Daysbel Hernandez started the seventh inning and immediately gone up a solo home run on his first pitch to White Six shortstop Kyle Teel, who already had two hots in the game. Hernandez gave up another RBI single before he got Sosa to ground out to end the inning.
Fun Fact: The White Sox and the Braves had only played 24 times before Monday night’s game. The White Sox now lead the all-time series 13-12.
What’s Next: The Braves and White Sox will play again on Tuesday and Wednesday before the New York Mets return to Truist Park for a three-game weekend series. The White Sox games have a scheduled 7:15 p.m. first pitch.
