Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, JPMorganChase, speaks during the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, U.S. December 6, 2025.
Jonathan Alcorn | Reuters
President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to sue JPMorgan Chase over allegedly “debanking” him following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
“I’ll be suing JPMorgan Chase over the next two weeks for incorrectly and inappropriately DEBANKING me after the January 6th Protest, a protest that turned out to be correct for those doing the protesting,” Trump said in a social media post. “The Election was RIGGED!”
“While we won’t get specific about a client, we don’t close accounts because of political beliefs,” said JPMorgan spokesperson Trish Wexler. “We appreciate that this Administration has moved to address political debanking and we support those efforts.”
In August, Trump signed an executive order requiring banks to ensure they are not refusing financial services to clients based on religious or political beliefs, a practice known as “debanking.”
Trump claimed without evidence in an August CNBC interview that he was personally discriminated against by banks. He said JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America refused to take his deposits following his first term in office.
At the time, JPMorgan said it does not close accounts for political reasons, while Bank of America said it doesn’t comment on client matters. BofA also said it would welcome clearer rules from regulators on how to conduct its activities.
Trump and his family have a history of railing against financial institutions for allegedly refusing to work with them on the basis of their political orientation.
“So, [my family] got into crypto, not because it was like, ‘hey, this is the next cool thing,’ we got into it out of necessity,” Trump Jr. told CNBC in an interview last June.
JPMorgan shares are down about 5% over the past week, even after the bank on Tuesday topped expectations for its fourth-quarter earnings and revenue. The shares, and others in the banking sector, fell in response to Trump’s demand to cap credit card rates at 10%, giving financial firms until Jan. 20 to comply.
Trump’s legal threat against JPMorgan comes as the president, in the same Truth Social post, denied a Journal report on Wednesday that said the president had offered JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon the position of Federal Reserve chairman months ago during a meeting at the White House.
Dimon took the proposition as a joke, according to the Journal report.
In his post, Trump denied the report, underscoring his reservations about Dimon and JPMorgan.
“This statement is totally untrue, there was never such an offer,” he wrote. “Why wouldn’t The Wall Street Journal call me to ask whether or not such an offer was made? I would have very quickly told them, “NO,” and that would have been the end of the story.”
JPMorgan’s Wexler said the “offer” reported by the Journal was a miscommunication. “I should have been more vigilant in correcting that word while attempting to dispute the WSJ’s anonymous sources,” she said.
The Journal did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of normal business hours.
Southern rock, outlaw spirit, and reform meet as the rebel heart of the South includes cannabis and rock in today’s cultural landscape.
In the American South, where music and culture entwine like the roots of an old oak, the intersection of cannabis and Southern-flavored rock sounds is more than a footnote — it’s a story of rebellion, identity, and evolving norms mirroring broader societal shifts. Southern rock, born in the 1960s and 1970s, has always been about defying expectations: guitars blazing, rhythms throbbing, and lyrics steeped in regional pride. Bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd helped define sounds with tracks like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird,” songs which became anthems of a generation and symbols of Southern resilience and swagger. In today’s word, it is often overlooked the rebel heart of the South includes cannabis and rock and roll.
Cannabis, too, has carved its own path through Southern culture, once a taboo subject whispered about in honky-tonks and around campfires, now emerging — quietly but steadily — from the shadows of prohibition. As attitudes toward marijuana reform have softened nationwide, the South’s relationship with cannabis has evolved in fits and starts, shaped by economic potential, medical need, and cultural change. States like Mississippi and Louisiana have implemented medical cannabis programs which are expanding access and normalizing patient use in cities like Jackson and New Orleans, while police departments are increasingly de-emphasizing low-level possession enforcement.
The intertwining of cannabis and Southern rock culture isn’t just about policy; it’s about the artists and the communities they reflect and influence public perception. While Lynyrd Skynyrd didn’t write songs explicitly about cannabis, their rebel image and broader rock’n’roll ethos fit comfortably with countercultural themes that have long included marijuana. Rock musicians across genres have been associated with cannabis use — a cultural touchpoint underscoring music’s role in challenging norms and fostering community. Even Skynyrd’s members have been light-heartedly linked to cannabis culture in anecdotes about informal celebrations with other artists in states where pot is legal.
Another strand in this tapestry is the enduring legacy of outlaw and rockabilly-infused songs like “I Fought the Law.”Written by Sonny Curtis in 1958 and popularized by the Bobby Fuller Four, the track became an anthem of defiance — its refrain “I fought the law and the law won” a mantra for generations of listeners who felt pulled between authority and autonomy. Though not directly about marijuana, the song’s spirit of rebellion resonates strongly with cannabis culture’s own narrative of challenging prohibitionist laws. “I Fought the Law” went on to be covered by artists across genres, from punk icons like The Clash to country stars like Hank Williams Jr., proving how a simple rock ‘n’ roll riff can echo across decades and movements. ZZ Top, The Allman Brothers, The Charlie Daniels Band all draw audiences who feel a bit of rebel in their heart.
Culturally, the South has been slower than other regions to embrace full recreational cannabis legalization, but the tide is shifting. Missouri stands out in the wider Southern region for legalizing adult-use cannabis, with retail sales beginning in early 2023 and a thriving market taking shape. Other Southern states are making incremental progress: Florida’s robust medical cannabis system continues to grow and saw a recent push for adult-use nearly passed, while Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas have medical programs reflecting gradual reform. However, many states — including Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee — remain more restrictive, embracing only limited medical access or hemp-derived products.
What’s clear is the intersection of cannabis and Southern rock mirrors broader cultural currents: a blend of tradition, resistance, and reinvention. As Southern states grapple with changing public opinion and economic incentives, the region’s music and cannabis cultures continue to influence each other, proving that even in the South, transformation moves to its own rhythm — but it moves.
Hoosiers filled the stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday night. They will have to book their flights to Miami next. The College Football National Championship Game will take place on Monday, January 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Indiana University is a football school.
The Hoosiers, head football coach Curt Cignetti, and his staff are on their way to South Florida and a date with the Miami Hurricanes. The winner gets a national championship. The College Football National Championship Game will take place on Monday, January 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
The Hoosiers dominated their College Football Playoff semifinal matchup with the Oregon Ducks in Atlanta on Friday night. Final score: 56-22.
The Indiana Hoosiers football program has qualified for its first National Championship game. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
“It’s a great win against a good football team,” Hoosiers head football coach Curt Cignetti said after the game.
The Oregon Ducks finished the season 13-2. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The two Big Ten programs had played before. In fact, they played a couple of months ago in a game that Indiana won 30-20 in Eugene, Oregon, on October 11. In Atlanta, just like they did in the Pacific Northwest, the Hoosiers got off to a strong start. Defensive back D’Angelo Ponds intercepted Oregon quarterback Dante Moore’s first passing attempt of the game and returned it for the game’s first touchdown of the game. The roar from the pro-Indiana crowd in the stadium could be heard all the way on Peachtree Street. This game felt like an Indiana Hoosiers home game well before kickoff.
Oregon head football coach Dan Lanning credited the Hoosiers for playing a complete game. “They have a great chance of keeping it going and having great success,” Lanning said.
Moore only had nine interceptions to 28 passing touchdowns coming into the game. Now three of his 10 interceptions have come against Indiana. Moore had two in the loss to the Hoosiers earlier this season.
The Ducks did not have their prayers answered on this night. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Oregon’s second offensive drive ended better than its first when a 14-play drive that included a fourth-down conversion deep in Indiana territory ended with a Moore to Jamari Johnson touchdown. The successful extra point tied the game with 7:11 remaining in the first quarter. Indiana’s defense had only allowed Oregon to score seven points during the first quarter of their first matchup, so the Ducks were already ahead of pace.
Indiana defensive back Louis Moore (7) and the Hoosier defense held their own on Friday night in Atlanta. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
The Hoosiers finally got a chance to touch the football midway through the first quarter and wasted no time going 75 yards on 11 plays to regain the lead, 14-7. Running back Roman Hemby had two long carries before Heisman trophy winner Fernando Mendoza found receiver Omar Cooper, Jr. in the left corner of the end zone for Indiana’s second touchdown of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw both defenses sure up a bit. The teams exchanged third-quarter sacks early on and forced each other to punt. Oregon outside linebacker Nasir Wyatt sacked Mendoza for a 19-yard loss. Following the sack and a punt, Indiana defensive lineman Mario Landino recovered a Moore self-inflicted fumble on his own three-yard line to shift the momentum back to Indiana. The Hoosiers would quickly lead by 14 points, 21-7, as Kaelon Black scored his first touchdown of the game.
Indiana sure-handed receiver Elijah Sarratt (13) was a go-to guy for Mendoza the entire game. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Mendoza to receiver Elijah Sarratt was a common theme during this game. Time after time, Mendoza, more than likely the first quarterback drafted in June, found Sarratt for first downs. With just under five minutes remaining in the first half, the two players hooked up again for another one. On the very next play, Mendoza found receiver Charlie Becker for a touchdown. The four-play, 61-yard drive made the score 28-7 with 3:13 remaining in the first half. Becker was the third Hoosier offensive player to score a touchdown.
Indiana is a complete football team. Hoosier defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe or Landino could arguably be considered the MVP of the first half. Neither player scored a point, but both wreaked havoc in their own right. Ndukwe had two sacks, and Landino recovered two fumbles. Indiana’s defense held Oregon to nine rushing yards and 121 overall yards during the first half. Ndukwe would go on to block an Oregon punt in the fourth quarter as well.
The first half ended with Indiana scoring again. This time, Mendoza found Sarratt for a touchdown, his first of the game, and the Hoosiers’ fifth, 35-7.
Indiana quarterback and 2025 Heisman trophy winner Fernando Mendoza (15) fumbled at the end of this run. It was one of the rare mistakes he would make during a spectacular Peach Bowl performance. Photo by Tabious McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Mendoza finally made a mistake. It came in the opening drive of the second half, when he fumbled at the end of a long quarterback-keeper. The problem for Oregon was that Pat Coogan, the decorated offensive lineman for Indiana, recovered it. Mendoza made up for the fumble with a touchdown pass to E.J. Williams, Jr. that put the Hoosiers ahead 42-7 at the nine-minute mark.
Oregon found its way back to the end zone to make the score 42-15. That Duck touchdown was the only scoring drive of the third quarter. Indiana would add another touchdown from the Ducks’ three-yard line to go ahead 49-15 following that blocked punt by Ndukwe. Mendoza found Sarratt again for his second touchdown catch of the game.
Brady joined Sarrett, scoring his second touchdown of the game with five minutes to play. Indiana was up 56-15 with 4:51 to play in the game.
Oregon tight end Roger Saleapaga scored the Ducks’ final touchdown of the game. He caught a short pass from Moore.
Representative Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (D-California) recently bought shares of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN). In a filing disclosed on December 15th, the Representative disclosed that they had bought between $1,001 and $15,000 in Amazon.com stock on November 18th. The trade occurred in the Representative’s “150 MAIN STREET TRUST > BANK OF AMERICA” account.
Representative Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. also recently made the following trade(s):
Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Spotify Technology (NYSE:SPOT) on 11/26/2025.
Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) on 11/26/2025.
Purchased $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of First Watch Restaurant Group (NASDAQ:FWRG) on 11/26/2025.
Purchased $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of TKO Group (NYSE:TKO) on 11/26/2025.
Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of RBC Bearings (NYSE:RBC) on 11/24/2025.
Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Stifel Financial (NYSE:SF) on 11/24/2025.
Purchased $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Logan Energy (CVE:LGN) on 11/24/2025.
Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Primoris Services (NASDAQ:PRIM) on 11/24/2025.
Purchased $15,001 – $50,000 in shares of LandBridge (NYSE:LB) on 11/21/2025.
Purchased $50,001 – $100,000 in shares of LandBridge (NYSE:LB) on 11/20/2025.
Amazon.com Price Performance
AMZN opened at $221.27 on Thursday. Amazon.com, Inc. has a twelve month low of $161.38 and a twelve month high of $258.60. The firm has a market cap of $2.37 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.25, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $229.32 and a 200 day simple moving average of $225.23.
Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The e-commerce giant reported $1.95 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.57 by $0.38. The company had revenue of $180.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $177.53 billion. Amazon.com had a net margin of 11.06% and a return on equity of 23.62%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.43 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Amazon.com, Inc. will post 6.31 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
Several research firms recently commented on AMZN. Truist Financial set a $290.00 price target on Amazon.com in a research note on Friday, October 31st. UBS Group set a $300.00 target price on Amazon.com in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Robert W. Baird set a $285.00 target price on Amazon.com and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. CICC Research lifted their price target on shares of Amazon.com from $240.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, JMP Securities set a $300.00 price target on shares of Amazon.com in a report on Friday, October 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifty-six have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Amazon.com has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $295.50.
In other news, CEO Andrew R. Jassy sold 19,872 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $216.94, for a total transaction of $4,311,031.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 2,208,310 shares in the company, valued at approximately $479,070,771.40. The trade was a 0.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Daniel P. Huttenlocher sold 1,237 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.61, for a total value of $280,316.57. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 26,148 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,925,398.28. This trade represents a 4.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 82,234 shares of company stock valued at $19,076,767. Company insiders own 9.70% of the company’s stock.
Institutional Trading of Amazon.com
A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AMZN. Brighton Jones LLC increased its position in Amazon.com by 10.9% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 4,036,091 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock worth $885,478,000 after buying an additional 397,007 shares during the period. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Amazon.com by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 25,045 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock worth $5,495,000 after acquiring an additional 986 shares during the period. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG lifted its position in Amazon.com by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG now owns 2,016,869 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $442,481,000 after purchasing an additional 54,987 shares during the last quarter. Highview Capital Management LLC DE boosted its stake in Amazon.com by 5.5% during the 4th quarter. Highview Capital Management LLC DE now owns 28,975 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $6,357,000 after purchasing an additional 1,518 shares during the period. Finally, Liberty Square Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Amazon.com in the 4th quarter worth about $2,153,000. 72.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
About Representative Cisneros
Gil Cisneros (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing California’s 31st Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2025. His current term ends on January 3, 2027.
Cisneros (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 31st Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.
Gil Cisneros served in the U.S. Navy as a supply officer from 1994 to 2004. Cisneros earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from George Washington University in 1994, a master’s in business administration from Regis University in 2002, and a master’s degree in urban education policy from Brown University in 2015. His career experience includes working as a logistics manager for Frito-Lay. In 2010, Cisneros won the lottery and became involved in activism and philanthropy, founding a scholarship program for local high school students. In 2021, President Joe Biden (D) appointed Cisneros as under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness.
Amazon.com, Inc engages in the retail sale of consumer products, advertising, and subscriptions service through online and physical stores in North America and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). It also manufactures and sells electronic devices, including Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TVs, Echo, Ring, Blink, and eero; and develops and produces media content.
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First, there was a one-point win over rival Tampa Bay on Thursday Night Football, and now there are three more opportunities to potentially spoil other teams’ seasons. The Atlanta Falcons (5-9 overall) will be back in action in Arizona against the Cardinals on Sunday, and with no playoff hopes in sight, there’s still something to play for.
Atlanta will be without quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., the rest of the way, but that hasn’t stopped several Falcons from having career years. Running back Bijan Robinson is on pace for a 2,000-yard season from scrimmage despite only having four 100-yard rushing games this season. He had 93 yards rushing on Thursday night. With that, Robinson currently has 1,174 rushing yards (fourth in the NFL) and 684 receiving yards.
Robinson is currently among the top 25 in receptions and is behind only San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (86) for the top spot among running backs.
Tight end Kyle Pitts, Sr., much maligned for his play and overall effort during his four years with the Falcons, is also in the midst of a strong season. Pitts, with 73 receptions, is third amongst tight ends in receptions behind the Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (105) and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (77). An argument can be made that McBride and Ferguson are featured targets for their teams, where Pitts, Sr. has only recently become a primary target for the current Falcons starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, over the past few weeks.
On Thursday night in Tampa, Pitts finished the game with 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns. All were season highs by a long shot. A week earlier, in a loss to Seattle, Pitts had six catches, and he had seven during a road loss at the New York Jets. Before the season highs against Tampa, Pitts had a nine-reception game against the Dolphins in a blowout loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 26.
Falcons rookie defensive end Jalon Walker said he wanted to finish his rookie season on a high note. Asked if winning the final three games of the year would be an efficient high note, Walker, who was volunteering at a holiday event in Tucker on Tuesday, said, “That’s my goal. That’s how I want to end the last chapter of my rookie season.”
Falcons rookie defensive end Jalon Walker (above) has 5.5 sacks this season. Fellow rookie James Pearce, Jr. (not shown) has eight. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Walker, a former University of Georgia standout, has 5.5 sacks and 21 tackles this season. His fellow rookie and first-round pick, James Pearce, Jr., has eight sacks.
The Falcons will close the 2025 regular season with back-to-back games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, beginning with a meeting with one of the best teams in the NFC (at least on paper), the Los Angeles Rams. It will be a reunion of sorts for Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, who was the Rams’ defensive coordinator before taking the job with the Falcons two seasons ago.
The Rams are 11-3 and looking for a bye to start their playoff run. Atlanta, on the other hand, will be looking to get over .500 at home. The Falcons are 2-4 in The Benz and can even out that record and end the season on a high note with wins over the Rams and rival New Orleans Saints in the season finale on January 4.
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.
___
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.
