2025 SNL cast leaving
By Shaw Gordon
For the 51st SNL season, four cast members are leaving, while five new members are being added. The four members who are leaving are Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim. All of the departing cast members said they had a great time working on the show, whether it was 8 years like Heidi Gardner or just 1 year like Emil Wakim.
As four members are leaving, five are joining. These include John Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska. SNL fans are excited to welcome them to the show! The first show of the 51st season is on Oct. 4, 2025.
AJC to cease print newspaper production
By Daniela Palatchi
On Aug. 28, 2025, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, also known as the AJC, announced their decision to drop print newspaper production to become a fully digital news outlet. The final print edition will be distributed on Dec. 31, 2025, and, on Jan. 1, 2026, the company will move to an online-only model. The AJC is Atlanta’s oldest news organization: The Atlanta Constitution debuted in 1868 and The Atlanta Journal in 1883. The two newspapers were under common ownership by 1950, and they fully merged in 2001. As print newspapers lose appeal and digital news rises in popularity as the prime medium with which to consume news, the AJC is changing their business model to reflect the change. Before the end of the year, the AJC will also launch a new mobile app, where members will have full access to their reporting. This move to a digital-only AJC will make Metro Atlanta the largest U.S. metro area without a printed daily newspaper.
Ariana Grande: First Tour In 6 Years
By Trey Voegtlin
After keeping the fans waiting for 6 years, Ariana Grande has officially announced the Eternal Sunshine tour. During her original release of her sixth album, “Positions,” the COVID-19 pandemic hit, making a tour impossible. Soon after, Grande was wrapped up in the busy schedule of the Wicked press tour. But ever since the release of her seventh studio album, “Eternal Sunshine,” Grande has been hinting at a possible tour. Clearly, the demand for the popstar is still quite high, resulting in ticket limits in the UK, several warnings about ticket availability through Ticketmaster and even a whopping 10 million people signing up for presale in the UK. The tickets are set to go on sale next Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.
Atlanta Construction for the World Cup
By Brett Schlossberg
The FIFA World Cup is coming to Atlanta, Georgia, this summer. Atlanta is hosting a total of 8 games during the tournament, including a semi-final, throughout June and July of 2026. While plenty of soccer fans all over the city are excited for this event and Atlanta’s role in it, there are many construction projects underway to prepare for the global event.
One project that is underway is Centennial Yards. This development near Mercedes-Benz Stadium will include lots more land for retail, office space and hotels, such as the Phoenix Hotel and Mitchell Apartments. The space will house fans during the tournament and provide a place for fans to go between games.
Additionally, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the venue for the games, will be renovated to meet the requirements to be a host stadium. Currently, Mercedes-Benz Stadium uses a turf field, but it will be replaced with grass for the World Cup. The renovated stadium will also receive updates to Wi-fi, suites and hospitality services.
One of the biggest undertakings is the $259 million renovation of MARTA’s Five Points Station, the connecting point for all MARTA trains in Atlanta. Some new features will be LED lighting, signage, tile mosaics and new floor and ceiling surfaces.
Finally, around Atlanta, new signs and paths will be constructed for the tournament to allow easier navigation in the city for the thousands of visitors.
Cardi B’s Trial Reaches Verdict
By Joy Ferguson
Rapper Cardi B went to trial for assault on Aug. 27 and 28. Cardi B was sued for $24 million for assault against a former security guard, Emani Ellis. Cardi B was accused of spitting on and scratching Ellis after Ellis tried taking a photo of her. This case stems off of an incident that happened a few years earlier; in 2020, Ellis claimed Cardi B assaulted her outside of the Beverly Hills medical office in 2018. Although proven false, they did get into a verbal altercation. Ellis already took the rapper to court in 2020 and just recently sued her. Ellis wanted Cardi B to subsidize her medical expenses for the scratch she allegedly left. “I’m not even playing around, I swear to God I will say it on my deathbed, I did not touch that girl,” Cardi B said outside the courtroom. On Tuesday, Sep. 2, a California jury cleared Cardi B of any liability, saying that the plaintiff, Ellis, did not prove any elements of assault, negligence, or emotional distress.
Earthquake in Afghanistan
By Akiva Bryant
On Aug. 31, 2025, a devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan, killing at least 1,411 people, and injuring 3,124. However, these numbers could be higher, as rescue workers predict that it’ll take days to search through the rubble for victims. The earthquake mainly affected Kunar Province, with over 800 confirmed deaths and 2,500 injuries. However, as rescue efforts took place, a 5.2 magnitude aftershock earthquake hit Afghanistan once again on Sept. 2, striking Nangarhar province. Due to landslides and rain, many roads are blocked, further complicating rescue efforts. The Taliban, Afghanistan’s militant government, called for international aid, which they have received from the United Arab Emirates, the UK, China and India.
Hamilton Musical in Movie Theaters
By Tatum Trammell
Hamilton is back! Showing in theatres nationwide since Sept. 4, 2025, the musical, starring Lin Manuel Miranda, debuted on Broadway in 2015. The filmed version of the production made its way to Disney+ in 2020. The musical tells the story of the founding father Alexander Hamilton and is a blend of traditional Broadway elements with jazz, R&B and hip-hop. Hamilton is now one of the most renowned productions and has accumulated over 20 awards for its outstanding performance. Go see it at AMC Madison Yards 8.
HHS Employees Pen Open Letter Requesting RFK’s Resignation
By Riley Jones
On Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, over 1,000 current and former Human Health Services (HHS) employees penned an open letter calling for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s resignation from his position as HHS Secretary. This open letter follows the recent upheaval at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention last week.
On Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, Kennedy fired the CDC Director, Susan Monarez, after Monarez refused to support changes to the COVID-19 vaccine and the replacement of top officials. Her firing led several senior officials at the CDC to resign as well. Kennedy has also replaced the entire vaccine recommendations committee with a new board of advisors, many of whom share his anti-vaccine stance. Additionally, the FDA has placed new limits on the COVID-19 vaccines for age groups under 65 and rescinded the emergency use authorization that made the COVID-19 vaccine available to young children. According to the employees, these recent actions pose a serious threat to national health.
The secretary of HHS also made a move to cut 500 million in mRNA vaccine development. Kennedy testified Thursday, Sept. 4, before the Senate Finance Committee. He faced questions about his recent firings at the CDC and the Trump Administration’s vaccine policies. Kennedy maintained that his changes at the Center for Disease Control were necessary and denied firing Susan Monarez over vaccine policy disagreements.
LA Troops Found Illegal
By Sabenah Abudu-Abrams
This past Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, Judge Charles Breyer issued a ruling against Trump’s deployment of National Guard members and Marines to Los Angeles, California, in late June, which stayed for about 2 months. This deployment is part of a larger strategy on the part of the administration to utilize the National Guard to crack down on crime in the U.S. Judge Breyer asserted that, given the Posse Comitatus Act, “creating a national police force with the President as its chief” is obscene and directly violates the law. Federal troops are not permitted to participate in civilian law enforcement unless Congress, not the President, authorizes it. Judge Breyer has previously barred federal soldiers from assisting in civilian law enforcement, including immigration related arrests. This barring is set to take effect on Sept. 12, 2025. Although the ruling is a major win for California, many people remain wary that a reversal on appeal could occur, potentially setting a precedent that Trump can deploy troops as he pleases.
North Korea modernizes its metro stations
By Kaden Bruton
This summer, the city of Pyongyang, North Korea, is modernizing several important metro stations. These stations are designed with a more modern look with lighter colors, more benches and new artistic murals, according to Pyongyang Times and CNA. These efforts to upgrade aim to make commutes easier and modernize the image of the city and the controversial country. The Chinese Ambassador, after visiting one of the remodelled stations, noted that he hoped it would encourage more Chinese tourists. One way or another, the metro system has long been a source of pride for the reclusive country. For example, it’s one of the world’s deepest metros according to WorldAtlas. Also, according to Pyongyang Times, it will be a place for “reliable means of transportation, a place for ideological and cultural education.”
Panda Fest, the Asian food festival
By Harper Scully
This weekend, Atlanta hosts Panda Fest which is a traveling food festival that makes stops in multiple cities like Boston and Philadelphia. Tickets are 14 dollars for general admission and are non-refundable. There are about 380+ Asian street food vendors and cultural performances. The festival will be held at Atlantic Station Pinnacle Lot from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
Spanish Exchange
By Alex Piazza
Exchange students from the school Maristas La Inmaculada, located in Valladolid, Spain, are arriving in Atlanta on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. They will be attending school with Woodward students from Monday, Sept. 8, to Friday, Sept. 19. This trip is the sequel to the Maymester exchange that took WA students to Valladolid. The Spanish students will be wearing a uniform while on campus, so try not to confuse them with their partners. On Wednesday, Sept. 10, WA Global Club and the Spanish Club will host a welcome lunch for the students in the Global Connections Center. In addition to attending classes with their hosts, exchange students will go on field trips to Stone Mountain, Centennial Olympic Park, World of Coke, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the King Center.
