News & Opinion

When the Emory Proton Therapy Center opened its doors on Thursday, it was already a symbol of triumph over challenges. The center—which provides proton therapy to treat cancer and is especially beneficial for treating tumors of the lungs, back and spine, and head and neck—is the first and only facility of its kind in the state. There are 29 other such centers in the United States and another 23 under construction or in planning stages. With five treatment rooms, Emory’s center is among the largest.

Instead of mourning after the demise of Churchill Grounds, many of Atlanta's jazz musicians began playing music throughout the city. There are now 10 weekly jam sessions at venues inside the perimeter, placing Atlanta on comparable footing with more jazz-forward cities like Seattle.

At libraries around the metro area, shelves full of newly released books are held on reserve, waiting for impatient readers. Author visits at the Margaret Mitchell House, Wren’s Nest, or the Atlanta History Center are often packed; book clubs are springing up everywhere; and literary events like the AJC Decatur Book Festival and the Book Festival of the MJCCA bring national authors to our doorstep. Here are a few of our favorites from this year’s releases.

The brainchild of Atlanta arts organization WonderRoot and the Super Bowl LIII Host Committee, "Off the Wall" is a series of more than 30 murals from 11 artists that will be created across the city before Super Bowl LIII. The project is designed to honor the city's role in the Civil Rights Movement and address modern civil rights issues.

Many Atlantans are familiar with Sir Elton John’s local ties: his world-famous art collection that helped spark Atlanta’s obsession with photography, his hangouts at the Buckhead Diner, and his affinity for Georgia musicians. However, John’s fans may not appreciate that his most lasting gift to our city may be helping reverse the spread and stigma of AIDS.

Georgia's runoff election is on Tuesday, December 4. Up for the taking is Georgia's secretary of state position—between Republican candidate Brad Raffensperger and Democratic candidate John Barrow—and Georgia's third district seat public service commissioner position—between Republican candidate Chuck Eaton and Democratic candidate Lindy Miller.

Rose Byrne, Salma Hayek, and Tiffany Haddish are in town for a new comedy, Limited Partners; Amblin Television and Once Upon a Time co-creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis are remaking the 1980s anthology series Amazing Stories; and Stranger Things finally wraps up filming.

Watch the annual Children's Christmas Parade in Midtown, tour historic homes in Virginia-Highland, and get in the holiday spirit at Oakland Cemetery.

See the Atlanta Ballet's new version of The Nutcracker at the Fox Theatre, watch Rudolph live at the Center for Puppetry Arts, and head to Virginia-Highland for the annual Tour of Homes.

Season nine's new big bad is here, plus Negan's story takes a big turn, Henry hangs out with fellow teenagers, and we say goodbye to a familiar face.