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USA Today
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Beyoncé breaks records, fuels economies as fans 'bring it' in Atlanta, other tour stops
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is headed to the final stop on her "Cowboy Carter" tour after leaving her mark on cities along the way. Her most recent stops are prime examples. The megastar will perform her final two shows on her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour in Las Vegas. She is poised to take the stage at Allegiant Stadium for two nights on July 25 and 26. But before her Vegas finale, Beyoncé lit up Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta with four shows. More than just unforgettable performances, her ATL shows left an impression on the city and its local economy. Vice President for Communications for Metro Atlanta Chamber Abby Turano says the impact reached beyond the stadium, fueling Atlanta's economy and culture. 'Few events have the kind of impact that Beyoncé's performances brought to Atlanta last week," she said. "Whether you're looking through a creative and cultural lens or an economic one, hosting tens of thousands of fans — many wearing new cowboy hats and boots — and filling Mercedes-Benz Stadium four nights in a row is extraordinary." Emory UniversityGoizueta Business School economics professor Tom Smith added that the impact of Beyoncé's shows is felt by local businesses and venues, particularly because of how fans show up. "I think that most of the impact is really like a grassroots element because I did hear from a lot of folks that when she comes to town and especially with the 'Cowboy Carter' tour is that there is a reason to just bring it," Smith said. "So folks get dressed to the nines, put on my boots and a white hat, go out and buy white boots and a white coat, get their nails and hair done and things of that nature. People say, 'I'm going to make this a full-on event.'" That energy, he says, sets Beyoncé apart from other major tours. And the the local impact sticks around after the shows are over. "If you're running to a hair salon or you're selling boots and Beyoncé comes to town on this tour, it's going to make your month," he said. "It's going to make your year, perhaps." Prior to her Atlanta shows, Beyoncé's two nights in her hometown of Houston on June 28 and 29 generated $50 million in local spending, according to an analysis by Houston First Corporation. The concerts boosted hotel occupancy near NRG Stadium and downtown to nearly 80%, significantly higher than last year's rates in the low 60s. Local restaurants saw a 43% increase in reservations over the same weekend. Another study done by Vivid Seats found the hometown show was the most in-demand venue when looking at average ticket price — $516. The numbers may not be all that surprising. The tour debuted in Los Angeles with a record-breaking $55 million gross — the biggest reported single-venue engagement in Boxscore history by a woman. Overseas in Paris and London, Beyoncé also left her economic footprint. According to LiveNation, her three shows in Paris grossed over $39.7 million in revenue. They became the most profitable concert series in the stadium's history. The Grammy-winning singer first debuted her Cowboy Carter and Rodeo Chitlin' Circurt Tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on April 28 with 39 songs on the set list. The concerts have been revolutionary shows filled with family, fashion, different music genres, and most notably country music and cultural commentary. As fans know, Beyoncé first released the 27-track project in March 2024. It has since made history and broken multiple records. As Beyoncé's first country album, she deliberately featured country legends and emerging Black country artists alike. According to VividSeats, Beyoncé fans traveled farther than for any of her previous tours averaging 260 miles for the "Cowboy Carter" tour. The same report found fans travelled an average of 257 miles for her Renaissance World Tour. That tour spanned 39 cities across Europe and North America. Meanwhile, the "Cowboy Carter" tour hit nine. Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Regional airports say they haven't been contacted about anticipated influx of flyers for World Cup
We're one year away from the FIFA World Cup matches here in Atlanta. Fans will come in from all over the world, and while most will fly commercial, many will come in on corporate or executive jets. The Metro Atlanta Chamber said nearly 1,600 private jets flew into metro Atlanta for the Super Bowl. Considering each one of these matches is a potential Super Bowl, those jets have to get parked somewhere. But so far, the airports around metro Atlanta say they haven't heard of a plan. Matthew Smith is not only the airport division director for Gwinnett County's Briscoe Field, he's also the president of the Georgia Airport Association. He's anticipating corporate and executive jets will fly into metro Atlanta for the big FIFA World Cup matches. TRENDING STORIES: Metro Atlanta parents 'made a dumb decision' by giving 1-year-old beer, report says SCOTUS rules on lawsuit from Atlanta family whose home was wrongly raided by the FBI Family finds someone else buried alongside their loved one in southwest GA cemetery 'Those jets have to go somewhere,' Smith told Channel 2's Richard Elliot. 'We can handle quite a bit. During the Super Bowl, we had well over 50 jets here.' The major regional airports in the Atlanta area include Fulton's Charlie Brown, DeKalb's PDK, Cobb's McCollum, Gwinnett's Briscoe and the Atlanta Speedway's airport. Smith said, so far, the Atlanta World Cup Hosting Committee hasn't reached out to any of them, but he expects they will. 'I'm sure at some point they'll include us just to make sure we have the capacity to handle what they expect to come in on the private side,' Smith said. Hartsfield-Jackson said it's prepared to handle some through signature and private suites, but any overflow would have to go elsewhere. Cobb's McCollum Field right now said it's more focused on handling flights for this summer's MLB All-Star game than the World Cup, but they added, 'Airport management is currently working with local, state and federal partners to coordinate planning efforts for the upcoming significant special events.' Smith said the regional airports are standing by to help. 'We've handled things like this before. We've had the Super Bowl. We've had the Olympics. We've had the NCAA Finals, and you know, football championships here. So, it's not something we're not used to. We typically can handle it with existing personnel and operations,' Smith said. Smith said Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton County's regional airports all have customs agents if needed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Kemp signs religious freedom bill into law
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday signed the religious freedom bill that advocates said was needed to protect people of faith but critics said could be used to discriminate. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Acworth Republican state Sen. Ed Setzler, who sponsored the bill, insisted it was necessary to protect people of faith from what he called unwarranted government intrusion. Kemp previously said in a statement that he would sign the version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA, that passed the House on Wednesday. 'I have always maintained that I would support and sign a version of RFRA which mirrors the language and protections provided by federal law since 1993,' he wrote on X. 'My commitment to that promise and to the deeply held beliefs of Georgians of faith remains unwavering. I also want to assure those of differing views that Georgia remains a welcoming place to live, work, and raise a family. The bill was opposed by the Metro Atlanta Chamber and similar to one that was vetoed in 2016 amid concerns from Georgia businesses that it would hurt tourism and the ability to attract workers to the state. House Minority Leader Carolyn Hughley has said she believes the bill will hurt businesses and people. 'If Georgia wants to remain the No. 1 state to do business, why would you do this? Because it's simply a license to discriminate, and our caucus is going fight vigorously against it,' Hughley said. RELATED STORY: Georgia House passes religious freedom bill with 2 days left in legislative season [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia lawmakers pass religious freedom bill despite discrimination concerns
ATLANTA (AP) — Lawmakers in Georgia's House passed a controversial bill Wednesday that aims to protect people's rights to express their religion, but that critics say could lead to discrimination. Modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the bill would prevent governments from impeding on someone's religious rights in most cases and stop the enforcement of laws that conflict with someone's religious expression. The Republican-led state House approved the bill 96-70. But Democrats — including those who spoke about their Christian faith — said that without added protections, the bill will let people discriminate against LGBTQ+ people and religious minorities. Two Republicans voted against it, while one Democrat supported it. The bill passed Wednesday is similar to a highly contested one that former Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed in 2016 amid widespread protests and concerns from Georgia's business community that it would hurt their ability to attract employees and tourists. The Metro Atlanta Chamber opposed this year's bill. Bill sponsor Sen. Ed Setzler, a Republican from Acworth, called Deal a 'hero' for vetoing the earlier proposal. He said the new bill, designed in part by current Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's staff, is less extreme. 'Every Georgian should be free to exercise their faith without unfair federal, state and local government intrusion,' Setzler said at a news conference Tuesday. He said the bill "protects ordinary people from unfair state and local government intrusion.' Kemp commended the bill's passage in a statement and promised to sign it. The Senate passed the bill on March 4. At least 29 states have similar laws. Opponents are concerned that the bill could lead to discrimination in a state that doesn't have a comprehensive civil rights law many states do. Opponents also say more religious protections aren't necessary. When pressed during a House Judiciary committee meeting, Setzler could not name a case where someone's religious liberties were violated in a way that would require the bill's protections. 'We are swatting at imaginary flies, and I'm sick of it,' Atlanta Democratic Rep. Stacey Evans said Wednesday. Supporters say the bill would not override local civil rights protections imposed by a handful of Georgia municipalities. 'This is not a license of private citizens to discriminate against private citizens,' said Republican Rep. Tyler Paul Smith, who presented the bill in the House. 'This prohibits the government from burning religious exercise in our state.' Two Republicans, Rep. Deborah Silcox of Sandy Springs Rep. Stan Gunter of Blairsville, joined Democrats in voting against the measure in an earlier House Judiciary committee meeting. Silcox tried to add an anti-discrimination measure to the bill but that didn't pass. She voted against the bill on the House floor, but Gunter voted for it. ___ Charlotte Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon. Charlotte Kramon, The Associated Press
Associated Press
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Georgia lawmakers pass religious freedom bill despite discrimination concerns
ATLANTA (AP) — Lawmakers in Georgia's House passed a controversial bill Wednesday that aims to protect people's rights to express their religion, but that critics say could lead to discrimination. Modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the bill would prevent governments from impeding on someone's religious rights in most cases and stop the enforcement of laws that conflict with someone's religious expression. The Republican-led state House approved the bill 96-70. But Democrats — including those who spoke about their Christian faith — said that without added protections, the bill will let people discriminate against LGBTQ+ people and religious minorities. Two Republicans voted against it, while one Democrat supported it. The bill passed Wednesday is similar to a highly contested one that former Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed in 2016 amid widespread protests and concerns from Georgia's business community that it would hurt their ability to attract employees and tourists. The Metro Atlanta Chamber opposed this year's bill. Bill sponsor Sen. Ed Setzler, a Republican from Acworth, called Deal a 'hero' for vetoing the earlier proposal. He said the new bill, designed in part by current Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's staff, is less extreme. 'Every Georgian should be free to exercise their faith without unfair federal, state and local government intrusion,' Setzler said at a news conference Tuesday. He said the bill 'protects ordinary people from unfair state and local government intrusion.' Kemp commended the bill's passage in a statement and promised to sign it. The Senate passed the bill on March 4. At least 29 states have similar laws. Opponents are concerned that the bill could lead to discrimination in a state that doesn't have a comprehensive civil rights law many states do. Opponents also say more religious protections aren't necessary. When pressed during a House Judiciary committee meeting, Setzler could not name a case where someone's religious liberties were violated in a way that would require the bill's protections. 'We are swatting at imaginary flies, and I'm sick of it,' Atlanta Democratic Rep. Stacey Evans said Wednesday. Supporters say the bill would not override local civil rights protections imposed by a handful of Georgia municipalities. 'This is not a license of private citizens to discriminate against private citizens,' said Republican Rep. Tyler Paul Smith, who presented the bill in the House. 'This prohibits the government from burning religious exercise in our state.' Two Republicans, Rep. Deborah Silcox of Sandy Springs Rep. Stan Gunter of Blairsville, joined Democrats in voting against the measure in an earlier House Judiciary committee meeting. Silcox tried to add an anti-discrimination measure to the bill but that didn't pass. She voted against the bill on the House floor, but Gunter voted for it.
