Sunday Solutions — April 20, 2025
Good morning! We’ve got a quick note this week so you can go hunt some Easter eggs. However, there are a few stories from the week that we wanted to make sure you’d find, along with some data and Georgia history.
NEWS: COMMUNITY
Death leads to community questions
The tragic killing of Chris Allen Villegas Fentress has ignited serious concerns among LGBTQ advocates about the Savannah Police Department’s commitment to serving and protecting their community from violence. The suspect, Johnathan Manson, allegedly used homophobic slurs before the fatal shooting, raising questions about SPD’s hate crime procedures. Despite the establishment of a task force by Mayor Van Johnson in 2020, the community remains skeptical about the department’s ability to effectively handle such cases. The Current’s Jake Shore looks at the situation.
NEWS
• Local shrimpers in Coastal Georgia are pinning their hopes for relief on President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs, which they believe will cut off the influx of cheaper imported shrimp from countries like India and Ecuador. However, the rollout of the White House’s tariff regime has been chaotic, and it is unclear what financial relief local shrimpers will receive, if any. The industry has shrunk to such an extent in recent years that U.S. shrimpers wouldn’t be able to take the place of these foreign suppliers anytime soon. Read the story from The Current’s Justin Taylor and Margaret Coker here.
• An office without an accountant, inattentive staff, and overconfident financial projections have led to a nearly $1 million debt owed by the Brunswick Judicial Circuit DA’s office to Glynn County, according to court documents. District Attorney Keith Higgins faces accusations of mismanagement, with the county now seeking reimbursement. Read the story from The Current’s Jabari Gibbs here.
• The Georgia Supreme Court heard oral arguments about a controversial zoning decision on Sapelo Island that threatens to change the character of a historic Gullah Geechee enclave in McIntosh County. The case stems from McIntosh’s decision in September 2023 to allow the construction of larger houses in the modest Hogg Hummock neighborhood. Read the story from The Current’s Mary Landers here.
• At a campus town hall meeting, Savannah State University’s new president, Jermaine Whirl, addressed concerns from students and alumni. University Chancellor Sonny Perdue reassured attendees that there are no plans to merge Savannah State with other Georgia public universities, emphasizing the institution’s permanence and commitment to growth. Read Ellen Hunter’s story from The Current.
• Georgia will remove diversity, equity, inclusion programs in public schools. The state Department of Education announced it will comply with a directive from the U.S. Department of Education to remove diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools or face the termination of federal funds. Georgia received more than $1 billion in federal funding in FY 2025, including for students with disabilities and students facing homelessness. Read WABE’s story here.
Check updated news with explanations about policy changes and federal funding cuts to education and other items at thecurrentga.org. We’ve got a whole list of stories explaining what’s happening and what the stakes may be for all of us in Coastal Georgia.
🎉 Congratulations to Lyla for knowing that last week’s Spyglass was taken at Jekyll Island’s Driftwood Beach. We had 43 correct answers last week — let’s see how you do this week. Thanks to reader Barbara Northrup who contributed this week’s test.
Test how well you spy details in Coastal Georgia. Give us the location of the item in the photo above. Some spots may be easier to identify than others; some will be tougher. We’ll collect correct answers each week and draw for a weekly winner.
CLICK HERE TO GIVE YOUR ANSWER
NEWS: GEORGIA HISTORY
More than a name on a building
On Friday, the Eugene H. Gadsden Courthouse had a formal opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. While most area travelers rejoice that the streets around the new Chatham County building are clear of the years-long construction, the event was important for another reason — the recognition of Eugene H. Gadsden, the first Black Superior Court judge for Savannah. The appointment came after he’d already influenced much of the city’s political landscape as co-chair of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s (NAACP) political action council in the 1960s and 1970s. You can read more about him here.
The Current’s Jake Shore attended the ceremony and brought back this note from Gadsden’s granddaughter, Zoe Larned:
“I think in this day and time it is probably his most important legacy: trustworthiness. Meeting people where they are, believing they’re coming from a good place, and then all of us self reflecting and making sure that we’re coming from the best place with the best intentions. I’m proud of the legacy he has left for us and our family. 25 years after his passing, I’m incredibly proud of this building and everything it represents.”
DATA: ECONOMY
☕ Your second cup: How are we really doing?
Because your Sunday editor spent a decent amount of time staring at these items, so you might enjoy them, as well. Here are graphic breakdowns of two data sheets from USA Facts: Are wages keeping up with inflation? and What is the income a US/Georgia/Your County household? and the associated data points for all of it — including adjustments for inflation — over decades to compare. Enjoy.
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Georgia law offers homeowners a big tax break, but most probably won’t get much of it
By Ty Tagami/Capitol Beat News Service
Georgia lawmakers have passed House Bill 92, which gives cities, counties and school systems until the end of this month to reconsider their offer to tighten their property tax revenue streams, but most school districts have opted out, leaving the bulk of the responsibility of slowing down property taxes on cities and counties.
Gay man’s killing puts spotlight on Savannah Police practices
By Jake Shore
Killing of Chris Allen Villegas Fentress in Savannah raised concerns by city’s LGBTQ advocates about deprioritizaiton by Savannah Police Department.
New Savannah State president pledges to boost school’s brand, reputation
By Ellen Hunter/The Current
Savannah State University’s new president, Jermaine Whirl, and Chancellor Sonny Perdue addressed concerns at a town hall, assuring students and alumni that there are no plans to consolidate the university with other Georgia public universities, and outlined their visions for the university to create a unified culture.
Georgia high court hears Sapelo zoning referendum case
By Mary Landers
The Georgia Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday about a controversial zoning decision that threatens to change the character of an historic Gullah Geechee enclave in McIntosh County, with residents fearing gentrification and higher taxes.
Glynn County responds to Brunswick DA lawsuit, detailing debt, turmoil
By Jabari Gibbs
Glynn County has answered a lawsuit by the area DA over funding for the prosecutor’s office. The county’s court filings paint a picture of a dysfunctional office in which overburdened and underqualified staff struggled with budgetary matters.
Federal education cuts and Trump DEI demands leave states, teachers in limbo
By Robbie Sequeira/Stateline
The U.S. Department of Education has issued an ultimatum to K-12 public schools and state education agencies to certify that they are not engaging in discrimination under the banner of diversity, equity and inclusion, or risk losing federal funding, including billions in support for low-income students.
Georgia will remove diversity, equity, inclusion programs in public schools to avoid losing federal funds
By Meimei Xu/WABE
Georgia has joined a number of states in complying with a directive from the U.S. Department of Education to remove diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools or face the termination of federal funds.
Protesters arrested, shocked with Tasers at U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s town hall
By Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder
Three people were arrested, two of them shocked with a Taser and about six people were escorted out of the building as Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene held a town hall in Acworth Tuesday. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks with reporters after a raucous town hall. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder This story also appeared in Georgia Recorder […]
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