Sunday Solutions — July 20, 2025
Good morning! As you flee inside to escape the “heat dome,” we’ve got plenty to keep you busy — a World War II soldier comes home, a Sapelo zoning update, and more as the wheels of state government keep turning in ways that’ll affect your life. Also, we need 2 minutes of your time…
FEATURE: COMMUNITY
The long journey home
At age 22, 2Lt. Milton Leonard Hymes, Jr., the navigator aboard a B-24J Liberator heavy bomber, took off from an airbase in Norfolk, England, on an ill-fated mission deep into Nazi occupied Poland. Eight decades later, he’s returned home after and extraordinary effort to identify and return his remains. Visual journalist Justin Taylor followed the last leg of Hymes’ journey on Friday and writes about it and the work it took to find him after his Liberator crashed in 1944.
FROM THE CURRENT
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NEWS: COURTS
on Sapelo Island, on June 25, 2025. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/Catchlight Local Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight Local
Judge weighs Sapelo arguments
On Friday, Judge Gates Peed heard arguments to dismiss a lawsuit over a zoning change that allows houses on a part of Sapelo Island to be double the previous size. It’s a familiar fight for Hogg Hummock residents who fear higher taxes will force them off the island; McIntosh County says the suit is “untimely.” The Current’s Domonique King was at the hearing. Read her story here.
NEWS: HEALTH
What the buzz?
What comes with lots of rain and summer heat? Mosquitos. Those flying nuisances sampled last week in midtown Savannah were carrying West Nile Virus, so make sure you’re wearing repellent to cut the risk. If you’re traveling, keep an eye out for other bugs — covid and the once-banished measles are hanging around out there, too.
NEWS: UPDATES
Catching up on Georgia
- Carr: Georgia will not join multi-state lawsuit to release federal education grants: The state attorney general defends administration’s action as districts are stuck for now with $40 million in expenses for after-school and other programs many families count on. From GPB News
- Georgia governor calls for contingency budget plans amid ‘national’ changes: As federal money gets cut from basic programs, state lawmakers look for a budgeting session. By The Current’s Maggie Lee.
- Health care, hospitality sectors drive job growth in Georgia: Manufacturing work takes a backseat in recent analysis. From Capitol Beat
- Lawmakers address election integrity amid ongoing scrutiny: Panel looks at ways to tighten up processes as election year politics starts. From Georgia Recorder
- State pauses review of data center plans: The giant consumers of power and water won’t get an early review during development plans. From Capitol Beat.
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FEATURE: EDUCATION
☕ Your second cup: What does a diploma mean?
As more states, including Georgia, implement new pathways to earn high school diplomas, employers and others are faced with questions about what “high school graduate” really means. In New York, the state regents phased out the annual “exit exams” and have approved a new framework, known as the “portrait of a graduate,” to define what it will take to earn a diploma. Have diplomas become mile markers instead of a signal or guarantee of basic skills? It may be time to ponder the evolution of K-12 education and the many roads beyond. Read how the idea is taking shape elsewhere in a story from the education journalists at Chalkbeat.
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Carr: Georgia will not join multi-state lawsuit to release federal education grants
Georgia will not join the 24 states and Washington, D.C. in suing the Trump administration to release $6 billion in promised federal education grants, while Democratic U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath called for the release of the funds on the House floor.
The long journey home: 2Lt. Milton Leonard Hymes, Jr.
At the age of 22, 2Lt. Milton Leonard Hymes, Jr. of Savannah was killed in a B-24J Liberator crash over Nazi-occupied Poland, but his remains were finally identified and repatriated to his family, 81 years later.
Graduation overhaul: As programs change, what does ‘high school diploma’ mean?
New York officials have voted to approve a new framework, known as the “portrait of a graduate,” which will help define what it will take to earn a diploma after the state’s exit exams are phased out as a graduation requirement beginning in the 2027-28 school year.
West Nile virus found in Savannah, Atlanta; mosquito control begins treatment
Mosquitoes in Savannah, Hapeville and Northwest Atlanta have been found to be infected with West Nile Virus, prompting mosquito control and public health departments to treat the affected areas with insecticide.
Judge hears arguments in Sapelo zoning lawsuit
Sapelo Island residents are suing McIntosh County over new zoning ordinances that allow houses to be up to 3,000 square feet, arguing that it will increase property taxes and displace Gullah-Geechee descendants, and the case awaits a judge’s decision on whether it will go to trial.
State pauses review of data center plans
Georgia environmental advocate Chris Manganiello is criticizing the state’s decision to pause reviews of new data center proposals, citing the need for smart, sustainable development to minimize water usage and recommending the use of tax credits to incentivize water-saving technology.
Health care and hospitality sectors drive job growth in Georgia
Georgia’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.5% in June as the state reached a historic milestone of 5 million jobs, with the health care and social assistance sector leading the way with a gain of 3,900 jobs.
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