Sunday Solutions — May 3, 2026
Good morning! It’s been a week of news, and it’s still popping. What does it all have in common? Clear reasons why your vote, aka your voice, matters. Elected officials determine so much of what happens and why it happens, and only you can hold them accountable for representing your wishes. Election season means you can replace them or commend them for that work.
In an unrelated matter: Your dog can eavesdrop. Let’s go fetch.
NEWS: ELECTIONS
One vote, that’s it
One thing to remember about the May 19 election: It’s the only chance to vote for nonpartisan candidates for key jobs like school boards, judicial seats and a few other offices. Whoever wins that vote takes the seat, barring a runoff. So voters, skipping the nonpartisan ballot isn’t an option. It’s your only chance to be heard.
The school board president for the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System is one of these crucial nonpartisan races. Two candidates, the incumbent president and a 14-year board member, are running for the position that helps set education policy for about 38,000 public school students and stewards a $940 million operating budget for 2026. The Current‘s Craig Nelson has talked to both Roger Moss and Dionne Hoskins-Brown about why they are running for the job. As the state shifts more funding and focus toward literacy improvements, they agree the task is a slog but disagree on the commitment to speed.
NEWS: ELECTIONS
Voting, redistricting,
In a ruling last week, the Supreme Court gutted a portion of the federal 1965 Voting Rights Act and said challenges to districts couldn’t be considered unless there is proof of “intentional racial discrimination.” Scholars say the ruling changes the electoral landscape for years to come. Georgia Recorder reports on the fallout from the ruling and Gov. Brian Kemp’s reaction to calls for redistricting.
Early voting started Monday, and as of Saturday morning, just over 197,000 Georgia ballots have been cast, representing 2.7% turnout.
According to Georgia Votes, total turnout in this year’s race is 15% higher than at this time in 2022’s primary election.
As of Saturday, Georgia has 7,358,598 active voters, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office. If you’re wondering about the demographics of the state’s voters, you can look at the Secretary of State’s website to get a complete view of the state’s voting population. Above, you’ll find one Georgia chart to consider in light of the Court’s ruling; there are more at this link. And be sure to check out the voters by age. To quote a famous song from 1970: “Teach your children well.” Spoiler alert: People 18-24 are the largest voting bloc. if you’re a seasoned voter, take heart. New research says older adults who vote live longer.
NEWS: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Data center pushback, focus on industry
In separate meetings Monday and Tuesday the Kingsland Planning and Zoning Board and the Camden County Commission will take up data centers. The energy-hungry computing hubs are on the two agendas because of one potential project. A rezoning request has sparked public outcry, and the commission will consider a moratorium on data center projects. Some areas are setting guidelines for the projects, but there aren’t any rules yet in Camden. The Current‘s Jabari Gibbs previews the meetings and measures, which are expected to be met with plenty of public comment.
Do data centers have to be energy and infrastructure drains? Two researchers say that forward-thinking communities can push for plans for data centers equipped with on-site power generation, battery energy storage, and systems that use the waste heat. That way, centers could be a benefit to the community rather than a drain on its resources. Read about that here.
Up the road in Liberty County, residents’ longtime concerns about the higher tax burdens are being met with a change in focus from the Liberty County Development Authority. The authority said last week that it would focus on bringing manufacturing and related jobs to the county. The Current‘s Robin Kemp wraps up the move that includes plans to expand the county’s airport.
When info needs to get out
Brantley County’s manager, area firefighters and other officials have been delivering clear, accurate, thorough updates about Brantley, Glynn and Wayne county wildfires via the Facebook page Highway 82 Fire Information. The Brantley County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page also has important updates.
Scrolling down either page requires a Facebook login — that’s a decision by the company, not by local officials. But it has the effect of putting an extra barrier between residents who need information and officials who want to publish quickly to a wide audience.
Something we’ve noticed: Many Coastal Georgia public entities use Facebook regularly as their primary bulletin boards for announcements. Using social media may control distribution costs, but it doesn’t not control how quickly you’ll see the info even if you are following the county or city pages. That speed is up to the social site, and it will control what and when you see it. As we head into storm season, consider signing up for emergency text alerts through your school system county or city, just to make sure you get what you need quickly.
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NEWS: FAMILY
☕ Your second cup: Dogs know things
If you’ve ever wondered if your dog really knows what you are saying, new research says there’s a chance it does — at least when it comes to toys and food. And, they can eavesdrop. Scientists found that dogs have a skill that puts them functionally on par with 18-month-old children: They can learn the names of new toys not only through direct instruction but also by overhearing the conversations of their owners. Read about it here in this story from The New York Times.
Enjoy.
Challenger disputes incumbent’s literacy record in Chatham County schools
By Craig Nelson
Roger Moss, the incumbent school board president, is running for re-election on a platform of improving literacy in Savannah-Chatham County schools, while his opponent Dionne Hoskins-Brown argues that his efforts have been too slow and that the system’s literacy plan has not changed much from previous approaches.
Roundup: Kemp rejects calls to redraw this year’s political maps, early voting surge, endorsements
By Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder and Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder
Governor Brian Kemp has decided not to call a special session to redraw Georgia’s political maps this year, while early voting is off to a strong start and high-profile endorsements are being made in the upcoming primary elections.
Camden set to vote on data center moratorium amid Kingsland rezone vote
By Jabari Gibbs
The Camden County Board of Commissioners will vote on Tuesday to adopt a nine-month moratorium on data centers amid growing concern about the energy-hungry operations, while the Kingsland Planning and Zoning Board will debate a rezoning request for a data center on Monday.
Liberty County Development Authority pivots toward industry, away from warehouses
By Robin Kemp
Brown told The Current the proposed expansion “will provide room for additional aircraft storage and maintenance including aviation associated construction and retrofitting facilities.” He said the work would attract aeronautics and defense industries down the road.
Georgia lawmakers weigh redrawing maps following Voting Rights Act ruling
By Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais has diluted a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, prompting some Republicans to call for Georgia lawmakers to redraw the state’s political maps, while Democrats have condemned the decision and urged Georgians to make their voices heard at the polls.
Georgia SOS candidates debate election integrity, 2020 election claims
By Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder
Eight candidates debated their qualifications to be Georgia’s next top elections official, with Republicans focusing on concerns about the 2020 election and Democrats advocating for a hybrid voting system and improved language access at the ballot.
GOP state school race pits incumbent experience against calls for change
By Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder
Fred “Bubba” Longgrear has key endorsements for State School Superintendent over 4 others in GOP primary.
Driver last seen in Florida found dead in Glynn County, truck in Port Wentworth
By Russ Bynum/The Associated Press
The FBI is investigating the death of truck driver Alejandro Jacomino Gonzalez, whose body was found in Glynn County and his semitrailer was found in Port Wentworth hours after he was last seen alive at a Florida rest stop.
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