Sunday Solutions — Jan. 4, 2026
Good morning! We’re back and happy to see you. Today, we open with our annual legislative priority survey to find out what you want to see in the upcoming General Assembly session, updates and stories from the break and more. We leave you with ways to stay updated on the situation in Venezuela. Dig in.
SURVEY: LEGISLATURE
Let ’em know
Another session of the Georgia General Assembly is looming, and we’re wondering if the priorities for elected officials match yours. Here’s a chance to tell them what you want to see. We’ve crafted our annual survey for you based on lots of meetings over the past month setting preferences from cities and counties. We factored in their speeches about what they need to do, and we’ve paid attention to the various legislative study committees as they’ve met across the state and announced their findings. Then, we added topics awaiting attention from the past session that you told us were important last year. The survey may take an extra couple of minutes, but we’re hoping you’ll finish it and let us know what we’ve missed or elaborate on how you scored the issues. Don’t be shy. We’ll report back to you with results as the session opens Jan. 12.
EXPLAINER: ELECTIONS
Where does it all come from?
We’re heading into high season for the mid-term federal, state and some local elections. Already we’re seeing fights in the state about dark or anonymous money and soon we’ll all be getting candidate or issue post cards attributed to groups we’ve never heard of but clearly have invested cash in a candidate or two. So, how much do you know about the campaign finance laws? Open Secrets, a nonprofit group that monitors campaign spending, has a quiz to test your knowledge and learn.
🎉 Congratulations to Richard Hayes for knowing that last week’s Spyglass was outside the Susie King Taylor Women’s Institute and Ecology Center Hinesville where photos of Liberty County businessman Ralph Quarterman and Midway First Presbyterian Church member Viola Augusta Hughes gaze on to the street across from the county courthouse. Richard had the only correct answer last week.
This was our final Spyglass for 2025. Thanks to all who participated in the Spyglass fun! Brush up your skills. The news quiz returns next week.
NEWS: UPDATES
Catching up
We’ve been monitoring the news over the holidays and here are a few stories you’ll want to catch up on.
- Georgia sees rise in hospitalizations, deaths due to aggressive flu strain: Yep, hospitals are adding mask requirements for visitors as numbers show potential for a surge of cases. From GPB News.
- Georgia officials propose prioritizing urgent needs in disability services: As we’ve reported, Medicaid cuts are putting pressure on local families and now one group wants to rework the state’s waiting list of more than 7,800 people. From Georgia Recorder.
- Alicia Johnson sworn in as first Black woman on Georgia Public Service Commission: Savannah woman makes history as she joins panel. From WABE
- Weeping Time land: Group works to buy, build memorial: Will group be able to purchase and save property. From The Current‘s Ellen Hunter.
- New laws will address professional services, homeowner protections, car tags and politicians: Last year’s legislative work kicks in. From Capitol Beat.
- Tech industry the target of potential legislative backlash: As the legislature ramps up, it’s likely to consider new ways to limit social media for young Georgians. From Capitol Beat.
NEWS: BACKGROUND
☕ Your second cup: Venezuela
We come to this day working to learn more about what’s next now that the United States has taken action in Venezuela by seizing the country’s president as President Trump declares the US in charge there for now. We leave you with some places to go to learn more about the history between the two countries, the precedents and legal questions of it all.
- Live updates on the changing situation. A good link to bookmark if you’re looking to stay updated from The Associated Press.
- How this differs from Panama and Noriega in 1989. From a historian at Temple University via The Conversation.
- The charges against Maduro: A breakdown of the indictments filed in New York. From National Public Radio.
- Top Republicans praise Venezuela operation as some lawmakers question legal authority: National Public Radio looks at the Congressional reactions.
- U.S. strikes on Venezuela spark alarm across Latin America and beyond: Fallout among neighbors from the move from National Public Radio.
- How Venezuela has been preparing for a US invasion for more than two decades: Listen to a former journalist and Latin American scholar as he discusses the relationship history of the two countries. From The Conversation.
SPONSORED
Georgia’s footprint in the EV industry is expected to grow in 2026
By Marion Hyde/WABE
Hyundai and Rivian have both made significant investments in Georgia’s electric vehicle industry, with Hyundai opening a new assembly plant and Rivian breaking ground on a multi-billion dollar facility, while also providing training and educational opportunities for veterans, technical college students, and engineering students.
Several controversial bills from last legislative session could return this year
By Sarah Kallis/GPB News
Georgia’s legislative session begins Jan. 12, with lawmakers introducing new bills and revisiting previously rejected legislation, including restrictions on traffic cameras, diversity programs, and gender-affirming care.
Georgia sees rise in hospitalizations, deaths due to aggressive flu strain
By Sofi Gratas/GPB News
Georgia has seen a significant increase in flu-associated hospitalizations and deaths since October, with the CDC recommending the flu vaccine for people over six months old, including pregnant women and seniors, as the best defense against serious illness and transmission.
Georgia officials propose prioritizing urgent needs in disability services
By Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder
Georgia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities has proposed a new three-tiered system to prioritize Medicaid waivers for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in an effort to reduce the waiting list and ensure those with the most urgent needs receive services.
Georgia gets nearly $219 million for rural health care
By Ty Tagami/Capitol Beat News Service
The federal government will provide Georgia with nearly $219 million to improve healthcare in 126 rural counties, as part of a $10 billion allotment to the 50 states.
Alicia Johnson sworn in as first Black woman on Georgia Public Service Commission
By Marisa Mecke/WABE
Alicia Johnson was sworn in as the first Black woman to serve on the Georgia Public Service Commission, the first female Democrat to serve on the commission, and the first Black woman elected to a statewide executive office.
Tech industry the target of potential legislative backlash
By Ty Tagami/Capitol Beat News Service
Georgia lawmakers are considering new legislation to protect children from the negative impacts of social media, including stricter data privacy, age verification, and product liability laws for AI platforms.
The Current GA is part of The Trust Project.
Read our policies.
Support independent, solutions-based investigative journalism without bias, fear or favor on issues affecting Savannah and Coastal Georgia.
You must be logged in to post a comment.