– Thursday, May 16, 2024 –
Good morning. We have stories today on two Coastal Georgia races that will be decided next week, the winners of which will have enormous influence over public safety. Plus, data shows a sharp increase in road rage shootings in Georgia and across the country.
Questions, comments or story ideas? You can reach me at jake.shore@thecurrentga.org.
ELECTIONS: NEWS
DA race haunted by past
Like few other district attorney elections in the state, the race for Brunswick Judicial Circuit DA — which covers Glynn, Camden, Wayne, Appling and Jeff Davis counties — deals with questions of ethics, integrity and history.
Incumbent DA Keith Higgins is running on his record, which he says reflects his commitment to restoring the public’s trust in the office while also ensuring community safety. John B. Johnson, a 47-year prosecutor who was second-in-command to the former DA, said he is running to return the office to what it used to be and try more cases.
Whoever wins the election on May 21, next Tuesday, will be on the general ballot in November unopposed. Learn more about the race and the candidates in our latest story.
PUBLIC SAFETY: DATA
Road rage shootings spike
Road rage shootings have increased dramatically in the U.S. and Georgia as dangerous driving, firearms and aggression mix on American roads.
Between 2014 and 2023, the number of people shot in road rage incidents increased by over 400% and spiked during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to The Trace, which analyzed data from the Gun Violence Archive. The data is imperfect as not all incidents of severe road rage make the news or get reported to the police. But the trend is clear: the number of road rage shootings went from 83 in 2014 to 456 in 2023.
Self-reported aggressive driving increased across the country during the pandemic and it mixed with more Americans buying guns, researchers told The Trace.
The data shows five such incidents occurred in Savannah between 2014 and 2023, while also indicating a rise in annual road rage shootings in Georgia.
So, a message to Coastal Georgia drivers: Before you honk and yell, take a deep breath. Slow down. You’ll get where you need to go today.
ELECTIONS: EXPLAINER
The men who would be judge
Voters in Chatham County will select a new Superior Court judge in next week’s election.
The influential post handles all felony cases, custody disputes, zoning appeals, invasive warrant requests by police, and many other responsibilities (see our guide for a full definition of the position).
Moreover, they see all of society’s ills walk through their courtrooms; these judges give prison sentences for the most heinous local crimes and are also tasked with protecting the constitutional rights of all who enter the courthouse.
Bound by a strict judicial code, candidates for judges’ posts in Georgia can’t speak much on what they would do in office, like normal politicians can. That’s why The Current sat down with both candidates, Chris Middleton and Frank Pennington, to learn more about how their legal and life experiences shape who they are and why they want to be the county’s next Superior Court judge. Read the profile here.
Brunswick DA race: Prosecutors with different answers to history
Elections for Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney complicated by questions of ethics and integrity after predecessor Jackie Johnson’s indictment.
Liberty County Chief Magistrate Judge candidates
Magistrate Court does not use juries. Most disputes involve each of the two parties presenting their side to the judge without an attorney, but presenting evidence to support their claims.
UGA pulls plug on government transparency work
First Amendment Clinic was was integral to helping journalists, citizens gain access to open records, meetings under Georgia law.
An EV semi flexes its muscle in Port Wentworth
Fuel center invests in chargers for semi trucks working between port and distribution centers.
Inside Chatham County’s pivotal judge race
Voters in Chatham County face stark choice in election for Superior Court judge between a longtime prosecutor and an experienced public defender.
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