Friday, August 21, 2026

Top Stories

Article Icon 1Shootings Prompt Mayor’s Response 

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson addressed three shooting incidents that unfolded within about four hours Tuesday, calling it a rough day for the city.

Johnson said the violence came amid a citywide decline in violent crime. Alderman Kurtis Purtee was blunter, calling youth gang activity a public safety emergency.

In the three incidents, police responded to two shooting scenes and a shots-fired call. A man wounded near Largo Drive remains hospitalized, and a juvenile shot on East 71st Street was also treated.

A previously planned community walk in the Live Oak neighborhood drew police and city officials Wednesday. There, Johnson urged parents to reach children before the streets do, and Police Chief Lenny Gunther told those responsible to turn themselves in.

  Article Icon 1Re-enlist? Get a 4-Day Video Game Pass

A U.S. Army battalion at Fort Stewart is offering soldiers who re-enlist a four-day pass timed to the November release of the Grand Theft Auto VI video game.

A July 28 memo from 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion commander Lt. Col. Ryan Hodgson said the offer covers soldiers who sign two- to six-year contracts between Aug. 1 and Nov. 14.

Third Infantry Division spokeswoman Lt. Col. Angel Tomko said 20 of 130 eligible soldiers have taken the offer, which a new career counselor proposed.

The pass cannot be combined with other passes to stretch beyond four days. The game—the latest in one of the top-selling video game series of all time—arrives Nov. 19.

Article Icon 1Pollinator Count Begins

Georgians will spend 15 minutes staring at flowers today as the University of Georgia’s Great Southeast Pollinator Census begins its two-day count of insect visits.

Participants pick one blooming plant, tally the insects that land on it and upload results online. Last year, more than 27,000 counters logged more than 500,000 insects across a five-state region.

Census coordinator Becky Griffin, a UGA Extension pollinator health associate, said pollinators contribute $600 million a year to Georgia agriculture, and farmers, developers and local governments use the data to decide what to plant.

The count comes as UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine trains new “bee doctors” to help beekeepers facing a nationwide colony crisis.

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Around Georgia

Atlanta: The DNC cut the city from its 2028 convention shortlist, leaving Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia. Republicans will gather in Houston, Texas. (More)

Dublin: Crews repaired a 16-inch water main break that led to the issuance of a boil water advisory and the closures of schools and some restaurants. (More)

Statesboro: Mayor Jonathan McCollar broke a 2-2 city council tie to approve rezoning for a proposed data center as protesters chanted outside. (More)

Warner Robins: Crews demolished four buildings along North Davis Drive, the largest single teardown yet under its Operation Reawaken downtown revitalization plan. (More)

Statewide: Georgia asked the federal government to raise its Medicaid match for the Pathways Medicaid program from 67% to 90%, a fight the next governor may inherit. (More)

Evans: A raccoon tested positive for rabies after biting a person Aug. 14 at Blanchard Woods Park. (More)


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Georgia Sports

USA Today readers voted Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta the best stadium in the NFL, and the best stadium food for the second straight year. (More)

Georgia football tied the Texas Longhorns for the most players on the 2026 preseason coaches’ All-SEC team with 11 selections, including four on the first team. (More)

➤ Loran Smith, a member of the UGA football radio broadcast team since the early 1970s and co-host of the pregame show at age 88, will be inducted into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame this weekend. (More)

An Augusta golf facility and a nonprofit will host a free beginners’ clinic Saturday, aiming to promote women’s golf and address barriers keeping some from playing. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | Golf | Tennis | WNBA | Little League World Series

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Georgia Business

Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz said the automaker plans to increase production at its Metaplant near Savannah from 500,000 units to more than 700,000 units by 2028. (More)

➤ White County commissioners approved six-month moratoriums on new convenience stores pending further community feedback, after receiving five gas station applications. The board also paused new vape and CBD shops pending further study. (More)

➤ Atlanta insurance technology company Axle raised $17.5 million in a Series A round and plans to double its 25-person team, expanding a business that now serves more than 4,000 companies. (More)

Restaurants statewide are preparing to disclose to customers whether their shrimp is imported under a new state law that will be enforced starting in January. (More)

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Et Cetera

Near-record heat continues today in south Georgia before rain chances return this weekend. (More)

Volunteers will clear overgrown yards for elderly and disabled homeowners and veterans in Effingham County during this weekend’s Mow-a-Thon. (More)

Peach cobbler topped a survey of the foods Georgians most associate with summer, followed by peach ice cream and boiled peanuts. (More)

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The Flyover Podcast

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

Two fishermen were found off the coast of Mexico after a shipwreck left them clinging to a large cooler for five days. (Hear Details)

Is intermittent fasting overhyped, or does it really work? (Hear Episode)

In sorority basements across the country, hidden teams are digging up dirt that can tank a recruit’s chances. (Full Story)

  

The Poll

Do you watch high school football?

  1. Regularly
  2. Now and then
  3. When kids were in school
  4. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you watch dog shows?

  1. On TV: 61%
  2. No: 23%
  3. Rarely: 11%
  4. In person: 5%
Georgia Trivia

Which city is known as “Winnersville,” home to the winningest high school football program in the country?

Show me the answer

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