News Roundup for August 5, 2025

A Georgia Public Policy Foundation report finds Tift, Cook, and Berrien counties among 94 in the state facing housing shortages, part of a statewide deficit of more than 365,000 homes. Georgia has added over a million residents each decade since 1980, but housing construction never recovered after the Great Recession, with growth in the 2010s at just 7.9%. The largest shortages are in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Chatham. The study cites regulatory hurdles, post-recession banking and labor setbacks, rising costs, and strong in-migration, while noting voters often prefer subsidies over deregulation. It urges local policy reforms to diversify housing and boost production to meet demand.Short Supply: How Many More Homes Does Georgia Need? - Georgia Public Policy FoundationSylvester is seeing a surge in new businesses as part of Worth County’s downtown revival, but leaders say community support and workforce shortages remain major challenges. While shops like Backwoods Trading report growth, empty storefronts persist, and many new businesses struggle to find employees. The county has added nearly 400 new chamber members, with openings ranging from salons to antique stores and a new gas station in Warwick. Residents welcome the convenience of more local options, but city officials stress the need for locals to shop and work downtown. Affordable housing projects, with rents from $900–$1,500, aim to boost foot traffic and local spending.‘We have a lot of new businesses and no one to work’: Sylvester sees increase in businesses to countyThe Georgia Board of Education has approved $48.2 million in newly unfrozen federal funds for summer and after-school programs through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, following a freeze by the Trump administration that delayed $6.8 billion nationwide. Advocates say the funding provides crucial stability for schools and community programs just as the school year begins. Additional funds for programs like English as a second language and migrant education are expected to be approved soon, once exact amounts are confirmed. The freeze had drawn bipartisan criticism before the administration began releasing the money in mid-July.Federal funds for after-school programs are flowing again in Georgia • Georgia RecorderGovernor Brian Kemp has declared August as Shooting Sports Month in Georgia, highlighting the cultural, historical, and economic importance of hunting and shooting sports. The industry contributed $2.7 billion to Georgia’s economy in 2024, supporting nearly 11,000 jobs and generating over $19.2 million in conservation funding through the Pittman-Robertson Act. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is encouraging residents to visit one of the state’s 45+ public shooting and archery ranges to learn new skills and safely enjoy the sport.Governor Kemp Proclaims August as Shooting Sports Month | Department Of Natural Resources DivisionA Georgia Tech researcher helped confirm a new world record for the longest lightning strike—a 515-mile “megaflash” from Dallas, Texas, to Kansas City, Missouri, in 2017. Scientist Michael Peterson and his team discovered it last year using new satellite technology and improved methods that could process such massive, complex lightning events, which had previously gone undetected.Georgia Tech scientist helps discover longest-ever lightning strikeGeorgia students will return to school this year under new safety laws passed after last year’s deadly Apalachee High School shooting. The centerpiece, House Bill 268, requires all schools to have mobile panic button systems for emergencies and allows districts to share incoming students’ disciplinary and criminal records, a move supporters say could have flagged the alleged shooter’s past FBI interview. Barrow County, where the shooting happened, has added weapons detection systems and more school resource officers.Advocates like Change for Chee’s Layla Renee Contreras say the measures are a good start but more is needed, while some oppose a new bill banning student cell phone use, arguing it could hinder safety communication during crises. Democratic proposals for gun storage mandates and tax rebates for safes failed but will be reintroduced. Local officials say the focus now is on getting through key milestones in the school year while keeping campuses secure.Georgia students will return to the classroom with a heap of new safety measuresPaula Deen has abruptly closed her iconic Savannah restaurant, The Lady & Sons, and its adjacent takeout spot, The Chicken Box, effective July 31. No reason was given for the closure, though Deen thanked customers for 36 years of support. The restaurant, opened in 1996, played a central role in launching her culinary fame, eventually leading to her long-running Food Network show Paula’s Home Cooking.Locals and tourists were surprised by the sudden shutdown, as the eatery remained popular up to its final day. Deen’s other restaurants in Tennessee, Missouri, and South Carolina remain open, and she continues to maintain a strong media presence through appearances and her YouTube channel.Paula Deen closes flagship Savannah restaurant that helped launch her to fame | LiveNOW from FOXThe City of Valdosta kicked off the school year with a community block party at Unity Park Amphitheater, where more than 1,400 backpacks filled with school supplies were given to local students. The event also featured free food, haircuts, and other services to help families start the year strong.Something Good: City of Valdosta gives more than 1,400 backpacks to local students at back to school eventHealth officials are warning of a rise in Vibrio vulnificus, a rare but deadly “flesh-eating” bacteria, along the Gulf Coast this summer. Louisiana has reported 17 cases and 4 deaths so far—more than double its typical yearly average—while Florida has seen 13 cases and 4 deaths. The bacteria thrive in warm, salty or brackish waters and can infect people through open wounds or by eating raw seafood, especially oysters. High-risk individuals include those with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, or weakened immune systems. Doctors urge immediate treatment if symptoms appear and advise avoiding ocean water with open wounds and being cautious with raw seafood.Deadly 'flesh-eating' bacteria cases rise along Gulf Coast, doctors warn - ABC NewsGeorgia will not have a back-to-school tax-free holiday in 2025. The state ended the annual sales tax break in 2017 after studies showed it didn’t significantly benefit consumers or the economy. Attempts to reinstate it, including a recent bill by Sen. Nabilah Islam, have failed to gain traction. Critics say the holiday led to lost state revenue—estimated at $36 to $50 million annually—and limited actual savings, as retailers often raised prices. While some lawmakers still support the idea, citing rising school supply costs, Georgia shoppers must continue to pay standard sales tax on back-to-school items.VERIFY: Georgia does not offer a sales tax holiday for back-to-school | 11alive.comThe Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the main funding source for NPR and PBS, announced it will shut down operations following the elimination of its federal funding by the Trump administration and Congress. The private nonprofit, founded in 1967, supports over 1,500 local stations and employs around 100 people. Most staff positions will end by September 30, 2025, with a small team remaining through January 2026 to manage the closure.The $1.1 billion cut was approved despite public opposition and comes after President Trump fired three CPB board members in April. The move threatens major cuts to public media, especially in rural areas where many stations rely heavily on federal funding. NPR CEO Katherine Maher warned that the cuts could lead to station closures, layoffs, and reduced emergency broadcasting capabilities during disasters.Corporation for Public Broadcasting, funder of NPR and PBS, says it will end operations within months after federal budget cuts - CBS NewsFord is recalling over 312,000 vehicles—including 2025 models of the F-150, Bronco, Ranger, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator—due to a brake assist software issue that can increase the risk of crashes. The Electronic Brake Booster module may lose power while driving, which can extend stopping distances or cause brakes to fail when safety systems are active. A free software update is available either over-the-air or through dealerships. Notification letters will be mailed starting August 25, but owners can also contact Ford customer service to check if their vehicle is affected.Over 312,000 Ford vehicles recalled for potential brake safety problem | Fox Business Get full access to Tifton Talks at tiftontalks.substack.com/subscribe