Axios Atlanta

March 16, 2026
Muh-muh-muh Monnnnnday.
- We hope y'all weren't fooled by last week's false spring. Winter's not done with us yet.
🌧️ Today's weather: Stay dry and warm. Showers and thunderstorms, with a high of 56 and a low of 29.
Today's newsletter is 850 words — a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: Children's Healthcare CEO to retire
Outgoing Children's Healthcare of Atlanta CEO Donna Hyland said the hospital system's future is in good hands as a familiar face takes the helm.
The latest: Hyland will wrap up 40 years at Children's when she retires and Patrick Frias, president and CEO of Rady Children's Health in San Diego, will take up the mantle.
- Frias previously worked for 18 years as a cardiologist at Children's Healthcare.
What they're saying: Hyland, who started her career at Children's in 1986, said she's feeling a lot of different emotions as she nears the end of her tenure, but she's "really excited for the future."
- Frias understands the culture of Children's Healthcare and is passionate about the institution's mission of serving children throughout the state, Hyland said.
Catch up quick: Hyland originally joined Scottish Rite Children's Medical Center as its controller in 1986.
- She became its chief financial officer two years later, and was part of the team that worked on the 1998 merger of Scottish Rite and Egleston Children's Medical Center to form Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
- Hyland was named chief financial officer for the newly formed hospital. She later became its chief operating officer before being appointed to the CEO position in 2008.
Zoom in: Hyland told Axios she's most proud of bringing Hughes Spalding Hospital into the system, establishing the Marcus Autism Center, the increase in cancer survival rates from around 60% to 85% for patients and developing the institution's relationship with Emory School of Medicine.
- The partnership has led to Children's being ranked in the top five for pediatric research funding from the National Institutes of Health for the last 10 years.
- Hyland also said doctors at Children's are part of a network where they share research and information with other cancer centers across the country.
By the numbers: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta employs around 15,000 people and has 1.2 million patient visits annually.
What's next: Frias will work with Hyland to transition into the new role, which he is expected to start in the coming months.
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2. Sandy Springs gets its own ZIP codes
In the 20 years since becoming a city, Sandy Springs waged another, lesser-known campaign to help cement its identity: claiming ZIP codes assigned to the area as its own.
- That decades-long lobbying ended last week, when the U.S. Postal Service said it will designate several ZIP codes long associated with Atlanta as belonging to Sandy Springs.
Why it matters: Civic pride, mostly. But it will also ensure Sandy Springs residents pay the correct sales taxes and not the city of Atlanta's rate.
- They also won't have to explain to a person unfamiliar with the area why their address says Atlanta if they use GPS to navigate to their home.
The latest: Sandy Springs will be the default city for ZIP codes 30319, 30327, 30328, 30338, 30339, 30342, and 30350.
What's next: Sandy Springs said USPS will update its Address Management System to reflect the change, which could take weeks to complete.
3. HOA fees climb

More U.S. and Georgia homes for sale in 2025 came with homeowners association fees, and those dues climbed from a year earlier, Realtor.com data shows.
Why it matters: Rising HOA fees add to the already high cost of homeownership.
- In Georgia, HOAs allegedly behaving badly — think accusations of excessive fines and lack of transparency — have spurred state lawmakers to seek reforms.
By the numbers: Nationwide, roughly 44% of homes listed for sale on Realtor.com last year had HOA dues, up from 42% in 2024 and 34% in 2019.
- Roughly 46% of homes listed for sale in Georgia had HOA dues.
- The median monthly fee rose to $135 from $125 in 2024 and $108 in 2019 — and dues can even stretch beyond $500.
- In Georgia, the median monthly fee is $75. Dues, which fund maintenance and amenities, can vary widely based on a community's age and upkeep.
Between the lines: In addition to monthly fees, associations often enforce strict rules on everything from holiday decor to lawn care, with fines for residents who fail to comply.
The big picture: HOA fees are more common in the West and South, where condos, townhouses and newly built homes represent a larger share of listings, according to the real estate site.
4. Five-ish Points: Cool World Cup volunteer swag
🎂 Former U.N. ambassador and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young celebrated his 94th birthday in the Bahamas over the weekend. (WSB)
⚽️ MARTA volunteers during the FIFA World Cup will wear really cool shirts that look like soccer jerseys. (Soccer With Doug)
Prosecutors have dropped charges against five teenagers involved in the death of a Hall County educator during a prank that went awry. (AJC)
- The funeral for North Hall High School math teacher Jason Hughes was held Saturday.
🎉 Kristal is celebrating Hannah's 6th birthday today!
- 😭 She can't believe her sweet, red potato is closer to becoming a senior dog.
🚇 Thomas wants one of those MARTA jerseys.
- Happy birthday, Hannah!
This newsletter was edited by Crystal Hill.
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