WTOC News

WTOC Digital Anchor Jake Wallace gives you a recap of the week’s biggest stories from around the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry.

In this episode:

• Mask mandate reinstated in Savannah: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/26/savannah-mayor-hold-news-conference-provide-covid-19-update/
• SCCPSS requiring masks to start school year: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/27/masks-will-be-required-savannah-chatham-schools-start-new-year/
• Savannah residents have mixed reactions to mask mandate: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/26/residents-savannah-have-mixed-reactions-return-mask-mandate/
• Gov. Kemp says no mask mandate: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/29/kemp-says-no-mask-mandate-schools-atlanta-announce-them/
• Gov. McMaster: “Mandating masks is not the answer”: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/27/mcmaster-new-cdc-mask-guidelines-mandating-masks-is-not-answer/
• Tybee surf instructor bitten by shark: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/30/surf-camp-instructor-recovering-shark-bite/
• Hinesville’s Mitchell selected 9th overall in NBA Draft: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/30/surf-camp-instructor-recovering-shark-bite/

Is your child returning to in-person school for the first time after virtual learning?

This podcast will help you prepare your student to get back in the classroom.

WTOC Digital Anchor Jake Wallace speaks with Coosa Elementary School (Beaufort Co. School System) Principal Melissa Pender and Georgia Southern University associate professor Richard Cleveland for tips on easing the transition from virtual to in-person learning.

WTOC Digital Anchor Jake Wallace speaks with Memorial Health Associate Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stephen Thacker and Dr. Ben Spitalnick with Pediatric Associates of Savannah about masking in schools.

What do they recommend? Why is it important? How can parents discuss masking with their children if their child's school is not requiring them?

Hear the answers from Dr. Thacker and Dr. Spitalnick in this WTOC Back 2 School podcast.

WTOC Digital Anchor Jake Wallace recaps the biggest stories of the week from around the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry.

In this week's episode:
- GBI investigating deadly officer-involved shooting: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/21/gbi-releases-more-details-bodycam-video-deadly-officer-involved-shooting/
- Family pushes for release of bodycam video from officer-involved shooting: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/22/family-pushes-release-bodycam-video-officer-involved-shooting/
- Doctors encouraging vaccination as COVID cases continue rising: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/21/savannah-doctor-encouraging-covid-vaccinations-cases-start-rise-again/
- SSU's athletic conference requiring full COVID vaccination for participation: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/20/siac-requiring-full-vaccination-athletic-participation/
- Enmarket Arena unveiled as new arena name: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/20/name-new-savannah-arena-be-unveiled/

WTOC Digital Anchor Jake Wallace recaps the biggest stories of the week from around the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry.

In this week's episode:

-Interstate 16 closed Thursday in Treutlen County, reopened on Friday: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/15/i-16-closed-treutlen-co-after-truck-hits-overpass/
- COVID-19 numbers rise: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/15/chatham-countys-covid-19-community-transmission-index-is-back-red/ 
- Defense attorneys in Arbery case wants "no press" for part of jury selection: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/16/defense-wants-no-press-part-arbery-jury-selection/
- Three defendants in Crocker case in court for status hearing: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/15/three-defendants-crocker-case-court-status-hearing/
- Two Savannah churches merge to support LGBTQ rights: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/15/three-defendants-crocker-case-court-status-hearing/

WTOC Digital Anchor Jake Wallace recaps the biggest stories of the week from around the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry.

In this week's episode:
- Tropical Storm Elsa causes damage in area; tornadoes hit Effingham and Beaufort Counties: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/08/cleanup-begins-effingham-co-neighborhood-hit-hard-by-elsa/

- First Lady Jill Biden visits Savannah to encourage COVID-19 vaccination, tours vaccine clinic: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/06/first-lady-dr-jill-biden-visit-covid-19-vaccination-site-savannah/

- CDC offers new COVID-19 guidance for teachers and students: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/09/vaccinated-teachers-students-dont-need-masks-cdc-says/

- Delta variant causes concern for area doctors: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/08/memorial-health-doctor-says-delta-variant-concern-areas-with-low-vaccination-rates/

- Woman charged with kidnapping twins, shooting mother indicted by grand jury: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/07/08/woman-charged-with-kidnapping-twins-shooting-mother-indicted-by-grand-jury/ 

More info:

• https://www.wtoc.com/2021/06/25/ap-source-justice-department-is-suing-georgia-over-states-voting-laws/
• https://www.wtoc.com/2021/06/25/city-council-prepares-city-manager-finalist-interviews-this-weekend/
• https://www.wtoc.com/2021/06/25/murdaugh-family-offers-100000-reward-double-shooting-case/
• https://www.wtoc.com/2021/06/24/what-happens-after-hilton-heads-cross-island-parkway-closes-july-1/

WTOC's Cyreia Sandlin speaks with a panel of area health experts about the vaccine and children, answering some of the most pressing questions for parents.

Plus, the future of Savannah's mask mandate is unknown. Hear from Mayor Van Johnson on what could be next.

GEMA will close the state-run mass vaccination clinics on Friday, May 21 after more than two months of operation. That includes the Chatham County site at Gulfstream.

In this episode of WTOC’s Tracking the Vaccine podcast, Jake Wallace speaks with GEMA External Affairs Supervisor Lisa Rodriguez-Presley about the decision to close the sites, what’s next, and what the organization has taken away from this two month project.

For more on the closing of the Chatham Co. site, check out this story from WTOC’s Blair Caldwell: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/05/20/georgias-mass-vaccination-sites-will-close-friday/