Savannah’s Dr. Paul Bradley, who in July dosed the first patient in biotechnology company Moderna’s U.S. phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial, on Monday celebrated the apparent success of that vaccine and the part his hometown is playing in its development.Moderna announced Monday that preliminary analysis of its coronavirus vaccine shows it’s almost 95 percent effective at preventing illness."Savannah's made a footprint," said Bradley, who has had an internal medical practice in Savannah for more than 30 years, has been involved with medical research the whole time. Bradley’s office, which...… Savannah’s Dr. Paul Bradley, who in July dosed the first patient in biotechnology company Moderna’s U.S. phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial, on Monday celebrated the apparent success of that vaccine and the part his hometown is playing in its development.Moderna announced Monday that preliminary analysis of its coronavirus vaccine shows it’s almost 95 percent effective at preventing illness."Savannah's made a footprint," said Bradley, who has had an internal medical practice in Savannah for more than 30 years, has been involved with medical research the whole time. Bradley’s office, which...WW…

Mary Landersmlanders@savannahnow.comView CommentsA proposed pollution permit for a textile factory on the Ogeechee River would reduce protections for the popular recreational river, according to the Ogeechee Riverkeeper.“The facility still struggles with violations and operating within the permit,” said Riverkeeper Damon Mullis. “Despite that, the EPD is looking at loosening it up.”In 2011, a major fish kill below the King America Finishing plant in Screven County focused attention on the textile plant. State and federal regulators discovered the company had been operating a fire retardant...…Mary Landersmlanders@savannahnow.comView CommentsA proposed pollution permit for a textile factory on the Ogeechee River would reduce protections for the popular recreational river, according to the Ogeechee Riverkeeper.“The facility still struggles with violations and operating within the permit,” said Riverkeeper Damon Mullis. “Despite that, the EPD is looking at loosening it up.”In 2011, a major fish kill below the King America Finishing plant in Screven County focused attention on the textile plant. State and federal regulators discovered the company had been operating a fire retardant...WW…

 Right whales, which give birth off the coast of Georgia, are in even bigger trouble than researchers previously believed.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced its population estimate at the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium’s annual meeting this week, revising previous estimates downward even before taking into account recent deaths. Last year, NOAA told participants that there were 412 right whales remaining as of January 2018. But it’s been a tough few years for the highly endangered species, with dozens of known deaths from entanglement in fishing gear...… Right whales, which give birth off the coast of Georgia, are in even bigger trouble than researchers previously believed.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced its population estimate at the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium’s annual meeting this week, revising previous estimates downward even before taking into account recent deaths. Last year, NOAA told participants that there were 412 right whales remaining as of January 2018. But it’s been a tough few years for the highly endangered species, with dozens of known deaths from entanglement in fishing gear...WW…

Mary Landersmlanders@savannahnow.comView CommentsJust in time for the heart of hurricane season, a new handbook is helping Georgians prepare for natural disasters of all sorts.But the new disaster handbook avoids any mention of ongoing climate change, which worsens many of the Peach State’s storms, floods and heat waves.Mona Behl, associate director of UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, said that when Georgia began its work on the handbook two years ago, the Hawaii handbook on which it was modeled did not include a climate change chapter. Hawaii added that issue to its fourth...…Mary Landersmlanders@savannahnow.comView CommentsJust in time for the heart of hurricane season, a new handbook is helping Georgians prepare for natural disasters of all sorts.But the new disaster handbook avoids any mention of ongoing climate change, which worsens many of the Peach State’s storms, floods and heat waves.Mona Behl, associate director of UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, said that when Georgia began its work on the handbook two years ago, the Hawaii handbook on which it was modeled did not include a climate change chapter. Hawaii added that issue to its fourth...WW…

Mary Landersmlanders@savannahnow.comView CommentsTwo Savannah lawmakers said Wednesday they are planning to pre-file that would rename the Talmadge Bridge as the “John Lewis Freedom Bridge” after the Georgia Congressman and Civil Rights icon who died July 17.State Sen. Lester Jackson (D-Savannah) and outgoing State Rep. Craig Gordon (D-Savannah) plan to pre-file the resolution as soon as possible in October. The legislative session begins in January.It’s fitting that the largest bridge in the state be named after Lewis because he “bridged people together,” Jackson said.The effort would not...…Mary Landersmlanders@savannahnow.comView CommentsTwo Savannah lawmakers said Wednesday they are planning to pre-file that would rename the Talmadge Bridge as the “John Lewis Freedom Bridge” after the Georgia Congressman and Civil Rights icon who died July 17.State Sen. Lester Jackson (D-Savannah) and outgoing State Rep. Craig Gordon (D-Savannah) plan to pre-file the resolution as soon as possible in October. The legislative session begins in January.It’s fitting that the largest bridge in the state be named after Lewis because he “bridged people together,” Jackson said.The effort would not...WW…

Mary Landersmlanders@savannahnow.comView CommentsTwo Savannah area nursing homes have reported sharp increases in the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19.At Signature HealthCARE of Savannah on E. 63rd Street, eight of 108 residents tested positive, according to a April 28 report issued by the Georgia Department of Community Health. In addition, two administrative workers at the facility tested positive by Tuesday afternoon, according to Ann Bowdan Wilder, communications manager for Signature HealthCARE. A report on April 22 listed no positives among residents or workers at the...…Mary Landersmlanders@savannahnow.comView CommentsTwo Savannah area nursing homes have reported sharp increases in the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19.At Signature HealthCARE of Savannah on E. 63rd Street, eight of 108 residents tested positive, according to a April 28 report issued by the Georgia Department of Community Health. In addition, two administrative workers at the facility tested positive by Tuesday afternoon, according to Ann Bowdan Wilder, communications manager for Signature HealthCARE. A report on April 22 listed no positives among residents or workers at the...WW…

Mary Landersmlanders@savannahnow.comView CommentsIn monitoring the deluge of data that accompanies the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s helpful to keep it in context, understand its shortcomings and focus on our local area.With these goals in mind the Savannah Morning News has reworked the daily data update we publish both in print and online. We’ll still be providing the cumulative and new cases in Georgia and Chatham County every day but we’re adding a graph that shows at a glance if cases numbers are leveling off. We’re also using the most reliable data to produce a “case fatality rate” that...…Mary Landersmlanders@savannahnow.comView CommentsIn monitoring the deluge of data that accompanies the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s helpful to keep it in context, understand its shortcomings and focus on our local area.With these goals in mind the Savannah Morning News has reworked the daily data update we publish both in print and online. We’ll still be providing the cumulative and new cases in Georgia and Chatham County every day but we’re adding a graph that shows at a glance if cases numbers are leveling off. We’re also using the most reliable data to produce a “case fatality rate” that...WW…