SUMMARY: Savannah, Ga., has been selected for the CityStart initiative by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund), receiving a $100,000 grant and technical support to develop a financial empowerment strategy. This community-informed plan aims to help residents build assets, improve economic mobility, and create long-term financial stability. Mayor Van R. Johnson II emphasized breaking generational financial barriers, while City Manager Jay Melder highlighted crafting a locally driven approach. CityStart fosters collaboration between governments and communities to transform financial lives. Savannah joins six other cities in the seventh national cohort, with 44 localities having participated so far.

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SUMMARY: Consumer Reports warns that chicken and turkey safety gaps persist as the USDA recently backed away from stricter salmonella rules. Salmonella causes over 1.3 million illnesses annually in the U.S., with poultry often to blame. In 2022, Consumer Reports detected salmonella in nearly a third of ground chicken and some turkey samples, exposing federal oversight failures. The USDA had proposed labeling some salmonella-contaminated poultry as adulterated to enforce recalls, but reversed course. This shift places the safety burden on consumers. To reduce risk, use disposable bags, separate raw meat, thaw in the fridge, avoid rinsing poultry, clean hands and surfaces thoroughly, and cook meat to 165 °F with a thermometer.

Salmonella in poultry still puts families at risk. Experts say safety rules are too weak—and consumers now bear the burden.

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SUMMARY: Chatham County Sheriff Richard Coleman and Savannah Mayor Van Johnson went undercover to expose a scam targeting residents by impersonators claiming to be sheriff’s deputies. The scam involved fake calls demanding money and instructing victims to buy prepaid cards, threatening jail if they refused. The scammer contacted Mayor Johnson, who played along and pretended to purchase cards, while Sheriff Coleman provided backup nearby. The scammer’s tactic shifted when asked for card numbers, prompting the mayor to refuse. The investigation remains open with a suspect identified. Authorities urge verifying suspicious requests and documents before responding.

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