Savannah Mayor Van Johnson hits on several key points during weekly press conference

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Tuesday, Savannah’s Mayor Van Johnson held his weekly press conference for media to attend and also to address any key topics of the week.

The mayor expressed his condolences for the New York City shooting victims, talked heat in Savannah, stressed importance of public transportation, and much more.

New York City shooting kills 4, Savannah mayor responds

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, a New York native, addressed the shooting and expressed his condolences to all the victims and their families.

SEE: Gunman who killed 4 in New York was trying to get to NFL offices and claimed to have CTE: Officials

“I’m particularly heartbroken over the loss of the brave New York City Police Officer, who gave his life in the life of duty. We’ve lived that life here, we know what that feels like. Certainly our thoughts and prayers are with the people of New York, the New York City Police Department, all of those affected by this senseless act of violence,” expressed Mayor Van Johnson.

‘It’s just hot’: Staying cool in Savannah heat

The mayor was back with his weekly press conferences after a hiatus last week, and he made sure to address the hottest topic right now in Savannah: the temperature.

The city has opened up cooling centers for those who are unable to access air conditioning, and there are multiple splash pads and other public places to keep yourself hydrated and healthy.

Click here for a full list of cooling centers in the city.

Savannah’s mayor made sure to express how he feels about the stretch of weather we’ve been experiencing lately.

“It’s too hot, it’s just hot, it’s just hot, anyways, but it’s just hot. It’s just hot. We want everyone to stay hydrated, and I got my water right here, and if you go outdoors, wear loose, light weight light colored clothing,” said Mayor Johnson.

The mayor urged for people to go to these cooling centers.

‘It’s science’: said Mayor Van Johnson on extreme weather and federal cuts to the NOAA

Mayor Van Johnson addressed a number of topics concerning the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire.

One of those topics: extreme weather and federal cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA for short.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is facing the major funding cuts under the proposed federal budget - slashing programs that track hurricanes, rising sea levels, and coastal flooding.

For communities along the Georgia and South Carolina coast, experts say the cuts could weaken early warning systems just as peak hurricane season ramps up.

Mayor Johnson gave his thoughts towards this initial proposal and how this impacts Savannah.

“Why it affects us is because we rely heavily on NOAA, the national weather service, to provide us with the information we need to make informed decisions. We just have to have ways of knowing what’s going on in the atmosphere. There’s nothing partisan about predicting weather, it is what it is, it’s science,” said Mayor Van Johnson.

Interested in watching the entire press conference? See below: