County Commission First Meeting of 2026
The Jefferson County Commission held their first meeting of 2026 on January 20th in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Absent from Roll Call were Commissioners Lowe, Norton and Patterson. Public hearings were held on three zoning issues with only Resolution 2026-01 garnering public comment. This resolution concerned property on Harrison Road in White Pine which […]
Mayor Potts – Local Fire & Rescue Departments To Receive $465,000 CDBG Grant for Turn-Out Gear
Jefferson County Mayor Mark Potts recently met with the Jefferson County Fire and Rescue Association to announce the the County is the recipient of the Community Development Block Grant. The proceeds from this grant will be spread evenly among the local fire departments and rescue squad for turnout gear. According to Mayor Potts, Jefferson County […]
Harshbarger, Lee Re-Introduce Legislation to Cut Red Tape for Terminally Ill Americans
Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) re-introduced the Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act in the House and Senate respectively, which would remove the burdensome waiting period for terminally ill patients’ access to their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program benefits. Americans who are unable to work due to a terminal illness qualify […]
Milestone 70 Percent 5-Year Survival Rate for all Cancers Combined; Largest Gains for Advanced and Fatal Cancers
The American Cancer Society (ACS) today released Cancer Statistics, 2026, the organization’s annual report on cancer facts and trends. The new findings show, for the first time, the five-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined reached 70% for people diagnosed during 2015-2021 in the United States. Survival gains since the mid-1990s are especially notable for people diagnosed with more fatal cancers, such as myeloma (from 32% to 62%), liver cancer (7% to 22%), and lung cancer (15% […]
American Academy of Pediatrics Calls for Creating a Child-Friendly Digital World
The AAP offers recommendations for pediatricians, families, digital companies and policy makers to make the digital ecosystem a healthier, safer place for children. ITASCA, IL—Today’s children experience the rapidly expanding digital world even before they can grasp an electronic tablet. Digital media is everywhere, as phones, tablets, TVs, apps, games and interactive assistants are woven […]
End Of Penny Production – Sales and Use Tax Notice
The federal government stopped producing the penny in November 2025. Although pennies remain legal tender, some retailers have started rounding cash transactions to the nickel when necessary. This notice instructs retailers on how to calculate sales tax when customers pay with cash if these transactions are affected by a shortage of pennies. Calculating Sales Tax […]
Tina Rich Announces Candidacy for Jefferson County Trustee
My name is Tina Rich, and I am seeking your vote to serve as the next Jefferson County Trustee. I was born and raised in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and have been proud to call Jefferson County home for more than 40 years. I am a graduate of Carson-Newman University, where I earned a degree in Business […]
U.S. Consumer Price Index Comes In At Increased 0.3 Percent
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX – DECEMBER 2025 The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.7 percent before seasonal adjustment. The index for shelter rose 0.4 percent […]
Trump Administration Resets U.S. Nutrition Policy, Puts Real Food Back at the Center of Health
Restoring Science and Common Sense Every American deserves to be healthy – but too many Americans are sick and don’t know why. That is because their government has been unwilling to tell them the truth. For decades, the U.S. government has recommended and incentivized low quality, highly processed foods and drug interventions instead of prevention. […]
Fewer Hospitals Providing Pediatric Services, Study Shows
The number of U.S. hospitals equipped to provide medical care for children and adolescents declined significantly between 2003-2022, according to a study published in the January 2026 Pediatrics. The study, “Pediatric Capabilities in US Hospitals: 2003-2022,” used data provided by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids’ Inpatient Database to review a mean 3,927 hospitals […]
Tennessee’s Unemployment Rate Decreases in November
Employers Add Thousands of New Jobs to the State’s Workforce Friday, January 09, 2026 | 01:30pm NASHVILLE – Tennessee began the busy 2025 holiday season in November with more people in the workforce than the previous year, according to newly released data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). The seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate […]
Tennessee Updating Legacy Commercial Driver License Records to Meet State Law and Executive Order
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is updating older Commercial Driver License records to comply with current federal and state requirements. Approximately 8,800 of Tennessee’s 150,000 CDL holders will receive a notice by mail requesting citizenship or lawful presence documentation that were not required when their licenses were originally issued. Federal rules require all CDL records to include proof of citizenship or lawful presence. Many long-standing CDL holders […]
Tennessee National Guard personnel company deploying to Middle East
Approximately 20 Soldiers from the Tennessee Army National Guard’s 105th Personnel Company departed Nashville on the first leg of a year-long deployment to the Middle East, January 8. The 105th, which is headquartered in Nashville, is a personnel unit comprised of National Guardsmen who are trained human resources specialists that provide essential administrative services and […]
Influenza Activity on the Rise in Tennessee
Influenza (flu) activity is currently increasing, and it’s important to consider getting a flu shot to protect yourself and those around you. Tennessee typically sees the highest number of seasonal flu cases in January and February each year. ‘’If you haven’t received your annual flu shot, consider doing so now as flu activity is rapidly increasing,’’ said Tennessee […]
CDC Acts on Presidential Memorandum to Update Childhood Immunization Schedule
Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill, in his role as Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), today signed a decision memorandum* accepting recommendations from a comprehensive scientific assessment of U.S. childhood immunization practices, following a directive from President Trump to review international best practices from peer, developed countries. On December 5, […]
Tennessee Attorney General’s Office Cracks Down on Illegal Online Sweepstake Casinos
Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced today that his office has successfully halted the operation of multiple illegal online sweepstakes casinos in Tennessee. This action is part of the Attorney General’s ongoing effort to protect Tennessee consumers from predatory and unregulated gambling operations. Online sweepstakes casinos typically allow participants to play traditional casino-style games like slot […]
