Ongoing Salmonella outbreaks linked to backyard poultry sickens 150 more people with over a quarter of cases in children under 5 years old
A CDC investigation notice regarding three multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections linked to backyard poultry has been updated: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/saintpaul-04-26/index.html Key Points: 150 more people across 18 new states have gotten sick with the outbreak strains of Salmonella that have been linked to backyard poultry, bringing the total count to 184 people. This includes 53 hospitalizations (40 new) and one death […]
Tennessee Secures Final Victory Against Biden Administration’s Title IX Gender Ideology Rules
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced today that interest groups have officially dropped their appeal of Tennessee’s landmark Title IX victory, cementing a nationwide win for common sense, girls’ privacy, and the rule of law. The now-defeated rules would have forced schools to allow biological males into girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms, threatened protections for […]
Comptroller Review Finds Tennessee Reconnect Enrollment Declining, but Participants See Positive Outcomes
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) has released a new evaluation of the Tennessee Reconnect Grant, providing an updated look at how the state’s tuition-free program for adult learners is being used and how participants are performing. Created by the General Assembly in 2017, Tennessee Reconnect helps eligible adults, primarily at […]
Tennessee Unemployment Rate Holds Steady in March
NASHVILLE – Unemployment in Tennessee held steady at 3.6% in March, and again, remains below the national unemployment rate, according to new data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was also 3.6% a month ago. A year ago, it was 3.5%. The U.S. rate for March was 4.3%, […]
National Water Safety Month reminds families: Drowning is preventable – but often silent
May is National Water Safety Month, a time to remind families that drowning is preventable, yet it remains one of the leading causes of death for young children and people under 30. Drowning rarely looks the way it does in the movies. Most people expect splashing or yelling—but drowning is often silent and can happen in […]
Gov. Lee, TWRA Recognize Safe Boating Week, May 16-22
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee proclaimed May 16-22 as Safe Boating Week in Tennessee. In support of the statewide and national observance, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) will participate in the annual National Safe Boating Week, reminding all boaters to refresh their boating safety skills and prepare for the upcoming summer boating season. This observance week is the annual kick-off […]
Veterans Connect Launches Statewide to Strengthen Support for Tennessee service members, Veterans, and military families
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Veterans Services (TDVS) Commissioner Tommy Baker announced the launch of the Veterans Connect Portal, a new statewide resource designed to make it easier for service members, Veterans, and their families to access the support they’ve earned. Tennessee is home to more than 430,000 Veterans, supported by a strong […]
Tennessee High School Seniors: Claim Your College Spot Through TN Direct Admissions Before June 1 Deadline
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) is urging eligible high school seniors who have not yet claimed their TN Direct Admissions offer to act now! Thousands of Tennessee high school seniors have already claimed their college spot for the fall, but many still have the opportunity to secure theirs before time runs out. The deadline to claim […]
Resurfacing on I-75 in Knox County Beginning Sunday, May 10, 2026
Motorists traveling on I-75 in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have an impact on traffic. Beginning on Sunday, May 10, resurfacing activities will begin on I-75 from just north of State Route 131 (Emory Road/Exit 112) to just north of Raccoon Valley Road (Exit 117). This work will […]
Election Day Is Tomorrow — Don’t Let Misinformation Steal Your Voice
As Jefferson County heads into Election Day tomorrow, it’s more important than ever for voters to stay alert, stay informed, and stay grounded in facts. Local elections shape our schools, our roads, our taxes, and our daily lives — and unfortunately, moments like this also attract a wave of misinformation from individuals and groups who […]
Low Early Voting Numbers Persist In Jefferson County As Election Day Approaches
Low early voting numbers persist in Jefferson County, as Election Day approaches. Despite a full ballot and several highly contested local offices, voting totals are not keeping up the pace with the last highly contested election in 2018. Predictions for a large voter turnout have not come to fruition with only 3,023 votes being cast […]
79 Tennessee Counties Report Unemployment Rates Below 5%
Seventy-nine of Tennessee’s 95 counties reported unemployment rates below 5% in February even as most counties saw an increase in their rates over the previous month, according to new data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). In 87 counties, unemployment rates for February were up when compared with January rates. Rates […]
Jefferson County Raised to AA1 Bond Rating – Highest In History – Saves $4.2 Million Through Refinancing
The Jefferson County Commission will return to their previous meeting schedule of 8 meetings and 8 work sessions for fiscal year 2026-2027. For several months both citizens and commissioners have discussed the possibility of altering the current County Commission schedule of monthly meetings but no work sessions. Monday evening, upon a motion from Commissioner Huffaker […]
Early Voting Numbers Pacing Slow – District by District Counts
Early voting is in full swing in Jefferson County for the May 5, 2026 Primary Election. Opening day for early voting was April 15th and will continue through April 30th at both the Jefferson County Election office and satellite sites in New Market and White Pine. As of eleven thirty am today, Tuesday April 21st, […]
Budget Committee To Recommend Budget With No Property Tax Increase To Commission
The Jefferson County Budget Committee will send the proposed 2026-2027 fiscal year budget to the full body for approval with no property tax increase. Monday evening the Budget Committee voted unanimously to approve a budget proposal that utilizes a move of the equivalent of two property tax pennies that were previously designed for use in […]
