Haslam Unveils Visionary ‘Tennessee Promise’

During his fourth annual State of the State address before the General Assembly, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam this week introduced the “Tennessee Promise.” The historic proposal commits to providing on a continuing basis two years of community college or a college of applied technology (TCAT) absolutely free of tuition and fees to graduating high school […]
America’s veterinarians congratulate Congress on passage of Farm Bill

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) tips its hat today to Congress for passing a comprehensive Farm Bill (H.R. 2642) that will allow the nation’s veterinarians and scientists to continue ensuring food safety, conducting important agriculture and animal research, and protecting the health and welfare of animals. “We commend the Farm Bill conference committee and […]
Cancer Statistics 2014: Deaths Continue to Drop

The annual cancer statistics report from the American Cancer Society finds steady declines in cancer death rates for the past two decades add up to a 20 percent drop in the overall risk of dying from cancer over that time period. The report, Cancer Statistics 2014, finds progress has been most rapid for middle-aged black men, among […]
Circuit Court Judge Richard R. “Dick” Vance announces candidacy for Re-election

Circuit Court Judge Richard R. “Dick” Vance has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for re-election as Circuit Court Judge, Part II, to continue serving the people of the Fourth Judicial District, which includes Sevier, Jefferson, Cocke, and Grainger Counties. In announcing his candidacy, Judge Vance said; “ For the past sixteen years, it […]
Annexation Back In The Legislative Spotlight

Annexation is, once again, moving to the spotlight in Tennessee, as the moratorium on annexation is nearing expiration and a new report, requested by the Tennessee General Assembly, is released. Following a string of bills introduced in 2013 that would limit the powers of annexation in municipalities and largely shift the ability to annex to […]
FSG Bank Cuts Ribbon On Jefferson City Branch Reopening

The Jefferson City Branch of FSG Bank held a ribbon cutting and reception to celebrate the company’s recent branding and facelift. New colors adorn the interior and there is a snazzy new logo that adds visual to the fresh and forward- thinking outlook that is the new FSG. Traditional service merged with progressive financial services […]
Scared Of His Own Shadow

Today, February 2, 2014, marks the annual tradition of Groundhog Day, when Punxsutawney Phil, the famed forecasting groundhog, will supposedly indicate whether or not we will receive 6 more weeks of winter. As the tradition states, if Phil emerges from his burrow and sees his shadow, then 6 more weeks of winter are on the […]
Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk This Super Bowl Sunday

The Tennessee Department of Transportation, Governor’s Highway Safety Office, Tennessee Titans and Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security are once again teaming up to remind Tennessee football fans that real Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk this Super Bowl weekend. “We want you to have a good time but more importantly we want you […]
New Report Chronicles Growth of Online Learning in Higher Education

The number of students in the United States enrolled in at least one online course has increased faster than overall enrollment growth in higher education, a new report from the state Comptroller’s office shows. The report, released today by the Comptroller’s Offices of Research and Education Accountability (OREA), found that between 2002 and 2010, the […]
Representative Faison meets with Commissioner Phillips to discuss unemployment issues

State Representative Jeremy Faison(R-Cosby) met with the Department of Labor and Work Force Development Commissioner, Burns Phillips on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the unemployment issues that affect our state. Representative Faison wanted to address the high volume of calls that he has received in his office during the past several weeks. He also wanted to […]
Tennessee Unemployment Benefit Tax Information Now Available
Recipients of Tennessee unemployment benefits during 2013 can now access the information they need for income tax purposes on the state Department of Labor & Workforce Development homepage: https://tdlwd.tn.gov/ui1099/. They can also go straight to the log-in page:https://tdlwd.tn.gov/ui1099/login.aspx. By entering their birth date or the same PIN they used to certify or inquire on their unemployment […]
TDH Launches New Statewide Breastfeeding Hotline

Tennessee families now have a new resource to support their efforts to breastfeed babies. The Department of Health has launched the statewide Tennessee Breastfeeding Hotline, which is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number is 1-855-4BF-MOMS (1-855-423-6667). The hotline is staffed by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and Certified Lactation Counselors, and […]
Winter Storm Leon gone but not forgotten!

For much of the region, it was slow moving on Wednesday morning, as road crews worked to remove additional snow that covered the area during the late Tuesday evening and overnight hours. Frigid temperatures from Winter Storm Leon struggled to make it out of the single digits Tuesday night and only reached the low to […]
Frosty Facts

Much as the warm weather enthusiasts would like to deny it, the story of the week is the nearly five inches of snow that blanketed the area on Tuesday. Though the snow that covered East Tennessee undeniably appeared white, snowflakes are actually colorless and they appear white due to reflection and the absorption of sunlight. […]
SCORE Releases 2013-14 State of Education in Tennessee Report

The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) Monday released 2013-14 State of Education in Tennessee, a comprehensive annual report that assesses Tennessee’s recent work to improve K-12 student academic performance and identifies five priorities for public education this year. The 52-page report was released by SCORE’s founder and chairman, Senator Bill Frist, M.D., at an event […]
Corker Comments on State of the Union Address
U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., today commented on his expectations in advance of President Obama’s State of the Union address. “I go to these events each year out of respect for the office of president, and certainly for the people that I represent, but I’ve come to see these things as they are. I’ve heard […]