Norris “LEAP” Law to Educate and Employ Tennesseans
Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) has filed legislation creating an innovative statewide initiative merging traditional college coursework with technical training to address the skilled labor shortage faced by Tennessee employers. Senate Bill 1330 creates the Labor Education Alignment Program (LEAP) allowing students at Tennessee’s technology centers and community colleges the opportunity to combine occupational […]
Suicide Prevention Program named to Best Practice Registry
The Shield of Care –– a juvenile-justice suicide-prevention gatekeeper program that was developed and copyrighted by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) –– was recently accepted to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s (SPRC’s) Best Practice Registry (BPR), which is a collaborative effort with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and […]
TVA and State Statements Regarding Megasite Funding Participaton
Jefferson County Commission recently appropriated $442,311 in initial funding for the certification phase of the proposed East Tennessee Regional Megasite. There has been question of the level of involvement, particularly concerning financing of the project, from the State of Tennessee and Tennessee Valley Authority. Though a TVA spokesman recently stated during an interview that the […]
Senate Bills Could Have Wide Impact on Tennessee Elections and Directors of Schools
The 108th Tennessee General Assembly is in Session and there have been a significant number of Bills introduced for consideration. Two Bills that will have widespread impact on voters in Tennessee came from District 8 Senator Frank Niceley. Senator Niceley has sponsored a total of 47 Bills since January 30, 2013, including SB0471 and SB0916. […]
U.S. Congressman Phil Roe, MD. Comments on State of the Union
In his fifth State of the Union address, President Obama underscored the importance of creating jobs and promoting economic growth, addressing the upcoming sequester, making investments in education and infrastructure, and passing comprehensive immigration reform. While most can agree these things are important, unfortunately, the president’s speech focused on what divides us as a nation, […]
Meteorite Explodes Over Russia
On Friday, February 15th, 2013, at approximately 9:20 a.m., a meteorite exploded over Russia, causing excessive damages to citizens and buildings. The meteorite was approximately 10 tons and 49 feet wide, according to NASA, and released as much energy as an atomic bomb upon detonation. The detonation is believed to have occurred 18-32 miles above […]
HHS announces 27 Strong Start for Mothers and Newborns awards
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced 27 recipients of new Strong Start for Mothers and Newborns awards, made possible by the Affordable Care Act. Up to $41.4 million can be used by states, caregivers and others to find new ways to prevent significant, long-term health problems for high-risk pregnant […]
Jefferson City Fire Recruit Academy Prepares for Live Burn
Trainers and Fire Recruits participating in the Jefferson City Fire Recruit Academy were hard at work on Saturday putting in the long hours required to prepare for the State test later this year. Instructors and recruits will put in training hours three days per week, until the final live burn test in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. […]
Weekly Livestock Comments Feb 15, 2013
FED CATTLE: Fed cattle sold mainly $2 lower on a live basis and $4 lower on a dressed basis compared to last week. Prices in the South were primarily $123 while prices in the North ranged from $194 to $197 with most trade occurring at $196. The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $122.79 […]
Weekly Crop Comments Feb 15, 2013
Price Change US Dollar 80.54 +022 Crude 95.90 +0.18 Dow 13,972 -21 Cotton prices are mixed while corn, soybeans, and wheat prices are down for the week. Markets will be closed Monday, February 18 for President’s Day. The USDA supply & demand reports released on February 9 were mostly neutral to friendly but other data […]
New 2013 State Maps Now Available
The official 2013 Tennessee Transportation Map is now available for travelers. This year’s map contains new information to assist motorists, including the recently completed State Route 840 in southern Middle Tennessee. This is the first state map in 26 years to show the completed route that bypasses Nashville and provides access to Interstate 40 east […]
Treasury, Switzerland Sign Bilateral Agreement to Improve Tax Compliance, Combat International Tax Evasion and Implement FATCA
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced today that it has signed a bilateral agreement with Switzerland to facilitate the implementation of the information reporting and withholding tax provisions commonly known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). “Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in our efforts to work collaboratively to combat offshore […]
Norfolk Southern Intermodal Still Question Mark
In the wake of proposed development in Jefferson County, questions have arisen concerning Norfolk Southern’s intent regarding the proposed Intermodal site slotted to be located in the New Market area. Susan Terpay, Director of Public Relations for Norfolk Southern, would neither confirm nor deny reports that Norfolk Southern is nearing completion of the necessary property […]
State Library and Archives Commemorates Black History Month with Updated Online Exhibit
In celebration of Black History Month, the Tennessee State Library and Archives is introducing a greatly expanded version of one of its most popular online exhibits: “This Honorable Body: African American Legislators in 19th Century Tennessee.” Available at http://tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/blackhistory/index.htm, the revised exhibit offers many intriguing new features. The original site was created in 2006 at […]
Department of Economic & Community Development Gives Positive State Outlook
During House budget hearings this week, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Bill Hagerty presented lawmakers with a positive overview of the success Tennessee has had over the last several months in creating an environment statewide where businesses have the opportunity to grow and thrive. Since the election of Governor Haslam, Hagerty announced, nearly 80,000 […]
Panetta Condemns North Korean Test, Calls Regime Danger to U.S.
North Korea is a threat to U.S. interests in Northeast Asia, U.S. allies in the region and to the American homeland, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said here today. Panetta condemned the “apparent” nuke test the North Koreans conducted Feb. 11 U.S. time. American experts still are collecting data to determine whether it was a […]
