Gov. Lee Unveils Transportation Plan for Rural and Urban Tennessee
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee presented his administration’s strategic infrastructure plan to accommodate Tennessee’s record growth, address traffic congestion and meet transportation needs across rural and urban communities. In the coming weeks, the Lee administration will introduce the Transportation Modernization Act of 2023. Tennesseans are invited to view the full presentation here. “As Tennessee continues to experience tremendous […]
TennCare to Restart Renewals
Congress passed legislation which will end the Medicaid continuous enrollment requirement related to the COVID-19 pandemic on April 1, 2023. At that time TennCare will be required to reverify the eligibility status of everyone receiving TennCare or CoverKids benefits. One of TennCare’s top priorities during this process is to make sure all eligible members do […]
Tennessee National Guard rescues hikers on Appalachian Trail
A medical flight crew from the Tennessee National Guard conducted an emergency air evacuation mission after two hikers became stranded on the Appalachian Trail, Dec. 31, 2022. Shortly after 5:15 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, the Tennessee Military Department and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were notified of two hikers needing assistance in the Sampson Mountain […]
Apollo Astronaut Walter Cunningham Dies at 90
Former astronaut Walter Cunningham, who flew into space on Apollo 7, the first flight with crew in NASA’s Apollo Program, died early Tuesday morning in Houston. He was 90 years old. “Walt Cunningham was a fighter pilot, physicist, and an entrepreneur – but, above all, he was an explorer. On Apollo 7, the first launch […]
Wristwatch device gives therapists opportunity to guide PTSD patients through treatment
Sights, smells and sounds of everyday life can supply the triggers that take someone with PTSD right back to the scarring scene they’re trying to forget. With PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, a honking horn, a crowded coffeehouse or a sharp scent can bring back traumatic memories that can raise the heart rate, increase muscle […]
Good hydration linked to healthy aging
Adults who stay well-hydrated appear to be healthier, develop fewer chronic conditions, such as heart and lung disease, and live longer than those who may not get sufficient fluids, according to a National Institutes of Health study published in eBioMedicine. Using health data gathered from 11,255 adults over a 30-year period, researchers analyzed links between serum […]
Future Surge in Diabetes Could Dramatically Impact People Under 20 in U.S.
The number of young people under age 20 with diabetes in the United States is likely to increase more rapidly in future decades, according to a new modeling study published today in Diabetes Care. Researchers forecasted a growing number of people under age 20 newly diagnosed with diabetes during 2017–2060. This expected upward trend may lead to as […]
VITAL POLICY – Gardenhire Files Bill to Expand School Vouchers in Tennessee, Legal Claims of ESA Opponents Exhausted
After a lengthy court battle, Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), commonly called school vouchers, are available to parents in two Tennessee counties under a pilot program narrowly approved by the legislature in 2019. ESAs provide low and middle-income families with vouchers so they can move their children to private schools. Multiple Tennessee senate members aim to […]
Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital Re-Locates To New Market, Jefferson County
Jefferson County welcomes Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital to the area. The long standing business recently re-located to New Market from Hamblen County, TN. Dr. Mackenzie Treece and staff had a ribbon cutting to mark the opening of their new facility. Attending the event were Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk, Kevin Poe, County Commission Chairman […]
Light Unexpected Snowfall Takes Heavy Toll On Lakeway Area
Following days of frigid temperatures, the East Tennessee Valley had unexpected snowfall Monday evening. Though the accumulations were generally light in the Lakeway area, a small amount of snow caused big problems on local roads. Because the precipitation was not expected, roads were not pretreated. Crews were out Monday evening salting and clearing the main […]
Study Examines Increased Reliance on Temporary Staff in Long-Term Care Facilities
A new study by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability examines the use of temporary nursing staff by nursing home and assisted care facilities. The use of temporary staffing agencies has sharply increased over the last few years due to worsening staffing shortages resulting from the effects of the pandemic. In 2019, […]
Unemployment Decreases in a Majority of Tennessee Counties
NASHVILLE – November’s unemployment numbers improved in a majority of Tennessee’s 95 counties, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). Sixty-two counties experienced a drop in jobless rates during November when compared to the previous month. The rates remained the same in 25 counties and increased slightly in the […]
TennCare to Restart Renewals
Today, Congress passed legislation which will end the Medicaid continuous enrollment requirement related to the COVID-19 pandemic on April 1, 2023. At that time TennCare will be required to reverify the eligibility status of everyone receiving TennCare or CoverKids benefits. One of TennCare’s top priorities during this process is to make sure all eligible members […]
Gov. Lee Applauds Repeal of Federal Military COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released the following statement on the repeal of the federal government’s overreaching COVID-19 vaccine mandate on members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The measure was included in the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed Congress and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. “For months, […]
Comptroller’s Office Studies Driver Education in Schools
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) has completed a review of driver education in Tennessee, including issues of availability and affordability, particularly for students in Title I high schools. The study was conducted at the request of the General Assembly. While past studies vary in their conclusions about the effectiveness of […]
Tennessee’s Jobless Number Holds Steady Ahead of the Holidays
The November statewide unemployment rate in Tennessee held steady heading into the holiday season, according to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). The seasonally adjusted jobless number for November 2022 remained unchanged at 3.5%. In a year-to-year comparison, the statewide unemployment rate is down 0.1 of a percentage point. Tennessee has recorded unemployment […]
