Tennessee Higher Education Commission Outlines New Goals and Launches a Momentum-Building Year for College Enrollment
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) today announced the launch of a momentum-building year to renew and articulate the value of education in Tennessee and to increase enrollment in education and training beyond high school. In May, THEC released the inaugural state college-going status report, College Going and the Class of 2021. The report showed that […]
Tennessee Begins Summer P-EBT Distribution
The Tennessee Department of Human Services announces the distribution of Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Program (P-EBT) beginning this week. Summer P-EBT The distribution of P-EBT benefits covering summer 2022 has begun. Eligibility for P-EBT is based on National School Lunch Program qualification consistent with the 2021-2022 school year. P-EBT benefits will be available to children […]
New Provisional CDC Suicide Death Data Is a Call to Action
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today releases provisional data on suicide deaths for the year 2021. According to the new data, suicide deaths in the United States increased from 45,979 to 47,646 (4%) between the years 2020 and 2021. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the nation’s largest suicide prevention organization, released the following statement regarding […]
Gov. Lee, TN Legislative Leadership Announce Additional Step to Support TBI and Accelerate Testing
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and Speaker Cameron Sexton announced a decisive step to accelerate the hiring process for 25 additional forensic lab positions at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).Taking this action ahead of the regular budget process will expedite the TBI’s efforts to expand testing capacity and reduce the turnaround […]
Being lonely and unhappy accelerates aging more than smoking
Molecular damage accumulates and contributes to the development of aging-related frailty and serious diseases. In some people these molecular processes are more intense than in others, a condition commonly referred to as accelerated aging. Fortunately, the increased pace of aging may be detected before its disastrous consequences manifest by using digital models of aging (aging […]
Alzheimer’s Association Statement on Lecanemab Phase 3 Topline Data Release
On behalf of the more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families, the Alzheimer’s Association enthusiastically welcomes the positive topline data reported today by Eisai and Biogen on the CLARITY AD global Phase 3 clinical trial of lecanemab. These are the most encouraging results in clinical trials treating the underlying causes […]
Number of States with High Rates of Adult Obesity More Than Doubles
Nineteen states and two territories have at least 35% of residents with adult obesity – more than doubling the number of states with a high obesity prevalence since 2018 – according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 2021 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps also highlight the need to address disparities in obesity […]
Tennessee, Montana Lead State Coalition Against Banks, Credit Card Companies Tracking and Monitoring Firearm Purchases
Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti along with Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a coalition of 24 states alerting the Chief Executive Officers of three major credit card companies that the recent creation of a Merchant Category Code for the processing of firearms purchases from gun stores is potentially a violation of consumer protection and […]
Gov. Lee Authorizes Tennessee National Guard to Support Hurricane Relief Efforts in Florida
Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, announced today that Tennessee Governor Bill Lee authorized the deployment of roughly 1,200 Soldiers and Airmen from the Tennessee National Guard to support response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Ian, which is expected to make landfall in Florida on Thursday. “As Florida braces for the impact of Hurricane Ian, […]
2022 Jefferson County High School Homecoming Court
Representing the Patriot Academy and the freshmen class…….. Cheyenne Holt- is the daughter of John and Heather Holt of Jefferson City. She is a member of the varsity cheerleading team. Cheyenne enjoys cheer, gymnastics, making new friends, and spending time with her siblings. She is escorted by Luis Valdes, son of Sarah Corral of Jefferson […]
AG Skrmetti Leads State AG Response to U.S. Department of Education’s Proposed Regulations; Redefinition of “Sex”
Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti today objected to the U.S. Department of Education’s (the Department) proposed Title IX regulations in a formal comment letter joined by nineteen other state attorneys general. Title IX of the Education Amendment protects people from discrimination based on sex and applies to schools, local and state educational agencies, and other institutions […]
Tennessee’s Unemployment Rate Inches Up Slightly in August
After three consecutive months of steady, near record low unemployment across the state, Tennessee’s jobless rate inched up slightly in August, according to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the month is 3.4%, up just 0.1 of a percentage point from July’s rate of 3.3%. The all-time low […]
VITAL POLICY – Bidding Irregularities Uncovered Concerning Jefferson County Schools Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Training Contract
Jefferson County Schools (JCS) started a contractual business relationship with and made payments to a Texas based vendor to deliver Social Emotional Learning (SEL) staff training fourteen months before bids were advertised for the purchase of that service. State and Federal Laws require formal bidding on certain purchases made by government entities to ensure that […]
Constitution Week Begins September 17 In Downtown Dandridge
On September 17 two hundred thirty-five years ago, 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the United States Constitution at the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall). This year that event will be commemorated in Dandridge with a celebration organized by the Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter (MDW), National Society, Daughters of […]
School Board First Meet After Election
The Jefferson County School Board convened last week for their first meeting following the seating of newly elected members Ibbetson and Cameron and re-seating of members Bradley and Jarnigan. Following the Call to Order, Jefferson County Director of Schools Arnold opened the floor for nominations for the position of Chairman of the Board. Board Member […]
VITAL POLICY – Citizen Activism, Public Policy, Education, and County Debt Discussed at Jefferson County Republican Town Hall Meeting
Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-District 1) led the pack of speakers and presenters. State Representatives Jeremy Faison (TN-District 11) and Andrew Farmer (TN-District 17) visited with constituents and listened to views expressed by the party membership with the open mic format. Following Harshbarger’s presentation, Josh Cameron, JCRP Treasurer, presented the congresswoman with a donation check from […]
