No Trash November Initiative Aims to Remove 20,000 Pounds of Litter from Roadways

The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) Nobody Trashes Tennessee announces No Trash November, a month-long statewide initiative encouraging Tennesseans to participate in cleanup events in their communities. “As we approach the holidays and increased travel, we want to ensure our roadways are safe from the harmful effects of litter,” said TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright. “Whether intentional or unintentional, litter […]
VITAL POLICY – STATE LAWMAKERS CONSIDER PARTISAN SCHOOL BOARD RACES IN SPECIAL SESSION

Representative Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka) has introduced proposed legislation that will allow candidates for school board to run for office and be nominated by a political party on or after July 1, 2022. Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) is the sponsor of a companion Senate Bill (9003). In light of Covid-19 issues and controversial decisions made by […]
FDA In Brief: FDA Announces Investigation of Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Whole, Fresh Onions

The following quote is attributed to Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response “The FDA, along with the CDC and our state and local partners, is working to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions. “The FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified ProSource Inc. (also known […]
Pediatricians, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists and Children’s Hospitals Declare National Emergency in Children’s Mental Health

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) together representing more than 77,000 physician members and more than 200 children’s hospitals, declared a national state of emergency in child and adolescent mental health and are calling on policymakers to join them. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a serious toll on children’s […]
The General Assembly Approves Historic Ford Deal

The House and Senate chambers on Wednesday concluded a historic extraordinary session of the Tennessee General Assembly that paves the way for the single-largest economic development investment in state history. Ford Motor Company and SK Innovations announced plans in September to invest $5.6 billion to build a 3,600-acre campus that will be called Blue Oval […]
Nick Black to Run for Chancellor in 4th and 5th Judicial Districts

After thoughtful consideration, and encouragement from my family, friends, and colleagues, I am announcing my candidacy to be the next Chancellor in the 4th and 5th Judicial Districts. I have learned much from regularly practicing in front of Chancellor Forgety, for which I will always be grateful, and will take many lessons learned in his […]
Hit the sleep ‘sweet spot’ to keep brain sharp

Like so many other good things in life, sleep is best in moderation. A multiyear study of older adults found that both short and long sleepers experienced greater cognitive decline than people who slept a moderate amount, even when the effects of early Alzheimer’s disease were taken into account. The study was led by researchers […]
Sevierville Attorney James H. (Jim) Ripley Announces Campaign For Chancellor

James H. (Jim) Ripley has announced he is a Republican candidate for Chancellor (Judge) of the Chancery Court in the 4th and 5th Judicial Districts of Tennessee including the counties of Sevier, Jefferson, Cocke, Grainger and Blount. The current Chancellor, Telford E. Forgety, Jr., recently announced he will not seek an additional term for the […]
It’s Take Back Time in Tennessee

The Tennessee Departments of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Environment and Conservation, and Health are encouraging Tennesseans to participate in the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, October 23 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Organized twice a year by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Take Back Day encourages people to […]
Experience Tennessee’s Ghosts This Fall During These 13 Haunted Tours

The nights grow darker and a spine-tingling chill hangs in the air with ghost stories, strange happenings, superstitions, and dark and mysterious tales of the unexplained. Explore spooky adventures at these haunted tours across Tennessee if you dare. Knoxville (Oct. 28-30) – Mabry Hazen House will host “A Victorian Séance Experience” inside the parlors of the 1858 historic […]
Gov. Lee, FSAG Release Plan to Continue Tennessee’s Economic Recovery

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group (FSAG) released recommendations for federal relief dollars to support the state’s continued economic recovery, including more than $3 billion in investments to further strengthen infrastructure and businesses. “As Tennessee continues its strong economic recovery, it’s important that we maintain proper stewardship of federal dollars coming […]
VITAL POLICY – OPINION – Knoxville Tennessee’s Everlasting Threat to Your Property Rights

Imagine getting a letter from the local government stating that it intends to take your property, and your neighbor’s property, for private development. MOTIVATION FOR ABUSE Your little residential community just doesn’t generate enough tax revenue; so, the city or county decides to take the whole neighborhood away from its rightful owners and turn it […]
JCHS Homecoming Court 2021

Photos by J. Depew Photography — Representing the Patriot Academy and the freshmen class Sirly Paz Banuelos- is the daughter of Nancy Banuelos of White Pine. She is a loving sister to her brother. Sirly is a member of the JCHS Lady Patriots Soccer Team. She attends St. Patrick Catholic Church. Sirly loves to make […]
Quick and Easy Screenings Offer Meaningful Opportunity to Participate in National Depression Screening Day

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) is urging everyone to take a moment to take a quick screening in honor of National Depression Screening Day: October 7, 2021. Free screenings are available on the TDMHSAS website at this link through our partners at the Mental Health Association of America. The screenings feature […]
Debris Burn Permits Required Beginning Oct. 15

National Fire Prevention Week is observed this week to educate citizens about fire prevention and safety. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry joins the effort to promote fire prevention awareness and reminds citizens that our state is heading into fire season. A debris burn permit is required for leaf and brush piles from […]