Michael Phagan, CPA to run for Trustee
Michael Phagan, CPA announced he will be seeking the office of Jefferson County Trustee in the May Republican primary. Michael currently serves as a County Commissioner for the 3rd District. In that capacity, he serves as Chaplain, as well as Chair of the Long-Range Planning Committee, as a member of the Facilities and Nominating Committees, and formerly as a […]
State Rep. Jeremy Faison’s Capitol Report
House Committees begin work, bill filing deadline set for Feb. 2 The pace picked on Capitol Hill this week as House members worked to finalize their legislative proposals before the Feb. 2 bill filing deadline. House committees began to meet as bills are being introduced and referred to their respective committees. Omicron COVID-19 and TANF […]
Andrew Farmer appointed to Southern Legislative Conference Committee
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, has appointed State Rep. Andrew Farmer, R-Sevierville, to serve on the Human Services & Public Safety Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) of the Council of State Governments (CSG). “Chairman Farmer’s extensive knowledge and his professional experience related to public safety will be extremely beneficial to the Human […]
Payroll employment rises by 467,000 in January; unemployment rate changes little at 4.0%
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 467,000 in January, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 4.0 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment growth continued in leisure and hospitality, in professional and business services, in retail trade, and in transportation and warehousing. This news release presents statistics from two monthly […]
CDC Reports Increase in Human Rabies Cases Linked to Bats in the U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is raising awareness of the risks of rabies from bats in the U.S. after three people, including one child, died from rabies between late September and early November 2021. The three cases, described in the January 6, 2022, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, bring the total number of cases […]
TN Attorney General, Commerce & Insurance Join CFTC to Stop $68 Million Precious Metals Scheme
The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office and the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) are participating in a consolidated enforcement action to stop a fraudulent precious metals scheme that resulted in solicitations exceeding $68 million from at least 450 investors nationwide. The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office- on behalf of the TDCI- joined the U.S. Commodity […]
Texas A&M study shows paternal alcohol use increases frequency of fetal development issues
Prenatal visits have traditionally focused almost exclusively on the behavior of mothers, but new research from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) continues to suggest that science should be looking more closely at the fathers’ behavior as well. Dr. Michael Golding, an associate professor in the CVMBS’ Department of Veterinary Physiology […]
Gov. Bill Lee Delivers 2022 State of the State Address
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee delivered his fourth State of the State address and presented budget and legislative priorities to a joint session of the General Assembly. Key highlights are noted below, and the full speech as prepared for delivery can be found on the Governor’s website. A budget overview can be found here. Due to Tennessee’s conservative […]
Marcus Reed Announces Candidacy for Re-Election as County Commissioner 10th District
Marcus Reed has announced his candidacy for reelection as County Commissioner for the 10th District. When Marcus ran for election in 2018 he strongly believed there is no room in County politics for self serving desires. He still believes in that statement. Marcus promised integrity, leadership, and fiscal responsibility serving all the citizens of Jefferson […]
Doug Ibbetson Announces Run for Jefferson County District One School Board
Ten-year, Jefferson County resident, Doug Ibbetson, has announced his candidacy to represent District One on the County School Board. District One is comprised of the neighborhoods of Dandridge, Chestnut Hill, Indian Creek, Parrots Chapel, Swannsylvania, Oak Grove, Deep Springs and Piedmont. Ibbetson has a corporate as well as an independent business background which he feels […]
Director of Schools Announces Plans To Resign
Director of Jefferson County Schools, Dr. Shane Johnston, has unofficially announced his intent to vacate his position. Though he has not tendered his resignation, Dr. Johnston has plans to submit his letter of resignation early next month. Johnston has led the Jefferson County Department of Education since July 1, 2018. During his tenure at the […]
Unemployment Reaches Its Lowest Level Since January 2020
Unemployment in the state of Tennessee reached a two-year low in December, according to new data released by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The state ended 2021 with an unemployment rate of 3.8%, which was 0.2 of a percentage point lower than the rate it recorded in November. Over the past year, Tennessee’s […]
Governor Lee, Commissioner Rolfe Announce 62 Communities to Receive Community Development Block Grants
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe recently approved $28.5 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which will assist communities with infrastructure improvements, housing rehabilitations and health and safety initiatives. “Investing in local infrastructure is one of our top priorities, and these funds will play a vital role as communities work to update their assets and keep their communities […]
TBI Agents Investigating Jefferson County Officer-Involved Shooting
Just before 11:00 a.m., the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received a request to perform a welfare check on a man at a residence in the 1400 block of David Swann Drive in Dandridge. Upon arrival, the man was not cooperative with officers and refused to come outside. Preliminary information indicates the man eventually came outside […]
Secretary Hargett Launches 2022 Statewide Poll Worker Recruitment Campaign
On National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, Secretary of State Tre Hargett launched a new statewide campaign, Be an Election Hero. Become a Poll Worker., to encourage Tennesseans to serve their community as poll workers for the 2022 election cycle. “We cannot run elections in Tennessee without poll workers. They are the most fundamental piece of […]
