April Unemployment Rate Highlights State’s Economic Recovery
Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate for April 2021 decreased by double digits when compared to data from the previous year. In April 2020, the state’s jobless rate reached a record high during the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tennessee’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted rate for April is 5%, according to data released from the Department […]
Wine Down This May for Tennessee’s Grape and Wine Appreciation Month
Home to Jack Daniel’s whiskey, seven genres of music, barbecue and hot chicken, Tennessee’s abundant and ever-growing grape and wine industry is often overlooked. Dating back to the 1800s, wine plays an important role in Tennessee’s tourism industry. With over 67 wineries, the wine industry employs over 400 people, provides memorable experiences and offers picturesque […]
School Board Votes To Send Un-Balanced Budget To Commission
The Jefferson County School Board will send a deficit budget to the Jefferson County Commission for approval for the fiscal year 2021-2022. School Board Member Jarnigan offered a motion to send the budget as presented, which was balanced, for budget committee and, ultimately, full commission approval. He was 2nd by School Board Member Bradley but […]
Amendment Riddled Special Called Meeting Ends In Pass To Worksession
Jefferson County Commissioners met this week in a Special Called Meeting to address a handful of general housekeeping items, as well as a time sensitive budget amendment for the Department of Education that addressed federal funds for an intensive summer program that is designed to catch students up that have fallen behind during the recent […]
Gov. Lee Pushes Return to Work, Economic Recovery – Ends All Federal Pandemic Unemployment Funding
Tuesday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the end of all federally funded pandemic unemployment compensation programs in Tennessee, effective July 3. “We will no longer participate in federal pandemic unemployment programs because Tennesseans have access to more than 250,000 jobs in our state,” said Gov. Lee. “Families, businesses and our economy thrive when we focus […]
Petting therapy dogs enhances thinking skills of stressed college students
For college students under pressure, a dog may be the best stress fighter around. Programs exclusively focused on petting therapy dogs improved stressed-out students’ thinking and planning skills more effectively than programs that included traditional stress-management information, according to new Washington State University research. The study was published today in the journal AERA Open, a peer-reviewed […]
AG Slatery Leads Coalition Urging Facebook to Abandon Launch of Instagram Kids
Nashville- Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III is leading a coalition of 44 attorneys general urging Facebook to abandon its plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13. “Facebook has a record of failing to protect the safety and privacy of children,” said General Slatery. “Let’s not take their […]
Mental Health Month Offers New Opportunity to be Open and Honest
Around the world and right here in Tennessee, we celebrate May as Mental Health Month. After the last year, the opportunity to pause, reflect, and evaluate our own mental health and that of the people in our lives has never been more important. “How are you doing today?” It’s a question we asked each other […]
Students Asked To Keep American Flags Out Of Sight By School Admin – Director Johnston Issues Apology, Clears Students Of Any Violations
In a statement issued by Dr. Shane Johnston, Director of Jefferson County Schools – Thursday, April 29 information came to the office of the Director of Schools concerning a student allegedly being suspended for displaying the American Flag. My office immediately began to investigate and discovered an incident had occurred between two students and an […]
Governor and Commissioner Release Transportation Improvement Plan for 2022-2024
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Clay Bright today released TDOT’s annual three-year transportation program, featuring approximately $2.6 billion in infrastructure investments for 68 individual project phases in 45 counties across the state. The program supports Gov. Lee’s first Executive Order by funding work on 58 highway and bridge projects in […]
Tennessee Strawberry Season is Here
With warm spring days in the forecast, Tennessee farms will quickly have fields turning red with juicy and sweet strawberries. If you are looking for the freshest berries, head straight to the farm. “Tennesseans are always looking to enjoy time with friends and family,” Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “Since it’s strawberry season, a visit […]
Morristown Police Department Sergeant Travis Stansell Awarded Inaugural Leadership Legacy Award
Morristown Police Department Sergeant Travis Stansell has been awarded the Inaugural Leadership Legacy Award. He was surprised during a ceremony for the Morristown-Hamblen Air Force JROTC on April 29, 2021. The award is presented to members of the community who have a positive meaningful impact on the program and the community. Sergeant Stansell has served […]
Gov. Lee Pushes Reopening, Focus on Economic Recovery – Ends Public Health Orders and Local Mask Authority
Tuesday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the end of statewide public health orders and signed Executive Order 80 to address economic and regulatory functions. EO 80 also ends the local authority to issue mask requirements in the 89 counties directed by the state health department. “COVID-19 is now a managed public health issue in Tennessee […]
Tennessee Department of Health To Resume Administration of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
After an extensive analysis of the risks and benefits of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted today to recommend to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that jurisdictions may resume their administration of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine without restrictions. The recommendation from the ACIP […]
County Unemployment Rates Inch Upward in March
Following a slight rise in the statewide unemployment rate in March, jobless statistics experienced minor increases in most of Tennessee’s 95 counties, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). Five counties across the state did experience lower unemployment for the month, while rates went up in 86 counties, […]
Market Study Explores Tennesseans’ Perspectives on COVID-19 Vaccine
The Tennessee Department of Health released results from a third party, statewide quantitative and qualitative survey of more than 1,000 adult Tennesseans exploring sentiments around the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine is voluntary in Tennessee and this survey explored perspectives associated with choosing to receive the vaccine, like hesitancy or unwillingness in an effort to […]
