Jefferson County Schools Update from Director Johnston
In a statement from Director of Schools, Shane Johnston – The Covid numbers in our schools have recently increased, but there has been an even greater jump in the number of students quarantined. This is consistent with trends in school districts throughout the state. The numbers do not reflect an enormous increase in active cases, […]
Former Rep. Bill Dunn to Join Tennessee Department of Education
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced Monday that former House Speaker Pro Tem Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) will join the Tennessee Department of Education as a senior advisor to Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “Bill Dunn is one of the most experienced and thoughtful advocates for education in our state who has dedicated his career in state government to […]
Parental Vaccine Hesitancy
A new study has found that one in five children in the United States have a parent who is vaccine hesitant. The study, “Parental Vaccine Hesitancy and Childhood Influenza Vaccination,” which will be published in the December 2020 issue of Pediatrics (published online Nov. 9), notes that there is a lack of consensus on the definition of vaccine hesitancy, but […]
Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes Paid for Medical Services That Were Not Provided
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictments of Dr. Christopher F. Standley, Dr. Robert M. North, and his wife Lisa L. North. Investigators determined these individuals owned medical companies that wrongfully obtained payments from Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes for medical services that were not provided. The Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes […]
Veterans Day – Symbol of Freedom, Sacrifice, and Honor
Veterans Day is a symbol of freedom, sacrifice, and honor. We honor those who have served or currently serve in the military for the sacrifices they make to ensure our freedom. Sometimes, we take this freedom for granted. The freedom to vote. The right to bear arms. The pledge is the government to uphold our […]
Governor Lee, TDOE Announce $5 Million in Charter School Support Grants
Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Education announced $5 million in grants to be distributed to charter schools across the state, with a focus on supporting charter schools that demonstrate sustained and significant academic growth. This charter school support grant is funded through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER). Every charter school will be awarded a per-pupil allocation based on 2020 school enrollment. These formula grants will total $2.5 million. An additional $2.5 million will be allocated amongst charter […]
Everything Voters Need to Know for the November 3 Presidential Election
Before heading to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3., the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office wants voters to have the information they need to cast their ballot in a safe, clean and secure fashion. On Election Day, polls open at various times. A list of when polls open in all 95 counties is available on […]
STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY BROUILLETTE ON THE PRESIDENT’S MEMORANDUM ON FRACKING
“Today President Trump once again reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the American energy industry. It is technology like fracking that unleashed America’s natural resources and made us the number one producer of oil and gas in the world, bringing an eight-fold increase in natural gas productivity since 2007, while also creating millions of jobs and […]
Happy Halloween 2020
This Halloween is destined to be a special one! With Halloween falling on a Saturday, it is the perfect scenario to have a full day of spooky, scary fun. This, however, is not all that makes this year’s Halloween interesting: two full moons are occurring this October. The first full moon, the Full Harvest Moon, […]
Times, They Are A Changing
On November 1, the day after Halloween, we gain one hour of precious time. Finally the mornings will be lighted by the sun—no more scrambling around in the dark praying that your pants match your shirt. At 2:00 a.m. turn your clocks back one hour and get some more much-needed rest! This blessed hour of […]
Bridge Repair Work Begins Across the Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that the Federal Highway Administration awarded two construction contracts to replace seven bridges and repair seven others across the park. The work will continue through January 19, 2022 and necessitates several single-lane closures and a few full road closures to safely accomplish the repairs. Forge Creek Road […]
Humans are born with brains ‘prewired’ to see words
Humans are born with a part of the brain that is prewired to be receptive to seeing words and letters, setting the stage at birth for people to learn how to read, a new study suggests. Analyzing brain scans of newborns, researchers found that this part of the brain – called the “visual word form […]
Tennessee Smashes Early Voting Record
As of the close of polls on Oct. 26, the 11th day of early voting in Tennessee, a record-breaking 1,808,546 voters had cast their ballot for the Nov. 3 presidential election. With three more days of early voting, turnout has already surpassed the previous record set during the 2016 presidential election when 1,689,989 Tennesseans voted early […]
Increasing Sleep Time After Trauma Could Ease Ill Effects, Study Says
Increasing the amount of time spent asleep immediately after a traumatic experience may ease any negative consequences, suggests a new study conducted by researchers at Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Published today in Scientific Reports, the study helps build a case for the use of sleep therapeutics following trauma exposure, said William […]
Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) and the Tennessee DOE K-3 Book Delivery program to deliver 580,000 books to 58,000 kindergarten through third grade students and teachers across the state
Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) and the Tennessee Department of Education, in collaboration with Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, announced the launch of a new K-3 Book Delivery program to deliver 580,000 books to 58,000 kindergarten through third grade students and teachers across the state. Over 50 school districts are participating […]
