WHO recommends two new drugs to treat patients with COVID-19
The drug baricitinib (a type of drug known as a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis) is strongly recommended for patients with severe or critical covid-19 in combination with corticosteroids, says a WHO Guideline Development Group of international experts in The BMJ today. Their strong recommendation is based on moderate certainty evidence that […]
OPEd – Truth in Sentencing from Majority Leader William Lamberth
As a former Sumner County Assistant District Attorney, I prosecuted more cases than I care to count in which victims– often terribly traumatized by the events of a crime – suffered heartbreaking anguish after finding out Tennessee’s justice system is not what they thought it was. The realization that most criminals, on average, only serve […]
Tennesseans Invited to Respond to Draft Public School Funding Framework by Tuesday, January 18th at Noon CT
After months of strong engagement and conversations about public education funding in Tennessee and years of consistent feedback, today the Tennessee Department of Education released an initial draft overview of a potential student-based funding formula, informed by input of thousands of Tennesseans– parents, educators, superintendents, elected officials, business and community leaders, and citizens from across the state– and is encouraging all […]
Payroll Employment Rises by 199,000 in December; Unemployment Rate Declines to 3.9%
THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION — DECEMBER 2021 Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 199,000 in December, and the unemployment rate declined to 3.9 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment continued to trend up in leisure and hospitality, in professional and business services, in manufacturing, in construction, and in transportation and warehousing. This […]
VITAL POLICY – Commissioner Marcus Reed Proposes County Resolution for Voter Choice on Elected School Directors
Thirty years ago, the legislature enacted a package of education reforms called The Tennessee Education Improvement Act of 1992. Within that legislation, signed by then Democrat Governor Ned Ray McWherter, a provision of the act mandated that school directors be appointed by local school boards rather than be elected by the people. Liberals and the […]
Walker Sisters Cabin temporarily closed
Great Smoky Mountains National Park temporarily closed the Walker Sisters Cabin due to safety concerns. The cabin dates back to the 1800s and was occupied by the Walker Sisters until 1964. Park crews are concerned about recent movement around the chimney in the two-story cabin. Noticeable cracks and buckling around the stone masonry need to […]
Tennessee AgrAbility continues to help farmers, ranchers
A team approach helps the Tennessee AgrAbility Program provide services to farmers, farm family members and farm workers who may be dealing with a physical challenge in their farming operation. Members of the team include, from left to right, Troy Dugger, Tennessee AgrAbility Project director, University of Tennessee Extension; Joetta T. White, Western Region area […]
AG Slatery Sues to Block Federal Head Start Mandates
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III has joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Biden Administration’s recent mask requirements for toddlers and COVID-19 vaccinations for staff and volunteers in Head Start Programs. “We have consistently opposed mandates in the context of education, defending state statutes passed by our General Assembly. This challenge is consistent with our past positions, […]
2021 Highlights: Accomplishments, Investments and Celebrating 225 Years of Statehood
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released 2021 highlights that contributed to greater prosperity, freedom, and opportunity for Tennesseans. “From securing the largest economic investment in state history, to reducing the number of distressed counties to an all-time low, we have worked together with Tennesseans for one of the strongest years in state history,” said Gov. Lee. […]
2021 Tax Incentives Report Posted
By January 1 of each year, the Department of Revenue prepares a report of tax credits. The report includes tax credits claimed under Tenn. Code Ann. Sections 67-4-2009 and 67-4-2109 for tax periods ending during the previous fiscal year and contains the following: Name of tax credit Number of taxpayers claiming the tax credit during […]
November Unemployment Numbers Drop in Most Counties
NASHVILLE – The employment situation improved in a majority of Tennessee’s counties during November, according to data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This comes after the statewide unemployment rate returned to pre-pandemic levels for the month. Eighty-five counties recorded lower unemployment rates in November, while five counties saw no movement with their rates, […]
FRANK C. HERNDON NAMED SECRETARY TREASURER OF STATEWIDE COUNTY CLERK’S ASSOCIATION
Frank C. Herndon, Jefferson County Clerk, has been named Secretary/Treasurer of the Tennessee Association of County Clerks (TACC), a statewide organization that represents the interests of the state’s 95 County Clerks. He was appointed at the County Officials Association of Tennessee’s (COAT) annual conference in Chattanooga on November 9, 2021 by Pam Ailor of Union […]
Dandridge Elementary Evacuation Due To Student Set Fire
Earlier Monday, Dandridge Elementary School experienced a fire inside of one of the academic wings. The school closed in response to the fire that began just prior to the start of the school day. The incident began at 7:50 this morning in a restroom on the 2nd grade hallway following a student using a device […]
Jefferson County Democratic Party – School Board Primary Requested
In a letter delivered to the Jefferson County Election Commission – After many years the common-sense law requiring school board elections in Tennessee to be non-partisan was changed during the recent special Covid session of the state legislature. The local Republican party had been lobbying for this action for some time, and quickly called for a […]
CPI for all items rises 0.8% in November; gas, food, shelter, vehicle indexes all rise
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.8 percent in November on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.9 percent in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 6.8 percent before seasonal adjustment. The monthly all items seasonally adjusted increase […]
