Consumer Price Index Increases 0.4 percent in February
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent in February on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.3 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.7 percent before seasonal adjustment. The gasoline index continued to increase, rising […]
Tennessee State Constitution Transferred To New Home
Tennessee’s founding documents were transported to the new Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) with much fanfare and a parade in Nashville this week. Secretary of State Tre Hargett led the procession escorted by the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), THP Honor Guard and Tennessee National Guard color guard who transported the state’s three constitutions from […]
BXTN – Builders Exchange of Tennessee Awards Grant To Jefferson County CTE Tiny House Project
Jefferson County CTE department was awarded a grant in the amount of $11, 711.00 from BXTN – Builders Exchange of Tennessee to fund completion and finishing of Tiny House project. The project is designed and built by Stephen Strange’s Structural Systems and Matthew Barrett’s HVAC and MEPS (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems). Other classes and […]
Human Remains Found In Panther Creek State Park, Identified As Joseph William Ricker
The Morristown Police Department has been informed that human remains found last week in Panther Creek State Park have been identified as 28-year-old Joseph William Ricker. MPD investigators have been searching for Mr. Ricker since he was reported missing by his family in late August. The Morristown Police Department sends condolences to Mr. Ricker’s family […]
Carson-Newman graduate program surge brings record spring enrollment
This semester is cause for celebration at Carson-Newman University, where a record spring enrollment brought 2,729 students to Mossy Creek. Spring 2020’s enrollment was the University’s prior record for the second semester of the school year, with 2,578 students. “God has truly blessed Carson-Newman with a growing enrollment,” said University President Charles A. Fowler. “Each […]
Brandy Arnold, MDW American History Award Winner
Brandy Arnold, teacher of U.S. History at Jefferson County High School (JCHS), has been recognized for Outstanding Work in American History for 2020 by the Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter (MDW), National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). The certificate was presented by MDW Recording Secretary and Arnold’s teaching colleague Karen Bible on February 12. […]
Rep. 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 stands for law and order, and he is an effective leader in our General Assembly,” said Speaker […]
Tennessee Legislature Considers Return to Elected School Directors
Nearly three decades ago, state lawmakers changed the way school directors are chosen in the state of Tennessee. Abandoning the process of electing school directors was part of a sweeping education reform act known as the Education Improvement Act of 1992. Changes were made to a wide variety of education policies including school fees, BEP […]
House Bill 003 Seeks To Protect Competitive Balance of Girls’ Sports
Legislation Protecting Women’s Sports A bill protecting women’s sports has been recommended for passage and referred to Calendars and Rules Committee. House Bill 003 seeks to protect the competitive balance of girls’ sports. Women’s sports were created to give girls a fair chance at competition. That includes fair victories and fair defeats. House Bill 003 […]
House Advances Legislation Limiting Health Boards’ Autonomy
Legislation aimed at scaling back the power of Tennessee’s six independent metropolitan health boards passed the Health Subcommittee on Tuesday. House Bill 7 would decrease the autonomy of health departments in Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Shelby, and Sullivan Counties. These boards are comprised of unelected members with their own authority to issue health directives independently […]
House Republicans Introduce Constitutional Carry
House Republican leadership this week presented legislation making Tennessee the 19th state in the nation to enact a constitutional right to carry law. House Bill 786 upholds freedoms granted to law-abiding citizens in the U.S. Constitution while also stiffening penalties for criminals who steal or illegally possess firearms. This legislation includes several provisions that will […]
Tennessee Removes State Visitation Restrictions for Long-term Care Facilities
Today the Tennessee Department of Health announced state-specific visitation restrictions for long-term care facilities will end effective February 28, 2021. Facilities should use the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidance for safe operation and visitation with limited visitation restrictions no longer in place at the state level. The Tennessee Department of Health recognizes […]
Vital Policy – State Legislation Filed to Protect Property Rights – Sponsors Niceley and Carr
State legislators will be considering proposed legislation in the current General Assembly aimed at protecting private property from eminent domain abuse. Under current Tennessee law, “blighted areas” are so broadly defined that virtually any property is at risk of condemnation by local housing authorities as part of a redevelopment plan. The proposed legislation, if enacted, […]
