News

The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office wants to ensure that Volunteer State veterans are aware of VSAFE.gov and1-833-38V-SAFE (1-833-388-7233). VSAFE is a one-stop shop that informs the military community of typical fraud schemes, offers tools to protect themselves, and provides an outlet for reporting and recovery. The website and call center combine resources from multiple federal agencies to ensure that there is no “wrong door” approach for veterans, service members, and their families to report and combat fraud.

“Tennessee’s military community deserves all the support we can give them, including when it comes to protecting their personal and financial information from bad actors,” said Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. “VSAFE gives veterans and military families the tools they need to protect themselves without the hassle of dealing with multiple federal agencies—ensuring streamlined effectiveness in resolving data breaches and reporting fraudulent activity.”

Essential resources of the VSAFE initiative include the following:

• Launching a centralized website for support and reporting: VSAFE.gov is a fraud prevention, response, and reporting information hub. Information from across federal agencies can be accessed in one place, making it easy for veterans to learn more about different kinds of fraud, get assistance, and report.
• Opening a centralized call line for Veteran and service member complaints: VSAFE is opening a single shared call line, 833-38V-SAFE (1-833-388-7233). Veterans, service members, their families, and survivors can call one number to receive help with fraud, scam, and predatory practice-related concerns. Depending on the caller’s issue, callers will be routed to the correct federal agency to address their specific concerns.
• Creating common call center training materials to ensure Veterans and service members are routed to the relevant agency no matter which federal agency they initially call: Even if individuals do not utilize the centralized call line, all VSAFE agency fraud call centers have been trained to connect callers to the best agency to handle their report and provide help. These coordinated responses are guided by joint reference materials utilized by agency representatives. This approach minimizes confusion and gets veterans routed to the best support as effectively and efficiently as possible.

The REAL ID Act of 2005, which requires anyone 18 years old or older to have a REAL ID or other federally issued photo ID, such as a passport, to enter certain Federal buildings, military bases and nuclear power plants or board commercial flights within the United States, will go into effect on May 7, 2025.

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security began issuing REAL IDs on July 1, 2019. Of Tennessee’s 5.8 million valid credentials, 1.6 million are not currently REAL ID compliant. Tennesseans are encouraged to decide before the implementation date to avoid the potential influx of customers to Driver Services Centers.

To apply for a REAL ID, customers must bring proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, proof of your Social Security Number, and two proofs of Tennessee residency. If your name has changed, you must also bring a certified legal document supporting the name change. All documents must be original or certified. Photocopies will not be accepted. A complete list of accepted documents can be found at tnrealid.gov.

Federal law requires REAL ID applications to be made in person. If you have a Tennessee Driver License or ID, you can apply for a REAL ID at a Driver Services Center or a participating County Clerk. If you do not have a Tennessee Driver License or ID, you must apply for a REAL ID at a Driver Services Center.

Obtaining a REAL ID is optional. Regular Tennessee driver licenses will continue to be accepted for general identification purposes such as driving, purchasing alcohol or tobacco products, applying for federal benefits, voting, accessing hospitals, post offices, banks, federal courts, etc.

If you are getting a Tennessee license for the first time or it is time to renew your license, the cost to get a REAL ID is $28.00. If you get a REAL ID outside of your renewal period, there is an additional duplication fee of either $8 or $12 depending on your license classification. 

For more information about Tennessee REAL ID, visit tnrealid.gov.

During the month of November, the Tennessee Department of Education is celebrating Career Development Month by highlighting the Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Innovative School Models (ISM) programs that provide every student the necessary skills to pursue postsecondary education and high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers. Additionally in November, the department will recognize Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSO) Week, November 11-15, and National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), November 18-22. Schools, educators, and districts are encouraged to join in highlighting their work by sharing on social media using #EPSOWEEK2024, #NationalApprenticeshipWeek2024, or #NAW2024. 

To spotlight the statewide celebration of Career Development Month, Governor Bill Lee issued a proclamation to recognize the opportunities available for students to explore careers and develop the necessary expertise to excel in the workforce, military, and college. Using the hashtags #CareerDevelopmentMonth, #InnovativeSchoolModelsTN, and #AcceleratingTN, Tennesseans can engage on social media throughout the month to learn about career opportunities throughout the state.

“During National Career Development Month, we celebrate Tennessee’s commitment to deliver the training needed for Tennesseans to thrive in a competitive workforce,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “From the GIVE Act to our historic investment in Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, we are developing a highly skilled workforce and providing greater opportunity for all Tennesseans.”

“Throughout November, we are proud to highlight the innovative programs being implemented across the state to support students in their future careers,” said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. “Tennessee continues its commitment to providing all students with career exploration opportunities, on-the-job training, and early college opportunities, ensuring their success in college and the workforce.”

With an historic investment of over $500 million from Governor Lee and the General Assembly, ISMs are an integral part of the state’s CTE work in reimagining students’ daily classroom experiences in public middle and high schools across the state. Further, CTE across districts and schools impacts Tennessee’s economy, students, and all stakeholders through partnerships, programming, and a commitment to student success, including:

• Middle school students’ participation rate in CTE courses nearly doubled over the past three school years from 58,377 to 115,936. 
• From the 2022-23 to 2023-24 school years, industry credential earnings increased by 27.9% from 39,089 to 50,027.
• Across 160 partnerships statewide, ISMs are providing innovative opportunities to advance student access and understanding of several careers and industries, including advanced manufacturing, health sciences, engineering, agriculture, and construction.
• As highlighted in this year’s Tennessee Educator Survey, 93% of CTE teachers reported that their programs have career exploration opportunities. Additionally, 87% said their program provides opportunities for students to demonstrate knowledge learned through leadership or competitive events. Students are also learning from educators who previously worked in the field, as 30% of early-career teachers who are in their first three years of teaching entered the profession via a career change, an increase of 27% from 2023.
• Providing high school students the opportunity to earn college credit, Tennessee EPSOs participants earn an average of 23 college credits by the time they graduate from high school.
• In July 2024, the department announced 49 work-based learning (WBL) employers named as Tennessee Flagship Industry Partners for their contributions and partnerships with local school districts.
• Across the state, there are now 64 active, certified pre-apprenticeship programs available to high school students that can transition to one of nine available registered apprenticeship programs. Registered apprenticeship programs combine paid coursework and on-the-job training from Tennessee employers to provide enriching and valuable learning opportunities for students. 

“Pre-apprenticeships empower students by bridging the gap between education and the workforce, equipping them with essential skills and real-world experience that pave the way for successful career pathways,” said Deniece Thomas, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The unofficial results from the November 5^th election in Cannon County are:

In the race for President, Donald Trump won Cannon County with 5,682 to Kamala Harris’s 1,132.

United States Congress

Marsha Blackburn won Cannon County with 5,308 to Gloria Johnson’s 1,171 in the Senate race.

In the 6^th District United State House of Representatives, John Rose wins re-election with 5,214 to Lore Bergman 1,049.

Tennessee General Assembly

In the local State Senate District, Shane Reeves won re-election with 5,223 to E.R. Smith 1,011.

In the local State Representative race, Michael Hale wins re-election with 5,275 to Daniel Hawthone, 1,038.

Auburntown

Martye Jean Harris (110 votes) will become the new Mayor of Auburntown.

The Board of Alderman will be;

Janice Adkins 82

Rita Davis 81

Tabbitha Fletcher 75

Tina Fletcher 82

Dean Nichols 79

Colton Lee Tuck 88

Woodbury

The mayor’s race saw an upset with Stan Hollandsworth winning over incumbent Andy Duggin. Hollandsworth received over 69 percent of the vote with 698 to Duggin’s 298.

In the race for the six seats on the Board of Alderman, the current board will return with the addition of Jeff D. Todd.  Todd had the largest number of votes with 654.

The current members on the board were re-elected:

Hayden Bryson 556

LuAnn Curlee 452

Faye Northcutt Knox 500

Adam Melton 447

Harold Patrick 525

With seven persons running for six seats, the loser in the race was Sydney J. Smyth with 431 votes.

With today’s Presidential election, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett and the Division of Elections are reminding all registered voters casting ballots of two resources available to have questions answered or concerns addressed by election experts. Voters can call the Election Day Hotline at 1-877-850-4959 with questions or text “TN” to 45995 to report fraud or other election-related issues.

“Preserving election integrity remains our highest priority, and we want all voters to know Tennessee elections remain secure,” said Secretary Hargett. “Through these mechanisms, we provide easy and direct access to election officials, so voters can have confidence when casting a ballot and know that any potential issue is addressed.”

Voters can simply call the Election Day Hotline at 1-877-850-4959, or they can use the text service. Using a cell phone or other texting device, the text option provides Tennesseans with a secure link where concerns are directly submitted to the Secretary of State’s Division of Elections. The Division then reviews submitted information and works with county election commissions, district attorneys, and others to take appropriate action.

“We work with local county election officials to ensure all registered voters have a positive election day experience at polling locations,” said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins.

Tennessee remains number one in election integrity for the third consecutive year; recently the state set a new in-person record of 2.13 million votes cast during the 14-day early voting period, and 76 counties exceeded in-person turnout from 2020.

Registered voters casting ballots on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Tennessee state government, or the federal government can be used even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable. 

For more information on hours and polling locations, or to view a sample ballot, download the Secretary of State’s free GoVoteTN app or visit your trusted source for election information, GoVoteTN.gov.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) Nobody Trashes Tennessee (NTT) campaign announces its fourth annual No Trash November, a month-long statewide initiative encouraging Tennesseans to participate in cleanup events in their communities. Last year’s campaign included more than 150 events with over 2,200 volunteers who collected more than 86,000 pounds of litter from the state’s roadways.

“Litter on our public roads, including our state’s scenic byways and waterways, have detrimental impacts on safety, the environment, and the economy, while also detracting from Tennessee’s natural beauty,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “We want to keep our residents and travelers safe from the harmful effects of litter, especially with increased travel during the holiday season. No Trash November offers an entire month for the Volunteer State to come together and make a real impact.”

In partnership with Keep Tennessee Beautiful (KTnB), Adopt-A-Highway participants, and youth groups including Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts, the initiative encourages residents to join existing public events or host their own community cleanup in November. Groups that collect the most litter will be recognized in four categories: Keep Tennessee Beautiful Affiliate, Adopt-A-Highway Group, Youth Group, and River Group. Participating scout groups will also earn a Nobody Trashes Tennessee patch.

“We are grateful for our many partners with a passion for keeping their local communities clean, safe, and beautiful,” said Brittany Morris, TDOT Transportation Program Supervisor. “They are once again taking action during No Trash November to help us in our mission to prevent and reduce litter.”

New this year, and to encourage individuals to get involved in No Trash November, is the Trash Masters Rewards program. Participants earn points for various activities like taking a litter quiz, attending cleanup events, and spreading awareness. Participants can earn double points for all activities throughout November, making it the perfect time to join. Points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including discounts at local businesses and exclusive NTT swag. It’s a fun and engaging way for individuals to contribute to a litter-free Tennessee while being recognized for their commitment to the environment.

To find a local cleanup event and to register your group to participate in No Trash November, visit nobodytrashestennessee.com/events. Campaign tools and resources including a cleanup location map and a trash tracker measuring pounds collected are also available online.

All residents are encouraged to show their support for a litter-free Tennessee by using the #NobodyTrashesTennessee and #NoTrashNovember hashtags in social media and to highlight their litter prevention actions throughout the month. For additional ways to participate in No Trash November, visit: Be Part of the Solution: 5 Ways to Get Involved This No Trash November.

Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced the 2023-24 statewide graduation rate is 92.1 percent, breaking the previous record achieved in the 2022-23 school year at 90.6 percent.

“Once again, Tennessee’s unwavering dedication to fostering student success has led us to achieve an extraordinary milestone—setting a new state record for graduation rates for the second consecutive year,”said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. “This achievement reflects the tireless efforts of our district and school leaders, educators, and families working together to help all our students achieve their goals and be successful.”

For the 2023-24 school year, the most notable takeaways from graduation data include:  

• Clay County Schools, McKenzie Special School District, South Carroll Special School District, and West Carroll Special District each had over a 99% graduation rate.
• 73 districts graduated 95 percent or more of their students on time.
• 1,756 more students graduated in the 2024 cohort compared to last year, for a total of 67,232 students graduating across the state.
• 78 districts improved their graduation rates from 2023 to 2024, with seven districts improving by five percentage points or more.
• The English learners student group demonstrated a 12-percentage point increase in their graduation rate from 67% in 2022-23 to 79% in 2023-24.
• 23 districts finished the year with over a 99% graduation rate for at least one of the following student groups: English Learners, Black, Hispanic, Native American, Economically Disadvantaged, and Students with Disabilities.

Cannon County’s graduation rate improved during the 2023 – 2024 period and was above the state average.

In order to advance academic achievement and prepare students for postsecondary success, districts continue to offer summer programming and tutoring supports for additional learning time, innovative college and career exploration, and access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses.  

For more information on graduation rates for individual districts and schools, please visit the department’s Data Downloads webpage. 

Secretary of State Tre Hargett today issued one final reminder that the early voting period in Tennessee officially ends Thursday, Oct. 31.

“If you have made your electoral decision go ahead and cast your ballot.  Don’t risk not being able to get to the polls on Election Day. Head to the polls today and vote,” said Secretary Hargett.

Through the first 11 days, more than 1.7 million voters have already cast their ballot, including an in-person turnout of more than 1.64 million, which outpaces 2020 in-person numbers. 

As of October 30th, the Cannon County Election Commission has voted 3942 by-mail and in-person voters. Thursday, October 31st is the last day to early vote. Early voting in Cannon County is located at the Election Commission office in the Cannon-Adams building, use the Tatum Street entrance.  Hours for Thursday are open from 8 am to 7pm.

Those voting early or on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Tennessee state government, or the federal government can be used even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.

Tennessee remains number one in the nation in election integrity for the third consecutive year; registered voters can find hours and polling locations, view sample ballots, and more by downloading the Secretary of State’s free GoVoteTN app or by visiting your trusted source for election information, GoVoteTN.gov.

As trick-or-treaters gear up for spooky fun, AAA is offering tips to keep everyone safe.

On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year according to Safe Kids Worldwide.

“Since Halloween falls on a Thursday, it’s likely that festivities could start early in the week and continue throughout the weekend,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We’re urging drivers to keep an eye out for pedestrians, slow down in neighborhoods, and avoid distractions and impairment behind the wheel to help keep everyone safe.”

AAA is also reminding Tennesseans that October is Pedestrian Safety Month.

According to a 2023 survey of Tennesseans, AAA found that one in four Tennesseans had nearly hit a pedestrian while driving in the previous 12 months.

The survey also found that:

• Nearly one in three (31%) Tennesseans reported witnessing a vehicle almost hit a pedestrian in the past 12 months
• One in five Tennesseans (21%) who walk in residential or downtown areas said they had almost been hit by a vehicle while walking in the past year

Click here to read the full survey.

AAA recommends the following tips for drivers:

• Remain seated and buckled.Everyone in the vehicle should remain seated and buckled at all times, even when parked on the side of the road.
• Designate a navigator. If you need to check a map, take pictures, or do anything that will take your attention off the road, pull over or delegate those tasks to a passenger.
• If you are driving, focus on driving. Even going just a few miles over the speed limit in a residential neighborhood greatly increases the dangers for cyclists and pedestrians sharing the road.
• Keep an eye out for trick-or-treaters.Younger pedestrians can be very unpredictable. Be on the lookout for children’s shoes or costumes under vehicles to make sure they are not crossing the street between parked cars in neighborhoods.
• Driver Sober. If you plan on driving, have a plan in place to avoid impairing substances. If your festivities do include impairing substances be sure to arrange a sober ride home in advance.

AAA Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips

• Be visible. Light-colored clothing or costumes provide the best visibility to drivers. If unavailable, try adding reflective material or tape to costumes to increase visibility. Giving your child a glow stick or flashlight to carry also increases their chances of seeing and being seen by drivers.
• Cross the street responsibly. Cross using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look both ways before crossing the street and keep an eye on the road while are you are crossing. Remind your child to not cross the street mid-block or run out between parked cars in neighborhoods.
• Don’t walk distracted or impaired. Save the social media updates for before or after you go trick-or-treating. Avoid checking your phone while walking or supervising children. Walking while impaired can also be just as dangerous a driving impaired.
• Stay on sidewalks.If no sidewalks are available, always walk facing traffic and stay as far to the left of the roadway as possible.
• Remove bulky costumes or winter coats before buckling your child into their car seat.Bulky or oversized clothing can make the car seat harness fit incorrectly, leaving room for movement in the seat which can be very dangerous in the event of a crash.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced it will open three more Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) inTennessee on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. at the Dillon Street Baptist Church in Woodbury; Pulaski Station in Pulaski and the Warren County Administrative Building in McMinnville. The SBA is opening the centers to assist businesses and residents who were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred on May 8-9.

The disaster declaration covers Cannon, Giles, Maury, Sumner, and Warren counties in Tennessee.

Customer Service Representatives are available at the Centers to assist business owners and residents complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but an in-person appointment at an SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center can also be scheduled in advance.  The Centers will operate as indicated below:

 Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC)  Cannon County

Dillon Street Baptist Church 216 S. Dillon St. Woodbury, TN 37190

Opening:  Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Hours:  Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Closed:     Sunday

Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) Warren County Warren County Administrative Building 201 Locust St. McMinnville, TN 37110 Opening:  Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed: Sunday

The Cannon and Warren offices will permanently close Saturday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m.