News

Scammers, identity thieves, and fraudsters cheated Tennesseans out of a reported $133.6 million of their hard-earned money in 2023, landing Tennessee as the state with the 16th highest rate of fraud in the United States.  

Those shocking figures are courtesy of the Federal Trade Commission’s newly released Consumer Sentinel Network 2023 report which identifies more than 73,000 instances of fraud and other reports last year in the Volunteer State. Separately, Tennesseans reported more than 12,700 instances of identity theft in Tennessee.  

To combat this ongoing problem, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (“TDCI”) Securities Division reminds consumers to be vigilant in protecting themselves from financial fraud and identity theft by learning the red flags of financial scams and how to protect themselves.  

“Tennessee is rightfully known as the ‘Volunteer State’ for our willingness to help our friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers,” said TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “Unfortunately, unscrupulous scam artists and criminals often use our neighborliness and trusting nature against us so they can steal money and personal information. Any consumer who is approached about an investment deal that sounds too good to be true should contact our Securities team with their questions first.”  

“Tennesseans can take steps today in order to protect themselves and their loved ones from investment fraud,” TDCI Assistant Commissioner Elizabeth Bowling. “If you suspect that you or a loved one might be a victim of securities or insurance fraud, or if you would like to file a complaint or speak with an investigator, please contact TDCI’s Financial Services Investigations Unit at (615) 741-5900 or visit our website.” 

To help consumers avoid financial fraud, including identity theft, TDCI is sharing these helpful consumer tips: 

• To combat potential investment fraud from occurring, senior financial investors need to talk with their adviser and provide their financial firms with a trusted contact. A trusted contact may be a family member, attorney, accountant, or another third party who you believe would respect your privacy and know how to handle that responsibility. One or more trusted contacts may be established. Naming someone as a trusted contact does not give that person the authority to act on your behalf, execute transactions, or reengage in activity in your account. If you do decide to name a trusted contact, you will want to reach out your trusted contact in advance to let them know. A trusted contact may be asked to confirm your current contact information, health status, or the identity of any legal guardian, executor, trustee, or holder of a power of attorney. U.S. broker-dealers are required to provide a written disclosure that explains these details. 
• Be mindful of what documents you put in your trash. Identity thieves are willing to dig through garbage to find valuable information. To reduce the risk of identity theft, consider purchasing a good paper shredder (retails around $50-60), and if the document has anything beyond your name and address on it, shred it. Can’t afford a shredder? Check with your local financial institution or Better Business Bureau for free paper shredding events and services that might be available in your community. 
• Monitor bank and credit card statements and your credit report. 
• Use direct deposit for benefit checks to prevent checks from being stolen.
• Never give your credit card, banking information, Social Security number, Medicare number, or other personal information over the phone, unless you initiated the call. 
• If someone calls you and threatens you with arrest or harm unless you pay them via wire transfer or a gift card, hang up immediately. You’re dealing with a scammer. Report the call to your local law enforcement agency. 

For more information on investment scams and financial education or to contact the Securities Division, visit tn.gov/securities, email securities.1@tn.gov, or call 800-863-9117. 

This is an advance notice that DTC Communications will conduct network maintenance between 11:59 PM Tuesday night, March 12th and 7 AM, Wednesday morning, March 13th.

This is the second in a series of steps to upgrade the equipment necessary to enhance our overall system performance and better serve our expanding customer base.

Internet, Voice, and TV services will be temporarily unavailable to most subscribers during portions of the maintenance window. We understand the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

For any immediate assistance during the maintenance period, please contact us by calling 629.226.0001. For questions outside the maintenance window, you can contact us at 615.529.2955.    

Cannon County Schools will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 14, 2024, to allow students and staff to attend the Murfreesboro TSSAA Boys Basketball State Tournament game.  Cannon County’s Lions will face Ripley’s Tigers at 2:15pm in MTSU’s Murphy Center.

Bonnie Patterson, Director of Schools, states, “This is the first time since 1985 that our Cannon County High School Lions Basketball team has played in the state tournament. We want to show our support to the team and encourage everyone to cheer our Lions on to victory.”

Lunch will be served to all students, and dismissal will begin at 11:30 a.m. ESP will be available for ESP students at Cannon Elementary and Cannon North. ESP students at Cannon South, please call Lisa Black at 629-201-4805 to schedule after-school care if needed.

Cannon County Softball game with Central has been moved to a 6:30pm start. Fans are encouraged to attend the boys opener in the state tournament and return to Woodbury to cheer on the softball team.  No JV game is scheduled.

With Daylight Saving Time approaching (Sunday, March 10 at 2 AM), the darker mornings and lost hour of sleep will lead to more drowsy drivers. New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals the shocking lethality of drowsy driving. The study, based on in-depth crash investigations and national fatal crash data, estimates that drowsy driving is a factor in roughly ten times as many traffic fatalities as traditional crash data indicates.

“This study should be a wakeup call for drivers to not underestimate the dangers of drowsy driving,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Whether you’re driving to work or taking the family on a road trip, stay alert or get off the road.”

According to the new Foundation study, drowsy drivers were involved in:

• 18% of all traffic fatalities between 2017 and 2021, accounting for nearly 30,000 deaths.
• 6,725 estimated deaths in 2021 alone.

These figures are far higher than official government statistics, highlighting the underreported nature of drowsy driving crashes. According to NHTSA, there is agreement across the traffic safety, sleep science, and public health communities that the impact of drowsy driving is underestimated.

Drowsiness impairs drivers in different ways:

• Reduced alertness: Makes it harder to react quickly to hazards. Just one hour less than the expert-recommended minimum of 7 hours of sleep increases a driver’s risk of crashing.
• Impaired judgment: Increases the risk of making poor decisions on the road. Sleep deprivation increases a driver’s risk of making many ordinary mistakes, leading to crashes. Those deprived of sleep by 4+ hours have an impairment similar to those over the legal BAC limit.
• Hazardous Microsleeps: Can cause momentary lapses in consciousness, leading to loss of control of the vehicle and failure to respond to dangers on the road.
• Self-Perception of Drowsiness: Previous Foundation research found that drivers often underestimate their drowsiness, putting themselves and others at risk.

Warning Signs of Drowsy Driving
According to the CDC

• Frequent yawning or blinking
• Trouble remembering the past few miles driven.
• Missing your exit.
• Drifting from your lane.
• Hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road.

Who’s at greater risk of drowsy driving and related crashes and deaths?
According to the CDC

• Teen and young adult drivers
• Drivers on the road between midnight and 6 a.m. or in the later afternoon.
• Drivers who don’t get enough sleep.
• Commercial truck drivers.
• Drivers who work the night shift or long shifts.
• Drivers with untreated sleep disorders – like sleep apnea, where breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
• Drivers who use medicines that make them drowsy.

What can drivers do to avoid drowsy driving?

• Get enough sleep before driving. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night.
• Don’t underestimate the power of a quick nap. A 20- to 30-minute nap can significantly improve your alertness.
• Travel at times of the day when you are normally awake. Avoid driving when you are tired or sleepy.
• Listen to your body. If you start to feel tired, pull over and take a break. Don’t try to push through it.
• Take breaks every two hours or 100 miles. Get out of the car, stretch your legs, and get fresh air. Plan and identify safe, comfortable places to take breaks. Don’t wait until you’re already feeling drowsy.
• Travel with an alert passenger and take turns driving. Sharing the driving can help you stay awake and alert.
• Avoid heavy meals before driving. Eating a large meal can make you feel tired and sluggish.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs. Both can impair your driving ability. Besides harming driving directly, they can also amplify drowsiness.

AAA supports the development of vehicle technology that can detect drowsiness and prevent drivers from operating a vehicle when impaired. This technology could help to save lives by preventing drowsy driving crashes.

The Tennessee gas price average moved above $3.00 per gallon last week for the first time since November 2023. Over last week, gas prices rose six cents, on average. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.01 which is 16 cents more expensive than one month ago but four cents less than one year ago.  

“Tennessee drivers are now seeing gas prices above $3.00 per gallon for the first time since November, and it’s very likely the trend of fluctuating prices will continue,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We saw an increase in gasoline futures last week, which likely indicates that summer-blend gasoline is now moving into the market. OPEC and its allies also announced on Sunday that they would extend voluntary oil production cuts until the end of June. Both of these are contributing to upward pressure on pump prices.” 

Quick Facts

• 66% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.00 
• The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.80 for regular unleaded 
• The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.31 for regular unleaded
• Tennessee is the 10th least expensive market in the nation

The Cannon County Election Commission released the following results using social media Tuesday night.

Unofficial Results… 1,840 voters participated in the March 5th Election.

Top 3 Republicans: Ron DeSantis (10), Nikki Haley (140), Donald Trump (1462)

On the Democratic side: Joseph Biden (110)

Sales Tax Referendum: For (924) and Against (788)

State Rep. Michael Hale, R-Smithville, proposed legislation that would help combat food insecurity at universities and community colleges across the state.

A report by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) showed that campus administrators estimate roughly 30% of students experience food insecurity.

“Our college students, who are working hard to ensure a better life for themselves and their families, often make the difficult choice between rent and food,” Hale said.

House Bill 1914 would create a hunger-free campus grant program that would provide funds to help higher education institutions provide food to its students.

In order to be eligible for the grant program, schools must have an established food pantry or partner with a community food pantry that is accessible to students. They must also form a “Hunger Task Force” that includes at least two students to examine the need and best practices for food insecurity on campus. 

The institutions must use the funds to develop a student meal credit donation program, allocate funding for a meal voucher program or provide financial assistance to its food pantry or partner pantry. Along with raising awareness of community and campus resources for students facing food insecurity.

“Our goal is to make food insecurity a thing of the past. While this is not the end-all solution, it is a step in the right direction. It is an honor to carry this legislation, and I look forward to guiding it to passage to fight for our students,” Hale said.

Schools will have to submit an annual report to the Education Administration committee outlining its efforts to address food insecurity, demographics and best practices implemented.

The bill passed the Higher Education subcommittee and now moves on to the Education Administration committee.

Each year, the first full week in March is observed in Tennessee as Volunteer Firefighters Week to honor and recognize volunteer firefighters for their courageous and dedicated service.

According to Tennessee State Fire Marshall Carter Lawrence, “Tennessee’s volunteer fire departments are the embodiment of the Volunteer State’s spirit as they willingly put their lives on the line for their communities for little or no compensation or recognition to protect the lives and properties of their neighbors  I salute Tennessee’s volunteer firefighters this week for their work, and I believe that Tennessee’s volunteer firefighters should be honored for their sacrifices every day.”

WBRY would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the fire departments in the county for your dedication and service to our community.

To learn more, visit: https://www.tn.gov/…/tennessee-honors-heroism–bravery…

Today, U.S. Rep. John Rose (TN-06) introduced the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act with Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), which would expand on his work to ban trigger leads except in limited circumstances. 

When a consumer applies for a mortgage, credit bureaus are notified that the consumer is interested in financing, which is referred to as a trigger lead. That information is then sold by the credit bureaus to data brokers (including other lenders) without the consumer’s knowledge or approval. Consumers are then often bombarded with hundreds of calls that confuse consumers and seek to lure them away from their chosen lenders.

Rep. Rose’s bill prohibits a consumer reporting agency from furnishing a trigger lead unless an individual chooses to opt-in. In that case, only certain approved groups will be notified that an individual is seeking a new mortgage. The bill is tailored to give consumers more control over the information they receive as part of the homebuying process and eliminates trigger lead abuses while preserving their use in appropriately limited circumstances.

“Buying a home is stressful enough for many consumers. The last thing most folks want is to be annoyed incessantly by the constant barrage of emails, text messages, and phone calls after they apply for a mortgage,” said Rep. Rose. “My bill would put an end to this shady and confusing practice and restore data privacy for homebuyers.” 

This bill is supported by a broad coalition of financial trades and consumer groups, including the Independent Community Bankers Association, Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Mortgage Bankers, American Bankers Association, and the Broker Action Coalition. 

Senator Hagerty (R-TN) and Senator Reed (D-RI) have also introduced S.3052, a companion bill, in the Senate.

Read the full text of the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act here.

Governor Bill Lee delivered his sixth State of the State address and presented budget and legislative priorities for the upcoming year to a joint session of the General Assembly and fellow Tennesseans.

Key highlights are noted below, and the full speech as prepared for delivery can be found here. A Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget overview can be found here.

“Tennessee is a remarkable place with a richness of passionate people of all kinds, an unrivaled culture and deep-rooted traditions,” said Gov. Lee. “We are also a state that is focused on opportunity, security and freedom for all of her people. In 2024, and for the remainder of my time in office, I believe our job is to fortify that which has been built over the years, and to remember the work it took to get here.”

Our state’s legacy of responsible fiscal stewardship places Tennessee in a strong budgetary position and allows for investments to secure continued success. Lee’s proposed $53 billion budget includes strategic funding to ensure economic and educational opportunity, protect Tennessee voices, preserve our natural resources, strengthen families, and more.

Notable highlights from Gov. Lee’s FY24-25 agenda include:

Economic Opportunity & Tax Relief

• $20 million investment in Tennessee’s Rainy Day Fund, bringing Tennessee reserves to more than $2 billion, the largest in state history
• $410 million recurring funding and $1.2 billion non recurring funding to simplify the franchise tax in Tennessee

Education

Public Education Investments

• More than $261 million to strengthen education through the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula growth, including teacher pay raises
• $30 million for summer learning programs to support students between school years
• $3.2 million dedicated to AP Access for All, which provides AP courses to students across rural and urban Tennessee
• $2.5 million to strengthen students’ reading and phonics skills
• $577,000 to ensure we train Tennessee teachers to be the best and brightest educators of Tennessee children
• $15 million to fund charter school facility improvements

Expanding Choices for Tennessee Parents

• $141.5 million to establish Education Freedom Scholarships to empower parents with the freedom to pick the right school for their child

Strong & Healthy Families

• $208 million over five years from TennCare shared savings to strengthen rural health by investing in apprenticeships and skilled training, greater access to specialty care and telemedicine, improved career pathways, hospital and physician practice grants, and a new Center of Excellence to sustain and expand rural health support.
• $100 million over five years from TennCare shared savings to strengthen mental health care by investing in community mental health centers and behavioral health hospitals, expanding substance abuse disorder treatment, intensive in-home supports, primary care training, early childhood training, and children’s hospital infrastructure. 
• $26.7 million investment in services for Tennesseans with disabilities

Safe Neighborhoods

• $17 million in funding for an additional 60 State Troopers and related support staff to improve public safety across the state
• $8 million to expand the school-based behavioral health liaison program to fund 114 liaisons, giving students across Tennessee schools important resources and mental health support
• $750,000 to fund Houses of Worship Security Grants
• Funding for a National Guard recruitment incentive package

Brighter Future

• $63 million to create four new Tennessee State Parks, with the goal of funding a total of eight new state parks by the time Gov. Lee leaves office, tying a Tennessee record for the most state parks created by one administration
• $20 million to expand blueway trail access, which will drive tourism and economic activity across our rural communities 
• $20 million to improve water quality at rivers, lakes and streams across the state, making them safe for future generations to enjoy and the Bill Dance Signature Lakes Fishing Trail
• $25 million to establish the Farmland Conservation Fund, partnering with farmers to place a conservation easement on their land to preserve and protect Tennessee for future generations
• $5 million to protect and enhance scenic beauty along our major highways
• $3 million for Access 2030 to make Tennessee State Parks accessible to Tennesseans with disabilities