News

 The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) is pleased to announce the findings of the inaugural report on Navigate Reconnect, Tennessee’s primary college coaching and advising program for adults over 25.

The study found that students who worked with a Navigate Reconnect coach, also known as “Navigators,” stayed in school or completed a technical certificate or degree at higher rates (11 percentage points) than those who did not work with a Navigator.

The program helps adult students, or “Reconnectors,” explore college options and navigate the application process. Free services include academic coaching and financial aid assistance, as well as access to local resources such as childcare and affordable transportation.

“An 11-percentage point difference is huge for Tennessee,” said Brett Gipson, Chief College Access Officer at THEC. “Every state in the nation is wrestling with how to support adult learners in their journey to reconnect with training that will enhance their careers, prepare for new jobs coming into their region, and build a brighter future for their families. Navigate Reconnect is an important tool in this fight.”

In partnership with Tennessee’s Department of Finance and Administration’s Office of Evidence and Impact and researchers from the Boyd Center for Business & Economic Research (BCBER) at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, THEC has begun to study the effects of Navigate Reconnect on postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion by adult learners.

Key Findings:

• Demographics of Reconnect Participants: Approximately two-thirds of Reconnectors were female, with an average age of 33 years old.  Reconnectors were more likely to be Non-White and come from lower-income households compared to the state average. Around 1 in 7 participants had previously received unemployment benefits, and more than half were the first in their family to attend college.
• Enrollment Outcomes: Between 33% and 43% of Reconnectors enrolled in college within one year of engaging with a Navigator. The number of new participants surged during Spring and Summer 2020, with this cohort showing higher enrollment rates than other groups. 
• Enrollment in Tennessee Institutions: Among Reconnectors who enrolled in Tennessee institutions, 87% chose community colleges, 6% enrolled in Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), and 7% enrolled in four-year universities.
• Higher Persistence and Completion Rates: Reconnectors exhibited significantly higher persistence rates compared to other nontraditional students. For example, 55% of Reconnectors who enrolled in community colleges were still enrolled or had attained a credential two years later, compared to just 44% of other nontraditional students. 
• Employment and Income Outcomes: Upon enrollment, 78% of Reconnectors were employed, a rate 13 percentage points higher than that of other nontraditional students.
• Broader Impact Across Demographics: The report also shows that persistence rates were higher among Reconnectors across a wide range of demographic groups, including gender, race/ethnicity, prior enrollment history, and income levels. This demonstrates that the Navigate Reconnect program has a broad and inclusive impact, supporting a diverse range of adult learners.

“High school students have guidance counselors, and college students have advisers. But what about people in between?” stated Dr. Celeste Carruthers, Fox Distinguished Professor at BCBER and author of the report. “It’s challenging to think about going to college when you’ve been out of school for a while and you’re juggling family and work. That’s the population that Navigate Reconnect serves. We’re studying Navigate Reconnect because there aren’t many programs like this out there, and we want to understand more about how they work.”

Tennessee was the first state to implement these services on a statewide scale for adults.

“I witness daily how our Reconnect Navigators are looking out for adult college students: helping them find solutions, offering information and guidance, and providing encouragement and support,” said Jessica Gibson, THEC Senior Director of Adult Learner Initiatives. “We personally know their stories, their struggles, and their successes. We know how impactful our Navigators are with adult students’ trajectories and this report backs that up.”

THEC is committed to expanding the accessibility of higher education opportunities for adult students and continues to create and spotlight programs that address the specific needs of nontraditional learners.

For more information on Navigate Reconnect, please visit tnreconnect.gov.

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH 6AM SATURDAY MORNING

The National Weather Service is predicting heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 7 inches with locally higher amounts possible for all of Middle Tennessee.

The period begins Friday morning at 3:00am and continues through Saturday morning at 6:00am. Plan on slippery roads and difficult travel conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, water, and warm clothes in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

From the County Court to the basketball court, announcements are being released…

Cannon County Circuit Court Clerk Katinia Foster George is asking, if you know anyone that received a summons to appear for Jury Service on Friday, January 10, 2025. The Clerk’s office has announced today’s court session has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 30th at 12:30pm.

The Cannon County Safe Baby Court Implementation Training scheduled for today will be held, however the Friday session has been rescheduled for February 4th due to inclement weather forecast.

The location for the training is Experience Community Church at 209 Murfreesboro Road in Woodbury. Hours are from 8:30am until 4:00pm.

Cannon County Executive Greg Mitchell has announced that Cannon County government offices will be closed Friday, January 10th and Saturday, January 11th. This will include the Cannon County Health Department and the County Convenience Center.

The governor has announced due to the hazardous weather conditions all state offices are closed today.

Cannon County Schools will be closed Friday and the basketball games with Forrest scheduled for Friday night have been rescheduled to January 21st.

State Representative Michael Hale has introduced a bill which would allow local schools and public charter schools to display the Ten Commandments on school property.

Hale is the sponsor of HB0047 which was filed last month. Under the bill, schools will be able to display the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution of Tennessee, the Bill of Rights, or other “historically significant documents.”

The bill allows schools to place the display in a “prominent location” in each school building to “educate students on the historical significance and common cultural heritage the documents have on the principles of the LEA or public charter school, this state, or the United States of America.”

Schools will have access to printed versions to be made available -if not already available- to them free of charge and each school will decide the size and placement of the display.

Representative Hale’s bill states as follows:

Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 20, is amended by adding the following as a new section:

(a) Local boards of education and governing bodies of public charter schools, as defined in § 49-13-104, may allow schools in the LEA and public charter schools to display the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Constitution of Tennessee, the Bill of Rights, a resolution honoring the history of a school in the LEA or the public charter school, or other historically significant documents in a prominent location in each school building in order to educate students on the historical significance and common cultural heritage the documents have on the principles of the LEA or public charter school, this state, or the United States of America.

(b) LEAs and public charter schools are encouraged to display the historical documents using wall posters or other hard copy, printed versions that are made available to the LEAs or public charter schools free of charge.

(c) Each local board of education and each governing body of a public charter school shall determine the size and placement of the display authorized in subsection (a).

(d) As used in subsection (a), “prominent location” means a school entryway, cafeteria, or common area where students are likely to see the display. SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

Media Partner: WJLE

Cannon County Schools will be CLOSED on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, due to hazardous conditions on several roads.
Director of Cannon County Schools, Ms. Bonnie Patterson, stated, “Cannon County Schools will be CLOSED on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, due to hazardous conditions on several roads in our county which affect multiple bus routes. Unfortunately, cold temperatures overnight will not allow for the conditions to improve before the start of the school day, The decision to close schools is not an easy one. However, the safety of our students will always come first.”

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security marked a year of significant achievements in 2024, reinforcing its commitment to protecting and serving Tennesseans. From hiring and training over 150 State Troopers to advancing school safety initiatives and enhancing first responder communication systems, the department’s efforts directly contributed to making Tennessee a safer place to live, work, and thrive.

“We’re working each day to make Tennessee a safer place to work, live and visit,” said Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long. “Whether it’s reducing fatal crashes, protecting our schools, or improving customer service, we’re delivering tangible results that make a real difference in the lives of Tennesseans. I’m proud of our team’s efforts and look forward to building on this momentum in 2025.”

Key Departmental Highlights:

Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP)

• Hired and trained over 150 new State Troopers, boosting law enforcement presence on Tennessee roadways.
• Dedicated over 20,000 hours to Hurricane Helene disaster response, working alongside Homeland Security agents and Driver Services personnel to assist impacted communities, which is still ongoing.
• Charged more than 950 drug-related arrests, with 29% involving methamphetamine and fentanyl.
• Reduced fatal crashes compared to 2023, with final statistics pending.
• Engaged in nearly 900 community events, fostering stronger connections with residents.
• Removed over 300 illegally possessed firearms and recovered more than 80 stolen firearms from Tennessee streets.

Colonel Matt Perry of the Tennessee Highway Patrol: “Every day, our troopers work to make Tennessee’s roads safer and remove dangerous substances and weapons from our communities. Their commitment saves lives and ensures a safer environment for everyone.”

Office of Homeland Security (OHS)·        

• Trained 63 new special agents, fulfilling Governor Bill Lee’s goal of strengthening school safety statewide and assigning special agents to work with schools in all 95 Tennessee counties.
• Awarded $5.7 million in federal grants for security infrastructure projects.
• Provided state grants to fund School Resource Officers (SROs) in every public and charter school in Tennessee.
• Allocated $750,000 for security upgrades at Tennessee houses of worship.

Special Agent Greg Mays, Deputy Commissioner and Director of the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security: “By investing in school safety and community security, we’ve taken meaningful steps to protect Tennesseans where they live, learn, and worship. These initiatives build a foundation for stronger, more resilient communities.”

Driver Services·        

• Issued 2.6 million REAL IDs and served 1.7 million customers statewide.
• Deployed 287 self-service kiosks with enhanced features, including modern payment options like Apple Pay, and added photo capture capabilities.
• Launched improved driver licenses and IDs with advanced security designs.     
• Expanded online services, streamlining processes for reinstatements and accident claims.
• Created the Quality Assurance Division to combat fraud and ensure operational integrity.
• Established a Customer Service Division to enhance engagement using advanced analytics.

Les Dolente, Chief of Staff of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security: “Modernizing our systems and prioritizing convenience have transformed how Tennesseans interact with Driver Services. Our advancements reflect a commitment to efficiency and reliability for every customer.”

Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN)

• Provided critical communication support during Hurricane Helene, ensuring seamless coordination among first responders.
• Welcomed 15 new partner agencies, enhancing interoperability and collaboration across Tennessee.

Jeff Gray, Director of the Tennessee Advanced Communications Network: “Effective communication is the backbone of emergency response. Expanding TACN’s reach ensures first responders have the tools they need to protect lives during both daily operations and crises.”

Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO)

• Awarded 373 grants to 326 agencies to support highway safety initiatives.
• Trained nearly 3,000 individuals through 134 safety classes.
• Increased seat belt usage to a record-high 92.2%.
• Expanded outreach efforts, including programs for aging drivers and child passenger safety events.

Buddy Lewis, Director of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office: “Our mission is to make Tennessee’s roadways safer for everyone. By prioritizing education, awareness, and enforcement, we’re saving lives and building a culture of safety.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, aimed at helping specialty crop producers expand markets and manage higher costs, is now accepting applications through Jan. 8, 2025.

To be eligible for MASC, a producer must be in business at the time of application, maintain an ownership share and share in the risk of producing a specialty crop that will be sold in calendar year 2025. MASC covers the following commercially marketedspecialty crops:

• Fruits (fresh, dried);

• Vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms, and vegetable seed);

• Tree nuts;

• Nursery crops, Christmas trees, and floriculture;

• Culinary and medicinal herbs and spices; and

• Honey, hops, maple sap, tea, turfgrass and grass seed.

Eligible established specialty crop producers can apply for MASC benefits by completing the FSA-1140, Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program Application, and submitting the form to any FSA county office by Jan. 8, 2025.When applying, eligible specialty crop producers must certify their specialty crop sales for calendar year 2023 or 2024. New specialty crop producers are required to certify 2025 expected sales, submit an FSA-1141 application and provide certain documentation to support reported sales i.e., receipts, contracts, acreage reports, input receipts, etc.

For MASC program participation, eligible specialty crop sales only include sales of commercially marketed raw specialty crops grown in the United States by the producer. The portion of sales derived from adding value to a specialty crop (such as sorting, processing, or packaging) is not included when determining eligible sales.

For established specialty crop growers, FSA will calculate MASC payments based on the producer’s total specialty crop sales for the calendar year elected by the producer. Payments for new producers will be based on their expected 2025 calendar year sales.

FSA will issue MASC payments after the end of the application period. If demand for MASC payments exceeds available funding, MASC payments may be prorated, and the payment limitation of $125,000 may be lowered. If additional funding is available after MASC payments are issued, FSA may issue an additional payment.

AAA is working to help stranded motorists while also keeping impaired drivers off the road this holiday season. The Auto Club Group has activated its Tow to Go program in Tennessee.

“If you’re faced with the decision of driving impaired, put down those keys and pick up the phone to call Tow to Go,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “AAA will then send a truck to take you and your vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius.” 

It’s important to note, AAA service technicians expect to respond to calls from more than 860,000 drivers with car trouble during the holidays. So, treat Tow to Go as a last resort. Plan for a safe ride home by identifying a designated driver or ride sharing service before you party. 

• Tow to Go is active from until 6 a.m. Thursday, January 2nd.
• For service, call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246.

The Auto Club Group has provided the Tow to Go program for more than 25 years. Since its inception, Tow to Go has removed more than 30,000 impaired drivers from the roadway.

‘Tow to Go’ Guidelines

• Free and available to AAA members and non-members.
• Confidential local ride for one person and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius.
• Appointments cannot be scheduled in advance to use Tow to Go. It is designed as a safety net for those that did not plan ahead. Always choose a designated driver before celebrating.
• In some situations, AAA may need to make other arrangements to get an impaired individual a safe ride home.
• Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) announced that 91 of Tennessee’s 95 counties reported unemployment rates of less than 5% for November, with unemployment rates decreasing in 17 counties including Cannon County..

Moore and Williamson counties recorded the state’s lowest unemployment rates for November at 2.6%. Those counties also reported rates of 2.6% in October.

Sevier County had the state’s next-lowest unemployment rate for the month. At 2.7%, the rate was one-tenth of a percentage point higher than in October.

The unemployment rate for Cannon County improved by one tenth of a percentage point moving to 3.3 percent in November from 3.4 percent in October.  Cannon’s work force of 7,066 persons reflects 6,834 persons employed.  For November 232 persons in the county are looking for work.

Unicoi County in Northeast Tennessee recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate for November at 6%. That was a two-tenths of a percentage point increase over its October rate of 5.8%.

Bledsoe County followed with a rate for November at 5.4%. Bledsoe’s rate in October was 5.1%.

McNairy County reported the third-highest rate for the month at 5.3%, an uptick of one-tenth of a percentage point over its October rate.

The unemployment rate in Weakley County — which reported the highest rate in Tennessee in October — dropped 2 full percentage points in November to 3.9%.

Unemployment rates remained the same in 30 counties, while rates in 48 counties increased from October to November.

Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5% in November. That rate was up two-tenths of a percentage point over the previous month but is still seven-tenths of a percentage point below the national rate of 4.2%.

Unlike the statewide rate, county rates are not adjusted to account for seasonal impacts on employment.

TDLWD has compiled an analysis of county unemployment data. That report is available here.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) is proud to announce that 5,477 acres in Fayette County will become the state’s 16^th state forest. The property, which will be named Wolf River State Forest, will open to visitors in 2025.

“We are thrilled to add Wolf River State Forest to our state forest system and are grateful for the support and partnerships that made this acquisition possible,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “This property holds great historical, cultural, and archeological significance, as well as long-term forest research plots, and exceptional hardwood forestland. Under our management, we will keep this forest as a forest, conserve and steward its extensive natural and cultural resources, facilitate the continuation of research and conservation education at the site, and support the local wood products industry.”

TDF is currently surveying the property, installing signage, and preparing to welcome the public to the new state forest early next year with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The land, which is located along the Wolf River, is a portion of the historical Ames Plantation, a property located about 60 miles east of Memphis. It was established by Hobart Ames, a wealthy industrialist, in the early 1900s. After he passed, his wife created the Hobart Ames Foundation to benefit the University of Tennessee’s (UT) scientific research programs and the National Championship for Bird Dogs.

The portion of Ames Plantation that will become Wolf River State Forest includes one of the finest examples of bottomland hardwood forests in the state, including white oak stands that provide significant aid to white oak restoration and sustainability efforts. TDF will also conserve more than 30 miles of streams and riparian habitat and 1,560 acres of wetlands in the new state forest, helping to ensure water quality for Memphis drinking water, fisheries, and others downstream.

In addition to the natural resources on the forest, the tract contains 45 state-registered historical sites. Rhodes College and the Hobart Ames Foundation have invested in expanding historical knowledge of slavery at Ames, identifying more than 800 enslaved people who lived and worked on the property and documenting their cemeteries and remnants of dwellings. Rhodes College, UT, and the Hobart Ames Foundation will continue to collaborate with those descendants to identify enslaved ancestors.

Finally, the new state forest will provide new public access for passive outdoor recreation activities in the area like hunting, wildlife viewing, hiking, and fishing.

TDF advanced this project in partnership with The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit organization that works to protect natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas, and working forests and farms across the United States. The Conservation Fund has partnered with TDF and numerous other state agencies over the years to protect more than 300,000 acres of Tennessee’s land and water.

“We are pleased we were able to facilitate the acquisition of the Ames property and work with the state to permanently protect it,” The Conservation Fund’s Tennessee State Director Zachary Lesch-Huie said. “The property has tremendous environmental, economic, scientific, and cultural value. Protecting it as a state forest will ensure it keeps delivering that value for the people of West Tennessee.”

Funding for the purchase was made possible with grant funds from the USDA Forest Service Forest Legacy Program (FLP), supported by Tennessee’s federal Congressional delegation. Matching funds were provided from TWRA’s Wetlands Funds, the Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund, The Conservation Fund, and the seller. FLP is a working forest conservation program administered by the USDA Forest Service in partnership with TDF to protect privately-owned forest lands from conversion to non-forest uses through conservation easements or land purchases. With the acquisition of the Wolf River State Forest, the area conserved under the Tennessee FLP is close to 60,000 acres.

Tennesseans are expected to travel in near-record numbers for the year-end holiday period (from Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1). AAA predicts 2.7 million Tennesseans will travel 50 miles or more from home. That’s over 62,000 more travelers than last year and 62,000 travelers shy of the record high, set in 2019.

Nationwide, AAA expects 3 million more travelers than last year.  An estimated, 119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more. This narrowly surpasses the previous record set in 2019 by 64,000 travelers.

“Travelers should expect the roads, airports and cruise terminals to be more crowded than normal,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “So, finalize your travel plans now and give yourself extra time to get to your destination. We also suggest travel insurance, which provides assistance in the event winter weather or something unexpected interferes with your plans.”

Factors influencing this year’s travel forecast:

• Travel volume is being driven by consumer spending as inflation continues to moderate.
• Strong employment continues to drive rising wages and with inflation leveling off, consumers are expected to spend nearly 5% more than last year as incomes rise at a similar level.
• Economic growth continues to remain steady, with Q4 real GDP growth expected at 2.0% in Q4 compared to last year.

Tennessee Year-End Holiday Travelers
	Total	Auto	Air	Other
2024	2.77 million	2.58 million	75,373	117,875
2023	2.71 million	2.52 million	72,168	110,798
2022	2.63 million	2.46 million	71,231	98,170

National Year-End Holiday Travelers
	Total	Auto	Air	Other
2024	119 million	107 million	7.85 million	4.5 million
2023	116 million	104.5 million	7.5 million	4.1 million
2022	112 million	101.5 million	7.2 million	3.6 million

Year-End Travelers by Mode

By Car:  AAA expects 2.5 million more people on the roads this year. Nationwide, an estimated 107 million will take a road trip of 50 miles or more. That’s just shy of the record of 108 million road travelers – set in 2019.

Road travel is expected to be the second-highest on record in Tennessee. More than 2.5 million Tennesseans are forecast to take a road trip. That’s 52,000 more Tennessee road trippers than last year. 93% of holiday travelers will drive to their destinations, making it the most popular way to travel.

“Many travelers, particularly families with young children, prefer the flexibility and lower cost that road trips provide,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas demand in December goes down as the weather gets colder, more people work remotely, and holiday shoppers purchase their gifts online versus in person.”

Gas prices are expected to be cheaper than last year’s levels. During the last two weeks of 2023, Tennessee gas prices averaged $2.78 per gallon. During that time, the state average ranged from $2.75 per gallon to a high of $2.82/g. Currently, Tennessee drivers are currently paying $2.65 per gallon. To view updated national, state, and metro area gas price averages, visit GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA car rental partner Hertz says Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, Phoenix, and Tampa are the cities displaying the highest rental demand for the holidays. The busiest car pick-up days are expected to be Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21. The busiest time for rental returns is expected to be the weekend and Monday after Christmas. The average length of rental is one week.

By Air: Nationally,AAA expects air travel to set a new record this holiday season. Nearly 7.9 million Americans are forecast to take at least one domestic flight. That number surpasses the previous record of 7.5 million air travelers last year. AAA booking data shows flights are 4% more expensive this holiday season compared to last year. The average domestic ticket is $830. International flights are 13% more expensive, averaging $1,630 a ticket.

By Other Modes: The number of Americans traveling by bus, train, and cruise this holiday season is up nearly 10% compared to last year. AAA expects 4.47 million people will travel by other modes. That number is the highest it’s been in 20 years. Cruise bookings out of domestic ports are up 37% compared to last holiday season. Cruising is popular this time of year as many families enjoy celebrating the holidays aboard a ship full of activities and food.

AAA’s Road Trip Safety Tips

With an additional 2.5 million travelers expected on the roads, AAA urges drivers to prioritize safety with the following tips:

Follow Posted Speed Limits: While it’s tempting to speed to save time, the facts don’t support it. Even minor increases in speed can make crashes deadly.

• Driving 80 mph instead of 75 mph over 100 miles saves only 5 minutes, hardly worth the risk.
• Speeding may feel faster but often leads to tragedy.

Drive Only When Alert and Refreshed: Driving on 4-5 hours of sleep is as dangerous as driving with a 0.08 BAC (legal intoxication). Less than 4 hours of sleep? The risk doubles.

• Travel during hours you’re normally awake and avoid overnight drives.
• Steer clear of heavy meals, drowsy medications, and alcohol.
• For long trips, take breaks every 2 hours or 100 miles. Use these breaks to switch drivers if possible, or park at a safe location and nap for 20-30 minutes to recharge.

Slow Down, Move Over: A roadside worker is killed every other week in the U.S. To help prevent these tragedies, AAA asks drivers to Slow Down, Move Over.

• When you see an emergency responder on the side of the road assisting a stranded driver, reduce your speed.
• If possible, change lanes to give those crews room to do their jobs safely.
• All 50 states and the District of Columbia have Move Over laws in place.