News

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long and Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Matt Perry welcomed the newest graduating classes of Tennessee State Troopers. Cannon County Sheriff Darrell Young congratulates Deputy Cheyenne Byford on her graduation from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy at the same ceremony.  The department simultaneously instructed a regular 17-week trooper cadet class and an 11-week lateral trooper cadet class.

“It was our honor to celebrate the hard work and perseverance of these two cadet classes today,” said Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long. “These graduates have earned the privilege to serve the people of Tennessee in one of the most well-respected law enforcement agencies in the nation. I commend each of them for their willingness to protect and serve our great state.”

Deputy Byford has been working for the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department in corrections for about 5 years. The department reports they are proud to now have her on the road as a Deputy after a long 12 weeks of training.

Photo: Cannon County Sheriff’s Department

NOTICE OF INTENT TO EXCEED CERTIFIED TAX RATE

The County of Cannon will conduct a public hearing on June 29, 2023 at 6:00, on the County’s intent to exceed the certified property tax rate. This public hearing will be held at Courtroom of the Cannon County Courthouse.

Tennessee gas prices held relatively steady over last week, moving only a penny more expensive, on average. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.15 which is three cents more expensive than one month ago but $1.45 less than one year ago.  

“While parts of the country are still experiencing big swings at the pump, the movement in pump prices here in Tennessee is relatively stable for now,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The start of summer is nearly here and it’s likely that increased fuel demand will contribute to continued volatility in pump prices over the next few months. The good news is that even with expected volatility in pricing, drivers are finding pump prices far lower than last year.”

Quick Facts

• 20% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.00 
• The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.91 for regular unleaded 
• The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.48 for regular unleaded
• Tennessee is the 7th least expensive market in the nation 

National Gas Prices

Lackluster demand and low oil costs are keeping gas prices relatively stable.  The national average for a gallon of gas fell two cents since last week to $3.57, that’s $1.41 less than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand decreased slightly from 9.22 to 9.19 million b/d last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 2.1 million bbl to 220.9 million bbl. Lower gas demand amid increasing supply has helped to limit pump price increases. If demand remains tepid, pump prices will likely fluctuate moderately through next week.

Today’s national average of $3.57 is three cents more than a month ago but $1.41 less than a year ago.

National Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI decreased by $1.15 to settle at $68.27. Oil prices declined last week due to market concerns about the U.S. Federal Reserve resuming interest rate increases, which could tip the economy into a recession. If a recession occurs, oil demand and prices will likely decline. Additionally, the EIA reported that total domestic commercial crude inventories increased significantly by 7.9 million bbl to 467.1 million bbl last week.

Drivers can find current gas prices along their route using the AAA TripTik Travel planner.

Tennessee Regional Prices 

• Most expensive metro markets – Nashville ($3.24), Cleveland ($3.20), Jackson ($3.17) 
• Least expensive metro markets – Kingsport ($3.07), Chattanooga ($3.10), Knoxville ($3.11) 

U.S. Rep. John Rose (TN-06) introduced the Protecting Consumers from Abusive Mortgage Leads Act, which would ban trigger leads except in limited circumstances.

Trigger leads occur when a consumer applies for a mortgage, and the inquiry to credit by the lender is a trigger that notifies the credit bureau that the consumer is interested in applying for financing. Trigger leads are 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 the third party certifies to the consumer reporting agency that the third party has a current relationship with the consumer. 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.”

“Representative Rose’s legislation would ensure Tennessean’s right to privacy by preventing credit bureaus from selling their information when a credit report is pulled. It is not unusual for bank customers to receive 50+ misleading texts, phone calls and emails within the first 24 hours of applying for a mortgage,” said Colin Barrett, President and CEO of the Tennessee Bankers Association.

“The Mortgage Bankers Association commends Representative John Rose for introducing this legislation. This important legislation will protect consumers by curbing the inappropriate use of credit trigger leads, while simultaneously preserving existing real estate customer relationships. This bill will severely curtail bad actors from inundating unsuspecting consumers with phone calls from companies with whom they have no prior relationship simply because they have applied for a home loan.  The bill permits the use of trigger leads only by those with a current customer relationship, and when the consumer has opted in to receive calls from other companies. We urge Congress to quickly consider this legislation that will stop the unwanted harassment of consumers and maintain an efficiently functioning mortgage market,” said Bill Killmer, Executive Vice President Legislative and Political Affairs for the Mortgage Bankers Association. Read the full text of the Protecting Consumers from Abusive Mortgage Leads Act here.

Today, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security welcomed Cannon County to the Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN). Cannon County’s decision to join TACN provides first responders the ability to have additional coverage to talk on the radio with surrounding state communication towers during major events and disasters.

TACN is a statewide radio system that provides communication connectivity infrastructure for local, state, and federal first responders. With TACN, first responders, including law enforcement, fire, EMS, and healthcare providers, have reliable communications capabilities for daily operations and the ability to talk and coordinate with each other across Tennessee.

“I am proud and excited to welcome Cannon County into TACN,” said Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long. “Cannon County’s communication and interoperability will drastically improve, and as a result, lives will be saved. Communication is key to a swift response from first responders, whether it be natural disasters, vehicle crashes, or crimes against individuals. I commend Cannon County’s leaders for investing in this crucial communication infrastructure network.”

“Cannon County Public Safety has worked together to continue to move forward and provide cost-saving and reliable communications to better serve the citizens of Cannon County and keep our first responders safe by migrating to the TACN network,” said Cannon County Emergency Management Agency Director Roy Sullivan. 

Currently, TACN supports 58,000 local, state, and federal government users statewide. In the last year alone, over 30 additional agencies have made the decision to join TACN to experience the statewide communications interoperability and the cost savings it delivers.

Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate held steady at 3.3% in May, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). That number is unchanged from the state’s unemployment rate in April. While the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate did not change in the month-to-month comparison, it was just 0.1 of a percentage point higher than the May 2022 rate of 3.2%, which is the state’s all-time lowest jobless number.   The latest statistics show Tennessee employers added 2,700 jobs between April and May. The largest increases occurred in the health care and social assistance sector. The next largest increase was in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector, followed by the local government sector.   When comparing May 2022 to May 2023, nonfarm employment across the state increased by 75,000 jobs. The education and health services sector created the most jobs during that time. The leisure and hospitality sector created the second-largest number of jobs, followed by the government sector.   Seasonally adjusted unemployment increased nationally in May to 3.7%, up 0.3 of a percentage point from the previous month’s rate. In the year-to-year comparison, the United States unemployment rate is up 0.1 of a percentage point from the May 2022 statistic.

TDLWD produces a complete analysis of the state’s unemployment data, including labor force estimates, which are available here.   Job seekers in Tennessee can find more than 300,000 open positions employers need to fill on the state’s workforce development website, Jobs4TN.gov.   The Tennessee Virtual American Job Center (VAJC) allows Tennesseans to research different programs that can help them remove barriers to employment so they can more easily reenter Tennessee’s workforce. The VAJC allows job seekers to do this on their schedule, anytime, anywhere.

Once again, Manchester, Tennessee will host the annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, which is one of the most popular live music events in the country. Since 2002, the event has featured a diverse assortment of performers on a 700-acre Middle Tennessee farm that becomes the temporary home for thousands from across the country. Over 65,000 people are expected to attend this year’s festival, which runs from Thursday, June 15, 2023, through Sunday, June 18, 2023.

The area in and around Manchester always sees increased traffic volumes during this time. And the Tennessee Department of Transportation is gearing up for the extra traffic. TDOT works closely with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Manchester Police Department, Manchester Fire and Rescue, Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, Coffee County EMA, and festival promoters to keep traffic moving on I-24 while also getting Bonnaroo attendees to their destination.

“TDOT has once again coordinated with our agency partners to ensure safe and efficient travel during the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival,” says TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “The main objective is to keep thru traffic moving smoothly on I-24 while getting festivalgoers safely into and out of the Bonnaroo site. Because of this advance planning, we believe we can successfully minimize traffic delays throughout the weekend.”

TDOT HELP units will assist with traffic management during the festival and aid any motorists who require assistance. In addition, TDOT will be taking the following steps:

• Efforts will be concentrated on keeping I-24 traffic flowing.
• HELP trucks will be on-site patrolling the interstate and state routes throughout the festival region.
• Exit 111 (SR-55) will be used as the main festival exit. Alternate exits will be used if congestion occurs on the interstate.
• TDOT maintenance units will be posted throughout the festival region, and maintenance personnel will be on call all weekend.
• Variable message signs will be in place to warn drivers ahead of delays.
• No construction-related lane closures on I-24 near the festival between 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, through 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 19, 2023.
• Median crossovers will be guarded to prevent motorists from parking in the crossovers and blocking emergency vehicles.
• Festival traffic will be kept in the right lane and/or on the shoulder of the interstate, allowing through traffic to utilize the left travel lane unimpeded.
• Emergency vehicles will use county roads that will be kept at low volume.
• Temporary communication towers will be in place to improve emergency communications.

If drivers need the assistance of a state trooper while traveling anywhere in Tennessee, they can dial *THP (*847) from their cell phone. They will be automatically connected to the nearest THP dispatch office and the operator will send a state trooper to their location.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and “Know Before You Go!” by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

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Today, the Tennessee Department of Education released district-level data on the TCAP retake opportunity, one of the pathways to promotion for third grade students who may benefit from extra learning supports. The data, accessible here, includes district-level percentages of third grade students who were eligible to take the retake, who participated in the TCAP retake, and who improved their performance on the TCAP retake, benefitting from participating in this pathway to promotion to fourth grade in the upcoming school year.

“The TCAP retake assessment pathway provides an important opportunity for third grade students identified for potential retention to be able to retest to move directly to fourth grade, and we are proud of students who participated in the retake for exploring this pathway,”said Interim Commissioner Sam Pearcy. “The work and dedication of schools, districts, educators and families across the state made this opportunity possible for our students, and we are glad to see such strong participation in the first year of implementing this law.”

Third grade students scoring “approaching” or “below” on the ELA portion of the 2023 spring TCAP assessment have multiple pathways to fourth grade promotion, including the TCAP retake opportunity, free summer camp and/or tutoring in the upcoming school year. Students who participated in the retake opportunity and did not score proficiently are able to participate in other pathways to promotion to fourth grade, including summer camp and/or tutoring in the upcoming school year.

Legislation proposed this year by Governor Bill Lee and passed by the Tennessee General Assembly expanded summer camp opportunities to more students, including rising kindergarten through rising ninth grade students, providing additional learning supports to more grades and meeting the participation requirements for promotion to fourth grade for eligible third grade students.

The statewide window for the TCAP retake administration was May 22^nd through June 5^th, though local school districts selected their specific assessment schedule to administer the TCAP retake within the window.

On Tuesday, May 30^th, the Parent Appeals Form opened, and it will close on June 30^th. If a 3rd grade student scored “approaching” on the ELA portion of the TCAP or the TCAP retake, the parent may also submit an appeal to the Tennessee Department of Education within 14 days of receiving the retention decision from their student’s school, documenting their growth on an approved Universal Reading Screener, or outlining an event that impacted the student’s ability to perform well on an assessment.

On Wednesday, May 24^th, the department released district-level 2023 TCAP performance averages for 3rd grade English Language Arts (ELA). Access the 2023 TCAP ELA average scores for each district here.

Additionally, on Monday, May 22^nd, the department released statewide averages for third grade TCAP ELA scores ahead of previous years’ timelines, highlighting historic gains in third grade reading after the launch of a new, comprehensive K-3 literacy strategy for Tennessee public schools.

On Friday, May 19th, individual student ELA scores for third graders were shared with Tennessee school districts, which are responsible for communicating with families about their student’s score and pathways to fourth grade promotion, including the TCAP retake opportunity, parent appeal free summer camp and/or tutoring in the upcoming school year.

Families can find critical timeline information posted on the department’s website and should coordinate with their student’s school to ensure they can make informed decisions about their student’s education. The annual, full TCAP release, including all grades and subjects for state-level and district-level results, will be released in separate announcements later this summer.

For additional information about Tennessee’s third grade acceleration strategy, visit https://www.tn.gov/education/learning-acceleration. For more information on Reading360, visit https://www.tn.gov/education/reading-360.html.

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and a dangerous time of year for young drivers. Nationwide, more than 30 percent of deaths involving teen drivers occur during what’s called the “100 Deadliest Days” – a period that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

“Summer is historically a dangerous time for teen drivers,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Now that school is out, teens will spend more time on the road, often driving with friends at odd hours of the day and night. Because of their inexperience, teens are more susceptible to dangerous driving behaviors – like speeding, driving distracted, and not wearing a safety belt. AAA urges parents to model safe driving behavior and reinforce safe driving habits with their teen drivers to help keep them safe this summer.”

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens ages 16-19. For every mile driven, new teen drivers (ages 16 – 17) are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults.

National Teen Driver Statistics:

• An average of 2,108 teens are involved in deadly crashes, every year.
  • 660 (31%) of those occur during the 100 Deadliest Days.
• These crashes result in an average of 2,341 deaths per year.
  • 732 of those fatalities occur during the 100 Deadliest Days.

In Tennessee:

• On average, 66 teen drivers are involved in fatal crashes, each year.
  • 19 (29%) of those occur during the 100 Deadliest Days.
• These crashes result in an average of 72 deaths per year.
  • 20 (28%) of those fatalities occur during the 100 Deadliest Days.

Common Risk Factors for Teen Drivers

Understanding the risks and knowing the facts will prepare both you and your teen for the road ahead:

• Distracted driving. Distraction plays a role in nearly six out of ten teen crashes. Electronics like cell phones and in-vehicle infotainment systems are considered the second-biggest distraction to teen drivers. The biggest distractions are teen passengers.
• Driving with teen passengers. Research shows that the risk of a fatal crash increases in direct relation to the number of teenagers in a car (NHTSA). Having other passengers in the car can contribute to peer pressure and the impulse to engage in dangerous habits like speeding and aggressive driving.
• Speeding. Speeding is a factor in nearly 30 percent of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.
• Not wearing a safety belt. Teens who buckle up significantly reduce their risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash.

AAA’s Advice for Parents

“The single most important thing parents can do to help their teens become safe drivers is to be involved in their ‘learning to drive’ process,” said Rachel Wilson, Director of Driver Education Programs, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Spend time coaching your teen while they’re behind the wheel and have a serious discussion about safety. While parents can be a great teacher, it also helps to seek out professional training courses, like those provided by AAA.”

• Lead by example. Minimize risky behavior when you drive. Don’t drive aggressively, avoid distractions, and always wear your seatbelt. Your driving skills and judgement behind the wheel shape your child’s view of safe driving habits, even before they’re old enough to drive. Make safe driving a priority in your own life.
• Conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving. Let your teen drive in a variety of conditions including inclement weather, busy interstates, and at night. This will help them become a more confident driver in imperfect situations.
• Teach defensive driving skills. Help your teen anticipate potential risks by constantly scanning the road for hazards. Then share advice for how to safely avoid them. 
• Establish a parent-teen driving agreement which sets family rules like when the teen can drive, where they can go and with who. Then clearly outline the consequences for breaking the rules and rewards for driving safe.

Online Driving Course

AAA’s How to Drive Online provides a solid foundation of the knowledge and skills necessary to reduce a teen’s risk behind the wheel. This supplemental program is an online, 25-hour course that features:

• Convenient, self-paced delivery
• Research-based curriculum
• Videos, simulations, and interactive exercises to enhance content retention
• Optional virtual parent session to help educate parents on the learning to drive process

Behind the Wheel Driving Courses

The AAA Approved Driving School Network helps identify the best driver training resources in your local community. These schools have passed AAA’s stringent standards and offer quality curriculum as well as the best value for students.

To learn more, email DriverTraining2@acg.aaa.com or call (888) 222-7108.

The Tennessee Department of Education released district-level TCAP average scores for third grade ELA from the spring 2023 TCAP administration. Access the 2023 TCAP ELA average scores for each district here. 

On Monday, May 22^nd, the department released statewide averages for third grade TCAP ELA scores ahead of previous years’ timelines, highlighting historic gains in third grade reading after the launch of a new, comprehensive K-3 literacy strategy for Tennessee public schools. The department also shared multiple pathways to support student promotion to fourth grade.  

“Providing districts, schools, and families with data about how their students are performing is essential,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “I appreciate the dedication and ongoing efforts of Tennessee districts and schools as they work with families to help them choose the best pathway for their children and their future success.” 

On Friday, May 19^th, individual student ELA scores for third graders were shared with Tennessee school districts, which are responsible for communicating with families about their student’s score and pathways to fourth grade promotion, including the TCAP retake opportunity, parent appeal free summer camp and/or tutoring in the upcoming school year.  

Third grade students who scored “below” or “approaching” are eligible and will be prioritized for these supports, although some students may meet certain exceptions outlined in the law. 

Thanks to legislation passed by Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly, the grades eligible for all summer learning camps has been expanded to rising kindergarten through 9th grade students, which are meant to support students who will benefit from additional learning supports and meet the participation requirements for promotion to fourth grade. In the coming weeks, districts and schools will work with families to determine the best pathway for their student.  

Families of students scoring “approaching” on the TCAP or TCAP retest also have the option to request an appeal of a local retention decision on behalf of their third grade student. The form to submit an appeal for the department’s consideration will be on this webpage and opens May 30, 2023 and closes June 30, 2023. 

Families can find critical timeline information posted on the department’s website and should coordinate with their student’s school to ensure they can make informed decisions about their student’s education. The annual, full TCAP release, including all grades and subjects for state-level and district-level results, will be released in separate announcements later this summer. 

“We are disappointed with our results from the Third (3^rd) Grade English-Language Arts TCAP Exams, but know that this is a process for our students and not an end result,” said William Freddy Curtis, Director, Cannon County Schools.  “This is not an indicator of the total academic progress that our children have made, and is nothing more than a ‘snapshot’ of students on a particular day, and our sample size (117 students) is much smaller than other school districts. Our Summer Program will begin the first week of June and will address these issues in major ways. I appreciate the work of ALL of our Teachers and the motivation and skill set of our students. We will continue the work with high quality instructional materials and assessments to monitor the progress of our learners, while working with our parents/guardians to see increased success with all of our students.”   

District Name: Cannon County Schools                

Percentage Below =             33.33%

Percentage Approaching =   38.74%

Percentage Meets  =             26.13%

% Exceeds  =                           1.8 %

Total Proficiency %  =           27.93%

For additional information about Tennessee’s third grade acceleration strategy, visit https://www.tn.gov/education/learning-acceleration. For more information on Reading360, visit https://www.tn.gov/education/reading-360.html.