Governor Bill Lee is calling on organizations across the state to donate summer camp spots for Tennessee kids in foster care during National Foster Care Month.

“Earlier this month, Secretary of State Tre Hargett was one of the first to offer free spots for kids in foster care at the Tennessee State Library & Archives summer camp,” said Lee. “We thank Secretary Hargett for his generosity and welcome support from organizations across Tennessee.”

Organizations willing to donate a summer camp experience to kids in foster care should apply here.

Tennessee foster families who are interested in donated spaces should submit information here.

Additionally, during the month of May, more than 100 churches have partnered with Tennessee Fosters Hope by inviting their congregations to serve as foster families, offer support to foster families and provide training about trauma-based care.

“Champion Churches across Tennessee are engaging their congregations to support foster families in meaningful ways,” said Lee. “I commend their partnership and welcome more churches to join our mission to secure more permanent, loving homes for kids in foster care.”

Churches in every Tennessee community are invited to serve families through Tennessee Fosters Hope.

Individuals can also provide direct support to foster families by donating summer camp supplies to meet needs in their local communities.

Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced that, throughout the month of May, Tennessee will spotlight the state’s Grow Your Own initiative, which is inspiring the next generation of future teachers so that every student has access to a high-quality educator in their classroom.  

As a part of the department’s Best for All strategic plan, the Grow Your Own initiative aims to set a new path for the educator profession and for Tennessee to be the top state in which to become and remain a teacher and leader for all. For anyone who has dreamed of becoming a teacher or inspiring a young learner, the Tennessee Teacher Apprenticeship offers the pathway to become a teacher for free and is designed to recruit candidates from the community and for the community while addressing teacher shortages.

“Since the department first launched our Grow Your Own work in 2019, we have continued to pursue innovative opportunities and remove barriers for aspiring educators to enter the profession,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “Throughout May, we are excited to announce additional investments to scale the work statewide, share supporting resources for leveraging the Tennessee Teacher Apprenticeship model, and continue to inspire the next generation of future classroom leaders to accelerate students’ outcomes and opportunities.” 

Launched in March 2020, the Grow Your Initiative has 65 partnerships, which are between school districts and educator preparation programs at colleges or universities across Tennessee that offer free opportunities to become a teacher. Building on this foundation, the state pioneered a new way to develop teacher pipelines as the first state to be approved by the U.S. Department of Labor to establish a permanent Grow Your Own model. Tennessee was the first state in the country to sponsor Teacher Occupation Apprenticeship programs between school districts and Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs), with Clarksville-Montgomery County School System and Austin Peay State University’s program becoming the first registered apprenticeship program for teaching in the country.

Tennessee’s Teacher Apprenticeship provides a path to becoming an educator for participants spanning experience, background, and age.  

• High School Students – Students can enroll in an apprenticeship starting at age 16 and earn dual-enrollment credit through sequential Teaching as a Profession (TAP) classes. This helps candidates progress towards their bachelor’s degree while student teaching in a local school district.  
• College Students – Students enrolled in education majors at a college or university can pivot to an apprenticeship program that offers job-embedded opportunities, increasing wages, and an accelerated degree. Ultimately, they can complete their degree and program in three years or less, with no associated costs.  
• School-Staff Professionals – Paraprofessionals, instructional assistants, or other support staff based in a school can seamlessly become licensed teachers. Apprentices remain in the classroom, teaching in the district where they will get their degree – receiving increased pay and job-embedded support – all in three years or less.  
• Career Changers and Retirees – Community members may have an interest in teaching but do not want to take on the associated costs or time with returning to college. Instead, apprentices can complete outstanding coursework, meet required on-the-job hours, earn a living wage, and transition to the classroom full time. 

Many helpful resources for state and district leaders, education stakeholders and community members to create partnerships and get involved are available here including:  

• Grow Your Own: Tennessee’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program Playbook
• Grow Your Own: Tennessee’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program Workbook
• Tennessee’s Grow Your Own Apprenticeship Teaching Model PowerPoint
• Grow Your Own Case Study: The Clarksville- Montgomery Model
• Tennessee’s Teacher Apprenticeship Model Video: Lasting Solution for Educator Pipeline
• Tennessee Teacher Apprenticeship Model Video: TAP Programs

Drug Recognition Experts Remove Unsafe Drivers of Commercial Vehicles on I-65

Last month, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) partnered with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) to execute Operation Matrix, the state’s first initiative utilizing drug recognition experts to combat impaired driving of commercial vehicles.

“Our goal is to expand this operation at scale houses across Tennessee to ensure our highways are safe and free of impaired drivers operating commercial vehicles,” said THSO Director Buddy Lewis. “’Operation Matrix’ was highly successful resulting in new ideas for implementation in the future.”

This operation was conducted on April 20 at the Giles County Scale House located on I-65 North. Drug recognition experts from THP’s Lawrenceburg District 7 teamed with other troopers at the scale house to check for drivers who may be under the influence of impairing substances.

THP Colonel Matt Perry emphasized the importance of troopers applying their drug recognition training, stating, “The Tennessee Highway Patrol is proud to have multiple troopers each year receive the very valuable drug recognition training offered by the THSO. This training has aided our troopers time and time again in removing impaired drivers from the roads. Events like the one held at our commercial vehicle scale complex in Giles County should serve as an example to all law enforcement officers that impaired drivers are not just driving the everyday passenger car.”

Troopers working the operation successfully removed seven commercial drivers from the highways for various traffic violations and 12 commercial vehicles for safety violations. One drug recognition evaluation was performed along with an oral swab. This driver was placed under arrest for driving under the influence in a commercial vehicle.

A drug recognition expert is a law enforcement officer specially trained to recognize impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol. Drug recognition expert training is funded by the THSO and available to law enforcement officers who meet the requirements.

Upper Cumberland nonprofit organizations may now apply for the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Arts Build Communities (ABC) grants for art projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises. The Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD) administers ABC grants in the Upper Cumberland.

The ABC grant program offers up to $3,500 of support for projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises. Organizations must complete the grant application by 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2022.

New and returning applicants are invited to attend training workshops about program requirements, the application process, and grant procedures on May 19, 2022, at 1 p.m. and June 8, 2022, at 10 a.m. Workshops will be held in the conference room at the UCDD office located at 1104 England Drive in Cookeville.

Applicants may contact Program and Evaluation Coordinators Paige Chastain and Hannah Carroll at 931-432-411 with questions.

To learn more about the Arts Build Communities grants visit www.tnartscommission.org

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Donny Green, in DeKalb and Cannon counties, reminds producers to report planted, prevented planted, and failed acres to establish or retain FSA program eligibility.

For planted crops, the following acreage reporting deadlines are applicable for DeKalb and Cannon counties for the 2022 crop year:

July 15:           corn, soybeans, cucumbers, okra, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, squash,
                        strawberries, tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupes, peas, and perennial forage (hay and pasture)

July 31:           hemp

Aug. 15:          green beans

Dec.  15:          fall-seeded small grains (wheat)

The following exceptions apply to the above acreage reporting dates:

• If the crop has not been planted by the above acreage reporting date, the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.

• If a producer acquires additional acreage after the above acreage reporting date, the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendars days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.

• If a perennial forage crop is reported with the intended use of “cover only,” “green manure,” “left standing” or “seed,” the acreage must be reported by July 15, 2022.

Producers must report crop acreage they intended to plant but, due to natural disaster, were prevented from planting. Prevented planting acreage must be reported on form FSA-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date, as established by FSA and the Risk Management Agency. According to Green, the final planting date for corn is May 20, 2022 and the final planting date for soybeans is June 15, 2022.

Producers with failed acres should also use form FSA-576, Notice of Loss, to report failed acres. For losses on crops covered by the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program and crop insurance, producers must file a Notice of Loss within 15 days of the occurrence of the disaster or when losses become apparent. Producers must timely file a Notice of Loss for failed acres on all crops including grasses.

Please visit the DeKalb/Cannon County FSA office, or call 615-597-8225 to schedule an appointment to file your crop year 2022 crop acreage report.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (“TDCI”) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office join the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry to raise awareness among home and property owners regarding the importance of Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on Saturday, May 7, 2022.

Every year during the spring and fall seasons, wildfires occur across Tennessee. In 2021, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry responded to 660 wildfires that burned 7,170 acres on private and state-owned land. So far, in 2022, the Division has responded to 683 wildfires scarring over 10,500 acres. This is nearing the 10-year average of 750 fires burning 16,800 acres, though it’s only May.

On Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, fire departments, homeowners, and communities can learn about ways to protect personal property from the risk of wildfires. Created by the National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”), Wildfire Community Preparedness Day encourages people and organizations to come together on a single day to take action to raise awareness and reduce the risks of wildfire.

“After seeing the damages from the Sevier County wildfires in March, I know firsthand about the threat that wildfires pose to Tennesseans,” said TDCI Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Carter Lawrence. “I extend my condolences to all Tennesseans affected by this tragedy, and I encourage all home and property owners to take time during Wildfire Community Preparedness Day to evaluate their risks of wildfires and take steps to help prevent a fire that could have devastating consequences.” TDCI has recently shared an important insurance and consumer recovery bulletin for those affected by the Sevier County wildfires.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is a proponent of wildfire hazard reduction programs.

Since 2022, the Division has partnered with NFPA and its federal partners to promote the Firewise USA Communities. The Division actively promotes Fire Adapted Communities — in which a multitude of programs and concepts work hand in hand to increase community wildfire safety.

“A community is better prepared for wildland fire when they understand their risk and take action to minimize that risk,” State Forester David Arnold said. “We must work together to ensure safety for residents, homes, businesses, parks, utilities, and other community assets. Maintaining 30 feet of defensible space that is clear of debris around your home is a great first step in protecting homes from small creeping ground fires or windblown burning embers.”

Research shows there are proven methods for preparing properties for withstanding the devastating impacts of a wildfire. During Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, consumers can take steps to protect their homes and families by eliminating vulnerabilities, particularly in the immediate 5-foot zone around a residence. Whether it is replacing wood chips with gravel or reimagining a home’s entire landscape design, the steps taken on Wildfire Community Preparedness Day can have a long-lasting impact.

Additionally, consumers should remember the following wildfire preparation tips:

• Rake and remove pine needles and dry leaves within a minimum of three to five feet of a home’s foundation. If you have the time, continue raking up to a 30-foot distance around the home. Dispose of collected debris in appropriate trash receptacles.
• Clean pine needles from your roof and gutters and pay attention to maintaining the home ignition zone.
• Using a measuring tape, see how close wood piles are located to your home. If they are closer than 30 feet, relocate them to at least 30 feet away from structures.
• Sweep porches and decks, clearing them of leaves and pine needles.Rake
• under decks, porches, sheds, and play structures.
• Mow grasses to a height of 4 inches or less.
• Remove items stored under decks and porches and relocate them to a storage shed, garage, or basement. Gasoline cans and portable propane tanks should never be stored indoors and should be located away from the home.

To help improve consumer fire safety at home, the State Fire Marshal’s Office began the “Get Alarmed, Tennessee!” program in 2012. Since its inception, over 254,000 smoke alarms have been distributed to Tennessee fire departments and partner organizations across Tennessee. So far, 328 residents have been alerted to fires in their homes and escaped without serious injury thanks to smoke alarms installed through the program. Consumers should contact their local fire department and ask if the department participates in the “Get Alarmed” program.

National Nurses Week begins May 6, and the Tennessee Department of Health is joining the recognition efforts to highlight and promote the work and dedication of public health nurses across Tennessee.

National Nurses Week establishes a specific time each year, May 6-12, to honor and acknowledge nurses and recognize the positive impact on the health care system across the country.

“I am thrilled to join the celebration during National Nurses Week,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. “The work nurses perform day in and day out is tireless, and they deserve praise.”

The Tennessee Department of Health employs nurses across the state, serving in local health departments and clinics and leading public health programs. The department also supports the ongoing recruitment and retention of nurses through the administrative support of the Board of Nursing. The board’s administrative staff help to ensure applications for licensures and renewals are processed to keep the pipeline of nursing staff flowing to the health care infrastructure across the state.

To learn more about the Board of Nursing and the application process, visit https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/nursing-board/nursing-board/applications.html.

Middle Tennessee Boy Scouts Council announced their selection for the 2022 Cannon County Good Scout Award this week.

Teddy Taylor was named the recipient of this year’s honor. Taylor was inducted into the Cannon County Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.  The Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) honored him with their Athletic Director’s Contributor of the Year Award.

Taylor’s contributions include his work with numerous sports events from his work with the Junior Pro Basketball league to driving the bus delivering the teams to their contests.  He recently wrapped up a successful season as coach of one of Westside Elementary School’s basketball teams.

For the past several years, WBRY AM-FM has depended on Taylor’s talent as the lead sportscaster for coverage of Cannon County Lions and Lionettes Basketball.

Director of Schools William F. Curtis presented the 2022 Cannon County Good Scout Award at this week’s luncheon.

Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III, along with New York Attorney General Letitia James, announced today they have secured $141 million from the owner of TurboTax, Intuit Inc. (Intuit), for deceiving consumers into paying for tax services that should have been free. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have signed onto the agreement. In Tennessee, approximately 111,000 consumers will be eligible to receive payments of about $30 for each year during tax years 2016-2018 they used a paid TurboTax product when they qualified to file free through the IRS program.

“The last thing anybody needs at tax time is more confusion and complexity over filing,” said General Slatery. “I appreciate working with New York Attorney General Letitia James and coordinating with our fellow attorneys general on this settlement.”

An investigation into Intuit began after ProPublica reported that the company was using deceptive digital tactics to steer low-income consumers toward its commercial products and away from federally-supported free tax services.

Intuit has offered two free versions of TurboTax. One was through its participation in the IRS Free File Program, a public-private partnership with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which allows taxpayers earning roughly $34,000 and members of the military to file their taxes for free. In exchange for participating in the program, the IRS agreed not to compete with Intuit and other tax-prep companies by providing its own electronic tax preparation and filing services to American taxpayers.

In addition, Intuit offers a commercial product called “TurboTax Free Edition,” which is only free for taxpayers with “simple returns” as defined by Intuit. However, this TurboTax “freemium” product is only free for approximately one-third of US taxpayers. In contrast, the IRS Free File product was free for 70 percent of taxpayers.

The multistate investigation found that Intuit engaged in several deceptive and unfair trade practices that limited consumers’ participation in the IRS Free File Program. The company created confusion by using similar names for both its IRS Free File product and its commercial “freemium” product. Intuit bid on paid search advertisements to direct consumers who were looking for the IRS Free File product to the TurboTax “freemium” product instead. Intuit also purposefully blocked its IRS Free File landing page from search engine results during the 2019 tax filing season, effectively shutting out eligible taxpayers from filing their taxes for free. Moreover, TurboTax’s website included a “Products and Pricing” page that stated it would “recommend the right tax solution,” but never displayed or recommended the IRS Free File program, even when consumers were ineligible for the “freemium” product.

Intuit will pay $141 million in restitution, of which roughly $2.5 million will be used for administrative fund costs.

Under the agreement, Intuit will provide restitution to millions of consumers who started using TurboTax’s Free Edition for tax years 2016 through 2018 and were told that they had to pay to file even though they were eligible to file free using the version of TurboTax that Intuit offered as part of the IRS Free File program. Consumers are expected to receive a direct payment of approximately $30 for each year that they were deceived into paying for filing services. Impacted consumers will automatically receive notices and a check by mail.

Intuit has also agreed to reform its business practices, including:

• Refraining from making misrepresentations in connection with promoting or offering any online tax preparation products;
• Enhancing disclosures in its advertising and marketing of free products;
• Designing its products to better inform users whether they will be eligible to file their taxes free; and
• Refraining from requiring consumers to start their tax filing over if they exit one of Intuit’s paid products to use a free product instead.

Intuit withdrew from the IRS Free File program in July 2021.

New York and Tennessee led the multistate investigation with support from the attorneys general of Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. All 50 states and the District of Columbia joined this agreement. The states wish to think the Federal Trade Commission for its assistance in the investigation.

To access the settlement, click here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/attorneygeneral/documents/pr/2022/pr22-14-avc.pdf

Attorney Matthew Cowan will be the next General Sessions Judge for Cannon County. A margin of 111 votes separated Cowan and Attorney Tony Cain. Current General Sessions Judge Susan Melton decided to not run for re-election.

Cowan told WBRY News he was grateful to the voters for the confidence they placed in him.

A total of 1,709 persons voted in the May Primary. In early voting, 696 voted, 38 were absentee and mail ballot, 38. On election day, 975 persons voted.

Cowan had 898 votes or 53%, Cain 787 had votes or 46%.