News

Cannon County School System, working closely with the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department along with Homeland Security, investigated a possible online threat made against Cannon County High School. The administration became aware of a potential threat at roughly 6:30 a.m. and notified school officials and authorities. Although the investigation is ongoing, it has been determined that the threat is not credible.

Currently, there are several social media posts circulating in our state regarding school threats.
We encourage students and parents to report credible information directly to local law
enforcement or through SafeTN.com. We also ask parents to remind their students to be
mindful of creating and sharing false information that may create disruption in the school setting.
It’s important to note that any language or behavior that is found to threaten our schools will not
be tolerated, and those found making threats will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Cannon County High School will be open tomorrow, and tonight’s football game will be played
as scheduled. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed a single positive measles test of a Tennessee resident who recently travelled internationally, spent time in Kentucky during the infectious period, and is now recovering from the virus.

TDH has not identified additional positive measles cases in Tennessee, and no additional details are available about Tennessee’s positive measles case.

The measles virus can spread through the air when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes. Measles symptoms can include fever, headache, and generally not feeling well, followed by fever, rash, cough, red eyes, or congestion. The illness is typically accompanied by a red, spotty rash that begins on the face and spreads over the body.

Measles is a highly infectious and potentially fatal disease, so it’s important to report suspected measles cases immediately to TDH at 615-741-7247.

More information for the public and for providers about measles is available on this page of the TDH website.

The last year in which TDH reported positive measles cases in Tennessee was 2019.

To commemorate National Voter Registration Month, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett is encouraging all eligible Tennessee residents to register to vote.

“More Tennesseans than ever are registered to vote, but we want all eligible citizens to register and participate in the Nov. 5 State and Federal General Election,” said Secretary Hargett. 

National Voter Registration Day is September 17, and the deadline to register and be eligible to cast a ballot in the Nov. 5 State and Federal General Election is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.

The fastest way to register, update, or check your registration status is through the free GoVoteTN App or online at GoVoteTN.gov. Voters can also download a paper voter registration application at GoVoteTN.gov.

“We anticipate a robust voter turnout for the presidential election,” said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins. “If you have not registered or need to change your address, don’t wait. This will ensure your voice is heard during early voting or on Election Day later this fall.”

Early voting for the Nov. 5 State and Federal General Election begins Oct. 16 and runs through Oct. 31. For more information, visit your trusted source for election information, GoVoteTN.gov, or download the free GoVoteTNApp.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA), in collaboration with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, is excited to announce the launch of a new Tennessee Direct Hay Report. This tool will provide comprehensive insights into hay pricing and trends across the state, helping Tennessee’s farmers and producers make informed decisions.

“For farmers, the Direct Hay Report helps answer critical questions about commodity valuation,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “By launching this hay report, TDA aims to extend its market news presence beyond livestock auction barns, providing Tennessee farmers with a valuable new resource.”

A direct hay report is a crucial price-discovery tool, aggregating hay prices based on location, class, grade, and type. The report will display high and low prices and an average price for each category. This state-specific report reflects current market conditions and trends, providing an essential resource for local agricultural decision-making.

The inaugural report was launched on August 29, 2024, and is available here. All hay reports can be found online at www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/hay-reports.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry’s (TDF) East Tennessee Nursery is accepting tree seedling orders until April 1, 2025, or while supplies last. More than 30 species of tree and shrub seedlings are currently available for reforestation and conservation projects.

“The seedlings we grow at the East Tennessee Nursery are a vital part of Tennessee’s future forests,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “Whether rural or urban, private or commercial, our forests and trees have a direct impact on our state’s economy, infrastructure, and health. We are proud that the seedlings we grow at the nursery each year will positively impact our state for generations to come.”

The East Tennessee Nursery, which cultivates millions of native trees and shrubs each year, sells seedlings in bulk at affordable prices to public, nonprofit, and private organizations, as well as individuals.

“TDF’s nursery is uniquely positioned to support reforestation on a large scale across the state,” TDF Reforestation Unit Leader and Nursery Manager Gina Sowders said.

Please visit www.planttntrees.org to purchase seedlings online.

Several cost share and financial assistance programs are available to qualified landowners to provide financial assistance for seedling purchases. Sponsored programs include:

• The Beam Suntory program promotes the purchase of oak, hickory, pecan, and shortleaf pine seedlings.
• The Promark (formerly D’Addario) program supports the sustainability of hickory and oak in Tennessee.
• The Huber Engineered Woods, LLC program, Trees for Tennessee, is designed to expand pine regeneration on fallow fields and recently harvested land.
• The Tree City USA program supports cities and towns seeking to grow urban and community forests.
• The White Oak and Shortleaf Pine Initiatives assist landowners in purchasing white oaks and shortleaf pines.

Each program has its own eligibility requirements, and some require a forest management plan. Contact your local area forester at www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/staff to learn more about these programs and their eligibility requirements, including forest management plan development.

Landowners may also quality for cost share opportunities for hardwood and softwood seedling purchases through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP). For information about TAEP, visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/landowners/financial/taep-for-forest-landowners.

The Division of Forestry protects and promotes the responsible use of forest resources in Tennessee. Focus areas include assisting landowners with a variety of services, providing quality tree seedlings, supporting forest health programs, collecting forest inventory data, assisting forest industries, and fighting wildland fires. Visit http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests for more information.

The Tennessee Department of Health is launching a significant maternal health campaign devoted to stillbirth prevention to provide expecting mothers and their families with education, information, and tools they can use to monitor their health, especially in the third trimester of pregnancies.

“We are working to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across Tennessee,” State Health Commissioner Ralph Alvarado, MD, FACP, said. “Stillbirths have a profound impact on families and preventing these tragedies is a top priority. We are committed to providing expectant mothers and their families with the knowledge and tools necessary to safeguard their pregnancies and support healthier outcomes.”

Among the common signs and symptoms expectant mothers may experience indicating a potential problem with a pregnancy – cramping, abdominal pain, fever, vaginal bleeding or spotting – the TDH campaign will focus on how a change in the timing of a baby’s normal movement is often the first, or only, indication to parents there could be an issue with the pregnancy.

TDH will launch the stillbirth prevention campaign in September encouraging expecting parents to download and use Count the Kicks, a free mobile app with online digital education materials and printable paper charts also available.

The Count the Kicks app will help expecting parents monitor and track their baby’s movements once-a-day from the start of the third trimester, or 28 weeks, of their pregnancies. Changes to the time it normally takes for their baby to get to 10 movements could indicate potential problems and mean expecting parents should contact their healthcare provider right away.

The Count the Kicks app will be available in 21 languages and will make printed educational materials available to maternal health providers, social service agencies, and childbirth educators in English and Spanish.

TDH will host a free Count the Kicks webinar, at 10:30 a.m., Central, on Tue., Sept. 17, 2024, for healthcare providers and others to learn more about the importance of fetal movement monitoring and how to use the Count the Kicks app and materials effectively. Webinar registration is available at https://bit.ly/CTKTNWebinar.

Stillbirths are the loss of a baby at or after the 20th week of pregnancy. In 2021, there were 541 stillbirths in Tennessee. Approximately 32 percent of stillbirths occurred from 28 to 37 weeks gestation, and 16 percent occurred at more than 37 weeks gestation. It is estimated that one quarter of stillbirths are preventable.

See TDH’s 2024 Report on Fetal Death in Tennessee for more information.

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Department of Health join with people across the state to recognize August 31^st as Overdose Awareness Day.  Events including candlelight vigils, trainings, and stigma-busting activities are planned across Tennessee.

The annual opportunity for remembrance of the lives lost to overdose and celebration of those who have survived overdose comes as Tennessee is starting to see significant progress in reducing overdoses.  According to the most recent full-year overdose death statistics, more than 3,826 Tennesseans died from drug overdose or poisoning in 2022.  That averages to more than 10 people per day.  But provisional data from 2023 and more recent numbers from early 2024 show encouraging trends of significant reductions in overdose deaths.

“It’s so painfully true that one death from overdose is one death too many, but we’re hopeful that our state is finally seeing declining numbers of deaths.  The scourge of illicit fentanyl has taken a huge toll, but with huge investments in comprehensive prevention, treatment, and recovery supports, Tennessee is able to meet the need of our neighbors who need help and want help for addiction issues,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW.

“We are standing with our state and community partners to end overdoses in Tennessee,“ State Health Commissioner Ralph Alvarado, MD, FACP, said. “Every individual action matters and together we can show compassion to, and support for, those connected to the tragedy of overdose, honor those we’ve lost, and encourage healing through treatment and recovery in a powerful collective action.”

The 2024 theme for International Overdose Awareness Day is “Together We Can,” and that will be on full display in communities across Tennessee.  Substance Use Prevention Coalitions, community-based treatment providers, and other groups have organized more than 65 events across the state.  Find an event near you at this link on TNtogether.com.

Tennessee’s Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists have been working to address drug overdose since 2017.  In that time, they have distributed more than 678,000 units of naloxone in communities across Tennessee, and as a result, they have documented more than 82,000 lives saved.  The ROPS training on overdose prevention and reversal is free and available to anyone or any group that would like to receive it.  Use this link on TN.gov to find contact information for your local ROPS.

For Tennesseans who are ready to enter treatment for addiction, services are available even if you have no means to pay.  Call or text the Tennessee REDLINE at 800-889-9789 or visit FindHelpNowTN.org for a free and confidential referral to substance use disorder treatment services.

Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) leadership updated cooperative members about the status of the organization and answered questions during its livestreamed Annual Meeting Saturday, Aug. 24.  

Board Chairman Steve Seger, CEO Chris Jones and various MTE team members shared details about the cooperative’s community outreach and member engagement efforts, overall organizational vision, general updates about MTE’s progress and more.  

“MTE is committed to providing reliable electricity and world-class service to our members,” said Chairman Seger. “These have been our hallmarks since our founding 87 years ago and will continue to guide us in the future.” 

“The vision to provide world-class member service is simple, but it’s one that gives us organizational clarity in the decisions we make and in the way that we serve,” Jones said.  

Items of note from the meeting program include:  

• The co-op ranked in the top 6% nationally among all utilities surveyed in the J.D. Power 2023 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study, in addition to being ranked first in the country for customer care in the same survey.  
• Despite regional growth and inflationary pressures, MTE has held the average cost per kilowatt-hour at 29% below the U.S. average. The electric cooperative has achieved a 99.9% reliability rating. 
• MTE’s Electric Griddle, EnergyHub and Hotline Demo trailers allow members to engage with representatives from the cooperative out in the community to learn about electrical safety, energy efficiency or to enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich.  
• Improvements to the free myMTE app allow members to access helpful data and see a breakdown of their electric bills to learn more about what their electric costs are going toward.  
• The cooperative continues to invest in Smart Grid technology to reduce the impact of power disruptions.  
• MTE President/CEO Chris Jones discussed his role on the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council and provided insight about the future of nuclear power.  

United Communications President and CEO William Bradford shared updates about Project UNITE, an initiative to provide broadband internet access to rural and underserved areas. At the end of 2023, more than 21,000 homes and businesses in Middle Tennessee had been served through Project UNITE. In the second half of 2024, more than 7,000 MTE members in Williamson County will gain access to broadband service through United projects. The organizations also recently completed projects in Wilson and Rutherford counties.  

Following this update, a Q&A session was conducted and questions from members were answered live. Members inquired about MTE’s vegetation management program and how the organization prioritizes the environment while maintaining rights-of-way, smart thermostats and thermostat settings, resources for senior citizens and more.  

Per the cooperative’s bylaws, the election results for four seats on the Board of Directors were announced during the Annual Meeting. Three members were re-elected: Maureen Thornton – Williamson County (District 1B); David Lee – Rutherford County (District 2B); and Jim Mills (District 4C) – Wilson County. In the contested election for Rutherford County’s District 2E, Lynn Edwards was elected by members.  

MTE board members serve staggered three-year terms, and the Nominating Committee is responsible for nominating next year’s Board of Directors candidates. The 2024-2025 Nominating Committee election resulted in the appointment of Jessica Davey, Karen Paris and Juanita Patton from District 1 – Williamson County; Thomas “Teb” Batey, Tracey Binkley, Jamey Faulkner and Danny Sapp from District 2 – Rutherford County; Jeanne Melton from District 3 – Cannon County; and Greg Butler, Zachary Butler, and Sonya Smith-Wright from District 4 – Wilson County. 

In an organizational meeting following the Annual Meeting, the board re-elected Steve Seger of Williamson County as chairman, Jim Mills of Wilson County as vice chairman and Vanessa Hickman of Wilson County as secretary-treasurer.  
 

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in Warren County on Saturday, August 24.

Tennesseans are encouraged to bring household hazardous waste – including cleaning fluids, pesticides, swimming pool chemicals and more – to a designated drop-off location. A person does not need to live in the county to participate.

The drop-off location is Warren County Sanitation Department, 1186 Belmont Dr., McMinnville, TN, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. the contact is Tracie Myers at (931) 473-6874.

“We want it to be convenient for Tennesseans to recycle household hazardous waste, and this collection service is a great way to show that commitment,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “We are pleased we can offer this service, and we encourage Tennesseans to participate.” 

Since the program’s inception in 1993, more than 373,000 Tennessee households have properly disposed of more than 24 million pounds of material. There have been over 1,500 one-day collection events.

Household hazardous waste materials are considered flammable, toxic, reactive and/or corrosive and should not be placed with regular garbage. Typical items to dispose of include cleaning fluids, pesticides, mercury thermometers and thermostats, fluorescent lamps, lithium and button batteries, aerosols, adhesives, medications, brake fluid, swimming pool chemicals, paint thinner and used needles in sturdy containers. Items not accepted include ammunition, explosives, alkaline batteries, paint, electronics, and any empty containers that should be disposed in normal trash. There is no cost or appointment necessary for household hazardous waste collection.

While household waste may be disposed for free, there is a cost for disposal of Very Small Quantity Generator Waste (i.e. wastes from non-household sources such as businesses, schools, farms, churches, etc.). An appointment is also necessary. Call (615) 643-3170 to request a price quote and schedule an appointment.

Many counties and municipalities meet the needs of local residents by providing collection of batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze and electronic scrap – or BOPAE, as it is sometimes called. When handled correctly, these BOPAE materials are minimally hazardous, but inappropriate for collection at household hazardous waste events. Tennesseans are encouraged to contact their local city or county solid waste department to find BOPAE collection sites in their area.

When transporting materials to the site, place containers in sturdy boxes lined with newspaper or plastic to prevent spills and cross-contamination in the trunk of a car or back of a truck. Be sure to keep materials away from children and pets.

For more information on the household hazardous waste mobile collection service, please call 800-287-9013 or visit this link.

For a third consecutive month, the statewide unemployment rate remained at an all-time low of 3%, according to new data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). The state first marked the record low for seasonally adjusted unemployment in May, and it has held steady ever since.

Over the past year, Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate dropped 0.2 of a percentage point, from 3.2% to 3%.

Employers across the state added 2,000 new nonfarm jobs to their payrolls between June and July. The construction sector accounted for most of the new jobs. The health care and social assistance sector was responsible for the next highest amount of job growth, followed by the wholesale trade sector.

Comparing year-to-year job growth, Tennessee has 22,600 additional nonfarm jobs. The largest increase in employment was in the education and health services sector, followed by the mining, logging, and construction sector, and then the trade, transportation, and utilities sector.

Detailed information about the July 2024 unemployment data is available here.

Unlike Tennessee and its record-low unemployment, the nationwide rate increased during July. Seasonally adjusted unemployment grew by 0.2 of a percentage point to 4.3% across the United States.

In a year-to-year comparison, the national unemployment rate jumped 0.8 of a percentage point, from 3.5% to 4.3%.

While the state has record-low unemployment numbers, many Tennesseans are still searching for work or better employment. TDLWD offers many job seeker resources at no cost, and job seekers can start their search online at TNWorkReady.com.

Tennesseans without a high school diploma can improve their employment situation by taking Adult Education classes at no cost. TDLWD’s New Pathways to a Diploma program allows adult learners to use different testing methods to earn their equivalency diploma, so they can tailor test-taking to the best of their ability.