According to figures published Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nationwide levels of influenza are now at their highest since the peak of the 2009 swine flu pandemic, amid this winter’s second wave of the virus. While most flu seasons typically see a resurgence of infections after the winter holidays, this winter’s flu …
Category: Tennessee
REAL ID Starts in May
With the REAL ID Act of 2005 taking effect in three months, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, TDOSHS, is expanding access by adding 1,432 additional REAL ID-specific appointment slots per day at Driver Services Centers across the state. The REAL ID Act requires anyone 18 or older to have a REAL ID …
Be Alert to I-24 Road Construction
Drivers traveling on I-24 in Hamilton County should be aware of upcoming road construction that will temporarily impact traffic. As part of Phase 2 (the second of two projects) to widen and improve the I-75 at I-24 interchange, Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will reduce I-24 East to two lanes (from Exit 181 to Moore …
Programs Helping Seniors
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has introduced two innovative resources to address the needs of the state’s expanding senior population. The first initiative, TBI Find, is a mobile application now available for both Apple and Android devices. This app connects users with real-time information regarding Silver Alerts issued in Tennessee. After more than two …
Report: 20% of TN Children Under Five Live in Poverty
Tennessee’s “State of the Child” 2024 report shows some progress but highlights ongoing concerns. The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth report examines kids’ health and mental health, education, family economics, and childcare. It also looks at the state’s child welfare and youth justice data. Kylie Graves is the policy and legislative affairs director at the …
Marion County Woman Faces Charges of Financial Exploitation, Forgery
A Jasper woman has been indicted and arrested following a joint investigation by special agents with the TBI Medicaid Fraud Control Division and detectives with the South Pittsburg Police Department. In July 2024, following a referral from Adult Protect Services, agents and detectives began investigating reports of irregularities in the financial records of some of …
Billed Filed to Lower Handgun Carry Permit Age
A bill filed in the Tennessee General Assembly would lower the age to carry a handgun to 18, down from 21. Current state law prohibits people under 21 from carrying a handgun unless they meet specific exemption criteria. That criteria includes being an active duty servicemember at least 18 years old, an honorably discharged veteran …
Price of Eggs Go Up at Waffle House Due to Bird Flu
Waffle House has announced an egg surcharge as the nation faces the rising cost of eggs and a shortage due to HPAI (bird flu). According to a press release from Waffle House, the company has implemented a temporary $0.50 per egg surcharge on all menus. Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that bird …
Important Information Concerning New 729 Area Code
With new telephone numbers in high demand, the Tennessee Public Utility Commission approved adding the new 729 area code to the existing 423 area code region, which covers our area. Starting February 5, 2025, all local calls made within the 423-area code must be dialed using 10 digits (area code and the 7-digit telephone number). On and …