Tennessee News & Current Events | Public News Service

The last open enrollment period saw a record high number of Tennessee residents signing up for health insurance. More than 340,000 people enrolled in private health plans. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Open enrollment for health insurance begins Nov. 1

The open enrollment period to purchase health insurance through the federal marketplace begins Nov. 1, and experts urge consumers to do some research …

Tennessee is among 17 states where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says infant mortality rates are

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Black Women Face Greater Risk for Maternal Mortality in Tennessee

In Tennessee, a pregnancy shouldn't be fatal - but Black women are three times more likely to die than white women from pregnancy-related causes…

A recent survey found more than one in three older adults lack extra prescription medications they would need in case of an emergency. (MIKHAIL/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Survey: Opportunities for TN Older Adults to Increase Disaster Preparedness

September is National Preparedness Month, when AARP raises awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies. A recent …

In Tennessee, almost 801,000 people are facing hunger. Almost 198,000 of them are children, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. (Alisaaa/Adobe Stock)

Working for Better Access to Doctors, Heathy Foods in Rural TN

September is Hunger Action Month, and Tennessee groups are working to get more heart-healthy foods to people in rural communities as well as greater …

More than 400 mass shootings have occurred this year in the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archives. (Fitz/AdobeStock)

TN ‘Moms Demand Action’ Calls for More Action on Gun Safety Laws

As Tennessee lawmakers continue in their special legislative session on public safety, mental health and gun reform, hundreds of groups and activists …

A 2020 study found the COVID-19 pandemic affected Gen Z and their views in key areas such as leadership and living with their parents as well as well-being, and how the pandemic has shaped their beliefs about the future of work, education and much more. (Jacob Lund/AdobeStock)

Groups Provide Vital Resources for Gen Z During Mental-Health Crisis

Mental health has emerged as a pressing concern for young individuals belonging to Generation Z, those born after 1996. A recent study shed light on …

When you get SSI, you may also get Medicaid, which helps pay doctor and hospital bills. Your local social services or medical assistance office can give you information about Medicaid. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/AdobeStock)

Feds to Expand Awareness of SSI Benefits to Tennesseans

The Social Security Administration has taken a proactive step to bridge the gap between critical financial assistance and the people who may be eligib…

On Election Day, voters can only cast ballots at their assigned polling place. The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/AdobeStock)

Voter Education Pushed Ahead of Memphis Municipal Election

As municipal elections in Memphis approach, groups are making an urgent push for more voter education in Shelby County. More than 550,000 voters …

In July, Gov. Bill Lee announced appointments to the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council, to position the Volunteer State as a national leader for nuclear energy innovation and advancement. (Angellodeco/Adobe Stock)

TN Group Fights Y-12 Nuclear Weapon Expansion in Oak Ridge

An environmental group in Knoxville wants to stop construction at the Uranium Processing Facility, part of the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak …

Over 1.2 million people have received training and support services from Goodwill across the U.S. to help grow their careers. (Azeemud-Deen Jacobs/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Goodwill, Google Collaborate for Job Training in TN

By Ramona Schindelheim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the WorkingNation-Public…

The FBI reported in 2022 that American Jews account for 2.4% of the U.S. population, but that antisemitism drove 63% of reported religiously motivated hate crimes. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

Tennessee On Board to Counter Growing Antisemitism

The Volunteer State, like many others, isn't immune to the recent wave of antisemitic acts and rhetoric, and the state is fighting back through …

The last day to request an absentee ballot for the Aug. 3 Metropolitan General Election is July 27. Aug. 15 is the deadline to register to vote in the runoff election scheduled for Sept. 14. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Ballots Already Being Cast for Nashville's Municipal Election

As municipal elections in Tennessee fast approach, groups are making an urgent push for more voter education in the Nashville metro area. More than 4…

Three in 10 transgender youths aged 13 to 17 live in states that have passed bans on gender-affirming care, according to the Human Relations Campaign. (Adragan/AdobeStock)

Tennessee Ban on Health Care for Transgender Youths Takes Effect

A new law banning gender-affirming health care for transgender youths is now in effect in the Tennessee. The law prohibits medical providers from …

Pollination is crucial to more than 1,200 food crops. It nourishes nearly 200,000 different plants that yield various oils, cotton, seeds, and vegetables. (Victoria Virgona/Adobe Stock)

Legislation Aims to Protect U.S. Food Supply by Saving Pollinators

Tennessee is home to 350 species of bees and some of them are in trouble. Bees and other pollinators are on the decline across the country, and some …

Research shows students who do not read over the summer lose two to three months of reading proficiency, but reading four to six books has the potential to stop, mitigate or reverse the

Fostering Early Literacy in Tennessee for a Brighter Future

To help combat learning loss and strengthen early literacy in Tennessee, the Gov.'s Early Literacy Foundation is spearheading efforts to promote …

The U.S. Postal Service is planning some more price changes soon. As of July 9, the first-class mail

TN Observes National Postal Worker Day on Saturday

This Saturday is National Postal Worker Day, celebrated annually to show appreciation for postal workers in Tennessee and across the country…

Black/African American students of both genders, Hispanic/Latino females, and white males saw growth in college-going rates above the statewide growth of 1.5 percentage points, according to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. (Kyta Willet)

Trade School Programs In Hot Demand in Tennessee

By Olivia Sanchez for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Tennessee News Service reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public Ne…

The 2023 Kids Count Data Book reports the median pay for child care workers, who typically must hold a range of credentials, was $28,520 per year or $13.71 an hour in 2022. (Cherryandbees/Adobe Stock)

'Kids Count' Data Show Some Improvement for TN Children

The annual Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E Casey Foundation ranked Tennessee 36th among the states for children's well-being. The report found …

Cardiac arrest may be caused by irregular heart rhythms called arrhythmias. A common arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation, according to the American Heart Association. (Pixelaway/Adobe Stock)

Saving Lives: CPR, AED Awareness Month in Tennessee

In one year alone, 436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest. CPR and AED awareness are recognized in June to emphasize the importance of these life-…

It would have taken approximately 815,000 additional trucks to handle the 14.7 million tons of freight that originated by rail in Tennessee in 2021, according to the Association of American Railroads. (Fabrus/AdobeStock)

Swift Passage of Rail Safety Bill Urged

During National Rail Safety Month, Congress is being urged to take swift action to pass the Rail Safety Act of 2023. The measure aims to prevent …

In 2022, Save the Children reached nearly 900,000 children in the United States and distributed more than 5 million meals. (AdobeStock)

Summer Break is Broken for Many Rural Tennessee Kids

An advocacy group is expanding summer learning opportunities for families in the Volunteer State. In Tennessee and across the country, isolation and …

A recent U.S. Census Bureau analysis found South American (46%) and Cuban (35.9%) groups had higher levels of bachelor's degree attainment than all other Hispanic-origin groups in 2021 and for the entire 16-year period.(AdobeStock)<br /><br />

Census Data: Significant Growth In Hispanic Enrollment, Degree Attainment

In Tennessee and across the country, the rapidly growing Hispanic population made remarkable strides in college enrollment and educational attainment…

The America's Health Rankings 2023 Senior Report shows strengths in Tennessee, including a low prevalence of excessive drinking, a high percentage of older adults with a dedicated health care provider, and low prevalence of severe housing problems. (InputUX/AdobeStock)

Report Ranks Tennessee Among Least Healthy States for Older Adults

May is Older Americans Month, and a new report shows the Volunteer State is among the bottom of states when it comes to caring for its most …

In 2022, Tennessee had close to one million K-12 students enrolled in nearly 1,906 schools in 148 school districts. (WavebreakMediaMicro/AdobeSTock)

TN School Districts Urged to Focus On Mental Health Support

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and an education advocacy group wants school districts in Tennessee and across the country to focus on critical m…

Adults with ADHD often cope with difficulties at work and in their personal and family lives related to ADHD symptoms. (Rawpixel.com/AdobeStock)

Drug Shortage Leads Some to Alternative Treatment Options

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and in Tennessee and across the country there is a shortage of medication used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperac…

An Annie E. Casey Foundation report showed 55% of youth age 21 in Tennessee in 2021 were employed part-time or full-time, and 63% had stable housing. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/AdobeStock)

Report: TN Shows Strength in Foster Youth Transitioning To Adulthood

In Tennessee, the number of foster youths near adulthood has dropped slightly, according to a new report. The Annie E. Casey Foundation looked at …

The Cumberland Fossil Plant is the largest generating asset in the TVA coal fleet and is located in Stewart County, Tennessee. It powers approximately 1.1 million homes. (David/AdobeStock)

TN Groups Call To Action for TVA Pivot To Clean Energy

Environmental groups in Tennessee have an urgent call to action for the Tennessee Valley Authority to cut fossil-fuel emissions and replace their coal…

A new EPA report states climate change can increase children's pollen exposures as seasons lengthen and temperatures warm. (WavebreakMediaMicro/AdobeStock)

Report Links EPA Climate Change, Children’s Health and Well-Being in TN

In Tennessee and across the country, children's growing and developing bodies are uniquely vulnerable to climate change, according to a new report …

In 1943, during WWII, ground was broken in rural East Tennessee for the first production building at the Y-12 Plant. The plant's job was to make enough enriched uranium for an atomic bomb. (Angellodeco/Adobe Stock)

TN Groups Fight Nuclear Processing Expansion in Erwin

Environmental groups want to stop the Nuclear Fuel Services plant in Erwin, Tennessee, from refining highly enriched uranium for nuclear weapons…

More than 86,000 students attend Metro Nashville Public Schools, which is the nation's 42nd-largest school district. (Gorodenkoff/AdobeStock)

Poll: Public Education Top Priority for Nashvillians

A new Vanderbilt University Poll shows that 56% of people in Nashville think the city is on the wrong track. Pollsters surveyed 1,016 adults living …

A recent American Hospital Association report reveals price increases for existing drugs continue to outpace inflation, which helped drive a 19.7% increase in drug expenses per patient between 2019 and 2022. (Flamingo-Images/AdobeStock)

Report: Financial Pressures Mount for Hospitals, Putting Patient Access to Care at Risk

A recent report reveals that the mounting financial pressures hospitals in Tennessee and across the country are facing are ultimately affecting access…

In Tennessee, growth in the electric vehicle/hybrid sector could add 200,000 EVs by 2028, which the Tennessee Department of Transportation said creates a challenge in terms of the state's ability to build and maintain transportation infrastructure. (Sundry Photography/Adobe Stock)

New Law Aims to Help with TN Traffic Congestion

Legislation has been signed to revamp the roads in fast-growing Tennessee and spend more money on them. The Transportation Modernization Act invests …

The law allows pharmacy providers to appeal their reimbursement from pharmacy benefit managers for drugs and devices, according to the Department of Commerce and Insurance. (Syda Productions/AdobeStock)

Poll: TN Voters Favor Policies that Hold P-B-M's Accountable

In Tennessee and across the country, prescription drug prices are skyrocketing, and a new national poll found most voters want lawmakers to regulate …

The latest drinking water testing (from August 2022) in Nashville by Metro Water Services didn't show any reportable levels of the six types of PFAS that EPA is planning to regulate. (Elena Kharichkina/Adobe Stock)

Officials Take Comment on Tennessee Drinking Water Cleanup

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting public comments on its proposed new drinking water regulations. The agency announced plans to …

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been more than 134 mass shootings in Tennessee since 2014. (AndriiKoval/Adobe Stock)

Tennessee Educator Calls for More Action on Gun Safety

As investigators still search for a motive in the gun deaths of six people at the Covenant School, thousands continue to march daily at the State …

Tennesseans are required to pay all legal financial obligations related to each conviction before they can apply to have their voting rights restored. (Burlingham/Adobe Stock)

Report: Still Locked Out from Voting in Tennessee

In Tennessee, almost a half-million people will not be able to vote in any upcoming election because of a past felony conviction, and a new survey …

Initial money through the American Rescue Plan Act provided education funding to 140 school districts in Tennessee to support post-pandemic academic recovery, student mental health and schools' ability to reopen safely. (f11photo/Adobe Stock)

A TN Mayor's Response to School Shooting, NLC Conference

Tennesseans aren't the only ones mourning the tragic loss of three children and three adults at this week's shooting at Nashville's Covenant School…

The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth's annual

New Bill Aims To Eliminate Tennessee Child Service Agency

Republican-sponsored bills and amendments in the Legislature would eliminate the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. More than 1.5-million …

The Tennessee House passed House Bill 2106 last year, which requires that Black history be taught to 5th through 8th graders. It takes effect July 1, 2025. (Adobe Stock)

TN Group Heads to State Capitol for 'Day On The Hill'

Advocates and leaders are headed to the state capitol next week to voice their concerns over issues affecting Black communities in Tennessee…

According to a new report from the National Association of Community Health Centers, more than 80% of health center patients are either uninsured or publicly insured and covered by Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, or Medicare. (Fizkes/AdobeStock)

Report: Closing the Primary Care Gap for Tennesseans

A new report finds seven million Tennesseans are among 100-million Americans facing barriers to accessing primary care. The report from the National …

A report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families notes Medicaid covers about 83.5 million people, including more than 34.2 million children - a 31% increase since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Alena Ozerova/Adobe Stock)

TN Kids' Uninsured Rate Could Rise as Health Emergency Ends

A pandemic-era law to help keep children and families continuously covered with health insurance is set to expire this spring, and advocates are …

The Volunteer State has a larger gap between affordable rental supply and demand than most states, ranking 34th. The state needs an additional 133,581 affordable units to prevent low-income families from having to spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs. (Lawcain/AdobeSTock)

TN Renters Organize for Better Living Conditions

After several years of work around housing rights an advocacy group for affordable and safe housing in Shelbyville, Tennessee, is celebrating a …

The long-term annual standard for particulate matter is 12 micrograms. Tennessee's 2023 State of Health report shows in 2018, the state's annual average was 8 micrograms per cubic meter of air, and therefore met the standard. (Yevgeniy/Adobe Stock)

Groups Demand EPA Get Tough on ‘Dangerous’ Soot Pollution

In Tennessee and across the country, advocacy groups for clean air are asking the Environmental Protection Agency to do more to protect public health …

According to the Tennessee Reconnect annual report, women make up a larger percentage of grant recipients and adult student populations at Reconnect-eligible institutions. In the first year of the program, 71% of Reconnectors were women. (AdobeStock)

Report: TN Working to Increase College Enrollment, Degree Attainment

Tennessee and the rest of the country are making progress in getting higher education to more people. A new report from the Lumina Foundation found …

To reduce glare, consider a matte screen filter for your device. Adjusting the brightness and contrast of your screen and dimming nearby lighting can also help reduce eyestrain, according to The American Academy of Ophthalmology. (Fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Tips for Tennesseans to Avoid Eyestrain, Vision Problems

With the increased use of digital devices and computers in daily life, people are exposed to more and more blue light. Staying connected may be …

According to the Tennessee Environmental Council, recycling keeps valuable materials in the economy rather than in local landfills. It estimates Tennesseeans throw away $180 million worth of recyclable materials every year. (Sorapop/Adobe Stock)

TN Bill Would Revamp Recycling Process Statewide

A bill in the Tennessee Legislature aims to reduce packaging materials that end up in landfills by improving recycling in the Volunteer State…

Some 21% of Tennessee's population lives in areas considered

An Albertsons-Kroger Merger Could Impact Rural Tennessee

The proposed merger between the grocery chains Albertsons and Kroger has antitrust laws in the spotlight, as the supermarket companies are already …

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation offers Racial Healing Conversation Guidelines that include five steps to help facilitate meaningful and impactful conversations. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe Stock)

"Changing the Narrative" for National Day of Racial Healing

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s holiday, designated as a National Day of Service, and tomorrow, the same spirit carries over to the seventh …

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