Tennessee News & Current Events | Public News Service

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 …

Report: Tennessee's 'State of the Child' is Improving

Tennessee's "State of the Child 2022" report is an assessment of how children are faring, and this year's edition focuses on the situation for …

open enrollment for 2022 coverage, Tennessee saw a record high number of individuals - more than 273,000 - sign up for health insurance. (Annap/Adobe Stock)">

TN Latinos Urged to Get Health Coverage as Deadline Approaches

Open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act ends Jan. 15. More than 600,000 Tennesseans, including almost one-third of the …

Tennessee's teacher shortage has been so severe, a law went into effect July 1, 2022, allowing retired teachers to <a href=

return to the classroom to teach without losing their pension benefits. (Johoo/Adobe Stock)">

TN Apprenticeship Program Aims to Address Teacher Shortage

Tennessee is working to overcome the state's teacher shortage, especially in rural areas, with a residency-based program for would-be educators…

One highlight of Tennessee's overall health ranking in the new report is 33% of people 18 and older have received primary care from a healthcare provider. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Report: Tennessee Ranks 44th for Health Outcomes

A new report highlights what Tennessee could focus on to improve the health of its residents. The America's Health Rankings 2022 report from United …

Over the life of the program, Tennessee has trained more than 2,000 Certified Peer Support Specialists, according to the Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

TN Peer Recovery Specialist Program Reaches Milestone

Tennessee now has over 1,000 people across the state who are actively using their past experience with mental-health and substance-use challenges to h…

According to the Power to Decide survey, about four in 10 people surveyed said they have received information about birth control from social media in the last year. (Tilialucida/Adobe Stock)

Survey: TN Young Adults Concerned about Birth-Control Access

A new survey shows many young people are worried about losing access to birth control. The survey from the nonprofit Power to Decide found that …

In Tennessee, foster care is supposed to be a temporary service until the family and the child in some cases can address the problems leading to the placement, according to the state's Department of Children's Services. (AnnaStills/Adobe Stock)

'I Belong Project' Raises Awareness for TN Adoption

National Adoption Month comes to an end today, but in Tennessee, more than 9,000 children are in foster care and waiting for new families through …

Every year, close to 48,000 people in Tennessee are diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. (Minerva Studio/Adobe Stock)

Healthy Lifestyle Changes Can Help Prevent Prediabetes, Diabetes

November is National Diabetes Month, and health experts believe Tennesseans can reverse prediabetes, and prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. Dr…

One of the acceptable required documents for U.S. citizenship is an official birth certificate issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. (Mehaniq41/Adobe Stock)

TN Writer: True Love, Green Cards and Immigration

By Jordan Arellano for YES! Media. Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Tennessee News Service, reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

In Tennessee, your ability to restore your voting rights after being convicted of a felony depends on the type of crime and the date of the conviction. (Burlingham/AdobeStock)<br />

Report: More than 470,000 Tennesseans Can’t Vote Due to Felony Convictions

In Tennessee, almost a half-million people won't be able to vote in the midterm elections because of a past felony conviction. According to research …

According to the Maternal Mortality Annual Report, Tennessee's pregnancy-related mortality rate in 2020 was 58.5 deaths per 100,000 live births. That's a 51% increase from 2017-2019.(MonkeyBusiness/Adobe Stock)

Tennessee Works to Reduce Pregnancy-Related Deaths

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and the Tennessee Department of Health has received a $5 million federal grant to fund …

Medicare supplement policies are often referred to as Medigap coverage, because they cover expenses in the gap basic Medicare does not. (Hafakot/Adobe Stock)<br />

It’s Medicare Open Enrollment Time for Seniors in Tennessee

Medicare's annual open enrollment period has started this month and continues through Dec. 7. It is the time close to 1.4 million Tennesseans …

During open enrollment for 2022 coverage, Tennessee saw a record number of individuals getting health insurance. Over 270,000 people signed up, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

TN Open Enrollment for Health Insurance Begins Nov. 1

Thousands of Tennesseeans will be shopping for new health insurance plans for next year when open enrollment begins November 1. The experts say it's …

Nearly sixty-eight percent of Tennesseans without broadband at home live in rural communities.(Escapejaja/AdobeStock)

Connecting Underserved TN Communities to Low-Cost, High-Speed Internet

Broadband internet is increasingly seen as necessary for Americans to stay connected, but only 53% of residents in Tennessee have broadband internet …

Nashville State Community College and other partners offer what's known as

TN School Works to Attract More Students of Color to Higher Ed

A new report on Black students in the community college system found fewer are signing up to attend two-year schools, an enrollment downturn made …

About one in five adults in the United States has experienced some form of mental illness in a given year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. (Momius/Adobe Stock)

Suicide Prevention Month in TN: 'You Are Not Alone'

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to spotlight this issue in Tennessee and across the country. Almost 1,300 …

In Tennessee, more than 800,000 people are facing hunger, and more than 230,000 of them are children. (Africa Studio/AdobeStock)

Advocates Calling on Congress for Better Investment in Kids

Advocates for children's well-being are in Washington, D.C. today, calling on lawmakers to invest in kids. The Save the Children advocacy summit is …

The Inflation Reduction Act will lower energy costs for households and businesses, create manufacturing jobs for American workers and deliver a clean, secure, and healthy future for families. (Vitalli Vodolazskyi/AdobeStock)

Tennessee Rural Electric Co-ops to Benefit from Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act has made a historic investment of $370 billion dollars to fight climate change over the next decade. Among its benefits…

Earlier year, the FDA temporarily banned all Juul products from the market, but was forced to reverse that decision after the company challenged the agency in court. (Adobe Stock)

TN to Receive $13 Million in Juul Deceptive Marketing Settlement

After an investigation found the e-cigarette maker Juul Labs deliberately targeted young people using a variety of marketing practices, Tennessee is …

Fentanyl and carfentanil, a derivative used to anesthetize elephants, are driving overdose deaths in Tennessee and across the nation, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.(Adobe Stock)

TN Officials Work to Separate 'Fact from Fiction' on Fentanyl

Across the state on Wednesday, events are being held to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day in Tennessee. State data showed in 2020…

Salaries for local government workers have not kept up with inflation compared to private sector workers, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor. (Adobe Stock)

How Inflation Hurts Local TN Governments

Rising prices and less consumer spending could have an effect on local government services in Tennessee, according to a new report from the Sycamore …

In September 2021, around 40% of Tennessee youths reported feeling down, depressed or hopeless nearly every day for the past two weeks, according to new state-level data released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

New Data Indicates TN’s Kids Struggling with Mental Health

An increasing number of Tennessee kids are experiencing chronic anxiety and depression, according to new data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation…

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