Tennessee Department of Agriculture reports Emerald Ash Borer found in Middle Tennessee for the First Time
September 20, 2012
TDA Foresters stress importance of Not Moving Firewood to help Slow Spread
Nashville, TN – Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect that destroys ash trees, has recently been found in Smith and Jefferson counties. Smith is the first county in Middle Tennessee where EAB has been found. Both cases have been confirmed by USDA.
While Jefferson County is adjacent to previously quarantined areas where EAB has been confirmed, the find in Smith County was of particular concern because of the distance the insect was found from the already quarantined areas in East Tennessee. The location in Smith County where four EAB were caught is at Cordell Hull Lake in the Elmwood/Granville area.
Emerald Ash Borer.
TWRA reports State of Tennessee extends Public Caves Closure into Fourth Year to Protect Bats in Southeast
June 14, 2012
Nashville, TN – Caves located on state lands in Tennessee will remain closed in an effort to slow the spread of White Nose Syndrome (WNS) among the state’s bat population.
During the upcoming year, state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations will consult with recreational caving organizations to determine how to best manage the spread of this disease while maintaining high quality recreation. Biologists will also continue to work with researchers to better understand WNS and determine the best ways to mitigate the effects of WNS on Tennessee’s bats. [Read more]
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security encourages Voters to obtain Photo IDs before March 6th Presidential Primary
February 28, 2012
Special Saturday Service will cease after March 3rd, County Clerk Partners to stop issuing Voter Photo ID on March 12th
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is encouraging voters this week to obtain photo IDs for voting purposes at no cost before the Tennessee Presidential Primary elections on March 6th.
The department will open certain driver service centers across the state this Saturday for voter photo identification issuance only. March 3rd will be the last opportunity for registered voters to take advantage of this special Saturday service.
Additionally, March 12th will be the final day the Department of Safety & Homeland Security’s county clerk partners will issue voter photo IDs at no cost. [Read more]
June 2011 County Unemployment Rates
August 1, 2011
Rate Increases in 91 Counties and Decreases in four
Nashville, TN – County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for June 2011, released today show that the rate increased in 91 counties. The four counties that decreased were DeKalb, Hawkins, Moore and Smith.
Tennessee’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for June was 9.8 percent, up slightly from the May revised rate of 9.7. The national unemployment rate for June 2011 was 9.2 percent, up from the May revised rate of 9.1 percent. Henry County had an unemployument rate of 12.7 percent for June, up 0.9 percent from May’s 11.9 percent unemployment.
