Tennessee Ranks in Top Five as Retirement Destination
June 26, 2016
Nashville, TN – Tennessee has been named No. 4 in a recent analysis of the 10 Best States for Retirement 2016 by Kiplinger.com, a Washington, D.C.-based publisher of business forecasts and personal finance advice. The report rated all 50 states based on quantifiable factors that are important to retirees.
Affordability, especially in terms of lower taxes on retirees and lower health care costs, was a key factor in the research. The economic health of the state, as well as the overall health of the population, was also taken into account. States with prosperous populations of residents age 65 were also important in the comprehensive analysis.
Kiplinger Report Rates 10 Best States for Retirement 2016
AAA testifies in favor of retaining Helmet Law
February 14, 2016
Knoxville, TN – On Tuesday, the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee is expected to vote on House Bill 700 by Representative Jay Reedy (R-Erin) which would drastically weaken Tennessee’s motorcycle helmet law and undoubtedly increase deaths, traumatic brain injury and medical costs in the state.
The proposed bill would allow riders 21 years and older not insured with TennCare, to ride without a helmet. Tennessee’s current law requires all motorcyclists to wear a helmet, regardless of age or experience of the rider.
Motorcycle crash victim urges lawmakers to maintain helmet bill.
TWRA creates Information page on Cougars
January 17, 2016
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has announced that it has created its page on its website with information on cougars for the public.
Recent cougar sightings have been confirmed at four locations in Tennessee and the TWRA is taking a proactive stance in making information available. The cougar has not been seen in Tennessee since the early 20th century until recently.
Cougar
Bison Auction Set for January 31st at Land Between The Lakes
December 29, 2014
Golden Pond, KY – A public auction to reduce the size of Land Between The Lakes’ bison herds will be held on Saturday, January 31st, 2015.
The sale begins at 9:00am Central Standard Time at the Elk & Bison Prairie corral. Bidder registration, final sale list, and viewing begin at 8:00am. Bison purchases may be made with cash, credit card, or personal check at time of bid acceptance.
Bison at Land Between the Lakes.
USDA says $15M in Targeted Conservation Help Available to Farmers in Impoverished Communities this Year
May 22, 2014
Nashville, TN – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will target over $885,197 this year in technical and financial conservation assistance for Tennessee farmers, ranchers and forest landowners in persistent poverty rural areas.
StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity is a USDA effort that focuses high-priority assistance in rural communities in 20 states with a special emphasis on historically underserved farmers, ranchers and communities in counties with persistent poverty. [Read more]
Red Cross Responds, Offers Safety Steps As Bitter Temperatures Cover Much of U.S.
January 6, 2014
Nashville, TN – The American Red Cross is helping people impacted by the frigid cold air covering two-thirds of the country, and offers steps people can take to stay safe during this dangerous weather.
“Our volunteers remain on stand-by to respond if there is a significant, unforeseen, emergency incident or event that displaces individuals from their normal place of dwelling which would cause us to open an emergency shelter,” said David Kitchen, Regional Disaster Program Officer. “We have been closely monitoring the weather system for the past several days and as soon as we realized that the flash freeze had the potential to strand motorists as well as to cause life-threatening situations, we immediately began activating our disaster action plan.” [Read more]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report West Nile virus cases on the rise
September 13, 2012
Washington, D.C. – As of September 11th, 2012, 48 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 2,636 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 118 deaths, have been reported to CDC.
Of these, 1,405 (53%) were classified as neuroinvasive disease (such as meningitis or encephalitis) and 1,231 (47%) were classified as non-neuroinvasive disease.
West Nile virus (WNV) activity reported to ArboNET, by state, United States, 2012 (as of September 11th, 2012)
Drought Assistance Available to Producers
August 9, 2012
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Delivers Targeted Financial and Technical Assistance to Drought-Stricken Producers and Landowners in 19 States
Nashville, TN – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA will target nearly $16 million in financial and technical assistance to help eligible crop and livestock producers in 19 states cope with adverse impacts of the historic drought gripping the nation.
“President Obama and I continue to work across the federal government to provide relief for those farmers and ranchers who are affected by the severe drought conditions impacting many states across our nation,” Vilsack said. “This additional assistance builds on a number of steps USDA has taken over the past few weeks to provide resources and flexibility in our existing programs to help producers endure these serious hardships.” [Read more]
