Coronavirus

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers, including Lt. Governor Randy McNally, State Senators Becky Massey (R-Knoxville), Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville), Steve Southerland (R-Morristown), Art Swann (R-Maryville) and Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains), and Representatives Dave Wright (R-Corryton), Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville), Eddie Mannis (R-Knoxville), Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville), Justin Lafferty (R-Knoxville), Michelle Carringer (R-Knoxville), …

(TDH press release) The Tennessee Department of Health today announced receipt of a $38.8 million award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address COVID-19 health disparities. The two-year, non-research grant is funded through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. “We know COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted communities of …

(TDMHSAS press release) The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) is receiving more than $53 million in additional funding from the federal government to address post-COVID mental health and substance use needs. The supplemental block grant funding will add more than $27 million to mental health …

The American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge is back open to the public, as of this morning. Closed since last year due to the pandemic, the Museum’s operating hours will be 9 am to 5 pm Mondays through Saturdays, and 1 to 5 pm on Sundays.In their …

(TDLWD) Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate for April 2021 decreased by double digits when compared to data from the previous year. In April 2020, the state’s jobless rate reached a record high during the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.According to data released from the Department of Labor and Workforce …

Roane State Community College has announced updates to its pandemic response plan, including the removal of the face mask requirement for individuals who are fully vaccinated. As of yesterday (Monday, May 17th), the college is also ending its daily wellness screening requirement for campus access. These changes follow updated guidance …

The Oak Ridge School Board voted Monday night to end its mask mandate on May 28th, the final day of the Oak Ridge school year, and make wearing them optional for summer school. Superintendent Dr. Bruce Borchers made the recommedation in light of falling case numbers in the community, including …

Wednesday, the Tennessee Department of Health announced it will begin administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 12-15 years. This follows this week’s decision by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to recommend to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration …

On Tuesday, Governor Bill Lee added Tennessee to the growing list of states opting out of the $300 unemployment benefit, along with other federal pandemic unemployment programs. Tennessee will end the programs July 3. The following federally funded pandemic unemployment compensation programs will end July 3: Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation …

A pastor from LaFollette who spent the last seven months in the hospital after a COVID diagnosis returned home on Tuesday. East LaFollette Baptist Church youth pastor Zach Lloyd was hospitalized in October after contracting COVID-19. While fighting COVID, Lloyd developed pneumonia, and the resulting double infection led to a …