Area News
Jon Styf The Center Square The U.S. Department of Education informed the Tennessee Department of Education on Monday it would be investigating whether the state’s stance on masks in schools is violating the rights of disabled students. The investigation, from the department’s Office of Civil Rights, centers around an executive order from Gov. Bill Lee…
Jon Styf The Center Square Tennessee has disbursed only $17.2 million of the $383.4 million worth of Emergency Rental Assistance program money the state received in the first wave of funding for the COVID-19 relief program. Nearly $2 million of the amount has been paid out in the past two weeks, but it still pales…
Citing pandemic restrictions which resulted in numerous rehearsal cancellations, the Germantown Symphony Orchestra has called off its upcoming performance in Savannah. “No one is more disappointed than we are,” said Jennie Latta, president of the GSO. “We were so looking forward to returning to Savannah.” The free sunset symphony was planned for Sept. 4, on…
Jon Styf The Center Square President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that federal disaster relief funds would be available to Tennessee residents, declaring a major disaster after flooding in Humphreys County left at least 21 residents dead. Federal disaster funds can include “grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property…
Hardin County Mayor Kevin Davis said Monday he appreciates the work former HMC CEO Nick Lewis did to maintain and improve the county-owned hospital. Lewis resigned, effective last Sunday. (See full story in the upcoming print edition.) “Patient care is the first and foremost issue for Hardin Medical Center, and I have faith and trust…
The Food and Drug Administration issued full authorization Monday of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people 16 and up. The vaccine remains under emergency use authorization for those age 12-15 years and for the administration of the third dose option for individuals who are moderately or severely immuno-compromised. According to the Tennessee Department of Health,…
Jon Styf The Center Square Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order allowing parents to opt out of school or local government mask mandates has gotten the attention of the Biden administration and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Tennessee’s actions to block school districts from voluntarily adopting science-based strategies for preventing the spread of COVID-19…
People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems can now get an additional dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Local health departments across the state are administering the additional dose option with no appointment necessary. Other regular healthcare providers have also been encouraged to begin offering it to eligible patients, the Tennessee Department of Health said.…
Jon Styf The Center Square Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order Monday allowing parents to opt children out of COVID-19 mask mandates from local schools or government agencies. Lee declined to call for a special session of the Tennessee Legislature to address the issue. House Speaker Cameron Sexton and state’s Republican House members…
As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to swell locally, Hardin County Director of Schools Michael Davis announced new guidance effective Wednesday, Aug. 18. •Students and staff who wear a mask while at school will not be required to quarantine by the school unless they have symptoms. •Students and staff who are currently quarantined will…