Josh Peterson

By Tennessee Public News Service

Tennessee has become the first state to submit a Medicaid block grant proposal to federal officials. 

If approved, the proposal would allow the state to make changes to its Medicaid program, known as TennCare. 

Michele Johnson, executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center, says a block grant would allow Gov. Bill Lee to take federal money, without the accountability.

“The fact is, he’s talking about taking a billion dollars out of a program that serves our most vulnerable Tennesseans, and that math doesn’t add up,” she states.

Proponents of block grants say they would shrink the federal price tag for paying for health care. 

Johnson says the federal government will decide on whether or not to approve the state’s request for a Medicaid block grant early next year. She also notes the proposal is open for public comment until Dec. 27.

“There will be a 30-day comment period, and every person in the state can comment and should comment,” Johnson points out.

Johnson says in recent years, block grants have become a bumper sticker political talking point.

“President Trump has said he tried to pass a block grant bill in Congress to block grant the entire Medicaid program,” she points out. “And that was defeated in Congress. It was defeated because it would have jeopardized babies and it would have jeopardized pregnant women and it would have jeopardized seniors.”

Johnson adds that if approved, Tennessee’s block grant proposal would eliminate federal Medicaid rules banning discrimination on the basis of a patient’s pre-existing medical conditions, and would also cut prescription drug coverage.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for areas in Middle Tennessee for Sunday night through noon Monday – an area that includes Coffee County.

A strong upper-level low pressure system will bring the chance of snowfall to the mid-state with accumulating snowfall amounts between one to two inches possible across the Cumberland Plateau Regions, according to NWS.

The advisory includes Putnam, Overton, Cannon, DeKalb and Coffee counties.

“Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute,” NWS says in its advisory.

As always, you should plan for your local school systems’ to be running on schedule unless you hear otherwise. To sign up for school-closing text alerts, click here.

After hosting the inaugural Exit 111 Festival in Manchester in October of 2019, organizers have announced that the festival will not return in 2020.

In a post on Facebook, the festival thanked the “incredible fans and road warriors who rocked and camped with us this year.”

Thunder Radio News has reached out for further statement but has yet to receive one.

While official ticket numbers were not released, estimated paid attendance was between 20,000-25,000 for this year’s event, which was held in October.

The Exit 111 was the first major music event held at Great Stage Park other than the annual Bonnaroo festival held every June.

A man was transported to Unity Medical Center in Manchester Tuesday evening at approximately 6:50 p.m.. after he was struck by a train near Rose St. in Manchester. 

According to preliminary information from Manchester Police Department Assistant Chief Adam Floied, the victim, Jerry Messick, 38, appeared to be standing near the tracks where they intersect with Rose St. The conductor said that he spotted the victim and hit the train’s emergency brakes but could not stop in time.

“It looks like he was standing next to the tracks and it didn’t run him over, but it did hit him,” explained Floied. “We did get a good statement from the conductor and there was [a railroad worker flagging at another intersection] that was close by.”

Floied said officials expect Messick to survive. Floied added that the man appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, however, this information is preliminary and a complete report was not yet available at the time of this story. 

The annual City of Manchester Christmas Parade is set for this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” 

The parade will start on State Route 55 (McMinnville Highway) past the Raider Academy school, turn north onto U.S. Highway 41 (Murfreesboro Highway) and then turn onto the square on West Main Street, where it will pass in front of the courthouse, exit the square and then disperse. You can see a map of the parade on our website at thunder1320.com. There will be pre-parade entertainment beginning at 5 p.m. on the downtown square. Following the parade will be the annual city Christmas Tree lighting. 

Longtime and well-known Manchester resident Dr. Prater Powell will be this year’s grand marshal. Dr. Powell serves as a City School Board Member, a charter member for the Manchester Kiwanis Club, chamber member, Treasurer at Red Hill Church of Christ, the former President of TN School Personnel Association and has been a recreation commission member for nearly 40 years. In the past he has served on the TN Vocation Rehab Board and has been the Director of Manchester City Schools. He devoted 35 years to the Coffee County school system through being a teacher, administrator, and principal.

Also, for the tree lighting, six year old Clay Riddle will be placing the star atop the tree for the lighting. Clay, 6, loves to play with his friends, color, build Legos and all things Hot Wheels. He is a kindergartner at College Street Elementary School and has fun every day after school as a participant in the Manchester Recreation Center’s Children’s After-School Program. Clay is the son to Brad and Katy Riddle and little brother to Karsyn. 

In case of inclement weather Saturday, the parade will be moved to the same time on Sunday night. We will have an announcement on the Thunder Radio website by 4 p.m. Saturday if the parade is moved. Rain is in the forecast. 

Leah Kate Sullivan, a seventh grade student at Westwood Middle School, was elected state Beta Secretary during the state convention earlier this week. 

Westwood students campaigned for Sullivan, performed a skit on stage, and she delivered a minute and a a half speech in front of over 6,000 students in Nashville. She also was asked and answered at question in front of those students. Next up, Leah Kate will be at the National Beta Convention in Texas next June.