Each June, Tennessee counties experience an increase in unemployment as schools close for summer break and lay off workers. Recent college graduates entering the workforce for the first time also impact the data each year. Once again this June, data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) showed jobless rates increased in each of the state’s 95 counties. In Coffee County, the unemployment rate for June stands at 5.3 percent. This is up 0.9 of a percentage point from the rate of 4.4 percent in May. The 5.3 rate is still far ahead of June 2020,...

Traveler confidence is soaring, according to a new AAA Travel survey, fielded in late June. According to the data, nearly three-quarters of Tennesseans (71%) feel more comfortable traveling now than they did three months ago.Over the course of the past three quarterly AAA Travel surveys, residents’ comfort level has significantly increased as their concern about COVID-19 waned.Top reasons Tennesseans feel more confident traveling:· Received their COVID-19 vaccination (47%)· More confident in safety measures being implemented (31%)· Less afraid about the dangers of the virus (25%)Of those who are already or plan to be vaccinated, 39% say travel was a motivating...

With less natural population growth and decreased immigration, the population of the United States has been growing more slowly every year since 2015, according to new Census Bureau estimates. In fact, the 0.35% growth rate between 2019 and 2020 represents the lowest growth rate in more than a century.America is now an aging nation, as the age brackets for residents 55 and older are expanding at a pace that far exceeds the younger brackets. Over the past decade, the population of retirement-age residents (65 to 74 years old) soared 48.9% according to Census figures, while those 75 or older...

Thunder Radio will be broadcasting live and on location from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday, July 23 at Fast Pace Urgent Care in Manchester: 1415 Hillsboro Blvd. Stop by during that time and register for a chance to win big prizes: tickets to Lake Winnie, Beech Bend Park, Thunder Radio Swag and TWO BONNAROO TICKETS! Tune into Thunder Radio at 107.9 FM, 106.7 FM, 1320 AM, thunder1320.com and the Manchester Go smartphone...

As the U.S. economy enters a new phase in its recovery from COVID-19, businesses are adding new positions faster than they can fill them. A combination of rapidly expanding job openings, a smaller labor force, and more generous unemployment benefits is pushing wages higher, especially in fields like leisure and hospitality that historically have some of the lowest wages for new workers. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau on new hires, average monthly earnings was $3,266 in 2020—a figure that varies widely by industry, job, and location.New hires in the information sector—which includes many of...

Gabrielle Hernandez Are you looking for a quick pathway to a career? Look no further than Motlow State Community College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program. In as little as three months, you can get EMT basic training certification that can give you a leg up on the competition in any field.  “I saw Motlow State was offering a summer course in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), so I decided to take a leap of faith and register for it. This was probably the best decision I have ever made,” said Gabrielle Hernandez, graduate of Motlow’s Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program....

Veterans of Foreign Wars All-American Post 10904 is pleased to announce thatHoward Thompson has been selected to receive the prestigious Cooper T. HoltAward. This award is awarded to one outstanding VFW member each year; and is basedon his or her achievements, including community work; serving on projectsand programs; and leadership. Of the more than 16,000 VFW members across 91Posts in the State of Tennessee, Howard Thompson was selected. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Thompson joined the Armyand served as Executive Officer in Qui Nhon Sub Area Command, Vietnam. Hehas served as a past Post Commander for VFW...

Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott says child abuse affects not only children but also the entire community. It’s essential to raise awareness, to save children and to minimize the long-term effects of child abuse. Northcott has seen the negative impacts of child abuse. “It is something, unfortunately, we deal with quite regularly,” Northcott said. “It ruins relationships, trust and the lives of so many people just by the long-term impact it has on the individual who has been victimized by that type of behavior. Whether it be physical abuse or sexual abuse, it has a detrimental impact, not...