The revised reporting of data shows a 28% drop in the number of initial unemployment claims first reported for the week ending July 10, 2021, as Tennessee transitioned away from federal pandemic unemployment programs.The U.S. Department of Labor reemphasized reporting standards for states that moved away from administering federal pandemic unemployment benefits.For the week ending July 10, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) reported 9,375 claimants applied for unemployment benefits. Under the reconciled data, the true number of claims for the week is 6,744. This data reflects the number of applications submitted by claimants who worked...

By Nadia Ramligan, TN Public News Service Some Tennessee employers are ramping up efforts to convince their employees to get vaccinated, as the Delta variant of COVID-19 spreads.As of early July, it had accounted for more than 50% of new cases in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And in Tennessee, the state’s Department of Health reported 125 cases of the Delta variant as of July 8.Jeff Lamarche, executive director for the General Motors plant in Spring Hill, said his facility has offered onsite vaccinations for employees.“Two onsite clinics with Murray County Health Department, bringing nurses onsite,...

Bad news kids, but the return of school is right around the corner! Thunder Radio is getting calls daily about the dates for first day of school. They are as follows: Coffee County School System and Manchester City Schools will have similar openings: both will have an abbreviated day on Monday, Aug. 2. Coffee County Schools abbreviated day will be two hours, while Manchester City will be one hour. The first full day of school for both systems will be Wednesday, Aug....

Last week, the Tennessee Department of Education announced the approval of 29 new virtual schools for the 2021-22 school year, bringing the total number of virtual schools operating across the state to fifty-seven. “As we head into the new school year, educators and school and district leaders throughout the state are focused on ensuring student achievement and serving the needs of all students in their communities,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “Last school year, districts responded to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing additional operating models and learning formats to ensure that families had options and students could continue learning with their classmates and teachers when out of school buildings. While research shows that students benefit most from in-person classroom instruction, districts are ensuring families who prefer a virtual education...

The first full day of schools for Tullahoma City Schools will be Monday, Aug. 2. The system issued a statement Monday to address COVID-19 protocols for the start of school.  “Even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, we experienced a successful 2020-2021 school year thanks to our teachers, staff, students and families. We responded appropriately to the challenges of COVID-19 and made it through a most unusual year,” said TCS Director of Schools Dr. Catherine Stephens. “We appreciate all of the efforts put in place to ensure that we maintained a safe, healthy, positive and productive learning environment.”...

The Tennessee gas price average held steady for the second week in a row. The Tennessee Gas Price average remains $2.88 which is two cents more than one month ago and 95 cents more than one year ago.  The lowest price found in Manchester as of Monday was $2.83.“Crude oil prices declined last week after recent news of OPEC and its oil producing allies plan to gradually increase oil production beginning in August,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Initial reports did lead to a reduction in crude oil pricing, but it’s unclear at this point where the crude market will go from here. For...

By Rosalyn Partin, Manchester H&R Block With over half of 2021 behind us, now’s the perfect time for tax planning. All too often taxpayers wait until time to file their taxes to think about the outcome, and many times they are met with unwanted results. Having half the year to review and about half the year to forecast, taxpayers can have a good idea of how the year is shaping up and also have enough time to make changes that could make tax filing less painful. Tracking possible tax benefits, estimating income, evaluating withholding, updating financial and household information...

Tennessee’s economic recovery continued in June as the statewide unemployment rate decreased to 4.9%, according to the latest data by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).The state’s new rate is 0.1 of a percentage point lower than May’s statistic of 5%. Tennessee’s unemployment rate has been at 5.1%, or lower, for the last six months. In March 2020, the last month before COVID-19 business closures impacted the economy, Tennessee’s unemployment rate was 4%.One year ago, Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate stood at 9.3%, which is 4.4 percentage points higher than the June 2021 rate.Tennessee employers helped thousands of...