Tennesseans may soon see some relief on their grocery bill. Gov. Bill Lee last week announced his plan to work with members of the General Assembly to suspend state and local sales tax on groceries for 30 days. This tax cut would provide direct relief for working families amid surging inflation nationwide. “As Americans see their cost-of-living skyrocket amid historic inflation, suspending the grocery tax is the most effective way to provide direct relief to every Tennessean,” Lee said. “Our state has the ability to put dollars back in the pockets of hardworking Tennesseans, and I thank members of...

By Nadia Ramligan, TN Public News Service A recent report found Tennessee households pay more than $6,000 a year on prescriptions, far more than the national average of around $4,000 dollars. Yesterday, U.S. Senate lawmakers held a hearing on prescription-drug pricing, as inflation continues to drive up prices. Steffany Stern, vice president for advocacy at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, testified astronomical drug prices for conditions such as MS force most individuals to rely on charity to cover the costs of their medications. “It’s very common for people with MS like my mom to have to rely on some kind of financial assistance...

Newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development showed Tennessee recorded another month of lower unemployment in February. It marked the second consecutive month of decreased jobless numbers across the state. The February 2022 seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.4% was a 0.1 of a percentage point drop from January’s rate of 3.5%. The new figure came in 1.6 percentage points lower than the 2021 rate of 5%. Tennessee employers created thousands of new jobs during the month. Between January and February, workers filled 19,000 nonfarm positions. The largest increases were in the construction sector, followed...

Thunder Radio H&R Block Student of the Week – Paisley Duke Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin of the Manchester H&R Block and congratulate our student of the week – Paisley Duke. Paisley is a 5th grader at Hickerson Elementary School. She was nominated by her teachers and administrators.  Paisley is the daughter of Lindsey Duke. Her favorite subject is Math. In her free time she enjoys her pets and riding horses. She also likes to play on her iPad. All students of the week are selected for their work ethic and excellent attitudes in and out...

Manchester’s Parks and Recreation Center will have its annual Easter egg hunts in the coming weeks. The underwater egg hunt will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 2 in the rec center pool. This is for ages 2-12 and there is no cost. Don’t forget to bring your water proof Easter egg basket. There is limited space for this event – preregister at the front desk, 557 N. Woodland St. in Manchester. Outdoor Easter egg hunts will be April 16. The egg hunt for ages 7 and under will be at 1 p.m. in Fred Deadman Park. There will...

Multiple area businesses were destroyed by fire at the Woodland Plaza on Monday morning, March 21. Businesses that were completely destroyed or incurred significant damage or losses include Most Awesome Cleaning Company, Reese’s Genes Boutique, Greg Green Photography and Toliver’s Warehouse space. Other area businesses have immediately jumped into action and are offering multiple ways for the Manchester community to help those businesses affected get back onto their feet. There will be a 5K run/walk at 1 p.m. Saturday April 9 with all sponsorship and registration proceeds going to the affected businesses. The 5K will start and end at...

The upcoming primary is fast approaching. The May 3 Coffee County Primary will have early voting April 13-28. The deadline to register to vote is fast approaching. Anyone wishing to vote in the May 3 primary must be registered by Monday, April 4. You can register by visiting the Coffee County Election Commission on McArthur St. You can also register to vote from your computer – just click here. Early voting will be April 13 through April 28. Thunder Radio will host its annual political forum at The Church at 117 from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, where...

The Shelbyville Police Department is asking for the public’s help identifying the individual in these photos. The pictured individual is a person of interest in a theft that took place at USA Cellular in Shelbyville. If you know this individual, please contact Det. Nathaniel Everhart at 931-684-5811 ext....