Nashville, TN – Today, Monday, September 27th, 2021. the Tennessee Department of Education, in collaboration with Tennessee PBS, has launched Starting with Sounds, a Reading 360 statewide awareness campaign to help Tennessee parents and students understand the importance of reading in an engaging and fun way.

“Strong reading skills early in life and especially the ability to read proficiently by third grade are important predictors of student success,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “Thanks to our friends at Tennessee’s six PBS stations, and the generosity of celebrities who share our love of learning and reading– the department’s Starting with Sounds programming will broadcast statewide to help children engage in reading and develop strong phonics skills—learning how to hear and make sounds, how to associate sounds with letters, and how to combine sounds into words. Tennessee continues to prioritize education for our students and we are thrilled to provide more fun resources to help our little ones learn how to read.”

A list of the participating musicians, athletes, notable Tennesseans, and national champions of youth achievement with links to their recorded videos is as follows:

• Jason Crabb:Grammy award-winning singer and musician reads children’s book “Most Days” and sings “What a Wonderful World” 
• Ellie Holcomb:Singer-songwriter reads children’s book “My Father’s Dragon” and sings “Family” 
• Kathy Mattea:Grammy award-winning country music and bluegrass singer reads “The Wind in the Willows” and sings “One Light, One Sun” 
• Ketch Secor:Grammy award-winning singer and founding member of Old Crow Medicine Show reads “Lorraine” 
• Scott Hamilton:Olympic gold medalist reads “Fritzy Finds a Hat” 
• Jake Hoot:NBC’s “The Voice” winner and country music singer reads “Bloom” and sings “Best Job I Ever Had” 
• Carl Ray:Country music singer reads and sings “Tiger in my Soup” 
• Kelly Lang:Award-winning singer/songwriter reads “Most People” 
• Rissi Palmer:Country music singer reads “Magnificent Homespun Brown” and sings “Best Day Ever” 
• Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley:Nationally known musicians read “Farmer Falgu Goes on a Trip” and sing “No More Hard Times Blues” 
• More to come!

Starting November 1st, Starting with Sounds will air on Tennessee PBS during the department’s regularly scheduled time block from 9:00am-11:00am CT. Additional Starting with Sounds videos will be added soon, including videos featuring celebrities like country music singer Tenille Townes and country music singer and songwriter Niko Moon. Local and national musicians, athletes, and other champions for student success are invited and encouraged to participate. Click here to learn more.

“Tennessee PBS is committed to delivering impactful educational programming every day via broadcast and online to Tennessee students across the state,” said Becky Magura, President and CEO, Nashville Public Television. “We know early literacy achievement is essential for student success, and the Starting with Sounds campaign is an excellent opportunity within the state’s Reading 360 literacy initiative for students and families to spend time together focusing on the importance of sounds-based reading.”

District leaders and community partners commented on the importance of early literacy and the impact Starting with Sounds will have across the state.

“In the YMCA programs, we see firsthand how reading at an early age can open the doors to imagination and provide a foundation for a love of learning that students will carry with them throughout their education and life,” said Brian McLaughlin, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South. “We are looking forward to being able to share the Starting with Sounds videos and encourage our little ones to discover their potential through reading!”

“The most important task we have as educators is teaching our youngest students how to read,” said Scott Langford, Chief Academic Officer, Sumner County Schools. “That task begins with sounds first instruction. It is essential that we begin there and build the strongest of foundations.”

“Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) is proud to support the Starting with Sounds initiative to raise awareness of the importance of reading and our mission to strengthen early literacy statewide,” said James Pond, president of GELF. “Reading goes beyond the pages of a book, and Tennessee Literacy Month is the perfect time for us to come together as Tennesseans to support our youngest learners. It’s more than books. It’s the future of Tennessee.”

Starting with Sounds is a component of Reading 360, a comprehensive statewide literacy initiative to provide optional grants and resources to help more Tennessee students develop strong phonics-based reading skills by supporting districts, teachers, and families. Components of the Reading 360 initiative are funded with federal COVID-19 relief and stimulus funding. To access additional resources on Reading 360, click here.

For Tennessee Department of Education media inquiries, contact Edu.MediaInquiries@tn.gov.

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Montgomery County, TN – Montgomery County Government welcomes the 2021-2022 Mayor’s Emerging Leaders, a group of 43 high school students who serve as unofficial members of county committees.

The Mayor’s Emerging Leaders Program which began in August, offers a unique learning experience that offers high school students an inside look at how county government operates through their attendance at meetings.

Committee selections include Airport Authority, Animal Control, Audit, Budget, E-911, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Protection, Jail and Juvenile, Parks, and School Liaison. The committees generally meet once per month late in the afternoon.

“We are always happy to welcome these students to our meetings. It is encouraging to interact with youth who want to understand the role of local government. The students sometimes challenge us with their questions and we want that interaction with these future community leaders,” said Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett.

The program is open to high school students in 10^th through 12^th grade. Announcements for the program are made through local media, social media and sent to school guidance counselors in the spring. Students start in August and finish in May of each year to coincide with their school schedules.

This year’s participants are: Isabella Allen, Miya Anderson, Colby Byard, Ben Giles, Layla Latefi, Lydia Ramos, Collin Rittenberry, John Wallace and Ashlynn York with Clarksville Academy; Katelyn Baker, Maegan Baker, Kaleb Hughes, Avery Janssen, Olivia Loos, Stella Myers, Kayla Pickett, Dev Shah, Micah Stanley, Sara Whipple with Clarksville High; Lillian Carr, Homeschooled; Hannah Millburn and Janiah Harris with Middle College; Madelyn Coleson, Christine Felix, Jacob Gould, Kaitlyn Jones, Seth Proctor, Gracey Suggs, Lilly Wiens with Montgomery Central; Aceyanna Dykes, Jaden Steele with Northeast; Analiese Poe, Ryan Smith with Northwest; Daniel Cortes, Brady Davidson, William Gee, Morgan Hicks, Jared Meeks, Nashla Moncoin, Arwa Nasir, and Gia-an (Saky) Nguyen with Rossview; Sean Boykin and Jaya Johnson with West Creek.

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Clarksville, TN – The Clarksville Police Department (CPD) reports that the accident at Dunbar Cave Road and Kimberly Drive has been cleared up and the roadway is back open.

CPD had responded to an accident with injuries at that location.

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Clarksville, TN – Clarksville Police Department (CPD) is working an accident with injuries on Dunbar Cave Road and Kimberly Drive. It is estimated that it will take about 45 minutes to get the road cleared and open to normal traffic again.

The public is asked to avoid the area and find alternate routes.

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Clarksville, TN – The Clarksville Association of REALTORS® (CAR) Young Professionals Network (YPN) hosted their seventh annual Handbags for Hope event on September 18th, 2021, at Wilma Rudolph Event Center.

The proceeds from the event raise money for CAR’s Spreading Our Support Foundation (S.O.S.) which, in years past, have benefited the Mike Groves Memorial Scholarship, Safehouse for Women, Habitat for Humanity, FUEL, and other local organizations.

“I am bursting at the seams with pride for our YPN, our association, and our community. The amount of support we had this year was unbelievable. I am so excited to see how these funds will directly impact our community,” said Caitlin Griser, 2021 CAR YPN Chair. “This year’s event was a huge success. My heart was so happy to see everyone dressed up and having fun! Knowing that 100% of the funds raised will go towards local organizations makes me proud to be a part of this REALTOR® community!” said, Becki Seay 2021 CAR YPN Vice-Chair. Seay went on to rave about the generosity of the real estate community and their love for this community they serve every day, “Thank you to all the generous donations, sponsorships, and participation that made this event so successful.”

“After participating with Handbags for Hope for the past five years, I’ve had the privilege to watch the behind-the-scenes planning of the event and honored to see the end results of the hard labor. This year we saw how this will become a part of the entire community for years to come. We are so grateful for the outpouring of love allowing us to have record-breaking numbers. Stay tuned for next year, guaranteed not to disappoint! “said event Emcee and REALTOR®, Jimmy Terry Jr.

About the Clarksville Association of REALTORS®

The Clarksville Association of REALTORS® has over 1,283 active REALTORÒ members and 74 Affiliate Partners that work together to improve the public awareness of the value of REALTORS® to the community and to the benefits of their services.  The Clarksville Association of RealtorsÒ strives to enable the advancement, promote value, and enhance the success of those they serve by focusing on education, advocacy, and connection.

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Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University (APSU) will host the Ann R. Ross Bookstore and APSU Wall Mural Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies on Friday, October 1st, 2021 at the Ann R. Ross Bookstore located at 328 College Street in Clarksville at 10:00pm.

“We’re thrilled to welcome students back to campus with the newly renovated Austin Peay State University Bookstore,” said Bobby Hamous, director, Stores for Barnes & Noble College.

The mural has been painted on the wall in the parking lot between the APSU Bookstore and the Jenkins Building. The content of the mural illustrates various characteristics of the APSU campus, such as the APSU School of Nursing, the Aviation Science Program, the University’s large military-affiliated student population, fans, and community supporters, and the F&M Bank Arena.

It has four different areas for interactive photos and was completed by local artist Olasubomi Aka-Bashorun with assistance from Karley Davis, an APSU student majoring in studio art. Aka-Bashorun has created other murals in the area, including the “Starry Night” mural located at 420 Madison Street in Clarksville. Several donors contributed to the supplies for the mural, including members of the Jenkins family, F&M Bank, Orgain Building Supplies and Benjamin Moore Paints.

“It is our hope that the mural will be a photo destination for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members,” APSU Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the APSU Foundation Kris Phillips said. “We want to thank the APSU Foundation Creative Arts Committee for its vision, leadership and commitment to promoting the quality of the arts in the APSU community and the City of Clarksville through this project.”

Members of the APSU Foundation Creative Arts Committee include Founding Chair Hampton Bourne, Chair Thomasa Ross, Andrea Herrera, Maggie Kullback, Charles Foust, and Kara Kindall.

“The mural located between the APSU Bookstore and the Jenkins building will serve as a fun connection between our campus and the surrounding community,” APSU President Mike Licari said. “It is a vibrant addition to the area around College Street, a space that enhances our overall campus atmosphere.”

To RSVP for this event, visit alumni.apsu.edu/bookstoremural.

To support APSU fundraising initiatives, contact the Office of University Advancement at 931-221-7127.

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Nashville, TN – Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, announced today that its signature fundraising event in Nashville will be held Saturday, October 30th.

The 2021 event will not be held in its traditional fashion again this year due to ongoing health concerns related to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic but instead will unite people together from their homes and neighborhoods all across the area.

About Susan G. Komen®

Susan G. Komen® is the world’s leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. 

We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information.  Founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life, Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow’s cures.

Visit www.komen.org or call 1.877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social media at www.komen.org/contact-us/follow-us/.

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Clarksville, TN – The Clarksville Gas and Water Department (CGW) phones are intermittently down including the emergency phone line and the customer pay-by-phone, Utility Billing Line, due to technical issues; however, their toll free number, 888.800.4020, is operational for all calls including emergencies and bill payments.

Customer bill payments may also be made at our customer service center lobbies or drive-through window service located at 2215 Madison Street or 111 Cunningham Lane Convenient 24-hour kiosk “Pay Site” machines are also available for customer bill payments at the following locations.

• 1599 Fort Campbell Boulevard (corner of Ashbury Road)
• 1801 Ashland City Road (corner of Vista Lane)
• 2537 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard (next to Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins)
• 3880 Trenton Road (corner of Tiny Town Road)
• 111 Cunningham Lane NEW! (Drive-Up “Pay Site” kiosk at new North Clarksville City Services Center location.)

The Clarksville Gas and Water Department values customers and very much appreciates their patience and cooperation during the phone outage.

About Clarksville Gas and Water

The Clarksville Gas and Water Department is proud to safely and efficiently deliver natural gas, water, and sewer services to the citizens of Clarksville-Montgomery County by a courteous and professional team of knowledgeable employees.

Natural gas service is also provided to Robertson and Cheatham counties in Tennessee, Christian and Todd counties in Kentucky and to the Fort Campbell, Kentucky military installation.

CGW is also home to the City Engineering Office that provides expert design and support for water and sewer system capital improvement projects.

Clarksville Gas and Water Department’s main office is located at 2215 Madison Street, Clarksville, Tennessee. The phone is 931.645.7400. Hours are 8:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday.

For an emergency after hours, call 931.645.0116, 4:30pm-8:00am Weekends and Holidays.

For more information about Clarksville Gas and Water, visit their website at www.clarksvillegw.com

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Clarksville, TN – On Tuesday, September 28th, 2021, the Latino Community Resource Center (LCRC) and the Military Student Center will host the second annual Honoring Latino Military Heroes event – a part of Latinx Heritage Month – at 3:00pm-4:00pm in the Morgan University Center (MUC) Ballroom.

The event is free and open to the public.

Also happening this week is El Centro After Hours at 5:00pm Tuesday, September 28th; Aventura Cultural: Huichol Yarn Art from 11:00am-2:00pm Thursday, September 30th, at the LCRC, Room 115 in the MUC; and FAFSA one-on-one assistance at noon Friday, October 1st, in the LCRC.

The New Gallery to open ‘Wansoo Kim: Table Monsters’ exhibit

The New Gallery will present “Wansoo Kim: Table Monsters” – an exhibition of new works by APSU Art + Design faculty member Wansoo Kim – from September 27th to October 22nd.

A reception and gallery talk is scheduled for noon-1:30pm October 7th with a gallery talk at 12:15pm at The New Gallery. The exhibit also will be included during the First Thursday Art Walk from 5:00pm-7:30pm October 7th, during which Kim will give an artist lecture at 6:00pm in the APSU Art + Design building, Room 120.

This new series of works, “Table Monsters,” is an assemblage of recognizable and unidentifiable elements intended to evoke an environment where realism and surrealism coexist. Through both distant interaction with the works and personal closer examination, the viewer’s accessibility to the space and experience is restricted. By creating this experience for the viewer, Kim proposes to question our perceptions, our beliefs, our ignorance, and our awareness.

The exhibit and exhibit events are free and open to the public.

APSU Theatre and Dance to present ‘The Wolves’

The APSU Department of Theatre and Dance will present Sarah Delappe’s “The Wolves,” on September 30th-October 2nd at 7:30pm and October 2nd-3rd at 2:00pm in the Trahern Theater. Tickets are available at www.onthestage.tickets/austin-peay-state-university?patronView=1.

APSU Scholarship 5K: Run for the Govs coming October 2nd

The 2021 Austin Peay State University annual Scholarship 5K Run will take place on Saturday, October 2nd at 8:30am, at Emerald Hill, home of the Austin Peay State University National Alumni Association (NAA). Registration will open at 7:00am.

Participants can choose to run in-person on the day of the race at Emerald Hill or virtually on a course of their choosing.

The course at the Pace Alumni Center at Emerald Hill is 3.1 miles long and certified by the USA Track & Field (TN21012MS). Virtual 5K participants must complete their run between September 2nd and October 2nd by 4:00pm.

Registration fees for the race are $35.00 for pre-registration (until September 30th), $40.00 for registration on race day, $20.00 for APSU students with a valid APSU ID, and $30.00 for virtual participation. Entry fees for the APSU Scholarship 5K are non-refundable.

To register and for more information, visit www.alumni.apsu.edu/5k21. For questions, contact the Alumni Relations Office at alumni@apsu.edu.

Woodwind Chamber Ensembles to perform

The APSU Woodwind Chamber Ensembles will perform on Thursday, September 30th, at the Music/Mass Communication Mabry Concert Hall at 7:30pm The event is free and open to the public.

For more

For more events, visit www.peaylink.com.

For athletic events, visit www.letsgopeay.com.

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Nashville, TN – The American Red Cross is experiencing emergency blood and platelet shortage. A sharp drop in blood donor turnout has contributed to the lowest post-summer blood inventory level in six years, and donors of all blood types – especially type O – and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to give now and in the weeks ahead to help meet the needs of patients this fall.  

As a thank-you, all those who come to give through September 30th will receive a limited-edition, football-inspired Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last, plus a free haircut coupon by email from Sport Clips Haircuts.* Those who come to donate in October will receive a link by email to claim a free Zaxby’s® Signature Sandwich reward or get a $5.00 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.**  

*Terms and conditions apply.

**Terms and conditions apply.

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Silver Spring, MD – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for use of a single booster dose, to be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series in:

• Individuals 65 years of age and older;
• Individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19 Coronavirus; and 
• Individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19 Coronavirus including severe COVID-19.

This authorization applies only to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. 

“This pandemic is dynamic and evolving, with new data about vaccine safety and effectiveness becoming available every day. As we learn more about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, including the use of a booster dose, we will continue to evaluate the rapidly changing science and keep the public informed,” Woodcock stated.

The Process for Assessing the Available Data

Comirnaty (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA), was approved by the FDA on August 23rd, for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in individuals 16 years of age and older. On August 25th, 2021, the FDA received a supplement from Pfizer Inc. to their biologics license application for Comirnaty seeking approval of a single booster dose to be administered approximately six months after completion of the primary vaccination series for individuals 16 years of age and older.

As part of the FDA’s commitment to transparency, the agency convened a public meeting of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) on Sept. 17 to solicit input from independent scientific and public health experts on the data submitted in the application. During the meeting, the vaccine manufacturer presented information and data in support of its application. The FDA also presented its analysis of clinical trial data submitted by the vaccine manufacturer.

Additionally, the public was also given an opportunity to provide comment; and FDA invited international and U.S. agencies and external groups, including representatives from the Israeli Ministry of Health, the University of Bristol, U.K., and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to present recent data on the use of vaccine boosters, epidemiology of COVID-19 Coronavirus, and real-world evidence on vaccine effectiveness.

The FDA considered the data that the vaccine manufacturer submitted, the information presented at the VRBPAC meeting, and the committee’s discussion, and has determined that based on the totality of the available scientific evidence, a booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be effective in preventing COVID-19 Coronavirus and that the known and potential benefits of a booster dose outweigh the known and potential risks in the populations that the FDA is authorizing for use. The booster dose is authorized for administration to these individuals at least six months following completion of their primary series and may be given at any point after that time.  

It’s important to note that the FDA-authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is the same formulation as the FDA-approved Comirnaty and the vaccines may be used interchangeably. 

“We’re grateful for the advice of the doctors, scientists, and leading vaccine experts on our advisory committee and the important role they have played in ensuring transparent discussions about COVID-19 vaccines. We appreciate the robust discussion, including the vote regarding individuals over 65 years of age and individuals at high risk for severe disease, as well as the committee’s views regarding the use of a booster dose for those with institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

“The FDA considered the committee’s input and conducted its own thorough review of the submitted data to reach today’s decision. We will continue to analyze data submitted to the FDA pertaining to the use of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines and we will make further decisions as appropriate based on the data,”  Marks stated.

Data Supporting Authorization for Emergency Use

To support the authorization for emergency use of a single booster dose, the FDA analyzed safety and immune response data from a subset of participants from the original clinical trial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.

The antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 virus one month after a booster dose of the vaccine compared to the response one month after the two-dose primary series in the same individuals demonstrated a booster response. 

Additional analysis conducted by the manufacturer, as requested by the FDA, compared the rates of COVID-19 Coronavirus accrued during the current Delta variant surge among original clinical trial participants who completed the primary two-dose vaccination series early in the clinical trial to those who completed a two-dose series later in the study.

The analysis submitted by the company showed that during the study period of July and August 2021, the incidence of COVID-19 Coronavirus was higher among the participants who completed their primary vaccine series earlier, compared to participants who completed it later. The FDA determined that the rate of breakthrough COVID-19 Coronavirus reported during this time period translates to a modest decrease in the efficacy of the vaccine among those vaccinated earlier.

Safety was evaluated in 306 participants 18 through 55 years of age and 12 participants 65 years of age and older who were followed for an average of over two months. The most commonly reported side effects by the clinical trial participants who received the booster dose of the vaccine were pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, as well as fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, and chills. Of note, swollen lymph nodes in the underarm were observed more frequently following the booster dose than after the primary two-dose series.

Since December 11th, 2020, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has been available under EUA for individuals 16 years of age and older. The authorization was expanded on May 10th, 2021 to include those 12 through 15 years of age, and again on August 12th, 2021 to include the use of a third dose of a three-dose primary series in certain immunocompromised individuals 12 years of age and older.

EUAs can be used by the FDA during public health emergencies to provide access to medical products that may be effective in preventing, diagnosing, or treating a disease, provided that the FDA determines that the known and potential benefits of a product when used to prevent, diagnose, or treat the disease, outweigh the known and potential risks of the product.

The amendment to the EUA to include a single booster dose was granted to Pfizer Inc.

About the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

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Clarksville, TN – The Clarksville Gas and Water Department (CGW) has closed a section of Southern Parkway from Talton Drive to Hawkins Road for water main leak repair and motorists are being detoured to Talton Drive, Morgan Road, and Hawkins Road to avoid the work zone.

The water main leak repair is anticipated to be finished and the road reopened by approximately 1:00pm.

About Clarksville Gas and Water

Clarksville Gas and Water is proud to safely and efficiently deliver natural gas, water, and sewer services to the citizens of Clarksville-Montgomery County by a courteous and professional team of knowledgeable employees.

Natural gas service is also provided to Robertson and Cheatham counties in Tennessee, Christian and Todd counties in Kentucky and to the Fort Campbell, Kentucky military installation.

CGW is also home to the City Engineering Office that provides expert design and support for water and sewer system capital improvement projects.

Clarksville Gas and Water Department’s main office is located at 2215 Madison Street, Clarksville, Tennessee. The phone is 931.645.7400. Hours are 8:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday.

For an emergency after hours, call 931.645.0116, 4:30pm-8:00am Weekends and Holidays.

For more information about Clarksville Gas and Water, visit their website at www.clarksvillegw.com

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Orlando, FL – The COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on Americans’ travel plans. How they plan—and protect—those trips have also changed.

According to a recent AAA Travel survey, more than half (55%) of American adults are planning a vacation of at least one overnight stay before the end of next year, and those travelers are increasingly turning to travel insurance to protect their vacation investments.

“Travel insurance is relatively inexpensive for a large amount of peace of mind it affords, and that’s more valuable than ever in light of the pandemic,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president, AAA Travel. “Americans have seen how important travel insurance is to protect their vacation investment and are prioritizing this purchase at the start, now more than ever.”

The ability to cancel a trip and get a refund is by far the most frequently cited benefit of travel insurance, with 69% of travelers saying this is most important to them when considering travel insurance for an upcoming trip. AAA advises these travelers to look into travel insurance policies that include a “cancel at any time” component, which could offer more flexibility and protection in the event a traveler needs to cancel their trip.

While travel insurance policies have historically not covered epidemics or pandemics, in response to shifting consumer expectations, some providers have started to introduce plans that cover some losses due to COVID-19 or other epidemic diseases. AAA recommends travelers consult the expertise of a knowledgeable travel agent to help plan their trips and evaluate the various travel insurance options available on the market.

Recent AAA Travel bookings have increased 11% over 2019 levels, and interest in travel insurance has increased in turn. AAA’s travel insurance sales have increased more than double digits year-over-year, as members return to travel and see the value of protecting that investment. Choosing the right policy is important, and increasingly travelers want policies that protect against common covered reasons for trip cancellations and interruptions, as well as other travel-related incidents including change fees, delays or lost/damaged luggage, to name a few.

Also, it’s important to note that some international destinations may require visitors to carry travel insurance, to help cover any unexpected medical costs that may be incurred while visiting. A knowledgeable travel agent can help travelers navigate these and other evolving travel requirements.

The AAA Travel survey also found that six in 10 Americans (60%) see the benefit of working with a travel agent to plan their upcoming trips.

Travelers’ top benefits of working with a travel advisor reflect the important role they play in today’s more complex travel environment, including:

• To save time when researching or planning a vacation (40%)
• For help with complicated new travel restrictions/requirements (34%)
• To find the best deals (33%)

“Travel insurance options vary greatly, but a knowledgeable travel agent can help you navigate through those complexities,” continued Twidale. “A trusted travel advisor serves as your advocate before and during your trip. Partnering with a travel advisor to review your travel insurance options offers another level of protection, so you can focus on making lifelong vacation memories.”

AAA Travel agents are available to help members evaluate travel insurance offerings and plan their vacations when they are ready. For more information and to get started, visit AAA.com/Travel.

Methodology

The survey was conducted August 13th–15th, 2021, using a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population overall. The panel provides sample coverage of approximately 97% of the U.S. household population. Most surveys were completed online; consumers without Internet access were surveyed over the phone.

A total of 1,126 interviews were completed among U.S. adults, 18 years of age or older. The margin of error for the study overall is 2.9% at the 95% confidence level. The margin of error for U.S. travelers is 3.9% at the 95% confidence level. Smaller subgroups have larger error margins.

About AAA

AAA provides more than 62 million members with automotive, travel, insurance and financial services through its federation of 30 motor clubs and more than 1,000 branch offices across North America.

Since 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for safe mobility. Drivers can request roadside assistance, identify nearby gas prices, locate discounts, book a hotel or map a route via the AAA Mobile app.

To join, visit AAA.com.

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Philadelphia, PA – One out of every eight United States households experiences food insecurity. Access to healthy food is an important factor in your health, and for millions of Americans, it remains elusive according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“An inability to access healthy food, and the important nutrients they contain, can cause both immediate and long-term health problems, especially for children,” said Dr. Andrea Gelzer, senior vice president of medical affairs for AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid managed care and other health care solutions for those most in need.

Resources that Americans most in need can turn to for finding and obtaining healthy food include:

Grocery Store Programs

An increasing number of grocery stores have nutritionists on staff. They meet with customers, explain how to make their diets healthier, and even teach them how to find healthy foods.

Some grocery stores also offer cooking demonstrations. Some supermarket companies specialize in offering products, programs, and services that better meet the needs of people with limited financial resources. At the very least, large grocery stores offer a much wider variety of fresh produce, whole grains, and other healthy foods than are often available in small neighborhood stores.

Many low-income communities lack such grocery stores, and people without their own transportation may have difficulty accessing healthy food sources. Medicaid enrollees who are eligible for home and community-based services (HCBS) can get transportation for nonmedical services such as grocery shopping. Senior citizens may also be able to access paratransit services. Medicaid enrollees who are covered by a managed care plan but don’t qualify for HCBS or senior citizen services can check with their health plan to see what resources might be available.

Organizations in the Community

If your challenge is less about finding sources of healthy food than getting to them, there are options that can help you shop for groceries, or even do it completely on your behalf. There are also food banks, some of which have off-site distributions, even in rural areas. If you are a senior citizen, you can find out about them by contacting your area agency on aging.

Look for Faith-Based Groups

Religious institutions of all faiths generally have it in their mission to provide aid to those in need. Some organize food drives or even prepare meals for the neediest. They may also help find other organizations that provide such services.

AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation’s leaders in health care solutions for those most in need.

Learn More

For further information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com.

The post Finding Good Nutrition Tips appeared first on Clarksville Online.

Washington, D.C. – Mark Zuckerberg knew that the use of Facebook’s platforms increases young girls’ risk of suicide, helps human trafficking thrive, and empowers cartels to glorify the violence they inflict on innocent people. Still, he refused to prioritize the well-being of users above profit.

Next week, Facebook will have to answer these very serious allegations before the Consumer Protection Subcommittee. I appreciate Senator Blumenthal’s bipartisan approach on this matter and look forward to ensuring a safer online environment.

Demanding The Department of Education Protect Children’s Privacy

Our children’s privacy is a top priority. Following reports hackers stole children’s personal data from schools to publish on the dark web, I sent a letter urging the Department of Education to address these security breaches.

If the U.S. Department of Education fails to act, they will directly put children at risk for more invasive cyberattacks. Read more about my work to protect students here.

Urging EU To Designate Hezbollah As Terrorist Organization

Hezbollah is a brutal terrorist organization notorious for operating throughout the Middle East. The European Union cannot enable terrorists by allowing them to participate in diplomacy. This week, I introduced a resolution with Senator Rosen to urge each nation in the EU to follow Slovenia‘s lead and designate Hezbollah as the terrorists they have proven themselves to be.

News You Can Use

Expanding Broadband Access For Tennesseans

Broadband access is critical for Tennessee communities. That’s why I introduced amendments to the infrastructure legislation over the summer that would expand access for our state and across the nation. Click here to find out more. 

Encouraging American Innovation In Financial Technologies

America is a nation of innovation! This week, I wrote a letter with Senator Cynthia Lummis to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) urging the Office of Innovation to promote American leadership and prominence in financial technology. Read more about the letter here.

Meeting With Local Leaders

The Volunteer State is home to incredible leaders paving the way! Thank you to Mayor Mike Creasy for hosting a meeting at the Decatur County Courthouse and highlighting the important issues facing the community.

Supporting The Entertainment Industry

In Music City — and across the Volunteer State — we know the value that service and support companies bring to live entertainment. The MUSIC Act builds on our existing work to support the recovering arts community and ensures that blue-collar workers in the live events industry can thrive.

Discussing Critical Issues

Thank you to the Jackson Rotary Club for their warm welcome! We had a great discussion about bringing the concerns of Jackson to Capitol Hill. I look forward to seeing the great work these members continue to do.

Celebrating Excellence In Tennessee Schools

Tennessee students are achieving! This week, the Department of Education recognized six schools across the Volunteer State as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021. Our schools are demonstrating that all students can excel!

Marsha’s Roundup

We are heartbroken for the families who have been impacted by the situation in Collierville. 

Facebook has become a breeding ground for human traffickers, cartels, and toxicity among younger users. Facebook leadership knew about the problems but chose to put profit above protecting users.

Washington radicals want to hold our government hostage so they can force their agenda into the budget.

Tennesseans have had enough of Washington’s radical spending.

President Joe Biden’s border crisis is a humanitarian, public health, and national security crisis. We need to secure the border now.

Flood Assistance

Individuals in Humphreys County are eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Programs:

• Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Call the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).
• Homeowners and renters in Dickson, Hickman, Houston and Humphreys counties have until October 25, 2021 to apply for FEMA for federal disaster assistance and to the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans.

After FEMA’s disaster declaration, the IRS announced some affected taxpayers are eligible for tax relief. Click here for more information.

Stay In Touch

Be sure to follow my work on behalf of Tennesseans on social media: 

Facebook: facebook.com/marshablackburn
Twitter: @MarshaBlackburn
Instagram: @MarshaBlackburn

Visit The District

Will you be visiting our nation’s capital? Make sure to check updated hours and reservation policies for Washington’s most popular destinations by clicking here. 

Coronavirus Resources

• COVID-19 Coronavirus vaccination appointments can be made here.
• General information about the coronavirus can be found here.
• Information from the Tennessee Department of Health can be found here.
• You can call the Tennessee Coronavirus Public Information Line from 10:00am to 10:00pm CT at 877.857.2945.

My Best, 

Marsha

The post Marsha Blackburn Report: Demanding U.S. Department Of Education Protect Children’s Privacy appeared first on Clarksville Online.

Nashville, TN – Nashville Sounds starter Victor Castaneda took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and four relievers finished the shutout in a 1-0 win over the Columbus Clippers on Sunday night at First Horizon Park.

The shutout was the 12^th of the season by the Nashville pitching staff. Pitching in just his second career Triple-A start, Castaneda was nearly perfect. The first baserunner he allowed was a two-out walk to Daniel Johnson in the fourth inning.

Nashville’s 1-0 lead was thanks to second baseman Jamie Westbrook’s solo blast in the second inning. He hit a 1-2 pitch from Cody Morris out to right-center to give the Sounds a 1-0 lead. It was Westbrook’s 11^th home run of the season.

Relievers Connor Sadzeck and Chad Sobotka combined to throw 1 2/3 scoreless innings to get the game to Luke Barker at 1-0 entering the ninth.

Barker struck out the side to send the Sounds to their third series sweep of the season. It was Barker’s 13^th save of the year and Castaneda’s first career win at the Triple-A level. 

The Sounds are off on Monday and Tuesday before beginning a five-game series on the road against the Indianapolis Indians Wednesday night.

Post-Game Notes

• The Sounds and First Horizon Park drew 436,868 fans in 2021 – the most in Minor League Baseball in total and per-game attendance.
• The Sounds finished the season 41-24 at First Horizon Park – the fourth-best home record in the Triple-A East.
• Nashville has won eight of their last nine games overall and nine of their last 11 at First Horizon Park.
• The Sounds are now 5-0 in the Triple-A Final Stretch, tied for the best record.
• The series sweep was Nashville’s third of the season and second against Columbus (also 5/25-5/30 at Columbus). 
• Victor Castaneda made his First Horizon Park debut and allowed only one hit (5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K).

Box  Score

Columbus 0, Nashville 1

The Nashville Sounds are the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and play at First Horizon Park. Single-game tickets are on sale now for all remaining 2021 home games. For more information call 615.690.4487 or e-mail tickets@nashvillesounds.com.­­

The post Nashville Sounds blank Columbus Clippers at First Horizon Park, 1-0 appeared first on Clarksville Online.

Clarksville, TN – Senior goalkeeper Peyton Powell made a career-high-tying seven saves, but the Austin Peay State University (APSU) soccer team was unable to overcome a fifth-minute UT Martin goal and dropped a 1-0 decision, Sunday, on Senior Day at Morgan Brothers Soccer Field.

UT Martin (5-3-1) got on the scoreboard early, when Emely van der Vliet found the back of the net off a pass from Maria Castaldo in the fifth minute. Anna McPhie, Haley Patterson, and Olivia Prock all fired shots for the Governors, but neither side was able to find the back of the net after the early Skyhawks tally.

Powell kept Austin Peay State University in the match after the fifth-minute UT Martin goal, making three saves in the first half and four in the second half to keep the deficit at one.

But the APSU Govs were unable to complete the comeback and saw their five-match unbeaten streak come to an end in their Ohio Valley Conference opener.

Next Up For APSU Soccer

The Austin Peay State University women’s soccer team will be back in action when it plays a 6:30pm, Thursday match against Belmont at E.S. Rose Park in Nashville. After having next Sunday off, the Governors will make the trip to Morehead State for a 5:00pm CT, October 7th match at Jayne Stadium.

For news and updates on everything Governors soccer, follow along on Twitter or Instagram (@GovsWSOC) or check back at LetsGoPeay.com.

Box Score

UT Martin 1, Austin Peay 0

Game Stats

UT Martin Players

Austin Peay Players

Team Totals

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Nashville, TN – Unemployment rates in nearly all of Tennessee’s counties decreased in August. This marks the second consecutive month the jobless situation has improved in 93 or more of the state’s 95 counties.

August unemployment rates were lower in 93 counties across the state. The rate in Williamson County remained unchanged from July at 2.6%. Unemployment increased in Maury County from 4.2% to 4.5% in a month-to-month comparison.

Montgomery County’s unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in August. That is down 0.5 percent from July’s 5.1 percent.

Williamson County continued to have Tennessee’s lowest unemployment rate in August. Moore County recorded the second-lowest rate at 2.7%, which was down 0.2 of a percentage point from its July rate.

Shelby County had the month’s highest unemployment rate at 6.7%. While it was the highest in the state, the county’s new rate represented a 0.8 of a percentage point decrease from July. Unemployment in Perry County was the second-highest at 6.6%, but that accounted for a 4 percentage point drop from its July rate of 10.6%.

Unemployment statewide improved for the third consecutive month in August. The rate ticked down from 4.7% to 4.6%.

Nationally, the jobless rate also improved in August. It decreased by 0.2 of a percentage point from 5.4% to 5.2%.

Unlike the statewide and national unemployment rates, county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted to factor in seasonal economic influences such as school breaks and severe weather conditions.

A complete analysis of the August 2021 county unemployment data can be found here.

This week, there are more than 470,000 open positions across Tennessee. The state is working to help unemployed Tennesseans become TN Work Ready, so they can successfully rejoin the workforce. Job seekers can find a multitude of online and in-person resources by visiting www.TNWorkReady.com.

The post Tennessee Unemployment Rates drop in almost every County appeared first on Clarksville Online.

Clarksville, TN – The Austin Peay State University (APSU) women’s golf team looks to build on a solid opening weekend performance when it hosts the 2021 F&M Bank APSU Intercollegiate, Monday-Tuesday, at The Legacy Golf Course in Springfield.

Austin Peay State University will have a lineup change from its five-person team that finished 10th in the formidable Payne Stewart Memorial hosted by Missouri State, September 13th-14th. Taylor Dedmen, who was the Govs top finisher at that event, is unavailable this week due to injury. The Govs will look to freshman Erica Scutt, who finished just two shots behind Dedmen, to make her second strong showing.

Joining Scutt on the Govs five-person squad are junior Shelby Darnell, senior Riley Cooper, freshman Kaley Campbell and sophomore Kady Foshaug. Cooper joins the APSU Govs five for the first time this season after posting a top-25 finish at last spring’s Ohio Valley Conference Championship. Darnell, Campbell, and Foshaug each competed at the Govs season-opening Stewart Memorial

This is the 22nd edition of the F&M Bank APSU Intercollegiate, which started in 2019 and has been held annually only being sidelined in 2020 by the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. Austin Peay State University has won the event three times, most recently in 2015 when it was held at Clarksville Country Club. The Govs have finished first or second five times.

For news and results, follow the Governors women’s golf team on Twitter and Instagram (@GovsWGO).

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Clarksville, TN – After a three-week hiatus, the Austin Peay State University (APSU) men’s golf team is set to get back on the course Monday and Tuesday at the Derek Dolenc Invitational, hosted by SIU Edwardsville, at Gateway National Golf Links in Madison, Illinois. 

The APSU Govs will play the par-71, 7,016-yard course at SIUE’s event for the first time since the 2018 season, when Austin Lancaster led the way with a 215 and a tie for 13th as an individual, with the Governors finishing tied for eighth as a team.

Current Austin Peay State University assistant coach Michael Busse fired an opening-round 69 before posting a 217 and finishing tied for 21st in the APSU Gov’s last trip to Gateway National.

2019 OVC Freshman of the Year Micah Knisley headlines the Governors lineup after posting a team-best 217 and shooting an even-par 70 to climb 21 spots on the leaderboard on the final day of the EKU Intercollegiate last time out. Knisley is joined by senior Adam Van Raden, who made his first appearance in the Austin Peay lineup at EKU Intercollegiate, where he shot a 218 and led the Govs in the second round with an even-par 70. 

Fifth-year senior Chase Korte will make his first appearance of the season at Gateway National; he posted a 235 at this event as a junior in 2019. Freshmen Aidan Baker and Reece Britt round out the Governors lineup for the event, Britt posted a 219 at the EKU Intercollegiate earlier in the month and Baker will be making his collegiate debut.

Morgan Robinson will also compete as an individual at SIUE’s event, he made his first career appearance in Austin Peay State University’s lineup at the EKU Intercollegiate to open the season.

Monday begins with 36 holes and an 8:15am shotgun start; the final 18 holes begin with an 8:15am shotgun start, Tuesday. GolfStat.com will have the live scoring for the event.

For news and results, follow the Governors men’s golf team on Twitter and Instagram (@GovsMGO).

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