Tennessee Reconsiders Requiring Concussion Policy for School Sports

February 22, 2013Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

As the nation continues to debate increasing safety in contact sports, Tennessee lawmakers are looking at legislation that would require schools and other organizations conducting youth athletic programs to adopt concussion policies.

The measure was scheduled to be heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. A similar proposal failed last year.

Rep. Cameron Sexton is the sponsor of the House version of the bill.

Under the proposal, schools are required to “adopt guidelines … as approved by the department of health to inform and educate coaches, school administrators, youth athletes and their parents or guardians of the nature, risk and symptoms of concussion and head injury, including continuing to play after concussion or head injury.”

Sexton didn’t specify issues with the measure that have been worked out, but he said all parties involved seem to be pleased with the current version, which also appears to have bipartisan support.

“We’ve worked hard with all the groups from last year … and they’re all on board with this version of the bill,” said Sexton, R-Crossville.

Earlier this month, President Barack Obama said in an interview on CBS during a Super Bowl pre-game show said that, if he had a son, he would have to think about whether he would let him play football.

Obama, who has two daughters, said the threat of concussions for football players means that everything possible should be done to improve their safety

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Tennessee Wins Federal Grant for Food Safety Center

January 25, 2013Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

Tennessee is one of five states to receive a federal grant to establish an Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence.

The center will be located at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and operated in cooperation with the state Health Department.

According to the department, the new center will allow Tennessee to improve food safety and its response to outbreaks of foodborne illness.

The effort is funded by a $200,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner said in a statement that the award recognizes the good work the state is doing to protect public health. That includes outbreak investigations and more than 70,000 annual inspections of food service facilities.

Each year, roughly 48 million Americans get sick from foodborne illnesses and 3,000 die.

 

 

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetCategories: Southeast NewsTopics: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, foodborne illnesses, Tennessee food safety, Tennessee Health Commissioner John DreyzehnerHave a hot lead? Email us at newsdesk

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Tennessee State Senator, Insurance Agent Tracy to Run for Congress

January 4, 2013Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

State Sen. Jim Tracy officially announced Wednesday that he will run for the congressional seat held by fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, saying the embattled lawmaker has deceived his constituents and needs to be replaced with a more trustworthy representative.

Tracy, an insurance agent for Nationwide Insurance and former college basketball referee, was joined by other Republican lawmakers and local officials at a pharmacy in Murfreesboro. His speech was interrupted by applause at least twice as he touted his conservative values and alluded to the scandal surrounding DesJarlais.

“I promise that I will never embarrass you with my personal conduct or compromise on my conservative principles,” Tracy said. “I’m a conservative in word and deed. I’m 100 percent pro-life.”

DesJarlais, a Jasper physician, won a second term in Congress in November despite revelations he had sexual relationships with patients and urged one to seek an abortion. DesJarlais has rejected calls for his resignation.

When asked about Tracy’s challenge, DesJarlais spokesman Robert Jameson said in a statement that the congressman is focused on other matters.

“Right now Congressman DesJarlais is completely focused on the job he was elected to do by residents of the Fourth District: Ending the deficit spending, repealing ObamaCare and returning our government to its proper constitutional role.”

 

 

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetCategories: Southeast NewsTopics: insurance agent in politics, Jim Tracy, Rep. Scott DesJarlais, Tennessee insurance agent state senator, Tennessee politics, Tennessee RepublicansHave a hot lead? Email us at newsdesk

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Regions Insurance Acquires Argyle Benefits Consultants in Tennessee

December 21, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

Regions Insurance, a subsidiary of Birmingham, Alabama-based Regions Financial Corp., is expanding its employee benefits practice in Memphis, Tennessee, with the acquisition of Argyle Benefits Consultants LLC.

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