This week marks the kickoff of National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) , an annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry. As Tennessee’s #2 industry, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and partners across the state will unite to recognize the “Power of Travel” and the industry’s critical role in rebuilding our workforce, restoring businesses and ... (click for more)

With the mercury climbing and the sun dawdling ever longer above the horizon, the Tennessee Aquarium is expanding its hours to accommodate even more guests in the lead-up to summer. A daily capacity limit will remain in place for the foreseeable future, but to safely welcome as many visitors as possible, the Aquarium will offer extended hours in May. The Aquarium will ... (click for more)

Hamilton County School officials said Monday that beginning June 1, mask wearing will be optional for students and staff. Officials said, "We wanted to provide a reminder and an update regarding masks. "On March 15, we retired the Phase Tracker and committed to maintaining Phase 3 mitigation strategies through the end of this school year. According to our Reentry and Continuous ... (click for more)

County School Board attorney Scott Bennett said a new state law banning the teaching of "Critical Race Theory" "really doesn't affect anything that Hamilton County teaches." The attorney said there would be no issue "as long as we take an even-handed approach." He said it "does not mean that we cannot teach academic concepts" about race. Attorney Bennett added, "And it ... (click for more)

It has been a pleasure working with Ron Swafford in City Court. Ron has done a great job and has had an outstanding career. During the pandemic Ron and his staff worked tirelessly and courageously to keep the wheels on, even while in court proceedings were cancelled. During our working relations, Ron and I have become good friends. He is a good man with a fine family. I ... (click for more)

I am in the middle of reading Admiral William McRaven’s new book “The Hero Code” and strongly suspect that in the years to follow, there will be over a million moms who will make sure their children read it. In it are the lessons our mothers taught us – or certainly tried – as they equipped us for life as best they possibly could. “The Hero Code” is about such things as courage, ... (click for more)