Archives: 2021

CDC endorses schools’ coronavirus ‘test-to-stay’ policies

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials are endorsing “test-to-stay” policies that allow close contacts of students infected with the coronavirus to remain in classrooms if they test negative. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday decided to more firmly embrace the approach, after research of such policies in the Chicago and Los Angeles areas found COVID-19 infections…

Biden acknowledges $2T bill stalled, but vows it will pass

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has all but acknowledged negotiations over his sweeping domestic policy package will have to be pushed into the new year. It was a setback Thursday as Senate Democrats rushed to try to send the roughly $2 trillion bill to his desk by Christmas. But Biden does not yet have the votes, in large part…

Man faces prison sentence for aiming laser at Memphis planes

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a Mississippi man has pleaded guilty to pointing a green laser at FedEx airplanes flying into Memphis International Airport in Tennessee. The U.S. attorney’s office in Memphis says Eugene Conrad faces a sentence of up to five years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to aiming a laser pointer at aircraft. The Federal…

Madison County Sheriff’s Office conquers ‘Battle of the Badges’

JACKSON, Tenn. — Organizations come together for friendly competition and to help save lives. LIFELINE Blood Services celebrated their last themed blood drive for the year, headlining with their trophy presentation for the “Battle of the Badges” competition last month. The “Battle of the Badges” is a blood donation competition between different areas of law enforcement, emergency management services, fire…

Local educators learn how to improve education

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — Local teachers are discovering ways to improve education across West Tennessee. “To go into the different communities across West Tennessee to learn what’s working and what’s not working, some of the needs of our industry partners,” said Charley Deal, Vice Chancellor of University Advancement for UT Martin. UT Martin’s program, WestTeach, helps teachers learn and network…

‘Leadership Jackson’ Class of 2021 graduation ceremony held

JACKSON, Tenn. — It’s a big day for graduates. The Leadership Jackson Class of 2021 held their graduation ceremony Thursday evening. The event was held at the Carl Grant Events Center on the campus of Union University. There was also an awards’ presentation for the Harbert Alexander Servant Leadership Award, the COPE Award, and the Emerging Leader Award. Leadership Jackson’s…

Locals set up donation drop offs for storm victims

JACKSON, Tenn. — Two local men are gathering donations for those affected by the recent storm. They will be set up Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. at multiple Walmart locations in West Tennessee. They’ll be set up at the Milan, north Jackson, Huntingdon, and Humboldt Walmart stores, along with Food Rite in Dyer and Family Dollar in Medina….

One year later: Impact of COVID-19 vaccine in Madison County

JACKSON, Tenn. — The first Tennessean was vaccinated exactly a year ago Thursday, and since then thousands of residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. “The amount of vaccine that we had was very limited, and so now vaccine is readily available,” said Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department Public Information Officer Mallory Cooke. “We’ve got Moderna,…