NASHVILLE – With the official start of summer ahead, music lovers are counting down the days until the kick-off of Tennessee’s outdoor festival season. Upcoming events like CMA Fest in Nashville (June 6-9), Bonnaroo in Manchester (June 13-16) and others throughout the year, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is reminding music fans to always incorporate safety into their festival plans.

NASHVILLE – Residents of Jackson and the Madison County area can securely shred outdated personal documents and safely dispose of household medications at the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs free document shredding/drug take-back event in Jackson on Saturday, June 8, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (CDT).

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Securities announces a Nashville judge has upheld the denial of Franklin, Tenn. resident David Antypas’ investment-advisor and broker-dealer applications stemming from an investigation into a complaint about Antypas’ earlier work as a financial adviser for an elderly Mt. Juliet woman. Additionally, Antypas must pay $5,000 in costs related to a court hearing held at his request about the matter.

NASHVILLE – Consumers beware: Identity theft is on the rise in Tennessee, and it’s costing residents. A recent report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shows a more than 20% increase of identity theft in the Volunteer State last year as 6,808 Tennesseans reported being a victim of identity theft. Scam artists have preyed on Tennesseans, making the Tennessee the 21st in the nation for reports of identity theft.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs is proud to join the Administration for Community Living in promoting May as Older Americans Month. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Connect, Create, Contribute,” which encourages older adults and their communities to: • Connect with friends, family, and services that support participation. • Create by engaging in activities that promote learning, health, and personal enrichment. • Contribute time, talent, and life experience to benefit others.

NASHVILLE – Starting Saturday, May 25, 2019, Galilee Memorial Gardens in Bartlett, Tenn. will be opened to the public on weekends and holidays, including Memorial Day, as part of a newly court-approved plan by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI).

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission, which is part of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Regulatory Boards, has voted unanimously to suspend the used motor vehicle dealer license of McDivitt Motors, LLC (1723 U.S. 51 South, Covington, Tenn).

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is joining the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help alert Tennessee consumers to increased reports of “one ring” or “Wangiri” scam robocalls targeting specific area codes in bursts, often calling multiple times in the middle of the night.

NASHVILLE – With fires burning hotter and faster than ever before, every second counts when escaping a home fire. To commemorate the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Home Fire Sprinkler Week (May 19–25), the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is raising awareness of the life-saving capabilities of residential fire sprinkler systems.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Regulatory Boards has released its latest Disciplinary Action Report, which compiles the actions taken by its boards and commissions during the month of April.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak announces today she is leaving Tennessee state government in order to pursue career opportunities in the private sector. Her last day as commissioner will be June 14, 2019. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has named TDCI Deputy Commissioner Carter Lawrence to serve as the Department’s Interim Commissioner until a permanent commissioner is selected.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has declared May 2019 as Building Safety Month to increase public awareness of the critical role building codes play in ensuring fire and life safety.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) is joining other state and national regulators to warn consumers about reports of people claiming to represent genetic testing firms who are visiting senior living communities, assisted living facilities and senior centers to swab seniors’ cheeks purportedly to collect genetic material in order to screen for cancer or other life-threatening diseases. Instead, these people are reportedly acquiring consumers’ sensitive personal information under the guise of DNA testing and should be avoided.

NASHVILLE – This week marks nine years since over 13 inches of rain fell across Middle Tennessee, causing more than $2 billion in damages and killing 24 Tennesseans as the Cumberland River crested to over 51 feet. Yet even after the 2010 flood’s record devastation, data* collected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) indicates that less than 2% of Nashville residents have active flood insurance policies. These low numbers are not limited to the mid-state. Only .99% of Knoxville residents, 2.25% of Memphis residents, and 2.15% of Chattanooga residents have active flood insurance policies. Across Tennessee, only 1.14% residents have active flood insurance policies, based on available FEMA data.

NASHVILLE – While smoke alarms have always been a factor in the survivability of a home fire, their importance has never been greater. Most fire fatalities are not caused by burns, but by smoke inhalation. As the toxicity and speed of smoke increases, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is sharing tips on how you can keep your family safe from the toxic smoke and fumes produced by a home fire.