NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health is partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help prevent rabies by distributing oral rabies vaccine for wild raccoons along Tennessee’s borders with Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. The annual baiting program administered by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, will begin in Tennessee on October 7, 2026.
The American Red Cross says if a fire starts in your home, you may have as little as two minutes to escape. A working smoke alarm provides early warning, but knowing what to do next matters just as much. That is worth thinking about during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10. Home fires happen every day. According to the Red Cross, there is a home fire somewhere in the United States about every minute and a half. On average, someone is injured in a home fire every hour and someone dies about every three hours. The good news: there are simple steps you can take now.
This summer, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) deployed 128 wildland fire personnel and 44 pieces of equipment to support wildfire suppression operations in 14 states.
Tennessee recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting resources and support for survivors through statewide programs, hotlines, counseling, advocacy, and shelter services.
NASHVILLE, TN— This evening at the annual Excellence in Education celebration, the Tennessee Department of Education announced the 2026-27 Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, and Supervisor of the Year, along with the 2026-27 Novice Teacher of the Year Honorees, the Aspiring Educator Award, and the two 2026-27 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) state finalists.
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission (TWRA) will hold its October 8-9 meeting at Bristol Motor Speedway in the Bruton Smith Building Banquet Room. The committee meetings begin Thursday, Oct. 8, at 1 p.m. (EDT), with full Commission proceedings continuing Friday at 9 a.m. To watch both days of the meeting, visit the TWRA YouTube Channel.
Tennessee agricultural producers will have a new opportunity to receive cost-share assistance through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) this year with the addition of a Livestock Fencing program. The 2026-27 TAEP application window opens today, Oct. 1, and closes Oct. 7.