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NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips today released the statewide unemployment rate for July 2018, and for the third consecutive month the statistic has remained at a historically low 3.5 percent. Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has not only remained unchanged since May, it mirrors the 3.5 percent recorded during the same time period in 2017.

KNOXVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Chris Aeisur Yousif, managing member of Quality Motors, for tax evasion and theft. Yousif, 56, surrendered to Revenue special agents on Tuesday at the Knox County Detention Center. Bond was set at $50,000.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced the first-ever statewide assessment of school facilities and safety procedures will be fully completed by the end of August, with unprecedented school security funding now available to school districts to implement identified school security and safety needs. In March, the governor’s School Safety Working Group recommended the statewide review of school facilities and safety procedures and precautions. The recommendation, accepted by the governor, led to immediate safety assessments by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, in coordination with the Department of Education and local school officials. To date, 1,796 schools – or about 99 percent of Tennessee’s public schools – have completed the security assessment with the remaining 1 percent set for completion by August 31.

The Tennessee State Museum is scheduled to open to the public on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at its new location on the corner of Rosa Parks Blvd. and Jefferson Street at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Grand opening events will take place throughout the weekend.

NASHVILLE – While matches and lighters are useful resources to adults, curious children may use them to unintentionally start fires. The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is urging parents to talk to their kids about the safe uses of matches and lighters, while ensuring these tools are stored in a secure location out of children’s reach and sight.

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Revel Enterprises, Inc. officials announced today that the automotive parts retailer and distributor will invest $2.3 million to expand its operations in Paris and create 64 jobs over the next five years.

If you’ve noticed green lights on landmarks across Tennessee this month, there’s a good reason why. Green is the color Tennessee has chosen to recognize Child Support Awareness Month. Every August the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) raises awareness of the services available through the Child Support program and the positive impact it can have on families and children in Tennessee.

NASHVILLE – Flooding is the most common and expensive natural disaster in the U.S., according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Floods cost our nation nearly $8.2 billion annually. Yet, a 2016 Insurance Information Institute poll found that only 12 percent of U.S. homeowners have flood insurance. In Tennessee, most homeowners don’t have flood insurance. To raise awareness of the importance of flood insurance, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offer tips and information to help consumers better understand the importance of flood insurance.

NASHVILLE – With a new school year getting underway this week for residents of the Volunteer State, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is reminding consumers that education doesn’t stop in the classroom. TDCI’s divisions are offering consumers tips and reminders to help ensure your back-to-school season is safe and scam-free.

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) announced today that 14 colleges and universities in Tennessee will receive funding and program support through the Veteran Reconnect Grant to assist veterans and service members in their pursuit of college degrees.

A public hearing to offer comments on Tennessee’s Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) Application has been scheduled for August 15, 2018.

NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam today honored 23 state employees who are helping Tennessee lead by providing outstanding state services every day. The employees, who were nominated by their departments’ leadership for the Governor’s Excellence in Service Awards, were invited to attend a luncheon at the Tennessee Residence for providing efficient and effective service to the state and their fellow Tennesseans. “The employees honored today are on the forefront of improving how Tennessee state government delivers services,” Haslam said. “By exceeding leadership and customer expectations, creating innovative solutions or improving processes and services, these state employees are helping provide taxpayers with the highest quality service at the lowest possible cost.”

NASHVILLE – Flooding is the most common and expensive natural disaster in the U.S., according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Floods cost our nation nearly $8.2 billion annually. Yet, a 2016 Insurance Information Institute poll found that only 12 percent of U.S. homeowners have flood insurance. In Tennessee, most homeowners don’t have flood insurance. To raise awareness of the importance of flood insurance, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offer tips and information to help consumers better understand the importance of flood insurance.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) will open the application process for organizations to participate in this year’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) on Thursday, February 1, 2018. The goal of SFSP is to ensure that children 18 and younger who benefit from free and reduced meals during the school year continue to have that same access to nutritious meals during the summer.