Coronavirus scams are spreading nearly as fast as the virus itself. As of Jan. 21, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had logged nearly 327,000 consumer complaints related to COVID-19 and stimulus payments, 69 percent of them involving fraud or identity theft. Victims have reported losing $309.4 million, with a median loss of $306. Fraudsters are using the full suite of scam tools — phishing emails and texts, bogus social media posts, robocalls, impostor schemes, and more — and closely following the headlines, adapting their messages and tactics as new medical and economic issues arise. For example, with the government granting…
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – January 12, 2021 – Nashville Public Library announced today that it reached a record-breaking 1.9 million digital book checkouts in 2020. This accomplishment illustrates the continued growth and importance of library digital lending of ebooks and audiobooks, especially in a year with building closures due to the global pandemic. Nashville Public Library is one of 102 public library systems worldwide that surpassed one million checkouts (complete list here). Nashville Public Library has been providing readers 24/7 access to ebooks and audiobooks for several years through OverDrive and its award-winning Libby reading app. Reader interest and usage has grown…
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – The Music City Grand Prix announced the formation of its inaugural advisory board. This talented and knowledgeable group of individuals, who are deeply ingrained in the Nashville community, were selected based on their expertise in areas of sports and entertainment, event production, community engagement, hospitality, customer service, finance, construction and development. The advisory board will help bring to life a best-in-class festival, featuring racing, food and music, this coming August. Ultimately, this volunteer board aims to position The Music City Grand Prix as a mainstay in the Nashville sports and entertainment landscape, creating an annual event…
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – COVID-19 vaccines are now available in Tennessee and older adults have priority access. However, there is a limited supply of vaccines and the state is also aiming to inoculate front-line workers in its phased vaccination plan. As distribution protocols are finessed and more is learned about the vaccine’s effectiveness, NPT assembled a panel to discuss the vaccine rollout in Tennessee. Aging Matters: COVID-19 Vaccine in Tennessee premieres Sunday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m. and will also be available for streaming at video.wnpt.org. NPT’s Will Pedigo moderates the discussion featuring Lisa Piercey, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Health; Rebecca…
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Retired African American General Lloyd Austin is now in charge of the U.S. Department of Defense. On Friday, Jan. 22, the Senate confirmed President Joe Biden’s Secretary of Defense pick, making Gen. Austin the first African American to serve in that key strategic federal government leadership role. “I pledge to fight hard to rid our ranks of racists and extremists,” Gen. Austin pronounced during his confirmation hearings. He also pledged to overturn several discriminatory bans on military service put in place by the previous administration. The confirmation vote cleared by…
CHARLESTON SC―Entering its ninth season (2021), the Colour of Music Black Classical Musicians’ Festival will honor Black History Month with a series of chamber presentations circling the globe showcasing the Festival’s unique versatility. Unlike previous years, the Festival is adjusting to accommodate the uncertainty of COVID-19 and will present a series of virtual performances February 3-7, 2021 in many of Charleston’s landmark historic venues as well as a special presentation from Nashville, TN. Staying true to the Festival’s mission of highlighting black classically trained artists and giving black composers a platform and focus, an array of canonized standard chamber repertoire…
(New York, NY) Today, National Action Network released the following statement upon President Biden’s executive orders to advance racial equity and support underserved communities: “President Biden’s executive orders to advance racial equity and support underserved communities is a significant signal to Americans that this administration is serious about its commitment to providing overdue relief for our community. These bold actions represent the beginning of the administration’s policies towards redress for Black Americans who are disproportionately discriminated against when they’re seeking affordable housing, and it also represents a firm obligation to reforming our incarceration system by ending the Justice Department’s use…
Nashville, TN (TN Tribune)—News Channel 5’s nationally acclaimed meteorologist Lelan Statom is featured on the cover of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture’s national magazine this month in a cover story where he discusses climate change. Described in the article as “a meteorologist who sees changes in Tennessee weather,” Statom has been analyzing Tennessee weather for more than 30 years and says he sees change. “In the past few years, especially, we’ve been having more episodes of flooding. While we still get close to or slightly more rainfall than average, the pattern of that rainfall is changing. Our rain…
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — For special education teachers, the impacts of COVID on special education services extend beyond the challenges faced in the everyday classroom. The changes have been vast and unique for both teachers and students, explained Tom Black, associate professor of special education in MTSU’s College of Education. “Many students with disabilities, especially more severe disabilities, need direct services that simply cannot be provided online,” Black said. “SPED (special education) services also go beyond classroom instruction. Services such as physical therapy, speech and behavior programs are provided at school. If students are not physically attending school, they are not receiving…