Public News Service

Donors have the opportunity to contribute a full blood donation every 56 days, which is roughly equivalent to eight weeks. (Belish/AdobeStock)

Group urges Tennesseans to donate blood amid critical shortage

Blood donations are important year-round, and January, which is National Blood Donor Month, presents a unique challenge due to the holiday season…

Hunters for the Hungry volunteers deliver venison and other foods to families in need. (Tennessee Wildlife Federation)

Hunters Can Donate Deer to Help Feed Families

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Hunting season is under way. And for the holidays, hunters can help families who have been economically hard-hit by the pandemic …

Tax-season scammers pretending to be affiliated with government agencies are on the rise, according to the Federal Trade Commission. (Adobe Stock)

Free Tax-Prep Sites Open to Help TN Residents File on Time

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- From now through April 15, Tennessee residents who need help getting their income taxes done can turn to the AARP Foundation's …

More than 1,000 Tennesseans ended their lives in 2017, according to records from the Department of Health. (Adobe Stock)

Tennessee Boosts Suicide Prevention Efforts, Aims to Curb Stigma

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, and advocates say Tennessee has boosted efforts to improve access to …

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC. According to the National Archives, 58,148 American soldiers were killed and more than 300,000 wounded in the Vietnam War. (Adobe Stock)

A Proper 'Welcome Home' for Vietnam Vets at Ft. Campbell

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Vietnam veterans will receive a proper "welcome home" this Thursday, in a special ceremony at Fort Campbell Army base…

“Tennessee Faces of the Opioid Crisis” Campaign Aims to End Stigma

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Health Department has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of how the opioid epidemic impacts …

A raccoon gnaws on a red plastic cup. Tennesseans have submitted hundreds of photos of trash across the state as part of a litter awareness campaign. (Eddie Johnson/Tenn. Wildlife Federation)

Tennesseans Snap Photos of Trash for Litter Awareness Campaign

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A new campaign aims to raise awareness of Tennessee's trash problem. Hundreds of people have sent photos of litter in …

Regional overdose-prevention specialists in Tennessee have given away 35,000 units of naloxone across the state. (@monsterphotoiso/Twenty20)

Overdose-Prevention Program Equips More Tennesseans with Naloxone

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A regional overdose-prevention program that equips citizens with naloxone is expanding across the state. Tennessee has …

Last year, AARP distributed a total of $1.3 million to fund 129

Community Challenge Grants Benefit All Ages

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – AARP Tennessee is accepting applications through April 17 for its 2019 Community Challenge Grant to fund "quick-action" …

The National Park Service has furloughed nearly 16,000 workers and suspended most maintenance and visitor services, but parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and trails remain open to the public. (Friends of the Smokies)

Shutdown: Cleanliness, Safety Concerns for National Parks

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Visitors at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and others across the country have seen trash, overflowing toilets and …

The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, at <a href=

www.tspn.org, has information about warning signs and links to local resources. (blake_bab/Twenty20)">

For Some, the Holidays are Anything but Jolly

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The holiday season is ramping up, and while most people look forward to festivities with friends and family, for others this …

It's estimated that pesticides are a major factor in the dwindling numbers of monarch butterflies. (Emily Carlin/Flickr)

Report Cites High Pesticide Use on TN Wildlife Refuges

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Two of Tennessee's national wildlife refuges are highlighted in a new report about the use of pesticides on refuge land for …

Communities in Tennessee are looking for alternative industry to support their economy as the coal industry continues its decline. (Jan Truter/Flickr)

Appalachia Steps Up Effort to Make Clean Break from Coal

CLINTON, Tenn. – At one point, roughly half of the counties in Tennessee were supported by the coal industry in some way. As the fossil fuel …

There are dozens of free Tax-Aide sites across Tennessee available to people of all ages and incomes, as a part of the AARP Foundation's program. (401kcalculator.org/flickr)

Tax Man Cometh: Free Help Available to All Tennesseans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It's a good weekend to start collecting what you need to settle up with Uncle Sam. Tax forms are arriving in mailboxes daily …

Young Tennesseans are joining others around the world to engage in community service online. (DoSomething.org)

TN Teens Take 21st-Century Approach to Community Service

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A growing number of Tennessee young people are finding community-service opportunities online. DoSomething.org is one …

A higher percentage of people living with a disability live in Tennessee's rural areas, indicating the need for more transit options, according to an analysis by ThinkTennessee. (Steve Johnson, flickr)

Analysis Reveals Insights into Tennessee's Population Makeup

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee skews older than the nation overall, and overall, the state's disability rates are higher in rural communities…

"13 Reasons Why" Netflix Show is Concerning, Say Psychologists

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Suicide rates in Tennessee are on the increase across all age groups, just as a new Netflix series features a story line …

The IMPROVE Act would make $10 billion available through a state gas tax increase to complete necessary infrastructure upgrades and repairs across Tennessee. (Doug Kerr/Flickr)

Haslam's IMPROVE Act Could Benefit More than Roads

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- What started as legislation to tackle Tennessee's crumbling infrastructure and compensate for loss of gas tax revenue from more …

An artist's rendering of the micro home village planned as temporary housing in south Nashville. (Open Table Nashville)

Nashville Creates First-of-Its-Kind Community for Homeless

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The tiny home craze has become more than a curiosity for viewers of lifestyle television networks. A community of 20 "micro …

Many Tennesseans are answering Martin Luther King Jr.'s call to give back to others. (Working Kind/morguefile.com)

Volunteer State Honors Dr. King with Day of Service

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- People around Tennessee will honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by making today's federal holiday a day to give …

Moms United believes the war on drugs, attacks on immigrants and on the poor all are interconnected. (A New PATH)

Moms Resolve to Defend Human Rights

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- With 2017 upon us, one organization has issued a set of New Year's resolutions calling on mothers everywhere to preserve advances …

Firefighters from around the region traveled to Gatlinburg and Sevierville to fight the fires. (National Park Service)

Smoke Clears, Spirits Rise as Fundraising Continues for Wildfire Victims

GATLINBURG, Tenn. – Last night, thousands of dollars were raised to help people affected by the wildfires that swept through Gatlinburg and …

This weekend, hundreds will gather for the National Immigrant Integration Conference, marking the first time the event has been held in the Southeast. (NIIC)

We the People: TN Hosts Immigration Conference

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – This weekend, hundreds of policymakers and advocacy groups will converge in Nashville to discuss ways to better integrate …

A joint effort between the public and private sectors helps veterans transition from military to civilian life. (Army Medicine/Flickr)

Bridging the Gap for Tennessee Veterans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Every month, hundreds of veterans transition out of military service in Tennessee, with 400 joining civilian life at Fort …

One view of the damage from the 2008 coal-ash disaster at the Kingston Fossil Plant. (Appalachian Voices/Flickr)

Online Tool Identifies "Neighbor" You Might Not Want

HARRIMAN, Tenn. – There are nine locations across Tennessee, from Memphis to the Tri-Cities, that store toxic coal ash. Now, thanks to an …

Groups like the Memphis Bus Riders Union want to make sure Tennessee policymakers prioritize funding and availability of public transit. (5demayo/morguefile)

Don't Miss the Bus: Tennesseans Organize for Better Public Transit

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The number of people taking public transit in Tennessee is on the rise, according to the Tennessee Public Transportation Association…

Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards are working to clear parts of the Appalachian Trail in northeast Tennessee. (Bill Hodge)

Crews Work to Clear Appalachian Trail After Storm Damage

WATAUGA, Tenn. - The deadly storms that swept through parts of northeast Tennessee earlier this month made their mark on one of the state's points of …

For the eighth time, Congress is considering legislation to increase federal protection for land in Tennesee's Cherokee National Forest. (John W. Iwanski/Flickr)

Tennessee Wilderness Act: Protecting a State Resource

ERWIN, Tenn. - This weekend, thousands of Tennesseans and visitors packed up and hiked into thousands of acres of public lands in the state…

The Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs recommends people use caution when seeking rental property from individuals, particularly on Craigslist, after reports of scams. (midvale/morguefile)

House-Hunting: Beware the Pitfalls of Surfing the Web

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Perusing the classifieds in the Sunday paper for a rental property is becoming less common, as Tennesseans turn to websites for …

A new push for homesteading may be the cure for coal country's lagging economy, says retired journalist Jim Branscome. (Pat Henson/Flickr)

Digging Deep: A Plan to Revitalize Tennessee's Appalachia

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - As the coal industry declines, parts of Tennessee are left to deal with the economic impact of a lost industry. Reviving the …

More than a half million people in Tennessee are living with Alzheimer's or caring for someone who is. (Smantha Ing/flickr.com)

Remember: June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - As many as half a million Tennesseans are living with Alzheimer's or caring for someone who is, but advocates say it's been at …

Scot Campbell, founder of HelpYourNeighbor.com, helps a fellow community member. (Campbell)

Help Your Neighbor the 21st Century Way

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Borrowing a cup of sugar from the house next door doesn't happen as much these days. Thirty-percent of Tennesseans have never met …

Experts say talking face-to-face is critical in developing communication and relationships. (Texas.713/flickr.com)

Screen Time Impacts Kids' Communication Skills

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Smartphones and tablets make communicating easy in some ways and yet, experts warn there may be consequences for youngsters…

Beginning in July Tennessee public schools will be required to increase physical education for children up to sixth grade. (Ian Schofield/flickr.com)

TN Ramps up Physical Education in Schools

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - "Let's Get Physical." And like the song, starting in July Tennessee students in elementary schools will be doing more of just that …

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Tennesseans are encouraged to seek professional help if they feel stress, sadness or other emotions they feel unable to cope with. (WanMohd/morguefile)

Better Frame of Mind: Experts Raise Awareness of Mental Health

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - May is Mental Health Awareness Month and experts are reminding Tennesseans about the importance of checking in on the …

Improving access to community support for children and families of incarcerated parents can help lesson the lifelong impact of jail time on generations, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (kconnors/flickr.com)

Behind Bars: 1 in 10 TN Children Has an Incarcerated Parent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - One in 10 children in Tennessee has had an incarcerated parent - equating to 144,000 children facing at least part of their …

The University of Tennessee is confronting allegations in a federal lawsuit the university's student culture enables sexual assaults by student athletes. (J Stephen Conn/flickr.com)

We Believe You: Sexual Assault Survivor Advocates for Others

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Andrea Pino knows firsthand how devastating a sexual assault can be. She was raped by a fellow student at the University of North …

Federal rules will require financial advisors to place their client's best interest first when it comes to retirement investments. (Tax Credits/Flickr)

Protecting Your Investments: Feds Issue Rule to Protect Retirement Savings

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Until now, not all financial advisors in Tennessee and the rest of the country were required to put their clients first, before …

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on a Texas case, reaffirming the

Supreme Court Ruling Ensures Every Person Counts

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Almost a third of Tennessee House seats and 18 percent of state Senate seats now are protected from having any constitutional …

Texting while driving is illegal in Tennessee, but too many people do it anyway � sometimes with disastrous results. (DodgertonSkillhause/morguefile)

Eyes on the Road: April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - In the last 10 years, distracted driving was to blame for more than 172,000 accidents on Tennessee roadways, according to the …

Several national organizations are protesting a bill that would allow counselors in Tennessee to deny service based on their religious beliefs. (AlachuaCounty/flickr.com)

Experts Blast TN Bill That Allows Counselors to Deny Service

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow counselors to deny services and refer clients based on the …

Tennessee's high rate of obesity is partially attributed to its traditional Southern fried and rich foods. (gracey/morguefile.com)

Tennessee Cities Top List: "Fattest Cities in America"

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - About one in three Tennesseans is classified as obese and a report released by survey company WalletHub names four Tennessee …

New data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates slightly fewer Americans are in need of food assistance, and the agency attributes the shift to an improving economy. (melodi/morguefile.com)

Report: Improved Economy Means Fewer in Need of Food Assistance

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - More than 19 percent of Tennesseans receive government food assistance, but a report released by the United States Department of …

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance is warning consumers to be on the look out for used cars with tampered odometers. (SDRandCo/Morguefile.com)

Consumer Alert: Make Sure Your Car Hasn't Gone the Extra Mile

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - An estimated 10,000 vehicles are on Tennessee roads that have tampered odometers. Changing the mileage on a car is one way con …

Mayor Megan Barry of Nashville speaks at a recent luncheon of Nashville Cable, a networking group for women. (Nashville Cable)

Report: It's Good to Be a Woman Business Owner in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Three Tennessee cities top the list when it comes to their support of women-owned businesses. The findings from a WalletHub …

New research says kids who learn new languages will have better job prospects as adults. (Sage Ross/flickr.com)

Bilingual Benefits: Research Shows Advantages for Children

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Here's another reason to teach your kids a second language. Research in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology shows …

Tennessee's rural and minority communities are disproportionately impacted by high rates of student debt, according to an analysis of Experian credit data. (dodgertonskillhaus/morguefule.com)

Analysis: TN Minority, Rural Communities Face High Student-Debt Rates

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is proposing free college tuition for students, but unless or until that policy …

Increased breastfeeding could save 820,000 lives, according to research published in the journal, The Lancet. (maja/flickr.com)

Report: Breastfeeding Saves Lives

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Increased breastfeeding could save the lives of Tennessee mothers and babies. A new report published in the medical journal…

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 24 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

PNS Daily Newscast - April 16, 2024

2024Talks - April 16, 2024

The Yonder Report - April 11, 2024

TN: Community Issues and Volunteering