Tennessee
Severe blood shortage in Middle Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — An unrelenting need continues, and the doctor’s orders for this prescription can’t be filled at any pharmacy.
Passionate to share Blood Assurance’s message, Brooke Katz, who is the media relations coordinator, says fewer people have donated while the number of people in need of blood goes up here in Middle Tennessee.
“The thing that people don’t realize is how important this is,” said Katz. “Blood is a medicine, and it is being used every single day.”
Hospitals rely on people willing to give a piece of what keeps them alive. Katz explained how the 30 to 45-minute process works, so someone who hasn’t yet donated blood might consider it.
“Nobody loves needles, but I promise it does not hurt at all, and that is probably the shortest part,” said Katz. “When you donate here, it is helping local patients in this community.”
Blood Assurance supplies blood to the majority of hospitals in Middle Tennessee. The donation supply is currently upheld by a few donors.
“Out of all of the eligible people in the population who could donate, only about 3 percent do,” said Katz.
Blood Assurance makes incentives for the unyielding demand.
“If you donate through the 31st, so tomorrow, you will be entered to win a $500 e-gift card,” said Katz. “And then beginning in early April, on April 1st, we are giving away $100 gift cards to five people.”
Organizations can also host a blood drive through Blood Assurance.
Katz shared a message from a life-giving donor she met.
“She knows the good that it does,” said Katz. “And so I like her message: she said, ‘Do it scared; just do it.’”
For more information on how to donate, find locations, or organize a blood drive, visit Blood Assurance’s website.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at (Kim.Rafferty@newschannel5.com).
Tennessee
More than 8,500 layoffs hit Tennessee in 2025, nearly 19% increase from 2024
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee employers laid off more than 8,500 workers in 2025 compared to 7,320 last year, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
This is about a 19% increase in layoffs, with WARN notices impacting 8,691 Tennesseans to date. As of 2023, 5,168 Tennessee workers were laid off through WARN notices.
Counties in Middle Tennessee impacted include:
- Davidson
- Sumner
- Maury
- Rutherford
- Williamson
- Wilson
- Coffee
- DeKalb
- Bedford
- Lawrence
- Putnam
The largest layoff this year was in Maury County. Come January, 710 employees will be laid off from GM Ultium Cells’ Spring Hill facility. Research Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville Michael Kofoed tells FOX 17 News that the facility is is likely impacted by the rise on steel tariffs ruled out by the Trump administration. He adds steel tariffs raise input costs for employers which directly impacts employees’ salary or employment.
The second largest layoff impacted 658 workers at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC in Rutherford County with 615 workers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center permanently laid off. WARN notices are reports a company is required to file with the state to give workers time to find future employment.
Kofoed states that Tennessee is seeing a troubling trend, with layoffs skyrocketing since 2023.
“That is a very big and concerning number,” Kofoed said.
According to CNBC, more than 1.1 million U.S. employees were laid off this year, the highest 11-month total since 2020.
Tennessee
Nonprofit rescues 11 ‘emaciated and suffering’ animals from Tennessee property ahead of dangerous cold snap
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) is asking for donations after rescuing 11 animals Friday.
ARC said it was contacted by law enforcement in an unidentified rural Tennessee area to rescue five dogs and six cats in what the nonprofit is calling “Operation Cold Snap.”
In the rescue, the nonprofit took in two emaciated Great Danes, three Pit Bulls and six cats. ARC said some of the animals are emaciated and suffering from untreated bite wounds and infections.
The nonprofit said the animals were kept without heat or regular care.
ARC shared a video of the rescue. In it, you can see the property s in disarray with trash littering the floor and overturned furniture.
This rescue comes just days before Middle Tennessee is expected to see its coldest temperatures of the season.
Now, ARC is asking for donations to help the 11 animals rescued Operation Cold Snap. Those interested in donating can do so on the nonprofit’s website.
Copyright 2025 WSMV. All rights reserved.
Tennessee
Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator
Alex Golesh was introduced as Auburn’s head coach on Dec. 1. He served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from 2021-22.
Golesh announced the hiring of Jacob Bronowski as Auburn’s special teams coordinator. He served as the Vols’ special teams analyst in 2021 under head coach Josh Heupel. Bronowski was also under Heupel at UCF in 2020 as special teams quality control.
“His track record is outstanding,” Golesh said of Bronowski. “He developed multiple national award contenders, including a Lou Groza Award winner, and has led some of the top special teams units in the country.
“I saw up close when we worked together before that coach Bronowski understands that special teams can be a championship difference-maker, and he’s proven he can develop elite specialists. He brings exactly the attention to detail and relentless work ethic we need in our program.”
Auburn will play at Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
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