NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Monday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Tommy Baker announced the launch of the Tennessee Veteran Ready Business Program. This initiative aims to recognize Tennessee businesses that demonstrate exceptional commitment to recruiting, hiring, and retaining service  members,Veterans, and their families.  

“The Tennessee Veteran Ready Business Recognition Program reinforces our state’s commitment  to being the best place in the nation for Veterans to live, work, and raise a family,” said Gov. Bill  Lee. “This initiative not only honors their service, but connects Tennessee employers with highly  skilled individuals, driving economic opportunity across the Volunteer state.” 

The program will utilize a three-tier system – Bronze, Silver, and Gold – to recognize  businesses based on their level of commitment and support to the Veteran community. 

“I am filled with immense pride as we introduce the Tennessee Veteran Ready Business  Recognition Program. The program’s primary focus is to recognize Tennessee businesses that go  above and beyond in their efforts to Recruit, Hire, and Retain service members, Veterans, and  their families,” said Commissioner Tommy Baker. 

Participating businesses will benefit from: 

• Public recognition of your commitment 
• Recognition on the Department of Veterans Services website 
• Enhanced recruitment opportunities 
• Demonstrated community engagement 
• Access to a skilled workforce with proven leadership experience 

The program also offers public recognition through official certificates, window decals, and  digital badges, with additional benefits based on the achieved recognition tier. 

Applications for the Tennessee Veteran Ready Business Recognition Program will be  accepted from July 01, 2024, through October 01, 2024. Interested businesses can apply by  visiting www.tn.gov/veteran/VRBP.

Tennessee Department of Veterans Services • WRS Tennessee Tower 13th Floor •312 Rosa L. Parks Ave. • Nashville, TN 37243 Tel: 615-253-0638 • tn.gov/veteran 

For more information, businesses, community organizations, and chambers of commerce  are encouraged to email the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services at  tdvs.doso@tn.gov. 

About the Department 

The Tennessee Department of Veterans Services is dedicated to serving Veterans and their  families with dignity and compassion as an entrusted advocate. The department strives to  ensure that Tennessee’s Veterans receive the care, support, and recognition they have  earned in service to our nation. For more information about the Tennessee Department of  Veterans Services, please visit www.tn.gov/veteran. 

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee’s “Smart Heart Act” is now in effect after it was signed by Governor Bill Lee in May. The legislation requires automatic defibrillators in schools and also establishes protocols for medical emergencies related to cardiac issues.

As of July 1, each public and non-public school where students attend grades 9 through 12 must maintain an automated external defibrillator (AED) thanks to the Smart Heart Act. The law also requires that the AED be made accessible during the regular school day and athletic events.

The Tennessee General Assembly passed the Smart Heart Act, sponsored by Cepicky and Hensley, in April 2024.

“Nothing is more important than keeping our students healthy and safe, and the Smart Heart Act ensures schools will be ready to respond in the event of a cardiac-related emergency,” Gov. Bill Lee stated in May upon signing the legislation into law. “I commend the General Assembly for their commitment to Tennessee students in passing this legislation.”

The Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which was launched in 2023, comprises major sports leagues and leading health advocacy groups seeking to drive the adoption of policies that could help prevent fatalities from Sudden Cardiac Arrest among high school students. Among the priorities include clearly marked AEDs at or within minutes of each high school athletic venue, an emergency action plan specific to each athletic venue that is posted and regularly rehearsed, plus education in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with AED use, for coaches and school personnel.

They won big, no baloney!

A Tennessee father and son duo vowed they’d be eating like kings after winning nearly $1 million on a $20 scratch-off ticket.

Jody — who chose not to share his last name — father purchased a $1 million Casino Nights Kentucky Lottery scratch-off game at a gas station in Adairville, Kentucky, on June 8, according to the Kentucky Lottery. 

After purchasing the ticket, Jody’s father, whose name wasn’t revealed, couldn’t wait to play and began scratching the ticket right at the Adairville Market, which is roughly 12 miles away from Springfield, Tennessee, where Jody lives.

“I said [to the clerk], ‘If I hit this million dollars, I ain’t ever eating bologna again,’” the father said, according to lottery officials.

The top prize was revealed within the first couple of rows, and he matched the three key symbols next to the top prize amount.

“It kind of shocked me,” the father said.

Ecstatic over the win, Jody’s father said he called his son immediately to break the joyful news.

“He went, ‘You’ll never believe what I just did,’” Jody told lottery officials.

“And, I said, ‘what?’ He said, ‘We just won a $1,000,000!’ I was sitting there thinking, yeah right, I don’t believe you!”

Jody’s father then hightailed over to his son’s home, where the two planned on driving to Kentucky Lottery Headquarters that following Monday and discussed how they would claim the prize.

The father-son team arrived at headquarters in Louisville on June 10 and opted for the lump sum of $700k.

Large lotto winners can choose between taking their winnings home as a lump sum or annuity payments.

But while at the headquarters to claim their prize, finding out that they had won a life-changing amount of money didn’t stop the father from performing chores around the house.

Jody’s father shared that he still hopped on his lawnmower and mowed his yard while they waited over the weekend to cash in the ticket, according to officials.

Jody shared that the duo planned to invest their new money after paying off all their bills.

“Houses are paid off. Cars paid off, done. We will be bill-free probably next week,” Jody shared.

“You become debt free, and you don’t have any bills.”

Since the father and son opted for the lump sum, lottery officials said they took home a check for $504,000 after taxes.

The gas station where the lucky ticket was bought will also receive a check for $7,000 for selling the winning ticket.