TRANSCRIPT:

“It’s Friday. Time for another weekly update. This week, I spoke to the students at Mooreland Heights Elementary School on their S.T.A.R. day and I read to Knox County School’s top readers on the Polar Express. Many thanks to the Knoxville Dream Center for their work in bringing the Polar Express to life. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is once again helping holiday travelers make good time on the state’s highways during Christmas and New Year’s. TDOT will halt lane closures on interstates and state highways to accommodate high traffic volumes beginning at 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 23rd until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, January 1st, 2025.

According to AAA, almost 2.6 million Tennesseans will be driving over the holidays. TDOT officials also want to remind travelers to wear your seatbelts, reduce your speed, avoid distractions, and move over for emergency vehicles. Please note, however, that some long-term closures will remain in place for safety reasons, so be careful and watch out for workers. Two Knox County Health Department initiatives received statewide recognition through the Tennessee Department of Health’s Bright Spot Awards. The awards recognize examples of efforts that aim to prevent negative health outcomes. The Knox Pediatric Dental Initiative received a gold award, and the Maternal Child Health Workgroup received a bronze award. KCHD was the only metro health department to receive two awards. Great job by our team at the Health Department!

Zoo Knoxville’s red pandas are turning orange this weekend. Meanwhile, the red pandas at the Columbus Zoo are being dubbed scarlet pandas. It’s all part of the big game this weekend as the Tennessee Vols travel to Columbus, Ohio to take on the Buckeyes at Neyland North which is formerly the Horseshoe. Go Vols, and good luck to our orange pandas here at home. Until next Friday, I hope everyone has a great week!”