MCT-2024-08-01

The Marion Tribune, Thursday, August 1, 2024— 3A When the original Marion County Court House was dismantled because it had become too small, this building replaced it. Built in 1880, the Court House stood until it burned in 1922. Almost all of the county records were lost at that time. This image dates from 1915 and is the earliest known postcard of the courthouse. -Submitted by David Head Tennessee Unemployment Holds Steady at Historic Low T ennessee contin- ues to experience record-low unemploy- ment, according to data released by the Department of Labor and Workforce Devel- opment (TDLWD). The rate for June came in at 3%, which was un- changed from the all- time low unemploy- ment rate the state re- corded in May. In a year-to-year comparison, Tennes- see’s June 2024 season- ally adjusted unemploy- ment rate decreased by 0.1 of a percentage point. Employers added new jobs to Tennessee’s workforce between May and June and increased nonfarm employment by 400 jobs. The min- ing, logging, and con- struction sector and the education and health services sector had the biggest gains in employ- ment. The manufactur- ing sector also added a sizable number of new positions during the month. Over the year, non- farm employment did decrease across the state by 5,900 jobs. The administrative, sup- port, and waste services sector saw the largest dip in employment. The real estate, rental, and leasing sector experi- enced the next largest decrease, followed by the non-durable goods manufacturing sector. TDLWD has com- piled a complete analy- sis of the June 2024 unemployment data, which is available at www.tn.gov/content/ tn/workforce/general- resources/major-pub- lications0/major-pub- lications-redirect/pub- lic-reports-redirect/ economic-analysis. Nationally, the sea- sonally adjusted unem- ployment rate inched up in June from 4% to 4.1%. The rate is 0.5 of a percentage point higher than it was in June 2023. While unemploy- ment across the state is at its all-time low level, many Tennes- seans continue look- ing for work or to im- prove their place in the workforce. TDL- WD o ff ers a variety of resources for indi- viduals searching for meaningful employ- ment. TNWorkReady provides an easy-to- navigate format for seeing the services the department of- fers. Job seekers can also visit the virtual American Job Center to search for assis- tance and jobs4TN to search for jobs on their schedules. TDL- WD is ready to help Tennesseans fi nd their next great job. The state of Ten- nessee will release the June 2024 county unemployment data on Thursday, July 25, at 1:30 p.m. CDT. The June 2024 Statewide Unemployment Rate Remained at the All-Time Low Set in May Paid for by Gardenhire for Senate Tennessee RiverLine’s 2024 Paddles- ports Leadership Academy Cultivates Inclusive Outdoor Leaders T he Tennessee RiverLine recently celebrated the suc- cessful completion of the 2024 Paddlesports Lead- ership Academy (PLA), a transformative program that brought together ten participants from diverse back- grounds across the nation. Over the course of four days, these emerging leaders received comprehensive train- ing in kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, equipping themwith essential skills in technical paddling, riskmanagement and community-building This year’s PLA, held from June 13 through June 16 in Knoxville, was conducted in partnership with Anna Levesque of Mind Body Paddle, Gerry Seavo James of the Explore Kentucky Initiative and George and Zenovia Ste- phens of Black Kids Adventures. The academy’s curricu- lum was designed not only to enhance participants’ pad- dling skills but also to foster leadership qualities that pro- mote access to and representation in outdoor recreation. “The Paddlesports Leadership Academy empowers individuals to become leaders in their communities by introducing others to the joys of paddlesports. It’s particu- larly inspiring to see Academy graduates use the experi- ence and skills they’ve gained to introduce paddlesports to their communities, creating a ripple e ff ect of inclusivity and representation on the water,” said Brad Collett, Ten- nessee RiverLine executive director and professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “This program is a cornerstone in our e ff orts to make outdoor recreation on the Tennessee River accessible to all.” The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a principal partner of the Tennessee RiverLine, has been a strong advocate for the PLA. TVA’s support aligns with their di- versity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, recognizing the importanceof providingdiverse communitieswith the opportunity to engage in and lead outdoor activities. “TVA’s mission of service is for all people. We want everyone to enjoy the rich beauty and recreational op- portunities that exist within the Tennessee Valley. PLA is another way we can partner to build advocacy and aware- ness of recreational opportunities along the 652 miles of the Tennessee River,” said Rebecca Hayden, director of TVA’s Natural Resources group. The Tennessee RiverLine, UT Extension and TVA all strive to enhance the quality of life in the Tennessee River Valley through increased access to and engagement in outdoor recreation. The PLA stands as a testament to this shared vision, addressing barriers to access and fostering a new generation of leaders who are ready to champion inclusivity in their communities. The 2024 graduates of the PLA are now equipped not only with paddling expertise but also with the leadership skills necessary to advocate for and create inclusive spaces on the water. Their journey in the PLA re fl ects a broader commitment to transforming communities through the power of outdoor recreation. The Tennessee RiverLine is an initiative of UT Exten- sion, with principal partners UT Knoxville and Tennessee Valley Authority, and is a continuous system of outdoor recreation experiences along the Tennessee River’s 652- mile reach. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agri- culture comprises the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, theUniversity of Tennessee Insti- tute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. This programwas made possible with additional sup- port fromREI’s CooperativeActionFund. Formore infor- mation about the Paddlesports Leadership Academy and the Tennessee RiverLine, visit www.tennesseeriverline. org. ABOUT TENNESSEERIVERLINE The Tennessee RiverLine is a transformative initiative that connects a vast system of outdoor recreation experi- ences along the Tennessee River. This historic multi-gen- erational project aims to enhance economic development, improve public health, promote resource stewardship, and ensure equitable access for the 2.4 million residents in diverse communities across four states. The Tennessee RiverLine is an initiative of UT Extension and principal partners, UT Knoxville and TVA. For more information, visit tnriverline.org. ABOUT TVA The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation’s largest public power supplier, delivering energy to 10millionpeo- ple across seven southeastern states. TVAwas established 90 years ago to serve this region and the nation by devel- oping innovative solutions to solve complex challenges. TVA’s unique mission focuses on energy, environmental stewardship, and economic development. With one of the largest, most diverse, and cleanest energy systems – in- cluding nuclear, hydro, solar, gas, and advanced technolo- gies – TVA is a leader in our nation’s drive toward a clean energy future. TVA is a corporate agency of the United States, receiving no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVAprovides fl ood control, navigation, and landmanage- ment for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation. ABOUTEXPLOREKENTUCKY INITIATIVE Founded in 2013 by Gerry Seavo James, the Explore Kentucky Initiative is a Black-owned and led outdoor ori- ented social enterprise dedicated to inspiringKentuckians and visitors to the Commonwealth to engage in an active lifestyle fueled by outdoor adventure while preserving the natural resources of our 120 counties. ABOUTMINDBODYPADDLE Mind Body Paddle is a woman-owned business cre- ated to inspire womenworldwide to thrive throughmind, body and paddle coaching. Owner Anna Levesque is the leading expert in mental agility coaching for women in whitewater kayaking, a stand-up paddleboarding instruc- tor, yoga teacher and ayurvedic health coach. Her years of passion and experience in paddling and holistic health grew to develop a business with a mission to empower women, share knowledge and curate experiences for her clients that lead to self-discovery, skill development and personal freedom. ABOUTBLACKKIDSADVENTURES Black Kids Adventures is a not-for-pro fi t organization paving the way for Black and Brown families to connect and participate in nature and recreational based outdoor activities. Serving families across Alabama and beyond, they are rede fi ning, reimagining and challenging the idea of those that enjoy outdoor activities. Participants Receive Training in Paddlesports, Risk Management and Community Building Memories of Marion