Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings has upgraded Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County’s general obligation debt to AA+ rating. This upgrade marks the first upgrade Metro has received from S&P in as far back as Metro’s records show (to 1981).

The S&P upgrade to AA+ serves as an independent acknowledgment of the financial accomplishments Metro has made to stabilize its finances. Credit ratings are a key factor in determining the interest rate Metro pays on its infrastructure borrowing.

In making its decision to upgrade, S&P acknowledged the implementation of a fund balance policy and long-term forecasting practices. The S&P report stated the reforms implemented since Mayor Cooper took office have led to “available general fund reserves in excess 30% of expenditures in fiscal 2022 from less than 7% in fiscal 2020.”

S&P expressed confidence that recent policy changes will ensure that Metro’s improved financial position “will be maintained as a new mayor is elected later this year.”

This upgrade comes two months after Kroll Bond Rating Agency announced it would rate Metro at AA+. Metro is now rated Aa2/AA+/AA+ (Moody’s/S&P/KBRA).

Transgender care ban allowed, court says

Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth can go into effect – at least for now – after a federal appeals court Saturday temporarily reversed a lower-court ruling.

Last month, a district court judge in Tennessee found that the state’s new law banning transgender therapies like hormone blockers and surgeries for transgender youth was unconstitutional because it discriminated on the basis of sex. The judge blocked large swathes of the law from taking effect.

On Saturday, however, the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati granted an emergency appeal from Tennessee. In a 2-1 ruling, the majority wrote that decisions on emerging policy issues like transgender care are generally better left to legislatures rather than judges.

“Given the high stakes of these nascent policy deliberations – the long-term health of children facing gender dysphoria – sound government usually benefits from more rather than less debate,” wrote Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton, an appointee of former President George W. Bush.

Tennessee attorney general Jonathan Skrmetti praised the ruling, saying the ban can now be fully enforced. “The case is far from over, but this is a big win,” he said in a statement.

The ruling is preliminary, and remains in force only until the appeals court conducts a full review of the appeal. Sutton wrote that the appeal process will be expedited, with a goal of resolving the case by Sept. 30.

Tennessee is one of at least 20 states across the country that have recently enacted bans or restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. Federal judges in Indiana and Kentucky have blocked those laws from taking effect, while a judge in Arkansas struck down that state’s law.

New statewide virtual public school enrolling

Enrollment is now open for the 2023-24 school year at Volunteer State Virtual Academy), a new full-time, tuition-free, online public school program that delivers engaging and interactive lessons that cater to each student’s unique learning style, ensuring academic success and a brighter future.

Authorized by the Tennessee Department of Education, VSVA is designed to serve students starting in the fall of this year. VSVA will provide students with a standards-aligned curriculum facilitated by Tennessee-licensed teachers from the safety of their homes or anywhere with an internet connection.

Students receive a solid academic foundation with hands-on learning experiences in career exploration in a virtual classroom with other students attending as they would in a brick-and-mortar setting.

VSVA’s core subjects will include opportunities for group projects, project-based learning, and personalized career coaching from state-based staff in a setting designed for full-time online education.

Information: vsva.k12.com.

Heritage Foundation award nominees sought

The Heritage Foundation is asking for community nominations for its Preservation awards, with a deadline of July 15.

Categories include:

• Excellence in Preservation through Restoration (residential and commercial)

• Excellence in Infill in a Historic District

• Excellence in Heritage Preservation

• Preservation in Advocacy

• Outstanding Work by a Craftsperson.

The 2023 Preservation Award winners will be announced Saturday, Aug. 26 at the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County.

For 47 years, the Heritage Foundation has recognized preservation projects and individuals who made significant contributions within the field of historic preservation. In 1974, the Williamson County Historical Society began recognizing the efforts of local preservationists with its “Architectural Awards.” By 1977, the awards program became a joint effort of the Society and the Heritage Foundation.

A decade later, the Heritage Foundation took on the Awards ceremony, transforming it into the Preservation Awards.

Information

Murfreesboro’s CityTV wins national Telly Awards

The 44th annual Telly Awards, has recognized CityTV, Murfreesboro’s government and educational station, with two Telly Awards. The national awards were announced and officially received last month.

“We are honored to again receive the recognition for video production from the Telly Awards, the premier award honoring video and television across all screens,” City Communications Director Alan Bozeman says.

Multimedia producer John Padgett, with Lisa Trail and Tori Carr of Murfreesboro City Schools, earned a Silver 2023 Telly for producing “Take20 with Murfreesboro City Schools.”

In 2022, the three earned a bronze for the “Take 20” educational program. Padgett also earned a bronze for a fire safety PSA, “Close the Door.”

The award-winning video productions can be viewed on the city’s dedicated YouTube channel

Study reveals new clue to gastric cancer

Fibroblast cells play key roles in the repair of damaged tissue and in pathological scarring. Now, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have uncovered evidence of their direct involvement in the development of gastric cancer.

These findings, published in the journal Gastroenterology, could lead to novel interventions to prevent cancer of the stomach, the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide after lung and colorectal malignancies.

Until recently it has been difficult to identify which cells are involved in the steps leading to gastric cancer, notably the development of precancerous stomach lesions called metaplasia and later, dysplasia, the appearance of abnormal cells.

“Our studies demonstrated that particular subsets of fibroblasts present in the stomachs of patients with metaplasia and cancer can promote transition of precancerous metaplasia towards dysplasia,” says James Goldenring, M.D., Ph.D., the Paul W. Sanger Professor of Surgery and vice chair for research in the Section of Surgical Sciences.