Medicine and Health

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Osborne)  -- Remember a few common sense tips and regulations to keep your family Fourth from going up in smoke.

Tennessee officials note that between 2014 and 2018 fireworks caused 419 unintended fires statewide, resulting in more than a million dollars in damages.

Bailey Scott with the State Fire Marshal’s Office strongly recommends you leave the fireworks displays to the professionals. But she says if you do buy and use fireworks, keep a few safety tips in mind.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE)  --  State officials say the lives of at least 2,000 Tennesseans have been saved thanks to free distribution of the overdose medication Naloxone.

The state says it’s now distributed more than 70,000 doses of Naloxone through its Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS). The specialists also conduct training on how to recognize the signs of overdose and administer the medication.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (OSBORNE)  --  The number of Tennessee farmers seeking a license to grow hemp is exploding.

The state Department of Agriculture reports it’s  ssued nearly 2800 hemp production permits this year, with still more applications in the pipeline. That’s ten times the number of licenses issued in 2018.

Hemp’s introduction hasn’t been without complications. There have been persistent reports of police mistaking hemp products for marijuana. There have also been reports of hemp supplement users failing workplace drug tests.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE)  --  An abortion bill that sailed through the Tennessee House in less than three weeks appears stalled in the State Senate.

House bill 77 would outlaw all abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. That’s typically at about six weeks into a pregnancy and before many woman even know they're expecting.

During House committee debate Memphis Democrat Barbara Cooper questioned Republican bill sponsor Micah Van Huss about the measure.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WMOT/TNS)  --  A state lawmaker says the number of Tennesseans suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease will jump 16 percent in the next five years.

Franklin Rep. Sam Whitson is asking fellow lawmakers to get the state prepared by forming an Azheimer’s Advisory Council.

Testifying before the House Public Health Committee this past week Whitson noted there are currently 120,000 Tennesseans suffering from Alzheimer’s. He says that number will increase to 140,000 by 2024.

Whitson noted that his mother recently died of Alzheimers, making it a personal issue.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE)  --  Several controversial bills are moving steadily through the Tennessee General Assembly.

On Tuesday Republican Rep. Micah Van Huss presented a bill to the House Health Committee that would ban all abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected.

Amid gasps, jeers and applause Van Huss defended the measure during questioning by Democratic lawmakers, including Memphis Rep. Barbara Cooper. 

Cooper asked "Are you stating that even in the case of rape, (or) incest, that you are banning or prohibiting an abortion?” 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE)  --  Nashville Mayor David Briley is asking Metro residents to take seriously the threat of flooding this week ahead of expected heavy rains.

In a press statement released over the weekend, Briley says residents should stay updated and take precautions in light of weather service forecasts calling for up to 8 inches of additional rain this week.

Nashville Weather Service Office Meteorologist Sam Shamberger notes that the mid-state typically gets three to four inches of rain during the entire month of February.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE)  --  Nashville’s new mental health Crisis Treatment Center is open and accepting patients.

The facility is located in Metro Center and accepts patients on an emergency basis 24/7 year round.

The facility offers Nashville residents an alternative to calling police when a loved one is in crisis. It also provides police an alternative to jailing individuals in mental distress.

The Center held its grand opening this past week. Mayor David Briley was the keynote speaker.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE)  --  You may be surprised to learn that Nashville resident have a legal obligation to provide outdoor pets with extra care during winter cold snaps.

Daytime highs across Middle Tennessee will stay below freezing through Friday morning. Overnight lows will be in the twenties and teens.

Taking special care of your four legged friends on cold days isn’t just the right thing to do, but is also required by city ordinance.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WMOT/TNS)  --  A new report from the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network shows that suicides among children between 10 and 17 spiked more than 54 percent in three years.

On average, a child commits suicide somewhere in Tennessee each week and suicide is now the second leading cause of deaths among children.

While there's no single reason people take their own lives, Network Executive Director Scott Ridgway says children's exposure to what he calls "mature concepts" should be a concern.