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It’s September, and while the temperature hasn’t gotten the message, it’s almost fall. With that, the birds have already begun migrating south, with parts of the state seeing so many birds that they’re showing up on weather radar.
Sycamore Than You Knew
- Issues to Watch ~ We are releasing an ongoing series on the key issues facing Tennessee for decision-makers and voters to know. Our newest brief on affordability in Tennessee is out now.
- The Big Picture ~ Join the Sycamore Institute on November 6 for our 3rd annual statewide Policy Summit. The theme this year is Tennessee’s Fiscal Future: Challenges & Opportunities for State & Local Government. Early bird pricing ends next week!
- Coming to Clarksville ~ We are hosting a Regional Housing Summit in Clarksville next month! Join us on October 20 to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of Montgomery County.
- Notes and Quotes ~
- Earlier this month, EVP Mandy Spears was hosted by WUTC in Chattanooga and discussed recent research and a range of indicators related to Hamilton County.
- Public News Service covered our recent report on workforce development in Tennessee, writing on the range of initiatives the state and federal government offer.
- Our recent brief on affordability in Tennessee was covered by the Tennessee Lookout and Times Free Press, writing, “In Tennessee, more than 40% of households struggled to afford basic needs in 2024, the study found. The report also found the cost of those basic needs – such as housing, childcare and food – in Tennessee has increased faster than inflation since 2019.”
Not From Around Here
- On the Job ~ A recent Pew survey finds that 60% of U.S. adults say the term “working class” describes them well. “Americans without a college degree and those who are middle income are most likely to identify as working class. But large shares of higher-income and more-educated adults also say they are part of the working class.” Interestingly, there is a partisan divide between who identifies as working class, even after accounting for educational, economic, and occupational factors.
- Buy Now, Pay Later ~ A new form of consumer debt is spreading. You’ve probably seen options like Klarna or Afterpay as an online payment option, allowing users to receive purchases now, while paying over time. These companies typically approve via a soft credit check, meaning that no credit bureau is tracking these loans or how extended folks are with other creditors.
- Being Neighborly ~ A recent study has found that neighbors are significantly less likely to talk to one another than about a decade ago. AEI’s Survey on American Life also found that college-educated Americans were more likely to spend time with their neighbors.
- National Stage ~ Chattanooga-based artist Mon Rovîa, was recently featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert earlier this month. He’s known for his self-described “Afro-Appalachian” music. Across the country, Memphis rappers Project Pat and Juicy J performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Rated G for Graph
Dusting Off the Archives
- Tennessee is seeing record-breaking heat this week, and these community factors can have effects on Tennesseans’ health. Some parts of the state see far more days over 90 degrees than others, with West Tennessee generally seeing more hot days than East.
