AP/WMOT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is apparently preparing to take a page from Governor Bill Haslam’s education play book. 

Just ahead of his visit today in Knoxville, the president has released a youtube video in which he says he plans to propose free community college education for every high school graduate nationwide.

NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials across the country and here in Tennessee say the flu has reached epidemic levels in 43 states and could peak soon.

Dr. Kelly Moore with the Tennessee Department of Health says this year’s flu vaccine isn’t working as well as hoped, but still recommends you get that shot.

“The vaccine is still the best tool we have to prevent or reduce the severity of illness of the flu, so we’re still strongly recommending that you get it.”

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — A Middle Tennessee teen is facing a charge of reckless endangerment after crews had to rescue him from a rain swollen stream.

The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office says that 18-year-old Clinton Cole Powers drove into rushing water covering a portion of Elam Road Sunday and his truck ended up in the Stones River.

A statement from the agency says Powers was rescued by swift water technicians from the Emergency Medical Services' Special Operations Response Team. His passenger, 21-year-old Brentan Mihm, swam to shore.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Obama is scheduled to visit East Tennessee this week, his second visit to the state in a month.

The White House says the President, Vice President Joe Biden, and Biden’s wife, Jill, will appear at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville Friday to announce a new education initiative.

The federal initiative to be announced will, as the press statement words it, “help more Americans go to college and get the skills they need to succeed.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Gov. Bill Haslam has named a top mid-state academic with extensive Common Core experience to be the next Tennessee education commissioner.

The governor has chosen Lipscomb University's Candice McQueen. She’ll replace Kevin Huffman, who announced last month that he's leaving for the private sector.