🌱 New Bill Proposes Ending Food Tax + Kenny Loggins' Final Tour

Hey, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this winter morning with your new copy of the Franklin Patch newsletter. Keep reading for the most important things happening around town.

Also, FYI: I wanted to let you know that Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Franklin Patch newsletter and make it their own. We want to pass the torch to someone truly local and in-the-know to write about Franklin long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

But first, today's weather:

Breezy in the morning. High: 64 Low: 49.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Franklin who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories today in Franklin:

1. Tennessee lawmakers are proposing a new bill that would remove the state food tax and increase the tax on tobacco products. The proposed bill would raise the tax on cigarettes to 8.35 cents each and increase the taxes on other tobacco products anywhere from 6.6 percent to 17 percent. (WZTV)
2. Singer and songwriter Kenny Loggins added eight new dates to his final This Is It tour, including a performance in Franklin on May 11. Loggins has said that this tour will be his last and will kick off with a March performance in Florida and end in October with a final performance in California. Tickets for the concert go on sale on Feb. 10 at 10:00 a.m. (WXHC)
3. Singer-songwriter Michael Ubaldini will be performing at Kimbro's here in Franklin on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7:00 p.m. Ubaldini is often referred to as the Rock n Roll Poet, and although he is based in California, he spends a lot of his time in Tennessee. (Williamson Source)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Franklin:

• Energy Efficiency Workshop At MTE Franklin Office (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• According to a new Bumper.com study, Tennessee ranked No. 9 in the nation for driver fatality rates at 24.95 percent. Could our automated red light and speed cameras be playing a role? See how our state stacks up against the rest of the country in the report. (Bumper.com)
• Are you on the hunt for a new job or a change in career? Check out this roundup of open job opportunities in and around the Franklin area, including multiple positions in customer service, sales, truck driving, and more! (Franklin Patch)
• Do you know who's representing you in the state legislature? Come find out! FrankTalks: New Faces in the Legislature will feature Gino Bulso of District 61 and Jake McCalmon of District 63. Stop by for a coffee social at 9:00 a.m. and the event at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 13, at the First Presbyterian Church. (Franklin Tomorrow via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Wholesale Nursery Co — (Visit website)
• Elizabeth Leanza, Synergy Realty - Realtor — (Visit Website)
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Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (February 7)
• Online Event about real estate services in the Franklin area (February 15)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you around.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.