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Tenn. Economic Dept.: Acumen to Establish First U.S. Manufacturing Location in Sumner County
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Nov. 13 -- The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development issued the following news:
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Acumen to Establish First U.S. Manufacturing Location in Sumner County
Middle Tennessee
November 12, 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Deputy Gov. and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Acumen officials announced today the company will establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Sumner County.
As part of the project, Acumen will invest $20.2 million to establish a 90,000-square-foot manufacturing
... Show Full Article
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Nov. 13 -- The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development issued the following news:
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Acumen to Establish First U.S. Manufacturing Location in Sumner County
Middle Tennessee
November 12, 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Deputy Gov. and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Acumen officials announced today the company will establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Sumner County.
As part of the project, Acumen will invest $20.2 million to establish a 90,000-square-foot manufacturingfacility in Sumner County, initially creating 50 new jobs with plans to add hundreds more as operations grow. The facility will bring high-quality, affordable, American-made toothbrushes and oral care products to U.S. consumers while also exporting to markets across North, Central and South America. Production is expected to begin in 2027.
Founded in 1976 in Taiwan, Acumen is a manufacturer of toothbrushes and oral care products. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the company designs its own production equipment and molds and operates highly automated toothbrush production lines in Taiwan, China and Vietnam with an annual capacity of 500 million toothbrushes, serving as a trusted OEM/ODM partner to leading international oral care brands.
Today's announcement is a direct result of Gov. Lee's and Commissioner McWhorter's strategic international recruiting trip to Asia in October 2025. Taiwan is quickly becoming a key strategic partner for our state, as nine Taiwanese companies employ more than 1,100 Tennesseans and have invested nearly $160 million across the Volunteer State.
QUOTES
"International companies recognize Tennessee's business friendly climate, skilled workforce and quality of life. I'm grateful to Acumen for selecting the Volunteer State as its first U.S. location and am confident these 50 jobs will create greater opportunity for Tennesseans across our state for years to come." - Gov. Bill Lee
"Today's announcement proves that foreign direct investment, and the emphasis we put on our international recruiting trips, play a crucial role in the success we have experienced in attracting companies across the globe. I'm grateful that Acumen recognizes our efforts to make Tennessee the best place to do business, and we look forward to supporting them well into the future." - Deputy Gov. and TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter
"As Acumen celebrates its 50th anniversary, choosing Sumner County for our first U.S. manufacturing facility marks a defining milestone in our history. Our goal is to make our Tennessee plant the world's largest and most important manufacturing center for toothbrushes and oral care products. This $20.2 million investment reflects our long-term commitment to the U.S. market -- bringing high-quality, affordable, American-made toothbrushes and oral care products to American consumers, while serving markets across North, Central and South America from Tennessee. We are also deeply grateful to Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee team he leads. Our meetings with them in Taiwan gave us a clear understanding of, and strong confidence in, Tennessee's outstanding investment environment, which accelerated our decision to invest in Tennessee." - David Huang, chairman, ACUMEN
"Acumen's investment demonstrates the confidence Taiwanese businesses have in Tennessee's economic potential and business-friendly environment. We look forward to working closely with the State of Tennessee to encourage further Taiwanese investment, create quality jobs, strengthen industrial partnerships and generate lasting economic benefits for the people of both Taiwan and Tennessee." - Jared Lin, director general, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta
"TVA and Gallatin Department of Electricity congratulate Acumen on the decision to establish operations in Sumner County. We are proud to partner with the Gallatin Economic Development Agency and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to support companies like Acumen creating job opportunities and investment in the communities we serve. Together, we celebrate this announcement and look forward to continued success in the region." - Heidi Smith, vice president of economic development, TVA
"Sumner County embraces innovation both in the manufacturers that call our county home, as well as in our public education system. Acumen brings innovation, jobs and the opportunity to collaborate with our schools to assure students train in skills that meet technology and innovation needs. We welcome the partnership." - Sumner County Mayor John C. Isbell
"For generations, 'Made in Gallatin' has meant something because of the global manufacturers that call our city home. Acumen had many locations to consider for its first facility in North America, and their decision to locate in Gallatin is a testament to the environment we have built for companies to invest and succeed. We're grateful for their confidence in our community and look forward to a lasting partnership." - Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown
"Acumen's decision to invest $20.2 million in Gallatin reflects the strength of our workforce and the opportunities Sumner County offers businesses looking to grow. These 50 new jobs will help more families build their futures here, and I appreciate the company's confidence in our community." - Sen. Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin)
"Acumen's decision to invest in Sumner County is another testament to our strong business climate, skilled workforce and prime location. This significant project will create 50 quality jobs and strengthen Gallatin's thriving manufacturing industry. I'm grateful to the company's leaders for choosing our community and look forward to their success in Tennessee." - Rep. William Slater (R-Gallatin)
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About Acumen
Acumen Co., Ltd. provides a total solution for oral care brands, taking products from concept to market under one roof -- from product development and prototyping to in-house materials, manufacturing and quality testing. With its first U.S. plant in Tennessee, Acumen is committed to bringing high-quality, affordable, American-made toothbrushes and oral care products to U.S. consumers and aims to be its customers' most reliable long-term strategic partner. Learn more at www.acumen.com.tw.
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About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD)
TNECD is the state's primary agency committed to fostering economic growth through job creation and community development. By attracting new corporate investment and facilitating the growth of existing businesses, the department works to strengthen Tennessee's competitive landscape. Additionally, TNECD strives to increase the economic prosperity for all Tennesseans by providing grants to communities statewide, helping them to become vibrant, business-friendly environments where companies can flourish. For more information, visit us at tnecd.com. Join the conversation on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
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Original text here: https://tnecd.com/news/acumen-to-establish-first-u-s-manufacturing-location-in-sumner-county/
N.Y. State Comptroller Audit: Village of St. Johnsville - Records and Reports
ALBANY, New York, Nov. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The office of the New York State Comptroller issued the following audit report (No. 2026M-96) on Nov. 6, 2026, entitled "Village of St. Johnsville - Records and Reports."
Here are excerpts:
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Audit Objective
Did the Village of St. Johnsville (Village) former Clerk-Treasurer and current Treasurer maintain complete, accurate and timely accounting records and reports?
Audit Period
June 1, 2024 - February 28, 2026
Understanding the Audit Area
Complete, accurate and timely accounting records and reports are essential for a village board of trustees
... Show Full Article
ALBANY, New York, Nov. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The office of the New York State Comptroller issued the following audit report (No. 2026M-96) on Nov. 6, 2026, entitled "Village of St. Johnsville - Records and Reports."
Here are excerpts:
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Audit Objective
Did the Village of St. Johnsville (Village) former Clerk-Treasurer and current Treasurer maintain complete, accurate and timely accounting records and reports?
Audit Period
June 1, 2024 - February 28, 2026
Understanding the Audit Area
Complete, accurate and timely accounting records and reports are essential for a village board of trustees(board) to effectively oversee financial operations, monitor a village's financial condition, make informed decisions and safeguard public resources. They also help ensure compliance with statutory reporting requirements, promote accountability, transparency and public trust over the use of taxpayer funds.
The Village's accounting records included three operating funds during the audit period: general, water and sewer. The Village's budgeted appropriations for the 2025-26 fiscal year totaled $2 million for the general fund, $432,000 for the sewer fund and $235,000 for the water fund.
Audit Summary
Neither the former Clerk-Treasurer nor the current Treasurer1 maintained complete, accurate and timely accounting records or provided the Board with reliable monthly financial reports. As a result, the Board's ability to properly and effectively monitor and manage the Village's financial operations was limited and transparency was diminished as Village residents and other interested parties were not informed of the Village's financial condition. Specifically:
* The accounting records for all funds were maintained in one general ledger. Therefore, the reports generated from the accounting records did not provide the Board and officials with information needed to separately monitor each fund's financial operations, compare actual results with the adopted budget or assess whether each fund was financially sound.
* The former Clerk-Treasurer did not properly prepare bank reconciliations for all bank accounts and bank reconciliations were not reviewed by the Board or other designee. The combined recorded general ledger cash balance for all cash accounts exceeded the combined adjusted bank balance by $110,545 as of June 30, 2024.
In addition, the Board did not annually audit, or contract with an independent public accountant to audit, the Treasurer's records for at least 10 years as required by New York State Village Law (Village Law) Section 4-408. Had the Board periodically monitored the Village's finances and performed the required annual audit, it may have detected and corrected the deficiencies identified during this audit in a timely manner.
The report includes nine recommendations that, if implemented, will improve the Village's recording and reporting of financial transactions so the Board can effectively monitor and manage the Village's financial operations and improve transparency to taxpayers. Village officials generally agreed with our recommendations and have initiated, or indicated they planned to initiate corrective action.
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The report is posted at: https://www.osc.ny.gov/local-government/audits/village/2026/11/06/village-st-johnsville-records-and-reports-2026m-96
N.Y. State Comptroller Audit: Pine Plains Central School District - Audit Follow-Up
ALBANY, New York, Nov. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The office of the New York State Comptroller issued the following audit report (No. S9-25-18-F) on Nov. 6, 2026, entitled "Pine Plains Central School District - Audit Follow-Up."
Here are excerpts:
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Purpose of Review
The purpose of our review was to assess the Pine Plains Central School District's (District) progress, as of September 2026, in implementing our recommendations in the audit report Pine Plains Central School District - Lead Testing and Reporting (S9-25-18), released in July 2025.
District officials did not properly identify, report or
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ALBANY, New York, Nov. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The office of the New York State Comptroller issued the following audit report (No. S9-25-18-F) on Nov. 6, 2026, entitled "Pine Plains Central School District - Audit Follow-Up."
Here are excerpts:
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Purpose of Review
The purpose of our review was to assess the Pine Plains Central School District's (District) progress, as of September 2026, in implementing our recommendations in the audit report Pine Plains Central School District - Lead Testing and Reporting (S9-25-18), released in July 2025.
District officials did not properly identify, report orimplement needed remediation to reduce lead exposure in all potable water outlets as required by NYS Public Health Law and Department of Health (DOH) regulations. We determined 12 of the 333 water outlets we identified at select areas, that students, staff and the public may have access to and could consume water from, were not sampled or properly exempted by District officials for Cycle Two. This occurred because District officials did not have a sampling plan to identify all water outlets for sampling or exemption.
The audit included seven recommendations to help the Board and District officials improve lead testing and reporting.
Background
The District serves the Towns of Clinton, Milan, Northeast, Pine Plains, and Stanford in Dutchess County and the Towns of Ancram, Clermont, Gallatin, and Livingston in Columbia County. The three school buildings are located on campuses in the Town of Pine Plains (One Elementary School and the Middle School/High School/District Office) and in the Town of Stanfordville (Elementary School). The District is governed by the elected seven-member Board. The Board is responsible for managing and controlling the District's financial and educational affairs. The Superintendent is responsible, along with other administrative staff, for managing the District's day-to-day operations under the Board's direction The Superintendent designated the Director as the person responsible for coordinating and reporting all lead testing. The Director tasked the District Clerk with reporting the results to all required parties and posting the results to the District website.
Results of Review
We determined that of the four recommendations related to sampling, testing and remediation procedures, only one was fully implemented and three were partially implemented. Of the three recommendations related to reporting test results, two were fully implemented and one was partially implemented. Because District officials have not fully implemented all recommendations, the sampling plan and remedial action plan were incomplete, effective controls were not documented for all exempted water outlets or those exceeding the lead action level, and interested parties were not notified of all testing results in a timely manner.
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The report is posted at: https://www.osc.ny.gov/local-government/audits/school-district/2026/11/06/pine-plains-central-school-district-audit-follow-s9-25-18-f
N.Y. State Comptroller Audit: New Woodstock Fire District - Transparency of Fiscal Activities
ALBANY, New York, Nov. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The office of the New York State Comptroller issued the following audit report (No. S9-26-34) on Oct. 30, 2026, entitled "New Woodstock Fire District - Transparency of Fiscal Activities."
Here are excerpts:
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Audit Objective
Did the New Woodstock Fire District (District) Board of Fire Commissioners (Board) conduct an annual audit of the Treasurer's financial records and reports, and did the Treasurer file the Annual Financial Report (AFR) with the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) as required?
Audit Period
January 1, 2025 - May 1, 2026
We extended
... Show Full Article
ALBANY, New York, Nov. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The office of the New York State Comptroller issued the following audit report (No. S9-26-34) on Oct. 30, 2026, entitled "New Woodstock Fire District - Transparency of Fiscal Activities."
Here are excerpts:
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Audit Objective
Did the New Woodstock Fire District (District) Board of Fire Commissioners (Board) conduct an annual audit of the Treasurer's financial records and reports, and did the Treasurer file the Annual Financial Report (AFR) with the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) as required?
Audit Period
January 1, 2025 - May 1, 2026
We extendedour observation of annual AFR filings forward to June 25, 2026, and back to fiscal year 2020.
Understanding the Audit Area
To fulfill its fiscal oversight responsibilities, a board of fire commissioners (board) should conduct an annual audit of the treasurer's financial records and ensure the treasurer files the AFR with OSC on time as required by New York State (NYS) General Municipal Law (GML) Section 30. Doing so will help identify and address errors or irregularities and provide fire district residents, taxpayers and other interested parties with transparent and reliable information about the fire district's fiscal condition and operations.
District officials budgeted a total of $148,618 for the general fund appropriations in fiscal year 2025 to provide essential fire protection services; the budget was funded by $167,606 in revenue collections.
Audit Summary
The Board did not conduct an annual audit of the Treasurer's financial records and reports for fiscal year 2025. Neither the Chairman nor another Commissioner we spoke to were aware the Board should conduct an annual audit, and were therefore unable to tell us when, if ever, the Board last audited the Treasurer's financial records and reports. However, both Commissioners told us they attended the required fire district commissioner training,1 which should include content about annual audits. In addition, the Treasurer did not prepare and file the 2025 AFR with OSC within 60 days after the fiscal year-end as required by GML Section 30. Prior to this audit, the District's last filed AFR was for the 2019 fiscal year.
Because the Board did not fulfill its oversight responsibilities and the Treasurer did not fulfill her statutory responsibilities in a timely manner, transparency of the District's fiscal activities was diminished as District residents, taxpayers, OSC and other interested parties did not have access to the District's current fiscal condition. As a result, the Board cannot effectively monitor the District's financial position and available fund balance to make informed decisions or to safeguard District funds by detecting errors and irregularities.
Furthermore, had the Board conducted an annual audit of the Treasurer's records and reports, it may have identified and potentially helped remedy issues we identified in our review of the Treasurer's records. Specifically, we determined that the Treasurer, assisted by an appointed bookkeeper, did not:
* Ensure that the Board's claims audit was documented and all claims were supported prior to payment.
* Ensure that the Board approved all debit card purchases.
* Provide the Board with monthly budget status reports.
* Provide the Board with her records annually, in accordance with NYS Town Law (Town Law) Section 177.
The report includes 10 recommendations that, if implemented, will improve the Board's fiscal oversight of the District and the transparency of the District's fiscal activities. District officials generally agreed with our recommendations and their response is included in Appendix B.
This audit was conducted pursuant to Article V, Section 1 of the State Constitution and OSC's authority as set forth in Article 3 of GML. The audit's methodology and standards are included in Appendix C.
The Board has the responsibility to initiate corrective action. Pursuant to Section 181-b of Town Law, a written corrective action plan (CAP) that addresses the findings and recommendations in this report must be prepared and forwarded to OSC within 90 days. To the extent practicable, implementation of the CAP must begin by the end of the next fiscal year. For more information on preparing and filing the CAP, please refer to the OSC brochure, Responding to an OSC Audit Report, which was provided with the draft audit report. The Board is encouraged to make the CAP available for public review.
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The report is posted at: https://www.osc.ny.gov/local-government/audits/fire-district/2026/10/30/new-woodstock-fire-district-transparency-fiscal-activities-s9-26-34
Florida Auditor General: Union County District School Board - Operational Audit
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Nov. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Florida Auditor General released the following report (No. 2027-036) on Oct. 28, 2026, entitled "Union County District School Board - Operational Audit."
Here are excerpts:
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This operational audit of the Union County School District (District) focused on selected District processes and administrative activities and included a follow-up on findings noted in our report No. 2024-095. Our operational audit disclosed the following:
Finding 1: District controls over vendor information changes need improvement.
Finding 2: District procedures need
... Show Full Article
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Nov. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Florida Auditor General released the following report (No. 2027-036) on Oct. 28, 2026, entitled "Union County District School Board - Operational Audit."
Here are excerpts:
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This operational audit of the Union County School District (District) focused on selected District processes and administrative activities and included a follow-up on findings noted in our report No. 2024-095. Our operational audit disclosed the following:
Finding 1: District controls over vendor information changes need improvement.
Finding 2: District procedures needstrengthening to ensure that instructional contact hours for adult general education classes are accurately reported to the Florida Department of Education.
Finding 3: Contrary to State law, the District Web site continued to lack certain fiscal transparency information.
Finding 4: Six employees had information technology user access privileges that were incompatible or inconsistent with their assigned functions, increasing the risk of fraud or errors.
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The report is posted at: https://flauditor.gov/pages/pdf_files/2027-036.pdf
[Category: TNSStaRep]
Florida Auditor General: Seminole State College of Florida - Operational Audit
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Nov. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Florida Auditor General released the following report (No. 2027-041) on Nov. 4, 2026, entitled "Seminole State College of Florida - Operational Audit."
Here are excerpts:
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This operational audit of Seminole State College of Florida (College) focused on selected College processes and administrative activities and included a follow-up on findings noted in our report No. 2025-074. Our operational audit disclosed the following:
Finding 1: Contrary to State law, the College disbursed extra compensation payments totaling $2.4 million to 905 employees.
... Show Full Article
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Nov. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Florida Auditor General released the following report (No. 2027-041) on Nov. 4, 2026, entitled "Seminole State College of Florida - Operational Audit."
Here are excerpts:
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This operational audit of Seminole State College of Florida (College) focused on selected College processes and administrative activities and included a follow-up on findings noted in our report No. 2025-074. Our operational audit disclosed the following:
Finding 1: Contrary to State law, the College disbursed extra compensation payments totaling $2.4 million to 905 employees.A similar finding was noted in report 2025-074.
Finding 2: As similarly noted in our report No. 2025-074, College procedures did not always ensure that instructional contact hours for adult education hours were accurately reported to the Florida Department of Education.
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The report is posted at: https://flauditor.gov/pages/pdf_files/2027-041.pdf
[Category: TNSStaRep]
ARK. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPT.: NORTHWEST ALETA CELEBRATES GRADUATION OF CLASS 2026-C
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, Nov. 13 -- The Arkansas Department of Public Safety issued the following news:
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NORTHWEST ALETA CELEBRATES GRADUATION OF CLASS 2026-C
November 12, 2026
SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- The Arkansas Division on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (ADLEST) celebrated the graduation of training Class 2026-C from the Northwest campus of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) during a ceremony held today in Springdale.
The graduating class included 33 officers representing 15 law enforcement agencies from across Arkansas. Each graduate successfully completed the
... Show Full Article
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, Nov. 13 -- The Arkansas Department of Public Safety issued the following news:
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NORTHWEST ALETA CELEBRATES GRADUATION OF CLASS 2026-C
November 12, 2026
SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- The Arkansas Division on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (ADLEST) celebrated the graduation of training Class 2026-C from the Northwest campus of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) during a ceremony held today in Springdale.
The graduating class included 33 officers representing 15 law enforcement agencies from across Arkansas. Each graduate successfully completed theacademy's comprehensive police training program, receiving instruction in criminal and constitutional law, firearms proficiency, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, investigations, ethics, communication, and other essential areas of law enforcement.
"Every class brings together individuals with different backgrounds and experiences, but they leave here united by a common purpose of serving and protecting others," said Clint Scrivner, Northwest ALETA Training Supervisor. "Class 2026-C has demonstrated the discipline, determination, and teamwork necessary to succeed in this profession. We are proud of their accomplishments and confident in the foundation they have built for their careers."
Special recognition and awards were presented to the cadets who attained the highest scores within the respective training categories listed as follows:
Academics:
1. Ricardo Serrano, Springdale PD
2. Gavin Easley, Univ of Arkansas PD
3. Dakota Emmett, Benton Co. SO
Physical Fitness:
1. Gavin Easley, Univ of Arkansas PD
2. Rocky Favia, Springdale PD
3. Ricardo Serrano, Springdale PD
Firearms:
1. Joshua Gulledge, Univ of Arkansas PD
2. Mason Hoffnagle, Rogers PD
3. Rocky Favia, Springdale PD
Emergency Vehicle Obstacle Course (EVOC):
1. Jeremiah Mashburn, Pea Ridge PD
2. Ricardo Serrano, Springdale PD
3. Damion Briscoe, Bentonville PD
Servant Leadership Award - Gavin Easley, Univ of Arkansas PD
The graduates and their agencies are as follows:
Caleb Klingner, Fayetteville PD - Class Leader
Mason Hoffnagle, Rogers PD - Assistant Class Leader
Austin Rentz, Centerton PD - Squad A Leader
Amanda Young, Highfill PD
Tyra Marsh, Washington Co. SO
Carley Turner, Washington Co. SO
Cindy Hughes, Washington Co. SO
Kimberlyn Donnangelo, Univ of Arkansas PD
Erik Velasquez-Perez, Highfill PD
Valerie Oswald, Univ of Arkansas PD
Damion Briscoe, Bentonville PD - Squad B Leader
Logan Warren, Arkansas Tech Univ DPS
De'Vaughn Amann, Decatur PD
Irish Ivey, Siloam Springs PD
Jose Rocha, Gentry PD
Gavin Easley, Univ of Arkansas PD
Jackson Vandenack, Washington Co. SO
Seth Rippetoe, Bentonville PD
Bryce Yates, Gentry PD - Squad C Leader
Joshua Gulledge, Univ of Arkansas PD
Ricardo Serrano, Springdale PD
Rocky Favia, Springdale PD
Jeremiah Mashburn, Pea Ridge PD
Dakota Emmett, Benton Co. SO
Mathew Blain, Centerton PD
Yanisbeth Sanchez, Bentonville PD
John Weaver, Fayetteville PD
Kyle Snavely, Fayetteville PD - Squad D Leader
Donald Orsburne, Fayetteville PD
Benjamin Mitchell, Fayetteville PD
Sloan Smith, Fayetteville PD
Jason Rogers, Rogers PD
Jessi Rodriguez, Bella Vista PD
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Original text here: https://dps.arkansas.gov/news/northwest-aleta-celebrates-graduation-of-class-2026-c/
