Cost Share Funding Available for Agricultural and Forestry Businesses
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) announces the third round of funding for the Tennessee Forestry, Agriculture, and Rural Markets (FARM) cost share program. FARM will provide financial assistance to agricultural, food, forestry, and nonprofit agricultural entities in Tennessee. “Tennessee’s Financial Stimulus Accountability Group allocated funds to invigorate rural economies and fuel the state’s overall […]
Tennessee Needs at Least $68 Billion Worth of Public Infrastructure Improvements
Tennessee needs at least $68 billion worth of public infrastructure improvements during the five-year period of July 2022 to June 2027—a $5 billion (9%) increase from the year before—according to a new report by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR). Health, Safety, and Welfare infrastructure needs increased by $2 billion—37% of the overall […]
Tennessee Higher Education Commission Announces Delay in Release of FAFSA Records by U.S. Department of Education
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) reports that students considering college can expect a delay in FAFSA processing. The U.S. Department of Education has informed stakeholders that records for the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will not be released to institutions until mid-March. While the FAFSA typically launches in October on StudentAid.gov, […]
Rep. Burchett introduces bill to prevent school grants from being distributed based on political ideology
U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) introduced H.R. 7309, the Building Lasting Opportunities for Community K-12 (BLOCK) Act. The BLOCK Act would replace the U.S. Department of Education’s formula grants with a system that would require the Department of Education to provide each state with a block grant in the amount they received the previous year. This system would prevent […]
CPI for all items rose 0.3% in January
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent in January on a seasonally adjusted basis, after rising 0.2 percent in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.1 percent before seasonal adjustment. The index for shelter continued to rise […]
Listeria Outbreak Linked to Queso Fresco and Cotija Cheese
Recalled Food Cheeses, crema, and yogurt made by Rizo-López Foods On February 6, 2024, Rizo-López Foods recalled all cheeses and other dairy products made in their facility. Products were sold nationwide under these brands and at deli counters: Campesino Casa Cardenas Don Francisco Dos Ranchitos El Huache Food City La Ordena Rio Grande Rizo Bros San Carlos […]
Tennessee Sues NCAA Challenging Its NIL-Recruiting Ban
On Wednesday, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, along with Virginia, sued the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for violating federal antitrust laws with its anticompetitive restrictions on the ability of current and future student-athletes to benefit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). These anticompetitive restrictions violate the Sherman Act, harm current and future student-athletes […]
Tennessee Promise Students Have More Successful Higher Education Outcomes
The Tennessee Comptroller’s latest evaluation of the Tennessee Promise program shows that Promise students are earning more credits, are retained, and earn awards at higher rates than non-Promise students who enroll at the same schools. These statistics are revealed as part of the Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability’s regular evaluation of the effectiveness […]
Summer Food Service Program Hosts Summit; Begins 2024 Application Cycle
The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is announcing its participation in the 2024 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The goal of the Summer Food Service Program is to ensure children 18 and younger, who benefit from meal programs at school, continue to have that same access to nutritious meals outside of school. Each year […]
Payroll employment rises by 353,000 in January; unemployment rate remains at 3.7%
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 353,000 in January, and the unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job gains occurred in professional and business services, health care, retail trade, and social assistance. Employment declined in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industry. This news release […]
TENNESSEE POLLINATOR EFFORTS RECOGNIZED BY INTERNATIONAL NON-PROFIT
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has been awarded the Pollinator Roadside Management Award for 2023 by the North American Pollinator Partnership Campaign. The award is given to agencies leading the field in pollinator-friendly roadside practices. “Pollinators are vitally important to Tennessee’s agriculture and economy,” explained Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “TDOT is proud of […]
Bill of rights for detransitioners introduced by Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison
A bill enshrining critical rights for victims of radical cosmetic gender reassignment was filed this week in the Tennessee General Assembly. House Bill 2816, sponsored by Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, protects four basic rights of Tennesseans, including the right to insurance coverage, mental health care access, legal restoration and the right to transparency. […]
VITAL POLICY – Faison and Niceley Propose Legislation to Expand Access to Public School Sports for Homeschool Students
Homeschool families in Jefferson County who wish for their middle school children to participate in public school sports would get the green light if proposed legislation by Representative Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) and Senator Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains) finds favor with the legislature. “The benefits of organized sports go well beyond physical skills and are vitally […]
100+ Women Who Care Jefferson County – SafeSpace Receives $12,800
100+ Women Who Care Jefferson County is a group of women who gather four times a year for a one-hour meeting, learn about charities and each donate a $100 check to a charity that the group selects. The combined donation of $10,000 makes a real impact without time-consuming fundraising events and planning. 100+ Women meet […]
Secretary of State Tre Hargett Honors First Responders with 2023-2024 Blue Book Dedication
Secretary of State Tre Hargett today announced the 2023-2024 Tennessee Blue Book is dedicated to Tennessee’s first responders. “I am pleased to dedicate the 2023-2024 Tennessee Blue Book to these public servants,” said Secretary Hargett. “These heroic individuals put the well-being of their fellow citizens above their own to render lifesaving services and protect families. […]
8 Parenting Goals to Start the New Year Strong
New Year resolutions are often sweeping and grand, but often you can reap the biggest rewards by building off the strengths already in place. Helping to make your family safer, stronger and more harmonious in 2024 may not require a complete overhaul, but rather a few strategic tweaks. “This is a great time to take […]
