Tennessee Starts Sending $600 Federal Unemployment Benefit
The state of Tennessee has started paying approved unemployment claimants their first installment of the $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefit, in addition to their Tennessee Unemployment Compensation (TUC) benefit. On Tuesday, April 14, the state distributed benefit payments of close to $94 million to financial institutions for approximately 110,000 unemployed Tennesseans. Most claimants […]
Tennessee Establishes Hotline for Applicants Applying for Emergency Cash Assistance
The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) launched a special hotline this month to help make it easier for families with children to check on their application for emergency cash assistance. Applicants can call 833-496-0661 to learn the status of their application, including approval or denial and how much money the approved family can expect to receive. […]
Gov. Lee Announces $10 Million in Small and Rural Hospital Readiness Grants
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the State of Tennessee will allocate $10 million in Small and Rural Hospital Readiness Grants to support hospitals that are facing financial strain due to the ongoing response to COVID-19. “Small and rural hospitals are critical to fighting COVID-19 and these grants will help complement federal aid dollars to […]
Tennessee to Distribute $200 Million to County and City Governments Through Governor’s Local Support Grants
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced $200 million in grants to be distributed to every county and city government across Tennessee for one-time, local expenses in fiscal year 2021. “Capital maintenance, public safety and road projects don’t pause for disasters like the March tornadoes and the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gov. Lee. “This grant fund will […]
Turkey Season to Start as Scheduled; Lakes and Rivers to Remain Open
Tennessee’s 2020 statewide spring turkey hunting season will be held as scheduled and the state’s lakes and rivers and access areas controlled by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will remain open. “Governor (Bill) Lee’s Executive Orders 22 and 23 identifies outdoor activity as an essential activity provided that individuals follow Health Guidelines,” said Kurt Holbert, […]
Governor Lee, Commissioner Rolfe Announce Nearly $20 Million in Broadband Accessibility Grants
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe today announced $19.7 million in broadband accessibility grants that will expand service to support 31,000 unserved Tennesseans in nearly 12,700 households and businesses. “One of my top priorities is ensuring the success of rural Tennessee. With the assistance of these grants, […]
Governor Lee Makes New Provisions on Executive Order
Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 24 which includes the following provisions: -Gives Commissioner of Health authority to allow post-degree, pre-licensed mental or behavioral health professionals to treat patients through telemedicine under the supervision of a licensed professional. -Extends payment due date for the professional privilege tax from June 1 to July 1. -Suspends until July 1 […]
Tennessee Receives Key Education and Nutrition Waivers
The Tennessee Department of Education has been granted several key waivers from federal agencies to allow significantly more flexibility at state and local levels during school building closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. “Here in Tennessee, we have moved swiftly to proactively request waivers for certain federal requirements in order to remove as many barriers […]
Gov. Lee, Commissioner Nichols Urge Citizens to Report Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect During COVID-19 Crisis
Gov. Bill Lee today joined Department of Children’s Services Commissioner Jennifer Nichols to call on all Tennesseans to pay extra attention to the children in their lives and in their communities as the response to stop the spread of COVID-19 could lead to an increase in child abuse and neglect and a decrease in reported […]
State Senator Presses for Broadband Deregulation to Benefit Consumers, Advance Internet Expansion
State Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) continues to advance proposed legislation aimed at making broadband service more available to rural citizens and to create market competition among internet service providers (ISP’s). Her proposals would define broadband at or above the FCC standard, streamline the franchise certification process for ISP’s under certain circumstances, permit authorization for multiple […]
Gov. Bill Lee Signs Executive Order Mandating Alternative Business Models for Restaurants and Gyms, Lifts Alcohol Regulations
Sunday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 17 calling for businesses across the state to utilize alternative business models beginning at midnight CDT on Monday, March 23, 2020 until midnight CDT April 6, 2020. The order also outlines ways businesses and citizens should work to protect vulnerable populations. “The COVID-19 pandemic has created both […]
Agriculture Commissioner: We Are Committed to Food Safety and Supply
During this time of uncertainty, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) remains committed in our mission to safeguard your food and fiber and ensure equity in the marketplace. With our citizens and our employees in mind, TDA inspectors, administrators, and support staff continue to provide the services you count on while also following CDC guidelines […]
New State Resources For Employers and Employees Impacted by COVID-19
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development has new resources available for employers and employees impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. The Department revamped its website to put information and resources in a convenient form for Tennesseans to access. The website now has separate sections for employers, employees, frequently asked questions, and for information […]
In-person Photo Requirement to be Waived for Renewals and License Expiration Dates Extended Due to the COVID-19 Outbreak.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) continues to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak closely. At this time, most State Driver Services Centers remain open and the Department is currently taking precautions to protect the health and safety of our customers and employees. To relieve as many customers as possible from needing to visit […]
Governor Lee Issues Statement – “All Schools Expected to Close by Friday, March 20, 2020 at the Latest through March 31, 2020”
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued the following statement regarding statewide school closure: “As the response to COVID-19 evolves, I urge every school district in Tennessee to close as soon as practically possible, with all schools expected to close by Friday, March 20, 2020 at the latest. Schools should remain closed through March 31, 2020 […]
Nashville Weekly Wrap
House of Representatives responds to communities devastated by historic tornado outbreak Early this week, several communities across Tennessee suffered extensive damage as a result of an historic tornado outbreak. In the early morning hours of March 3, a powerful tornado tore through Germantown and North Nashville with wind speeds reaching 125 miles per hour. The […]
