TWRA and Legacy Parks Planning Sunflower Festival This Saturday
TWRA and Legacy Parks are joining together for the second sunflower festival at the Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area in Knoxville this Saturday, July 8 at 9 a.m. Recognizing the public’s great interest in the sunflower fields a few years ago, WMA Manager Bill Smith decided it would benefit TWRA and the public […]
TERESA D. TAYLOR HEIFNER
TERESA D. TAYLOR HEIFNER, age 56 of Corryton, TN passed away Saturday afternoon, July 1, 2017 after a brief illness. She was a member of the Clear Springs Baptist Church and loved to quilt and sew with her friends at the Corryton Senior Center. Teresa was the daughter of the late Richard E. Taylor Sr. […]
House Leaders Advance Legislation Establishing Long-Term Care For Those With Autism Spectrum Disorder
In April, Governor Haslam signed into law legislation spearheaded by House leaders to create a long-term system of care for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. House Bill 384 establishes the Tennessee Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder. This 16-person advisory council would make recommendations and provide leadership in program development regarding matters […]
House Approves Legislation Protecting Identities Of Minors In Crime Situations
Earlier this year, House lawmakers unanimously approved legislation designed to protect the identities of Tennessee minors who fall victim to crimes, especially those that are sexual in nature. House Bill 344 protects the identities of minors in a crime situation, unless a court waives confidentiality at the request of the victim’s parent or legal guardian. […]
Bill Aimed At Safeguarding Personal Information Of Tennessee Tourists Moves Forward
Earlier in the year, lawmakers unanimously approved legislation that safeguards the personal information of Tennessee tourists who visit state parks by restricting access to the personal information of park guests. Under current law, Tennessee state parks must disclose personal information of its guests when it receives a public records request, because there is no exemption […]
House Republicans Pass Legislation Strengthening Tennessee Campaign Finance Laws
The full House passed legislation this year to strengthen Tennessee campaign finance laws, with House Republicans leading the charge to require funds donated to a campaign be deposited and maintained in a traditional bank or credit union account insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Current statute allows campaign funds to be invested in […]
House Republicans Move Forward With Critical Legislation To Combat Welfare Fraud
At the end of February, House Republicans moved forward with critical legislation designed to combat welfare fraud in Tennessee by passing House Bill 227 on the full House floor. House Bill 227, referred to as the Program Integrity Act, is the result of over two years of work between Republican lawmakers and the Department of […]
Resolution To Honor Blind Citizens, American History Receives Committee Approval
In March, the House approved legislation to honor Tennessee’s blind citizens as well as American history by passing House Joint Resolution 88. As approved, the legislation calls for a braille American flag to be displayed in the new Cordell Hull legislative office building, which the General Assembly is set to move into later this year. […]
Lawmakers, Farmers Celebrate Annual ‘Ag Day On The Hill’ Event
House lawmakers joined with farmers and agriculture groups from across the state in April to celebrate Tennessee’s annual ‘Ag Day on the Hill’ event at the Legislative Plaza in Nashville. Governor Bill Haslam has also proclaimed the date ‘Agriculture Day’ as part of the annual national observance to recognize the important contributions of farmers and […]
New Law Will Allow School Personnel To Assist Students During Adrenal Crisis
Earlier this year, lawmakers passed legislation to give school personnel the ability to administer lifesaving medical treatment to Tennessee students suffering from adrenal insufficiency caused by conditions like Addison’s disease. House Bill 121 permits any properly trained school employee to administer a lifesaving injection as a form of medical treatment to students who are suffering […]
House Republicans Honor Fallen TBI Special Agent With Passage Of House Bill 482
A bill sponsored by House Republicans honoring fallen Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Special Agent De’Greaun Reshun Frazier unanimously passed in the House Chamber this year. House Bill 482 designates the future home of the TBI Crime Lab & Consolidated Headquarters in Madison County to be named the ‘Special Agent De’Greaun ReShun Frazier TBI Crime […]
FSIS Provides PRO Grilling Tips for Summer Barbecues
From Fourth of July cookouts to entertaining visiting relatives, summertime is a season that brings together loved ones and lots of food. This summer, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is providing tips on how to “Grill Like a PRO” during your outdoor festivities. Keeping your family and loved ones safe from foodborne illness […]
Tennessee Business Expansions On Rise Across State
In 2016, Tennessee was named State of the Year for Economic Development by Southern Business & Development Magazine based on project totals and the variety of industries that invested in the state and created jobs. So far in 2017, Tennessee is well on its way to living up to this recognition, with multiple major job […]
Legislature Moves Forward With Confirmation Of University Governing Boards
Earlier this year, the legislature moved forward with the confirmation of 48 appointments to Tennessee’s new university governing boards, giving the higher education institutions involved increased autonomy to support student success as the state continues its Drive to 55 initiative: the goal of getting 55 percent of Tennesseans equipped with a college degree or certificate […]
Tennessee Treasury Returns Record Amount Of Unclaimed Property To Tennesseans In 2016
The Tennessee Treasury Department returned a record amount of unclaimed property in 2016 to Tennesseans across the state, marking a 28% increase over the prior year. In total, 41,827 claims were processed in 2016, totaling more than $34 million with an average claim amount of $817. Unclaimed property is money that has been turned over […]
Tennessee Names First Female State Architect
Earlier this year, the State Building Commission voted unanimously to appoint Ann McGauran as Tennessee State Architect. With the appointment, McGauran becomes the first woman to serve the state in this capacity since the position was first created in 1955. McGauran is a senior architect with more than 25 years of architectural and project management […]