Rebecca V. Lee Announces Candidacy For 4th Judicial District Public Defender
Rebecca V. Lee is announcing her candidacy for the 4th Judicial District Public Defender, serving Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier Counties. Lee was appointed to this position in January by Governor Bill Lee after zealously advocating for the constitutional rights of the citizens in her community as an Assistant Public Defender. Ed Miller served 31 […]
Gov. Lee Convenes Law Enforcement Training Advisory Council
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee convened the Law Enforcement Training Advisory Council to discuss progress on improving information sharing and increasing officer training, amid a national surge in violent crime. “As we continue to see a wave of violent crime across the country, we are committed to providing law enforcement the tools and […]
VITAL POLICY – Maine Repeals Civil Asset Forfeiture, Tennessee Struggles to Protect Property Rights
After decades of attempts, the Tennessee General Assembly continues to work around the margins to reform civil asset forfeiture. By comparison, the state of Maine is now the fourth state to abolish civil forfeiture and replace it with the constitutional model of criminal asset forfeiture. Civil asset forfeiture is the process by which government can […]
TDOE Receives Approval of State Spending Plan from U.S. Department of Education for Historic Federal Funding for K-12 Education
Tennessee Department of Education received approval from the U.S. Department of Education on Tennessee’s American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) state plan, which lays out the state’s spending strategy for its portion of federal COVID-19 relief and stimulus funding to benefit K-12 education in Tennessee. Tennessee’s goal is to accelerate academic achievement for all students, and Tennessee’s ARP ESSER state plan outlines spending strategies, including grant opportunities and resources, that the department will provide to support […]
AG Slatery Sues Google for Violating Antitrust Law
Nashville- Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III, along with a coalition of 37 attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against Google in California. The suit alleges exclusionary conduct relating to the Google Play Store for Android mobile devices and Google Play Billing. This antitrust lawsuit is the latest of many legal actions asserting that the […]
American Academy of Pediatrics Identifies Children Most at Risk of Drowning and Recommends Layers of Protection to Prevent Tragedy
The demand for backyard pools and outdoor activities soared during the pandemic — a reason for optimism as families look forward to spending summer outdoors but also a sobering reminder for parents to be extra vigilant about drowning risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics breaks down the latest research on children in a technical report, “Prevention […]
Tennessean’s Will Save Millions Thanks to Record Low Interest Rates
The State of Tennessee has completed the biggest sale of general obligation bonds in its history by closing on approximately $658.7 million of bonds. The bonds sold with a record-setting low true interest cost of 1.41%. The debt offering was sold in two series of bonds consisting of $167.75 million of Series A tax-exempt bonds […]
Governor Lee, Commissioner Rolfe Announce Kairos Power to Establish Low-Power Demonstration Reactor in Oak Ridge
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Kairos Power officials announced today that the privately funded, advanced nuclear engineering company will establish a low-power demonstration reactor in Oak Ridge. Kairos Power will invest $100 million and create 55 jobs to deploy a low-power demonstration reactor at the East Tennessee Technology Park in Oak Ridge. Kairos Power’s low-power demonstration reactor, called Hermes, will demonstrate the company’s capability […]
New Jefferson Elementary School, Once Again To Be Topic For Discussion By County Commission
The Jefferson County Commission will again be addressing the possibility of a new Jefferson Elementary School at Monday’s quarterly meeting. In work session this week Commissioner Thomas of the 10th district informed the full body that she will be bringing a motion for the Nominating Committee to form a committee to bring a proposed solution […]
County Commission Hears Concerns Due To Proposed Rezoning For Slaughterhouse In Strawberry Plains
Jefferson County Commissioners will be faced with the decision to approve or deny a request to rezone property located off of Highway 11E (near Eslinger Road) Strawberry Plains from A-1( agriculture/forestry) to I-2 ( Environmental/ Industrial) to accommodate a proposed slaughter house and retail store. Ten citizens from the area, some with direct impact and […]
Jefferson County Schools Gets Green Light From State On Virtual Academy
Jefferson County Schools received word from the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) on Friday, July 2 that the Jefferson County Virtual Academy (JCVA) has been approved. JCVA’s office will be located on the Rush Strong School Campus. The academy will operate as an independent school with a STEM focus. JCS looks forward to providing students […]
Governor Lee, Commissioner Rolfe Announce Barrette Outdoor Living to Expand Bulls Gap Operations
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Barrett Outdoor Living officials announced Thursday, July 8, 20221, that the company will expand operations in Hawkins County. Barrette Outdoor Living is a leading manufacturer of fencing, railing and exterior products. The company will invest $33 million and create 162 new […]
Carson-Newman groundbreaking for health sciences building sets stage for five-year plan
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. –On Friday, July 9, community leaders, faculty, staff, trustees and friends gathered on Carson-Newman University’s campus to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Drama and Ted Russell Center. The Center will serve as the future hub for the University’s health science programs and honors Knoxville’s Drama Russell and her husband Ted, a 1962 […]
Parrott-Wood Library Awarded $10,000 Grant By Jane L. Pettway Foundation
Parrott-Wood Memorial Library (through the Friends of Parrott-Wood Memorial Library) has been awarded a $10,000.00 grant from the Jane L. Pettway Foundation for technology upgrades. This grant will enable the library to purchase six new desktop computers. Director Donna Phillips has designated $2,500.00 of this grant to help pay for Trilight Fiber internet services at […]
Vital Policy Opinion Ed – Elected School Directors Back in the Legislative Meat Grinder for 2022, Local Impact Examined, Questions Raised
Until 1992 the voting citizens of Tennessee had the power to elect school directors. The time to return that constitutional power to the citizens is long overdue. Prior to the “Education Improvement Act of 1992”, potential school directors had to campaign, one-on-one with voters, and get acquainted with the citizens whose tax money they were […]
Happy 4th of July
Today is the biggest summer holiday for most Americans, with many celebrating with parades, BBQs, fireworks, and neighborhood block parties. Take the day to remember the sacrifices of the brave men and women who found the country, as well as those millions who fight to keep America the nation that it is. Happy Fourth of […]
