House Republicans Introduce Legislation To Create Balance Within Community Oversight Boards

This week in Nashville, House Republicans introduced legislation aimed at creating balance within community oversight boards across Tennessee. Backed by Republican leadership, this legislation balances both the interests of our citizens to voice their opinion while also protecting the fundamental rights of officers and their families from malicious or politically focused persecution. Community oversight boards […]
Over 56,000 Tennessee Promise Applicants Submit FAFSA

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission announced today that over 56,000 Tennessee Promise applicants submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the Feb. 1 deadline. “We are proud to report that more students have taken their first step toward college with the Tennessee Promise program than at any point since its inception,” said THEC/TSAC Executive […]
TDCI Urges Consumers to Familiarize Themselves with Flood Insurance Coverage

In the wake of flooding Wednesday night that affected consumers across Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) are sharing tips to help consumers familiarize themselves with flood insurance. Flooding is the most common and expensive type of natural disaster in the United States, according […]
Governor Lee, Commissioner Rolfe Announce 13 Communities to Receive Site Development Grants

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced today that 13 communities will receive more than $5 million in Site Development Grant funding. The Site Development Grant program is part of the larger Rural Economic Opportunity Act supported by the Tennessee General Assembly for the last three years. […]
Gov. Bill Lee Announces the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) Initiative

Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced his first legislative initiative, the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) to expand access to vocational and technical training for Tennessee students. “I believe that expanding our vocational and technical offerings will be transformational for Tennesseans and the future of our state,” said Lee. “We have the opportunity to […]
Announcement of Maximum Effective Rate of Interest on Home Loans

The Federal National Mortgage Association has discontinued its free market auction system for commitments to purchase conventional home mortgages. Therefore, the Commissioner of Financial Institutions hereby announces that the maximum effective rate of interest per annum for home loans as set by the General Assembly in 1987, Public Chapter 291, for the month of March, 2019 is 7.03 […]
Autopsy Complete for Man Found in Park in September 2018

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials recently received the autopsy report from the Knox County Regional Forensic Center detailing that William Lee Hill, Jr. died of accidental methamphetamine intoxication. Hill, age 30, of Louisville, TN was found off-trail in the park on Sunday, September 9, 2018, near Rich Mountain Road, approximately two miles north of […]
Break Up With Tobacco During Tennessee Quit Week!

Are you in a toxic relationship? You are if you use tobacco products. The Tennessee Department of Health joins partners across the state celebrating the third annual Tennessee Quit Week February 4 – 9, 2019 and invites all Tennesseans to support those who have quit using tobacco products and inspire more people to join them. This year’s […]
Nation’s Pediatricians Prescribe Plan to Boost School Attendance

Being absent from school too often, excused or not, can put a child’s academic achievement—and future health—at risk. A new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in the February 2019 Pediatrics, “The Link Between School Attendance and Good Health” (published online Jan. 28), recommends health care providers promote good school attendance as preventive […]
No Sweat? That’s an Issue for Home-Schooled Children

Parents who home-school their children may think putting them into organized sports and physical activities keeps them fit, but Rice University researchers say young people need more. Faculty at the Rice Department of Kinesiology studied data gathered from 100 home-schooled children age 10-17 to back up their assumption that such activities are sufficient to keep […]
Jefferson County Schools Closed January 30, 2019

Jefferson County schools has announced that it will be closed on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, due to inclement weather. East Tennessee, including Jefferson County, will be under a winter weather advisory though Thursday morning. Sub Freezing temperatures can be expected to last through Thursday with a warm-up expected for the weekend.
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III and 45 Attorneys General Reach $120 Million Settlement Concerning Hip Implant devices

Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III and 45 Attorneys General reached a $120 million Consent Judgment with Johnson & Johnson and DePuy to resolve allegations DePuy unlawfully promoted its metal-on-metal hip implant devices, the ASR XL and the Pinnacle Ultamet. Under the settlement Tennessee shall receive $2,354,489.83. The Attorneys General allege DePuy engaged in unfair […]
Gov. Bill Lee Issues First Executive Order to Address Accelerated Transformation of Rural Areas

Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued his first executive order, requiring all state executive departments to issue a statement of rural impact and provide recommendations for better serving rural Tennessee. “My administration will place a high emphasis on the development and success of our rural areas,” said Lee. “Our first executive order sends a clear message […]
Jefferson County Woman Charged with TennCare Fraud

A Jefferson County woman is charged with TennCare fraud for falsely reporting her income in order to obtain healthcare insurance benefits through the state program. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) with the assistance of the Jefferson City Police Department today announced the arrest of Consuelo Morales, 44, of Jefferson City. A Jefferson County Grand Jury charged Morales […]
Commission Meets For First Vote Of 2019

The Jefferson County Commission met for their first voting meeting of the new year on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The meeting was called to order by Commission Chair, Jefferson County Mayor Mark Potts. All Commissioners were in attendance. Following the approval of the agenda and minutes, the Commission heard […]
School Board To Address Insurance On Fair Property

The Jefferson County School Board met for a Work Session and voting meeting on Thursday evening at the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. Absent from the meeting was Board Member Bradley. Several interest groups from various schools were recognized at the beginning of the voting meeting. Jefferson County Mayor Mark Potts was on hand to present […]