TWRA and ABR Reach New Partnership Agreement
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and the Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) have reached a new partnership agreement for black bear rehabilitation in Tennessee. During the course of 2023 and 2024, the presence of pneumonia raised initial concerns about the health of bears being housed at ABR. After a difficult decision in December 2024 to […]
Sun, Surf… and Salmonella? What to Watch for at Seafood Buffets This Summer
Buffet Safety Tips for Beachgoers and Big Families As summer heats up and families flock to the coasts for sun, surf, and seafood, buffet-style dining becomes an easy go-to—especially for large groups with diverse tastes. But with beachside restaurants often spotlighting seafood buffets, it’s even more important to be food-safe savvy. Here’s how to enjoy […]
Caution Advised As Prolonged Heat Wave Settles On East Tennessee
East Tennessee Swelters Under Prolonged Heat Wave East Tennessee residents are enduring a relentless stretch of scorching summer weather, as a powerful heat dome continues to grip the region. Temperatures have consistently climbed into the mid-90s, with heat index values soaring past 100 degrees in many valley areas. The National Weather Service has issued repeated […]
Harshbarger Joins President Trump at White House for Signing of HALT Fentanyl Act
Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) joined President Donald J. Trump at the White House to celebrate the signing of the bipartisan Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act, landmark legislation aimed at cracking down on the trafficking and abuse of deadly illegal fentanyl that continues to devastate communities across the nation. “Counterfeit Fentanyl is one of […]
Office of Evidence and Impact Releases Updated Education to Employment Dashboard
The Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration’s Office of Evidence and Impact (OEI) has released an updated dashboard illustrating Tennessee students’ educational achievement and employment outcomes. “OEI works with state departments to support their efforts to make evidence and data-driven decisions,” said Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson. “This updated dashboard represents the […]
TDEC’s Office of Outdoor Recreation Announces $22 Million in Parks and Recreation Grants
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Office of Outdoor Recreation today announced $22,059,191 in grants from the Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) program, the Tennessee Recreation Initiative Program (TRIP), and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) for 31 communities across the state. The LPRF program provides state funding to match local government investments for […]
Secretary Hargett, Tennessee Hospital Association, & Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association Remind Parents to Use Free ‘Baby in the Back’ Hangtag Program
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, the Tennessee Hospital Association, and the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association today reminded parents to use the free ‘Baby in the Back’ car hangtag program during the summer months to help reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths in children. Since its launch, almost 600,000 Tennesseans have requested these free car hangtags. They […]
FREE Vessel Examinations this Saturday for Jefferson County Boaters
The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Knoxville-First Flotilla invites all Jefferson County boaters to get a free vessel safety examination on Saturday, July 12th, at the boat launch at the Dandridge Municipal Park on Chestnut Hill Road and Public Drive. Coast Guard Auxiliary-certified vessel examiners will perform a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) for your boat […]
Tennessee Reports Sharp Decline in July 4th Holiday Traffic Fatalities
Preliminary figures from the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) show a significant drop in traffic fatalities across the state during the 2025 Independence Day holiday period. Four people were killed in crashes, compared to 18 during the same time frame in 2024. The holiday enforcement period ran from 6 p.m. Thursday, July 3, through 5:59 a.m. […]
Rep. Harshbarger Named Vice Chair of House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health
Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) released the following statement after being selected as the new Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health: “Thank you to Chairman Guthrie, Chairman Griffith, and my colleagues for putting their faith in me to serve as the next Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on […]
TDOE Announces Year-Over-Year Improvement Across All Subject Areas
Tennessee Department of Education released the 2024-25 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) state and district-level results, which include both fall 2024 end-of-course (EOC) exams and spring 2025 exams in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, science, and social studies. Together, teachers, administrators, families, and elected officials continue to use practices and programs proven to support students. […]
2025 OPERATION DRY WATER SET FOR JULY 4th HOLIDAY PERIOD
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is once again participating in Operation Dry Water (ODW), a year-round boating under the influence (BUI) and enforcement campaign. ODW’s heightened awareness and enforcement annually takes place around the July 4th holiday and this year is July 4-6. The July 4th holiday means an increase in boater activity, and […]
LOCAL STUDENT GRADUATES FROM FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Furman University President Elizabeth Davis presided over the class of 2025 commencement exercises, which took place Saturday, May 10, in Paladin Stadium on campus. The class of 2025 included 571 students who graduated in the spring semester. Sophie Madeline Swann of Dandridge, Tennessee, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. Swann’s […]
Harshbarger Applauds U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Affirming Parental Rights in Education
Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) released the following statement today after the U.S. Supreme Court set a precedent across the country that parents have the right to opt their children out of classroom instruction on LGBTQ topics that conflict with their deeply held religious beliefs: “Today’s ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court affirms that parents, not […]
