CPI for all items rose 0.4% in February; gasoline and shelter up
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, after rising 0.3 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.2 percent before seasonal adjustment. The index for shelter rose in February, […]
TENNESSEE SUPREME COURT ABOLISHES COURT RULE REQUIRING CORROBORATION OF ACCOMPLICE TESTIMONY
The Tennessee Supreme Court has abolished a common law rule that required testimony of a criminal defendant’s accomplice to be supported by other evidence. The Court’s opinion abolished the accomplice-corroboration rule prospectively, which means only in future cases. As part of that decision, the Court upheld the first-degree premeditated murder convictions of Mr. Tony Thomas, […]
Payroll employment rises by 275,000 in February; unemployment rate increases to 3.9%
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 275,000 in February, and the unemployment rate increased to 3.9 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job gains occurred in health care, in government, in food services and drinking places, in social assistance, and in transportation and warehousing. This news release presents statistics from two monthly […]
VITAL POLICY – Opinion – Consequences of Unchecked and Unlawful Immigration, Rally Scheduled at Tennessee Capitol
If I set out on a pilgrimage to leave the United States and move to another nation, I would learn to speak the language of that nation and abide by the laws of their government set forth for legal immigration. My goal would be to contribute and become a productive member of their society by […]
Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison, Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile, introduce the Family Rights and Responsibilities Act
House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, and Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, and have introduced legislation that explicitly lays out 12 fundamental rights of parents in Tennessee law. The Family Rights and Responsibilities Act, House Bill 2936/ Senate Bill 2749, protects parents’ fundamental rights and responsibilities to make education, health care, moral and religious […]
State of Tennessee: Carson-Newman “exceeds expectations” in latest Board of Education report
Carson-Newman University’s Education Department received news worth celebrating courtesy of the State of Tennessee. The Board of Education released its annual Educator Preparation Report Card this month. The report noted that Carson-Newman, along with nine other programs, in the state is considered to “exceed expectations.” Dr. Kim Hawkins, dean of Carson-Newman’s School of Education and […]
Tennessee Attorney General’s Office Division of Consumer Affairs Notifies Public of New Law Impacting Recording of Service Contracts
The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) would like to notify the public of a new law impacting the recording of service contracts with a Register of Deeds. This new law prohibits the recording of service agreements and makes a service contract void and unenforceable if the agreement: Purports to run with […]
Pothole Repairs Update
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) crews are working around the clock repairing potholes along interstates and state routes caused by last month’s record winter storm which dumped more snow in 24 hours than we normally see in an entire winter. The statewide effort is using all available resources, including contract crews, to repair the damaged areas […]
Updates Needed to Measure Judicial Caseloads in Tennessee
A new report shows updates are needed to produce the study state lawmakers consult when allocating resources across Tennessee’s 32 judicial districts. The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office is required by law to complete a weighted caseload study to understand how criminal and civil cases impact district attorneys (DAs), public defenders (PDs), and trial court judges each […]
TDOE Releases 2023 ACT Senior Retake Data
Today, the Tennessee Department of Education released data on the 2023 ACT Senior Retake, which provides public high school seniors with an additional opportunity to boost their score on the ACT for free. Thanks to the retake opportunity, the number of high school seniors who took the ACT in 2023 and are now eligible for […]
The Princeton Review: Carson-Newman program “one of nation’s best”
Carson-Newman University’s online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner program (MSN-FNP) is one of the best in the in the nation according to The Princeton Review’s 2024 listing. Carson-Newman was one of only five institutions in Tennessee to make the “Best Online Nursing School Master’s Program” list. “It is always an honor to have our programs and faculty recognized,” said Dr. Lana […]
Cost Share Funding Available for Agricultural and Forestry Businesses
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) announces the third round of funding for the Tennessee Forestry, Agriculture, and Rural Markets (FARM) cost share program. FARM will provide financial assistance to agricultural, food, forestry, and nonprofit agricultural entities in Tennessee. “Tennessee’s Financial Stimulus Accountability Group allocated funds to invigorate rural economies and fuel the state’s overall […]
Tennessee Needs at Least $68 Billion Worth of Public Infrastructure Improvements
Tennessee needs at least $68 billion worth of public infrastructure improvements during the five-year period of July 2022 to June 2027—a $5 billion (9%) increase from the year before—according to a new report by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR). Health, Safety, and Welfare infrastructure needs increased by $2 billion—37% of the overall […]
Tennessee Higher Education Commission Announces Delay in Release of FAFSA Records by U.S. Department of Education
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) reports that students considering college can expect a delay in FAFSA processing. The U.S. Department of Education has informed stakeholders that records for the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will not be released to institutions until mid-March. While the FAFSA typically launches in October on StudentAid.gov, […]
Rep. Burchett introduces bill to prevent school grants from being distributed based on political ideology
U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) introduced H.R. 7309, the Building Lasting Opportunities for Community K-12 (BLOCK) Act. The BLOCK Act would replace the U.S. Department of Education’s formula grants with a system that would require the Department of Education to provide each state with a block grant in the amount they received the previous year. This system would prevent […]
CPI for all items rose 0.3% in January
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent in January on a seasonally adjusted basis, after rising 0.2 percent in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.1 percent before seasonal adjustment. The index for shelter continued to rise […]
