Death penalty could be option for convicted child rapists
Republican will seek to increase the penalty for child rapists in Tennessee. House Bill 1663, sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, would expand the death penalty to defendants convicted of rape of a child under the age of 12. “The death penalty is reserved for the worst of the very worst in our society, and […]
Jefferson County Government Closes Offices and Reschedules Public Meetings Due To Inclement Weather
Snowfall and Falling Temperatures Forces Closure of Jefferson County Government Offices and Rescheduling of Public Meetings Jefferson County, TN, experienced a blanket of snowfall accompanied by plummeting temperatures, leading to the temporary closure of government offices. The inclement weather has prompted local authorities to take precautionary measures, ensuring the safety of both employees and residents. […]
VITAL POLICY – Jefferson County’s Debt Examined, An Analysis of Our Collective Credit Card Payments and Wheel Tax
Our collective county credit card is broken up between what is called “County Debt” and “Nursing Home Debt” and “Landfill Debt.” There is a distinction between them because the nursing home and landfill pays their own debt payments from their own revenue. The county taxpayers’ foot the bill directly for all other county debt. This […]
NASA Science Heads to Moon on First US Private Robotic Artemis Flight
As part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander launched on United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan rocket at 2:18 a.m. EST from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Carrying NASA scientific instruments as part of its Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander launched on United Launch Alliance’s […]
Payroll employment increases by 216,000 in December; unemployment rate unchanged at 3.7%
Household Survey Data The unemployment rate held at 3.7 percent in December, and the number of unemployed persons was essentially unchanged at 6.3 million. These measures are higher than a year earlier, when the jobless rate was 3.5 percent and the number of unemployed persons was 5.7 million. (See table A-1.) Among the major worker […]
Legislative Training with David Seal, January 8, 2024
Legislative Training The location will be the Main Meeting Room of the Jefferson City Library located at 108 City Center Drive, Jefferson City, Tennessee 37760 HIGHLIGHTS Legislative Process Overview Locating and Contacting Your Legislators Tracking Legislation Committee Process Amendments Legislative Meeting Video Archived Legislation Public Acts and Chapters Use of General Assembly Public Website Question and […]
East Tennessee Construction Report for January 4-10, 2024
ANDERSON COUNTY, SR 95 between SR 61 and SR 62: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow traffic, and use extreme caution in this area. CAMPBELL COUNTY, I-75 North near Mile Marker […]
TN Department of Revenue Annual Report
Fiscal year 2023 annual report is now available. Check out the latest collection and distribution numbers, plus accomplishments from all our divisions here.
Tennessee Unveils State’s First-Ever 10-Year Fiscally Constrained Transportation Project Plan
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) revealed its first-ever proposed 10-year fiscally-constrained project plan today, with the goal of better communicating with citizens and communities of the long-term investment strategy for infrastructure in Tennessee. The $15 billion fiscally constrained plan includes both the annual TDOT work program budget of approximately $1.2 billion for 10 years […]
Tennessee Tourism Unveils What’s New in 2024
Tennessee promises unique and hands-on experiences in 2024 with new attractions, restaurants, distilleries, hotels, exhibits, iconic anniversaries and impressive renovations. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the most-anticipated openings to check out in Tennessee this year. NEW ATTRACTIONS, EXHIBITS & EXPERIENCES Northeast Tennessee – Escape to the enchanting night skies of Northeast Tennessee along the Tennessee […]
State Rep. Andrew Farmer announces $337K grant for community revitalization project in Jefferson County
State Rep. Andrew Farmer, R-Sevierville, today announced more than $337K in grant money for a project in Jefferson County from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD). New Market in Jefferson County received a $337,725 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), which will go toward demolishing a mold-infested gymnasium connected to the city hall […]
Tennessee Joins Coalition Challenging ATF Rule that Violates the Second Amendment
Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is joining 26 other state attorneys general and the Arizona State Legislature in a public comment letter demanding that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms drop a proposed rule that violates the Second Amendment. The proposed rule risks making any individual who sells a firearm for profit liable to civil, […]
Tennessee Joins Antitrust Lawsuit against NCAA
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti fulfilled his duty in enforcing our antitrust laws by joining six other states in filing a federal antitrust lawsuit on behalf of the State of Tennessee, challenging the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) transfer eligibility rule in order to stop unlawful conduct that harms both collegiate athletes in Tennessee and […]
ABC of Greater Tennessee honors The Christman Company, Morristown-Hamblen West for Excellence in Construction
The Christman Company’s Morristown-Hamblen West project earned an Excellence in Construction honor by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Greater Tennessee Chapter. The Christman Company was also named 2023 General Contractor of the Year. The prestigious recognitions were celebrated at the Annual Excellence in Construction® (EIC) Awards and STEP ceremony on Dec. 7 at the […]
Tennessee Department of Education Introducedes New State-level Accountability Process
The Tennessee Department of Education has introduced a new state-level accountability process, marking a significant departure from previous evaluation methods. Unveiled for the first time, this accountability system will be applied retroactively to generate school report cards for the 2022-2023 academic year. District and school leaders were only made aware of these substantial changes in […]
Dandridge Reindeer Run 1K Walk/Run Spreads Christmas Cheer for a Worthy Cause
The spirit of Christmas was alive and well in Historic Downtown Dandridge on December 2, 2023, as the community came together for the Dandridge Reindeer Run 1K Walk/Run. This festive event, held through the charming streets of Dandridge, was not only a celebration of the holiday season but also a heartwarming initiative to support the […]
