Timber Theft Cases Reported Across Tennessee
Rising timber prices and the value of individual species have enticed thieves to steal timber across Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) urges forest landowners to be aware of timber theft and provides steps owners can take to protect their assets. “Timber theft can be financially devastating to a landowner,” State Forester David Arnold […]
Comptroller’s Office Examines Successes and Challenges of Tennessee Promise
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has released a new update in its ongoing evaluation of the Tennessee Promise Scholarship Program. The update shows more students are attending college after graduating from high school following the implementation of Tennessee Promise. Tennessee’s college-going rate increased from 58.64 percent to 64.4 percent in the first year of the program. […]
Set of genetic markers in lung cancer identified
Investigators at Wake Forest School of Medicine, part of Wake Forest Baptist Health, have identified a set of new genetic markers that could potentially lead to new personalized treatments for lung cancer. The study appears online in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. This study was built on a previous discovery […]
Tennessee Department of Health Statement on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
The Tennessee Department of Health is acting upon recent guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Our vaccine supply continues to surpass demand and we do not anticipate this shift will impact our efforts to […]
Tennessee, Kentucky File Lawsuit against Biden Administration State Tax Policy
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III today joined Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in a lawsuit challenging a mandate from the Biden Administration in the American Rescue Plan Act (the Act). The lawsuit, filed against Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, argues that the tax […]
The General Assembly Approves Constitutional Carry
House Republicans this week passed historic legislation restoring Tennesseans’ constitutional right to self-defense. House Bill 786 removes encroachments on law-abiding citizens who wish to exercise their Second Amendment right to carry a handgun while increasing penalties for criminals who steal guns or possess them illegally. Tennesseans who are at least 21-years-old, or are honorably discharged […]
STRONG Act expands opportunities for Tennessee Guardsmen
The House chamber this week unanimously approved legislation that will expand eligibility for tuition reimbursement for Tennessee National Guardsmen under Tennessee’s Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen (STRONG) Act. The STRONG Act provides eligible service members in the Tennessee National Guard with tuition reimbursement for coursework completed as a full-time student in pursuit […]
Business Fairness Act protects businesses in state of emergency
Legislation that seeks to protect small businesses during a state of emergency passed unanimously in the House Chamber on Monday. The Covid-19 pandemic presented many challenges for small businesses across the state. Those that were not deemed essential suffered while their bigger competitors were allowed to remain open, ultimately giving government the authority to pick […]
Legislation addressing teacher shortage passes in the House
Legislation that addresses Tennessee’s teacher shortage passed the House on Monday. House Bill 533 simplifies the process for teachers who are moving to Tennessee to receive an appropriate teaching license, helping qualified teachers get into classrooms quicker. The bill allows out-of-state educators who possess the equivalent of a Tennessee professional teacher’s license in their current […]
Gov. Lee & TDOE Announced Applications Open for $500,000 in Governor’s Civic Seal Grants
Gov. Lee and the Tennessee Department of Education announced applications are open for the 2021-22 Governor’s Civic Seal Grants, totaling $500,000, to support Tennessee public schools, districts, and charter schools in implementing high-quality civic education programs to prepare students for college, career, and civic life. Applications for the 2021-22 Governor’s Civic Seal Grants are open to all Tennessee public schools, districts, and charter schools and awards range from $5,000 […]
TDOE Opens Request for Applications for $10M Competitive Grant to Establish “AP Access for All” Program
Tennessee Department of Education announced a request for applications from vendors to develop and support a new Advanced Placement (AP) Access for All program designed to help more students have the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school. The AP Access for All program will help open access to students across the state by providing AP courses virtually, allowing them to enroll in AP courses not currently offered at their home high school, and reducing […]
Interstate Construction Halted for Easter Holiday
The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all interstate construction work this Easter weekend in anticipation of increased holiday travel. TDOT crews and contractors will stop all road construction work that requires lane closures beginning Thursday, April 1 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, April 5 at 6:00 a.m. This will provide maximum roadway capacity to […]
Funding Denied For New Jefferson Elementary School
The Jefferson County Commission turned down a motion to fund a nearly $20 million dollar request from the Jefferson County Department of Education. Last week the Commission heard a proposal that would fund a new school to house Jefferson Elementary at the projected cost of $19,950,000. The projection included $16,927,495 for construction, a contingency of […]
Republican leaders continue to advance Constitutional Carry
Constitutional Carry legislation is continuing to move through the House, passing the Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee on Wednesday. House Bill 786 allows Tennesseans to exercise their constitutional right to defend themselves and their families while cracking down on criminals who steal guns or possess them illegally. The bill also includes sentencing enhancements and increases […]
David Crockett to be honored with statue on Capitol grounds
Legislation honoring Tennessee legend David Crockett with a statue on the Capitol grounds passed the House on Monday. The General Assembly created the David Crockett Commission in 2012, tasking them with the responsibility of finding a home for a statue of David Crockett on the grounds of the Capitol. House Bill 220 designates the desired […]
