Unemployment Drops in Nearly Every County Across Tennessee
NASHVILLE – Nearly every county in Tennessee experienced lower unemployment in July, according to new data provided by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). Eighty-nine out of the state’s 95 counties saw their jobless numbers decrease during the month. Unemployment increased slightly in five counties and remained the same in Robertson County. Across the […]
Four Proposed Amendments to the Tennessee Constitution Will be on the Nov. 8 Ballot
Four proposed amendments will appear on the November 8, 2022 ballot directly after the candidates for governor. For information on amendments being considered for the 2026 ballot, click here. Proposed Constitutional amendments are presented as yes or no questions. A yes vote is a vote to amend the Constitution and adopt the proposed language in the […]
Updated Mapping Tennessee Education Site Provides New Insights
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has released new interactive online dashboards on K-12 education. The dashboards provide updated education data on schools and school districts for the 2020-21 school year. There are two dashboards: one for public schools and one for non-public schools. The dashboards include data on teacher salaries, student enrollment, school building quality, and state and local […]
AG Slatery Sues Walgreens for Unlawful Distribution and Sale of Opioids
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III has filed a lawsuit against Walgreens in Knox County Circuit Court for violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, violating Tennessee’s public nuisance statute, and creating a common law public nuisance through its unlawful sale and distribution of opioids. Its failure to maintain effective controls against abuse and diversion […]
Seasonal Unemployment Boosts County Jobless Rates for June
School employees on their yearly summer break were one of the factors that impacted the June 2022 county unemployment rates, according to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). The latest statistics showed, as they typically do in June, jobless numbers increased in each of the state’s 95 counties. Statewide, unemployment remained unchanged between […]
Absentee By-Mail Request Deadline is July 28
The deadline for Tennessee voters to request a ballot to vote absentee by-mail for the Aug. 4 State and Federal Primary & State and County General Election is Thursday, July 28. “County election commissions are accepting absentee by-mail requests now for the Aug. 4 election,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “If you meet one […]
Tennessee Takes Action to Make Child Care More Affordable When Families Need It Most
The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is announcing new actions to support child care providers and parents. On July 1, 2022, TDHS increased child care payment assistance reimbursement rates by 20% across all categories of care in the Child Care Certificate Program. Beginning August 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, TDHS also will waive […]
TDOT Unveils New Hotline to Address Potholes and other Roadway Maintenance Issues
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is launching a new hotline for drivers to report potholes and other maintenance issues that may be considered roadway safety hazards. “We all know it’s been a terrible year for potholes and here at TDOT we are always looking for ways to improve our customer service,” said Commissioner Butch […]
Gov. Bill Lee Statement on Dobbs Ruling
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released the following statement on the United States Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and shared critical information about current Tennessee law. “Today’s landmark Supreme Court decision marks the beginning of a hopeful, new chapter for our country,” said Gov. Lee. “After years of heartfelt prayer and thoughtful […]
AG Slatery Disputes Federal Directive to Withhold Nutrition Assistance for Schools, Programs that Don’t Adhere to New ‘Gender Identity’, ‘Sexual Orientation’ Policy
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III is leading a coalition of 26 state attorneys general calling on President Joe Biden to withdraw the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new guidance on sex discrimination for schools and programs that receive federal nutritional assistance. The attorneys general say recent guidance from the USDA imposes new—and unlawful—regulatory measures […]
Tennessee Unemployment Inches Up Slightly from Historic Low
NASHVILLE – Preliminary data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) indicated Tennessee’s unemployment rate for May 2022 increased slightly from April’s record-breaking number. The seasonally adjusted statewide rate for the month was 3.3%, 0.1 of a percentage point higher than the previous month’s revised figure. The state’s civilian workforce also grew in May […]
State Fee Waived on Vehicle Registrations Starting July 1
Under a new state law, the Tennessee General Assembly has waived state registration fees for Class A and Class B motor vehicles, for renewals after July 1, 2022 and before June 30, 2023. Class A includes motorcycles and autocycles and Class B includes passenger motor vehicles and motor homes. The state portion of the fee […]
Gov. Lee Issues Executive Order to Enhance School Safety
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee will sign an executive order directing accountability measures for school safety and an evaluation of training for Tennessee law enforcement. The order also establishes additional resources to support parents, teachers and law enforcement in improving school security practices. “Parents need to have full confidence that their children are safe at […]
Tennessee Supreme Court’s Ruling on the Education Savings Account Program (ESA)
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III issued the following statement following the Tennessee Supreme Court’s ruling on the Education Savings Account Pilot Program: “The Education Savings Account program (ESA) has always been about helping Tennessee students-giving eligible families a choice in education, an opportunity they currently do not have. It challenged the status quo- a […]
No Road Construction Delays for Memorial Day Travelers
Road Construction will not delay motorists as they travel Tennessee’s highways this Memorial Day weekend. The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at noon on Friday, May 27 through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31. This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists expected to travel […]
Mental Health Month 2022: Overcoming Isolation and Finding Connection
“We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness.” As I recently read those words about one of the best singer-songwriters in my lifetime, I was struck by how many people are struggling with untreated mental illness across our great state and how many families have experienced a similar tragic loss of life. […]
