State Rep. Jimmy Matlock Introduces Legislation To Defund Planned Parenthood In State
On Tuesday, Jimmy Matlock (R-Lenoir City) announced he would be introducing legislation to outlaw funding of Planned Parenthood in the state of Tennessee following the federal appeals court decision to uphold the 2014 vote on Amendment 1. “A false narrative exists in Tennessee that Planned Parenthood doesn’t receive Tennessee tax-payer dollars. Media and professional politicians […]
Lt. Governor Announces Committee Changes
Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) today announced state Senate committee assignment changes for the second annual session of the 110th General Assembly. The changes come as a result of the resignation of three Senate members since the legislature adjourned in May. Two of the resigning senators, Doug Overbey and Jim Tracy, accepted presidential appointments. […]
State Fire Marshal’s Office Urges Safety During Deadliest Week For Fire Deaths
The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) urges Tennesseans to focus on home fire safety during what has traditionally been the most tragic week for fire-related incidents in the Volunteer State: The second week of January. SFMO data shows that Tennessee has averaged 3.6 fire deaths (29 in eight years) during the second week of […]
Roe to East Tennesseans: I Will Proudly Stand with the President to Fight For You
Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after attending President Trump’s speech to the American Farm Bureau National Conference: “It was an honor to join President Trump aboard Air Force One today, and to attend his speech in Nashville as he discussed increasing prosperity in rural America. I agree wholeheartedly with the […]
Consumer Alert: Deadline Approaching in Western Union Settlement
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III and the Federal Trade Commission are reminding consumers to file claims related to $586 million settlement between Western Union Company, the FTC, and the U.S. Department of Justice. Consumers who lost money to scammers who told them to pay via Western Union’s money transfer system between January 1, 2004 […]
Haslam Announces Major Awarding of IMPROVE Act Transportation Projects, Largest Bidding Process in State History
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John Schroer today announced the state has awarded $297 million in contracts from bids accepted in December for crucial road and bridge construction projects – the first major awarding of IMPROVE Act projects and the largest such bidding process in TDOT’s history. With increased transportation […]
Former UT Football Director of Operations Pleads Guilty
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in Chris Spognardi, the former Director of Football Operations at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, pleading guilty to official misconduct. Comptroller investigators determined that Spognardi provided fabricated or altered documentation to account for at least $14,085 in athletic funds from September 2015 through January 2016. Spognardi could […]
State Fire Marshal: Ring in the New Year with Safety Mind
Whether your New Year’s plans involve a low-key night at home or a big night out on the town, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) encourages Tennesseans to add fire safety to the celebration agenda. “No matter where you choose to celebrate the new year, be sure to do it safely,” said State Fire […]
Tennessee Department of Education Awards More Than $8.8 Million for Read to Be Ready Summer Programs
Education Commissioner Candice McQueen announced today the 203 public school recipients of the 2018 Read to be Ready Summer Grants, which will provide a total of $8,860,000 in funding for tuition-free, month-long literacy-focused summer camps for 7,700 students in need across the state. For summer 2018, the third year of the grant program, the department […]
Report: Tennessee, US Economies to Continue Growing in 2018
The Tennessee and US economies will continue to have sustained growth in 2018, according to a report released December 19 by the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research. “The economy is on a roll and growth should continue into 2018 and beyond,” said Matt Murray, associate director of the center and project director for the 2018 […]
Evidence Containing Dangerous Drug Combinations Submitted to TBI Lab
Special Agents with the Drug Investigation Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are concerned about recent evidence submissions to the TBI crime lab. Two different pieces of evidence from ongoing drug cases contained a deadly combination of drugs, and Agents are worried that there are more lethal blends of drugs being sold and used […]
Governor Haslam Designates 22 Healthier Tennessee Communities
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness CEO Richard Johnson today designated 22 communities as Healthier Tennessee Communities. The recognition honors Anderson, Bedford, Benton, Bledsoe, Cumberland, DeKalb, Giles, Grundy, Hamblen, Hardeman, Henderson, Houston, Lake, Marshall, McNairy, Obion, Roane, Sevier, Tipton, Trousdale and Unicoi counties and the city of Spring Hill for […]
TNECD Releases Labor and Education Alignment Report
A report released by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) highlights jobs in high demand across Tennessee, including occupations in IT, healthcare, engineering and production, among others. TNECD’s annual Labor and Education Alignment Program (LEAP) report, a regional study of occupations in high demand among employers throughout Tennessee, identifies more than 250 occupations with high […]
Governor Haslam, Commissioner Rolfe Announce M&M Industries to Expand in Chattanooga
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and M&M Industries officials announced that the solutions packaging manufacturer will undergo a major expansion in Chattanooga. M&M Industries plans to invest more than $42 million and create 110 jobs in Hamilton County. “We’ve worked hard to make Tennessee a state where […]
Haslam Names Stephen Smith Chief of Staff
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced Stephen Smith will serve as his chief of staff to oversee day-to-day operations of the governor’s office and serve as top advisor and strategist. Smith joined the governor’s office in August 2016 and most recently served as senior advisor to the governor. He has served in the Haslam administration […]
Governor Haslam Reconizes Six Military Veteran Employees for Exemplary Service
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today joined Tennessee Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder and Major General Terry “Max” Haston from the Tennessee Military Department to recognize six veteran state employees and more than 474,000 Tennessee veterans of all ages and eras. The Governor’s Veterans Day event was held at the Tennessee Tower Plaza in […]
