Tennessee needs at least $82.7 billion worth of public infrastructure improvements
Tennessee needs at least $82.7 billion worth of public infrastructure improvements during the five-year period of July 2024 to June 2029—a $5 billion (6.5%) increase from the year before—according to a new report by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR). Transportation and Utilities infrastructure needs increased by $3.7 billion—74% of the overall increase […]
Gov. Lee Joins Trump Administration’s “A Home for Every Child” Initiative to Expand Foster Care Capacity and Strengthen Families
Governor Bill Lee announced the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) will join the Trump Administration’s “A Home for Every Child” initiative, a national effort led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to expand the number of foster families and improve outcomes for children. The Governor signed a joint proclamation demonstrating […]
Second-Year Momentum Surges for Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Program
Tennessee Department of Education released numbers demonstrating the strong and ongoing demand for the Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) Program among families statewide. Following the closing of the application window on Friday, February 6, the department received more than 56,000 new and renewal applications, with nearly half of the new applicants applying for income-prioritized scholarships. More than 260 schools have officially registered for the 2026-27 school year. For the 2026-27 school year, the department received a total of 56,442 applications: 18,644 renewal applications received. 37,798 new […]
Harshbarger, Lee Re-Introduce Legislation to Cut Red Tape for Terminally Ill Americans
Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) re-introduced the Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act in the House and Senate respectively, which would remove the burdensome waiting period for terminally ill patients’ access to their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program benefits. Americans who are unable to work due to a terminal illness qualify […]
Tennessee’s Unemployment Rate Decreases in November
Employers Add Thousands of New Jobs to the State’s Workforce Friday, January 09, 2026 | 01:30pm NASHVILLE – Tennessee began the busy 2025 holiday season in November with more people in the workforce than the previous year, according to newly released data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). The seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate […]
Tennessee Updating Legacy Commercial Driver License Records to Meet State Law and Executive Order
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is updating older Commercial Driver License records to comply with current federal and state requirements. Approximately 8,800 of Tennessee’s 150,000 CDL holders will receive a notice by mail requesting citizenship or lawful presence documentation that were not required when their licenses were originally issued. Federal rules require all CDL records to include proof of citizenship or lawful presence. Many long-standing CDL holders […]
Influenza Activity on the Rise in Tennessee
Influenza (flu) activity is currently increasing, and it’s important to consider getting a flu shot to protect yourself and those around you. Tennessee typically sees the highest number of seasonal flu cases in January and February each year. ‘’If you haven’t received your annual flu shot, consider doing so now as flu activity is rapidly increasing,’’ said Tennessee […]
Tennessee Attorney General’s Office Cracks Down on Illegal Online Sweepstake Casinos
Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced today that his office has successfully halted the operation of multiple illegal online sweepstakes casinos in Tennessee. This action is part of the Attorney General’s ongoing effort to protect Tennessee consumers from predatory and unregulated gambling operations. Online sweepstakes casinos typically allow participants to play traditional casino-style games like slot […]
Comptroller Report Finds Tennessee ESA Program Growing, Highlights Opportunities for Improvement
The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury’s Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) has released its first evaluation of the state’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program, offering lawmakers and the public an in-depth look at participation, academic outcomes, program operations, and oversight following the program’s first three years of implementation. Created by the General Assembly […]
Tennessee Files Lawsuit Against Roblox Over Child Safety Misrepresentations
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti sued online gaming giant Roblox, alleging the company lures children into an environment it knows is dangerous but promises is safe, in violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). According to the lawsuit, for years, Roblox has deceived Tennesseans about the serious safety risks its platform poses for kids, […]
TDOT Halts Highway Construction for the Holiday Travel Period
Road construction won’t delay travelers during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is once again halting all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state. No temporary lane closures will be allowed for construction on Tennessee roadways beginning at 11:59 p.m. […]
Tennessee Unemployment Rate Holds Steady in September
Tennessee’s unemployment rate held steady in September at 3.6%, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). The release of September’s data was delayed because of the impact to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics during the federal government shutdown. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged from the […]
VITAL POLICY – Senator Jessie Seal Urges Support for SB 1080, Potentially Over Six Million Dollars of Additional Revenue for District Eight
County governments in the 8th Senate District could get a financial shot in the arm if proposed legislation is enacted to return 50% of the Real Estate Transfer Tax to county governments where the tax is generated. When real estate ownership is transferred and the deed is recorded at the Register of Deeds Office in […]
Crafting Stories Through Songs: Signups Open Today for Tennessee Songwriters Week 2026
Songwriters in all genres of music are encouraged to share their original music, as signups officially open today for the eighth annual statewide Tennessee Songwriters Week. Songwriters can sign up to perform in qualifying rounds all over Tennessee and compete for a chance to play their original music at iconic venues across the state, including The Bluebird […]
The Path To College And Technical Training Just Got Easier In Tennessee
45,000+ High School Seniors to Receive Automatic In-State College Acceptance Letters This Week NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Wednesday, December 10, 2025 – The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) marks a pivotal next step in the state’s TN Direct Admissions pilot by sending more than 45,000 personalized college admission letters—signed by Governor Bill Lee—to eligible Tennessee high school seniors in […]
Tennessee Attorney General Leads Multi-State Effort Opposing College Sports Commission Agreement
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is leading a coalition of state attorneys general taking aim at the University Participant Agreement recently distributed to colleges and universities by the College Sports Commission (CSC). The CSC has demanded that all Power Four schools sign the agreement immediately despite no opportunity for input and catastrophic consequences if it […]
