Election Day Is Tomorrow — Don’t Let Misinformation Steal Your Voice
As Jefferson County heads into Election Day tomorrow, it’s more important than ever for voters to stay alert, stay informed, and stay grounded in facts. Local elections shape our schools, our roads, our taxes, and our daily lives — and unfortunately, moments like this also attract a wave of misinformation from individuals and groups who […]
Low Early Voting Numbers Persist In Jefferson County As Election Day Approaches
Low early voting numbers persist in Jefferson County, as Election Day approaches. Despite a full ballot and several highly contested local offices, voting totals are not keeping up the pace with the last highly contested election in 2018. Predictions for a large voter turnout have not come to fruition with only 3,023 votes being cast […]
79 Tennessee Counties Report Unemployment Rates Below 5%
Seventy-nine of Tennessee’s 95 counties reported unemployment rates below 5% in February even as most counties saw an increase in their rates over the previous month, according to new data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). In 87 counties, unemployment rates for February were up when compared with January rates. Rates […]
Jefferson County Raised to AA1 Bond Rating – Highest In History – Saves $4.2 Million Through Refinancing
The Jefferson County Commission will return to their previous meeting schedule of 8 meetings and 8 work sessions for fiscal year 2026-2027. For several months both citizens and commissioners have discussed the possibility of altering the current County Commission schedule of monthly meetings but no work sessions. Monday evening, upon a motion from Commissioner Huffaker […]
Early Voting Numbers Pacing Slow – District by District Counts
Early voting is in full swing in Jefferson County for the May 5, 2026 Primary Election. Opening day for early voting was April 15th and will continue through April 30th at both the Jefferson County Election office and satellite sites in New Market and White Pine. As of eleven thirty am today, Tuesday April 21st, […]
Budget Committee To Recommend Budget With No Property Tax Increase To Commission
The Jefferson County Budget Committee will send the proposed 2026-2027 fiscal year budget to the full body for approval with no property tax increase. Monday evening the Budget Committee voted unanimously to approve a budget proposal that utilizes a move of the equivalent of two property tax pennies that were previously designed for use in […]
TWRA Announces Availability of 2026-27 Clean Stream Grants
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) announces the availability of grant dollars to assist cities, schools, community organizations, civic groups, watershed organizations, conservation groups, and similar groups with stream clean-up projects during the 2026-27 fiscal year. Five grants, at a maximum of $1,000 each, are available for each of TWRA’s four regional Aquatic Habitat Protection regions (a […]
TN Promise Application Opened on April 1 for the Class of 2027
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) today announced that the TN Promise application is now open for the Class of 2027. For the first time, high school juniors can apply beginning April 1, giving students earlier access than ever before to the state’s last-dollar scholarship. The earlier application timeline allows students and families to begin planning […]
Tennessee Guardsmen rescue visitor in National Park
On Wednesday afternoon, April 1, a flight crew with the Tennessee Army National Guard’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion rescued a park visitor suffering from cardiac arrest in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Shortly after 2:40 p.m., Eastern time, the Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were notified of a park visitor having a medical emergency in need […]
Commission Rejects Mineral Tax Again in 12–5 Vote
The Jefferson County Commission voted 12-5 to reject a proposed Mineral Severance Tax for the second time in less than one year. A resolution to adopt the tax was brought by Commissioner Rob Blevins and was 2nd by Commissioner Jim Snodgrass. In recent weeks, the topic of adopting the mineral tax has gained an audience […]
Election Time In Jefferson County Tennessee – Interview with Nathan Bugg, Administrator of Elections
Pick Tennessee Products Unveils New Website to Better Connect Consumers with Local Producers
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture announces the launch of an updated Pick Tennessee Products website, offering a more streamlined way for consumers to connect with local farmers, producers and artisans across the state. The website redesign follows continued growth in the Pick Tennessee Products program, which includes nearly 3,200 active members. The updated site focuses […]
TDH Reinforces Importance of Naloxone with Rise in Cychlorphine Fatalities
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is providing statewide information following more than 30 fatal overdoses statewide, since October 2025, associated with a newly identified opioid known as cychlorphine. Cychlorphine is a synthetic opioid, 10 times more potent than fentanyl and associated with more than 1,633 fatal overdoses (TDH provisional data) in Tennessee in 2024. Opioid overdoses […]
Comptroller’s Office Updates Review of State Benefits and Services for Veterans
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has released an updated report detailing state-provided benefits and services available to veterans and their families. The report, prepared by the Office of Research and Education Accountability, identifies both benefits that can be quantified in state dollars and those that cannot. Quantified benefits include direct state spending as well as state […]
TDCI Returned Over $15.67M To Tennessee Insurance Consumers In 2025
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) announces that $15.67 million was returned to Tennesseans in 2025 through the Department’s mediation and restitution efforts. Since 2020, a total of over $80 million has been returned to Tennessee insurance consumers by TDCI’s Consumer Insurance Services team, which mediates complaints between consumers and insurance companies. In 2025, TDCI’s Consumer Insurance […]
