Before Tennessee: Thanksgiving in the Age of Exploration
As families across Jefferson County prepare for Thanksgiving, it’s worth pausing to reflect on the holiday’s origins—long before Tennessee was a state, before Jefferson County was founded, and even before the Appalachian frontier was mapped. The story of Thanksgiving begins not in the hills of East Tennessee, but on the rocky shores of New England, […]
Tennessee Highway Patrol Shares Halloween Enforcement and Safety Tips
The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) urges everyone’s participation to make this a safe Halloween. The THP has plans for increased visibility and enforcement efforts over the Halloween weekend to ensure troopers are promoting a safe and happy holiday for all Tennesseans. Per the Tennessee Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN), there were a total of 18 […]
TennCare Announces Change in Dental Plan Management
TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, announced today that beginning November 1, 2025, Renaissance will manage all dental benefits for TennCare members. This change is part of TennCare’s ongoing commitment to improving access to high-quality dental care for members across the state. TennCare provides extensive dental benefits for all members, including two preventive cleanings each year, x-rays, and […]
Gov. Lee Announces Resources for Tennesseans Impacted by Democrat-Led Federal Government Shutdown
Released by Governors Office: Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee provided more information on statewide resources available to Tennesseans impacted by the Democrat-led federal government shutdown. The Governor announced the launch of FeedTN.org, a platform that will connect Tennesseans with resources and opportunities to serve. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has informed all states […]
Tennessee Attorney General Challenges Birthright Citizenship in the United States Supreme Court
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, joined by attorneys general from Iowa and 23 other states, filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court today, urging the Court to clarify that the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause does not provide automatic citizenship to everyone born in the United States. The States argue that lower courts […]
Halloween Fun & Safety Tips for Kids of All Ages
Kids love Halloween. The holiday sparks spooky thrills and creativity—when children and teens can dress up and pretend. For many, it’s a time to celebrate with friends and enjoy trick-or-treating outdoors. But Halloween can also bring a few real-life scares. From costume mishaps to safety concerns, it’s important to plan ahead. Help keep Halloween fun […]
TDOE Releases 2024-25 Graduation Rate Data
Tennessee Department of Education (department) announced the 2024-25 statewide graduation rate is 92.3 percent, breaking the previous record achieved in the 2023-24 school year at 92.1 percent. “Year-over-year gains in the statewide graduation rate exemplify Tennessee’s commitment to ensuring students across the state make it to the graduation stage prepared for success after high school,” said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. ”Districts’ schools and public charters will continue using proven best practices and working with families to support students as they embark on their future endeavors.” For the 2024-25 school […]
Apply for Tennessee Promise Scholarship by November 3
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) is encouraging all high school seniors to apply for the Tennessee Promise scholarship before the November 3 deadline. Tennessee Promise is a last-dollar scholarship, covering tuition and mandatory fees not already paid by the Pell Grant, HOPE Scholarship, or Tennessee Student Assistance Award. “Tennessee Promise is more than a scholarship—it’s a […]
New Reciprocal Fishing Agreements with Tennessee and Kentucky Now in Effect
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is happy to announce anglers can once again use their Tennessee resident licenses to fish certain waters shared with Kentucky as new reciprocal agreements took effect Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, following adjournment of the Kentucky Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy. The reciprocal agreements had expired earlier […]
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett Protecting the Vote in Tennessee: Uses Enhanced SAVE Program to Identify Ineligible Voters
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett today announced that his office has referred the names of 42 individuals identified as potential non‑U.S. Citizens who voted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for further review. These names were identified using the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, which has recently been enhanced to […]
A Night of Holiday Harmony: Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra Performs in Dandridge to Benefit the Dandridge Ministerial Association
The Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra will bring the magic of live music to the James D. Swann Performing Arts Center at Jefferson County High School on Friday, December 5th at 7:00 p.m. This family-friendly concert promises an enchanting evening of classical and holiday favorites that will fill your heart with the spirit of the season. More than […]
Federal Shutdown Threatens SNAP Benefits and Paychecks in Jefferson County
Federal Shutdown Threatens SNAP Benefits and Paychecks in Jefferson County As the federal government shutdown continues into November, thousands of Jefferson County residents face growing uncertainty over food assistance and paychecks. The most immediate impact will be felt by recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with over 690,000 Tennesseans—including many in Jefferson County—at […]
Federal Shutdown Enters Fourth Week, Impacting Millions
As of October 28, 2025, the United States federal government has been partially shut down for 28 consecutive days, following the expiration of the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act on October 1. The impasse stems from partisan disagreements over federal spending levels, foreign aid rescissions, and health insurance subsidies. This marks the second-longest shutdown […]
Tennessee Announces Reintroduction Of Red-Cockaded Woodpecker…
TENNESSEE ANNOUNCES REINTRODUCTION OF RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH TWRA, TDEC, & USFWS NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have announced a plan to reintroduce the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW), a species extirpated from […]
Early Detection is the Best Protection Against Breast & Lung Cancer
This October and November, the Tennessee Department of Health is promoting breast and lung cancer awareness with the annual Pink & Pearl Campaign. The campaign combines the pink ribbon, a recognized symbol for breast cancer awareness, with the pearl ribbon representing lung cancer awareness. While breast cancer is the most common new cancer in female […]
Gov. Lee Warns SNAP Customers to Expect Lapse in Benefits Due to Democrat-Led Federal Government Shutdown
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee warned Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers to expect a lapse in benefits on their cards beginning November 1, because Congressional Democrats have not voted to end the government shutdown. The longer Democrats wait to reopen the government, the more delays customers can expect as the program restarts. The SNAP program […]
