Tennessee Highway Safety Office Launches Operation Hands Free
On Tuesday, April 1, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), divisions of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, partnered with Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), local law enforcement, and other traffic safety partners for “Operation Hands Free” to crack down on violators of Tennessee’s Hands-Free Law during National […]
TABC and TDMHSAS Spotlight Underage Drinking During Prom and Graduation Season
With prom and graduation season approaching, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) and Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) are teaming up to remind teens, parents, and retailers what responsible celebration looks like. Serving alcohol to minors and underage consumption are both Class A Misdemeanors in Tennessee with potential jail time […]
TENNESSEE SUPREME COURT REJECTS RETALIATORY DISCHARGE BASED ON EXERCISE OF RIGHT TO PETITION
In a case filed in Hamilton County, the Tennessee Supreme Court today held that Tennessee law does not prohibit a private employer from firing an employee for exercising the right to petition the government granted under the Tennessee Constitution. The case began in 2021, during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Plaintiff Heather Smith was employed by […]
Welcome Home! NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Back on Earth After Science Mission
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 completed the agency’s ninth commercial crew rotation mission to the International Space Station on Tuesday, splashing down safely in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, in the Gulf of America. NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth at 5:57 p.m. EDT. Teams aboard SpaceX […]
Spirit of Nations Powwow to Celebrate Tradition
In recognition of the “Celebrate Tradition” theme of the 2025 Spirit of Nations powwow, Jefferson County Mayor Mark Potts has issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, March 29th, as “Celebrate Tradition” day in Jefferson County. The powwow will be held at Jefferson County High School in Dandridge, TN. Mayor Potts, wrote in the proclamation that, “The […]
Important Notice: Tax Filing Extensions: Hurricane Helene Six Additional Counties
Consistent with the IRS’s decision to extend federal due dates to May 1, 2025, for those businesses located in a designated disaster area resulting from Hurricane Helene, the Department has extended the franchise and excise tax filing and payment due dates to May 1, 2025. These extensions apply to all taxpayers located in any disaster […]
Touchdown! Carrying NASA Science, Firefly’s Blue Ghost Lands on Moon
Carrying a suite of NASA science and technology, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 successfully landed at 3:34 a.m. EST on Sunday near a volcanic feature called Mons Latreille within Mare Crisium, a more than 300-mile-wide basin located in the northeast quadrant of the Moon’s near side. The Blue Ghost lander is in an upright […]
TDOE & TERA Launch 2025 Tennessee Educator Survey
Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee Education Research Alliance (TERA) at Vanderbilt University launched the 2025 Tennessee Educator Survey. All educators, administrators, and certified school staff in Tennessee are invited and encouraged to take the survey and share their perspectives and expertise on education issues affecting their classrooms and schools, and help inform strategies and […]
Mr. Billie Riner is a happy Korean War Survivor and Veteran
Mr. Riner was a Senior Turret System mechanic gunner on a B-29. The B-29’s name was Butterfly Baby and flew over 35 combat missions during the Korean War. Mr. Riner was a Staff Sergeant with the Air Force and received the Korean Service Medal. He also had over 300 flight combat hours during the war. […]
Tennessee State Parks Have $1.9 Billion Impact on State Economy
Tennessee State Parks have an economic impact of $1.9 billion dollars in the state and support employment of 13,587 people, according to an analysis by a leading economic consulting firm. Based on figures from fiscal year 2024, the report by Impact DataSource says the parks created $550 million in annual household income for Tennessee families. […]
Secretary of State Tre Hargett Warns Tennesseans About Email Spoofing Scam
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett today issued a warning about an email spoofing scam targeting its recipients. This deceptive email containing the subject line: “Exciting News!” claims that Secretary Hargett has filed a sponsorship on an individual’s behalf in Tennessee; it also asks recipients to keep an eye out for an email directly from […]
Jefferson County Youth Leadership Class Attends Dandridge Board of Mayor and Aldermen Meeting
The Jefferson County Youth Leadership Class recently attended the Dandridge Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting as part of their program to learn about local government and community leadership. Sponsored by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, the Youth Leadership Class aims to promote awareness of local government functions and inspire future leaders within the […]
NEW 2024 COLLECTIBLE WATERFOWL STAMP AVAILABLE THROUGH TWRA
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is taking orders for the collectible state waterfowl stamp that is produced annually and sold for habitat improvement. The Best of Show painting from the 2024 Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest is now available as a collectible waterfowl stamp. The new stamp is the latest which displays the efforts […]
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Adds More Than 1,400 Daily REAL ID Appointments as May 7 Implementation Deadline Approaches
With the REAL ID Act of 2005 taking effect in three months, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, TDOSHS, is expanding access by adding 1,432 additional REAL ID-specific appointment slots per day at Driver Services Centers across the state. The REAL ID Act requires anyone 18 or older to have a REAL ID […]
Gov. Lee 2025 State of the State Address: “Tennessee Innovates”
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee released the following excerpts ahead of his seventh State of the State address that will be delivered tonight at 6 p.m. CST in the House Chamber of the Tennessee State Capitol. Tennesseans are invited to view a preview video that highlights the state’s incredible success and bright future. Tennessee Innovates “2025 should be […]
