Interstate Construction Halted for Easter Holiday Travel
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will suspend all interstate construction work on Easter weekend in anticipation of increased holiday travel. TDOT crews and contractors will stop all road construction work that requires lane closures beginning Thursday, April 17, at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, April 21, at 6:00 a.m. This will provide maximum roadway capacity to motorists […]
Tennessee Air National Guardsmen recognized by Tennessee Senate
Eleven members of the Tennessee Air National Guard’s 134th Air Refueling Wing, headquartered in Knoxville, were recognized by the Tennessee Senate with a Joint Resolution, April 14, for heroism resulting in the awarding of Distinguished Flying Crosses while deployed for Operation True Promise. The ceremony, which was held in the Senate chambers, commended the Airmen’s […]
TWRA ASSESSING POTENTIAL WILDLIFE IMPACTS FROM CHANGES TO CHEROKEE DAM AERATION SYSTEM
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has announced plans to replace the current aeration system at Cherokee Dam with new turbine technology by 2026. These upgrades, designed to improve water quality downstream, may have unintended consequences for aquatic wildlife in Cherokee Reservoir — particularly Striped Bass. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is currently evaluating these […]
Sports Wagering Council Strengthens Rules, Regulations
New rules governing the sports betting industry in Tennessee are a critical advancement in the Sports Wagering Council’s (SWC) mission to preserve the public interest through a safe, regulated sports betting environment. Effective June 30, 2025, the rules revisions strengthen player protections and build on ongoing efforts to eliminate fraudulent activity by patrons on the wagering platforms. The rules also add multi-factor […]
What is Liberation Day and how does it affect me?
President Donald J. Trump has declared a national emergency to tackle unfair trade practices and restore economic sovereignty. Through reciprocal tariffs, he aims to protect U.S. industries, re-shore manufacturing, and strengthen national security. These measures address trade imbalances, reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, and promote “Made in America” to drive economic growth and safeguard […]
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. […]
