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 […]
Jefferson County Awarded Healthcare Grant through East Tennessee Foundation and Jefferson Healthcare Foundation
Jefferson County officials announced that the County has been awarded a healthcare grant through the East Tennessee Foundation and the Jefferson Healthcare Foundation to expand access to lifesaving emergency equipment. The project was initiated and coordinated by the Jefferson County Mayor’s Office, with the Jefferson County EMS Community Training Center submitting the grant application on […]
Jefferson County Commission Meeting, February 17, 2026
The Jefferson County Commission met Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse for its regular monthly meeting. Commissioners Lowe, Norton, and Patterson were absent from roll call. Several citizens addressed the Commission regarding the upcoming meeting schedule and the possibility of reinstating work sessions. The rules were suspended to add two budget […]
Jefferson County Schools Among the Top: Majority of Schools Earning an A on State Report Card
Director of Jefferson County Schools, Dr. Tommy Arnold – Jefferson County Schools has been recognized as one of only 22 districts across Tennessee to have more than half of its eligible schools earn an A on the Tennessee State Report Card. This distinction places Jefferson County among a small group of high-performing districts statewide and […]
CPI for all items rises 0.2% in January; shelter up
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.4 percent before seasonal adjustment. The index for shelter rose 0.2 percent in January and was the largest […]
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 […]
Largest-Ever Shared Book Reading Study Finds Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Dramatically Improves Early Literacy for Children in Five Countries
New groundbreaking research – the largest dataset ever conducted on shared book reading – reaffirms that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library significantly strengthens early literacy skills for children across the five countries, reinforcing the power of shared reading in the earliest years of life. The study, authored by Dr. Claire Galea, Head of Research at United […]
Update from Jefferson County Schools – Water Shortage, Snow Days and Testing – Director Tommy Arnold
Water Shortage Issues In Jefferson City Tennessee – Interview with James Gallup, City Administrator
Jefferson County Declares State of Emergency Due to Water Shortage
Jefferson County, Tennessee — Mayor Mark Potts has declared a State of Emergency immediately in response to a significant water shortage impacting communities across Jefferson County. “The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority,” said Mayor Mark Potts. “This declaration allows us to mobilize resources quickly, coordinate with state and regional partners, […]
Tennessee State Troopers and State Homeland Security Agents to Lead Storm-Related Welfare Checks Across State
TBI Activates 800-TBI-FIND Hotline for Only Third Time in History to Coordinate Disaster-Related Family Reconnection Efforts NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security today announced that Tennessee Highway Patrol State Troopers and State Homeland Security Agents will lead coordinated efforts to conduct welfare checks on Tennesseans who have not been heard from […]
TWRA PARTNERS WITH FRIENDS OF DOUGLAS LAKE TO ENHANCE FISH HABITATS
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has partnered with Friends of Douglas Lake (FODL), a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to improving and sustaining fish populations in Douglas Lake, to enhance fish habitat. FODL is one of more than 150 chapters of the Friends of Reservoirs foundation, which operates in 37 states. Friends of Douglas Lake […]
Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for 2026
The American Academy of Pediatrics has published the “Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule: United States, 2026,” that continues to recommend routine immunization for protection against 18 diseases, including RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, influenza, and meningococcal disease. A policy statement describes the schedule, released on Jan. 26, 2026, in AAP Red Book Online, the […]
Consumer Alert: Protect Yourself During Tennessee’s Winter Storm
Severe winter storms have recently impacted communities across Tennessee, leaving many residents facing urgent recovery challenges. The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office urges all consumers to stay vigilant and informed as you navigate insurance claims, home repairs, vehicle purchases, and financial obligations. The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office offers the following consumer tools for those impacted by […]
