The deadline for Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship applications has been extended. The new deadline to apply is Friday, February 6 at 4:00pm central time. Sen. Marsha Blackburn said the extension is due to the recent winter storm that impacted Tennessee. Applications for the 2026-2027 school year’s Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship have already exceed the amount …
Category: Government
Government News is the latest breaking government stories, schools, sports, traffic, government, and community updates in Marion County, Sequatchie County, Grundy County, Jasper, Whitwell, South Pittsburg, Dunlap, Kimball, Tennessee, Northeast Alabama, Jackson County, Bridgeport, Scottsboro, Stevenson, Sand Mountain and surrounding communities.
Unemployment Rates Drop in Most Tennessee Counties
All but four Tennessee counties recorded unemployment rates below 5% in December, according to new data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Ninety-one counties reported unemployment rates below 5%, while the other four counties had rates of 5% or greater, with the highest rate at 5.7%. Unemployment rates decreased from November to …
It’s Identity Theft Awareness Week
This is Identity Theft Awareness Week. This is a great time to learn how to safeguard your personal information and share tips with family and friends. Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information to open accounts, file fake health insurance claims, or even steal your tax refund. It can quickly turn into a …
Rescue at Coalmont OHV
On Sunday afternoon Grundy County Emergency Services responded to an ATV accident on Trail 2 at the Coalmont OHV park. A multi-agency effort involving the EMA, EMS, Sheriff’s Office, Coalmont Fire Department, Dispatch, Constable Kyle Collins, and Shawn Parson resulted in the successful location of an injured individual and three stranded riders. Using specialized rescue …
Issues with Water Served by the Whitwell Water Treatment Plant
There is currently a temporary change in the appearance of the water that customers served by the Whitwell water treatment plant may notice. The water quality team assures that our water is safe and reliable to drink. This temporary change began late Sunday, January 25th and continues through Monday, January 26, and is due to a …
Tennessee Highway Patrol Assists Motorists Statewide During Winter Storm
The Tennessee Highway Patrol has provided extensive assistance to motorists across the state since the start of the winter storm, as ice, downed trees, and hazardous road conditions continue to impact travel. Since 3 a.m. Central Time on Jan. 24, troopers have responded to a high volume of storm-related incidents, working around the clock to assist …
President Trump Approves Emergency Declaration for Tennessee
FEMA has announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Tennessee to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from a severe winter storm beginning on January 22, 2026, and continuing. The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency …
Child Poverty Rate Down in Tennessee
Tennessee has achieved notable progress in reducing child poverty over the past decade; however, nearly 20 percent of children in the state continue to live in poverty, according to the most recent State of the Child report. Published by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, the report examines critical indicators affecting children’s well-being, including …
Lawsuit Against Two Jasper Police Officers Dismissed
According to court records, a lawsuit alleging that two Jasper, TN police officers violated a man’s constitutional rights and caused him emotional and physical harm during a traffic stop has been dismissed. According to a court report from Judge Curtis L. Collier, for the reasons set forth in the accompanying memorandum, Defendants’ motion for summary …
Tennessee Lawmaker wants Harsher Penalties against those Convicted of Rape of a Child
A Tennessee lawmaker has introduced legislation related to the death penalty for the rape of a child. Republican State Representative Greg Martin of Hixson filed House Bill 1454 in the Tennessee General Assembly. The bill would expand the aggravating circumstances under which prosecutors may seek the death penalty for the rape of a child. The …



