A bill allowing Tennessee school districts to charge an enrollment fee for undocumented students has passed the Tennessee Senate. Those against the bill questioned how removing children from school benefits Tennesseans. Meanwhile, those supporting the measure said the decision should be left to local agencies, not the federal government, and there’s a price to pay for …
Category: Government
Local Rescue Squads Receive Grants
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) have announced that 95 Tennessee rescue squads will receive grants totaling $3 million in 2025 through the Rescue Squad Grant Program. In 2022, Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly approved funding for this program to purchase lifesaving equipment …
Report Card: TN gets ‘C’ for Infrastructure
By Danielle Smith: Tennessee gets a grade of “C” in a new Report Card about the condition of America’s infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers said the nation has a long way to go to upgrade outdated structures and systems. It gives the U.S. a “C” grade overall. Darren Olson, chair of the report card committee, said federal …
Two Tornados Confirmed Narrowly Missing Marion County
According to the National Weather Service in Nashville, an EF-1 tornado with 95 mph winds impacted areas from Monteagle to Tracy City in Grundy County early Sunday morning. The tornado was on the ground for 7 miles and 350 yards wide. As previously reported, it damaged multiple structures and knocked down many trees and power …
9 Fire Investigations are Unsolved Palmer; Reward Offered for Information Leading to Arrest(s)
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is seeking community support to solve recent fires in Palmer, TN. At least nine unsolved fires have occurred within a one-mile radius over the past 10 to 12 months, excluding some vehicle fires. The TBI has received no tips and is now offering up to $5,000 for information leading to …
Paving Prompts Lane Closures on Interstate 24 in Three Counties
Drivers traveling on I-24 in Grundy, Marion, and Coffee Counties should know about upcoming roadway activities impacting traffic. On April 9, 2025, and Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time, Tennessee Department of Transportation maintenance crews will perform rolling roadblocks on I-24 East to perform pavement repairs from mile marker …
April is Donate Life Month in Marion County
Marion County Mayor David Jackson has proclaimed April as Donate Life Month in Marion County. Donate Life Tennessee greatly appreciates the support of Mayor Jackson and the efforts of Marion County Clerk Joanie Spangler and her staff in promoting organ donor awareness and encouraging their community to register as donors. Take one minute to make …
Chattanooga is North America’s First National Park City
Chattanooga has been named the first National Park City in North America by the National Park City Foundation. This grassroots movement aims to make cities greener, healthier, and wilder. Chattanooga will prioritize connecting people to the outdoors, a key aspect of its identity. To celebrate, an event will be held on Saturday, April 19th, from …
Local Unemployment Rates Fall in February
More Tennesseans were on the job in February than the previous month, as 88 of 95 counties reported a decline in their unemployment rates. Marion County’s unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in January and fell to 4.1 percent in February. Grundy County is down from 4.8 to 4 percent. Hamilton County dropped from 3.5 to …
It’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
On Tuesday, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office and its partners enforced the Hands-Free Law in observance of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Report texting or driving dangers by dialing *THP (847) hands-free or asking a passenger to call. Tennessee’s Hands-Free Law bans holding a cell phone or mobile device. Violations add points to your driving …



