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 …
A new analysis has ranked Tennessee as one of the most dangerous U.S. states to drive in. The new analysis from iSelect ranked Tennessee as the third-most dangerous state to drive in, behind No. 2 Texas and No. 1 Mississippi. The report also determined the most dangerous roads in Tennessee by total crashes. It found …
Tennessee began the busy 2025 holiday season in November with more people in the workforce than the previous year, according to newly released data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for November 2025 dropped by one-tenth of a percentage point, to 3.6%, compared with the 2024 …
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has announced they are in the homestretch of the I-75/I-24 interchange improvement project in Chattanooga. All lanes of I-24 involved in the project are in their final alignment right now. Paving for the new I-75 lanes and ramps are underway. Crews will also work on the I-75 bridge over the …
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation data shows 2,547 people have been arrested for DUI since 2017 despite negative alcohol and drug tests—over four times higher than previously reported. In 2024 alone, there were 419 such arrests, with most cases in Nashville, Knoxville (highest in state at 41), and Jackson. Officials note that negative test results don’t …
A new statute in Tennessee requires all bail bondsmen to obtain state licensure, with oversight provided by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI). The legislation became effective on Thursday, January 1. Pursuant to this regulation, bail bondsmen must register with the TDCI’s Division of Regulatory Boards and secure a license from the Board …
Applications for The National Cornbread Festival 29th Annual Cornbread Cook-off are open! Each year we search the nation for the best original main dish cornbread recipes. The winner receives the coveted skillet crown and $5,000. Recipe entries require the original main dish/entree/main course recipe to be prepared and cooked in Lodge® Cast Iron cookware. The …
Youth Villages, a nonprofit supporting children with emotional and behavioral challenges, is seeking more foster parents in Polk, Grundy, and Bledsoe. Their Chattanooga office serves 12 regional counties and has helped over 196,000 young people in Tennessee. The agency will host virtual information sessions in January for families to learn about fostering and address common …
According to Tennessee health officials, flu activity is increasing significantly in the region, with certain areas reporting some of the highest rates statewide. Marion, Grundy, Sequatchie, Bradley, Meigs, Rhea, Bledsoe, McMinn, and Polk counties are currently classified as “very high” for influenza activity by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These counties have flu …
Tennessee recorded a significant decline in traffic fatalities in 2025, with 147 fewer roadway deaths than the previous year, according to year end data released by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The Tennessee Fatality Analysis Reporting System shows 1,045 traffic fatalities statewide in 2025, down from 1,194 in 2024, a reduction of …
