As communities in Northeast Tennessee continue to experience significant impacts from Hurricane Helene, Governor Bill Lee provided another update on the State of Tennessee’s ongoing multi-agency response. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Actions An expedited Major Disaster Declaration has been granted for Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington. Damage assessments remain in …
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a bill that would require a court to order domestic violence offenders to wear a GPS device in the state. HB2692/SB1972 would require the offender to wear the GPS device unless they no longer pose a threat to the alleged victim or public safety. The bill was signed by the …
A new law in Tennessee will take effect on July 1. The so-called “abortion trafficking” act makes it a crime for any adult to recruit, harbor or transport a minor to abort a child or to obtain abortion chemicals for an underage individual without the consent of their parents. Violation of this law is a Class A misdemeanor …
On Tuesday, Gov. Bill Lee signed into law that requires domestic violence offenders who use a weapon or strangle their victims during an assault to wear a GPS monitor while out on bail. The Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act is named after mother, Debbie Sisco, and daughter, Marie Varsos, who were killed by Varsos’ …
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has officially signed the legislation that would allow school districts to permit teachers to conceal carry on school grounds. The measure, which garnered significant backlash from teachers and parents—including Covenant families—ultimately passed along party lines despite repeated attempted amendments proposed by Democrats. According to the amended bill, teachers would be able …
A proposal that would allow parents to be fined for their child’s criminal offenses is headed to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his approval. The House approved allowing judges to levy up to $1,000 in fines against parents or legal guardians of children who commit a second criminal offense. The chamber voted 72-24 to …
Governor Bill Lee and several lawmakers have spent the last year pushing a proposal to provide universal school choice to all Tennessee students, better known as the school voucher program. However, the proposed school voucher bill is dead after lawmakers were unable to negotiate on certain stipulations. Gov. Bill Lee statement: I am extremely disappointed …
Wednesday, protesters gathered in Nashville to show they are against specific policies being considered by the general assembly. The issues range from gun violence to discrimination, but a big focus of their message will be on school vouchers and arming teachers. Demonstrators spoke on the impact of gun violence, which prompted lawmakers to consider arming …
Volkswagen said it is prepared for its employee union vote that begins Wednesday morning and will conclude on Friday evening. This is the UAW’s third attempt at unionizing Chattanooga’s Volkswagen plant. Meanwhile, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued a statement Tuesday morning saying he is against the UAW coming into the state. Top assembly plant workers …
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and partner agencies will host the third annual Food Waste Prevention Week from April 1 to 7. Gov. Bill Lee has issued a proclamation naming the week, featuring numerous activities. TDEC will partner with the University of Tennessee Extension, Clean Memphis, New Terra Compost, Zero Waste Nashville, Urban …
