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 …
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 …
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 …
More than 77,000 pounds of litter were removed from communities throughout Tennessee as part of the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) 5th Annual No Trash November, a month-long initiative dedicated to keeping the state’s roadways and waterways safe from the harmful effects of litter. This year’s effort surpassed the statewide goal of 75,000 pounds—demonstrating the …
The Tennessee Department of Education (department) released the 2024-25 State Report Card, including the 2024-25 School Letter Grades, for families and users to learn more about how districts and schools are performing across the state. The State Report Card provides families, education leaders, elected officials, and the public with a variety of interactive displays to inform tailored strategies and investments to support students and schools. 355 schools received an overall A …
Tennessee may soon have a new license plate supporting childhood cancer, but at least 1,000 preorders are required before it becomes available. The Childhood Cancer Organization and The Grayson Foundation are working together to make these plates a reality. As of Tuesday, December 16, there are only 610 preorders and the deadline is January 6, …
The Powerball jackpot has grown to an estimated $1.25 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing after lottery officials said no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Monday night. The U.S. has seen more than a dozen lottery jackpot prizes exceed $1 billion since 2016. Here is a look at the 3 largest U.S. jackpots won and …
