Press Release from the State of Tennessee, May 3, 2019: SPENCER – State and local officials, alongside former Tennessee First Lady Betty Dunn and current Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee, today celebrated renovations to the Betty Dunn Nature Center at Fall Creek Falls State Park. “This is a special day for Van Buren County and […]
The Tennessee Legislature this week approved a measure that proposes creating a nine-member statewide commission to authorize new charter schools and oversee their subsequent performance. Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a school-choice proponent, has been promoting the legislation. Under the provisions of Senate Bill 796, the “Public Charter School Commission” would act as an appeals […]
Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar are petitioning the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether internet giants like Facebook and Google are handling users’ personal information in irresponsible or illegal fashion. Blackburn, a Republican, and Klobuchar, a Democrat, made the request to FTC in a jointly signed letter this week. They said […]
In wake of the blockbuster news that Robert Mueller’s two-year collusion investigation turned up no proof that Donald Trump illegally coordinated or improperly communicated with the Russian government during the 2016 election, a pair of Republican Tennessee congressional lawmakers took the opportunity to take a swipe at one of Congress’s most visible and vocal proselytizers […]
Stiffer fines, more jail time soon likely for illegally flying remote controlled aircraft over ‘critical infrastructure’ A measure that will significantly increase the penalty for flying drones in off-limits airspace has passed both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly. Senate Bill 306 cleared the House of Representatives last week on a 95-1 vote. It passed […]
Man fished out of lake after landing in troubled waters A Williamson County angler got himself and his boat into what could have become a life-ending predicament on Center Hill Lake this week were it not for quick and competent action by marina workers in the vicinity. Smithville radio station WJLE reported that the fisherman […]
A new study from the state comptroller’s office reveals a pervasive connection between underperforming teachers and lower-than-optimal student test scores. Tennessee’s Office of Research and Education Accountability released a report this week seeking to assess the negative impacts that underachieving teachers may have on student performance and academic success. The report determined that students’ performance […]
U.S. senators from the Volunteer State, both Republicans, have staked out opposing positions on the effort to thwart President Donald Trump’s declaration of “national emergency” regarding border enforcement. The final Senate vote tally on Thursday was 59-41 in favor of blocking Trump’s Feb. 15 emergency declaration. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the resolution last […]
High water levels and a raging Caney Fork River at the Center Lake headwaters have proved too extreme even for world class whitewater kayakers. The USA Freestyle Kayak Trials scheduled for Rock Island this weekend have been cancelled “Due to flooding in the river gorge,” according to Team USA’s Facebook page. The event will instead […]
The Tennessee General Assembly is considering a measure declaring its members “strongly support” that Congress mandate the Tennessee Valley Authority to henceforth make all the agency’s governing board and subcommittee meetings open to the public. The legislation in Washington is called the “Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act,” and is sponsored by U.S. Reps. Tim Burchett […]