News

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD), has announced the launch of the federal Workforce Pell program in Tennessee. This federal initiative will create new opportunities for Tennesseans to access high-quality, short-term workforce training aligned with today’s economy.

Effective July 1, 2026, Workforce Pell expands federal Pell Grant eligibility to certain short-term training programs that prepare students for in-demand, high-skill, and high-wage careers. The program is designed to help more Tennesseans quickly gain the skills employers need while strengthening the state’s workforce pipeline.

 “The Workforce Pell program represents a significant step forward in expanding educational opportunity and workforce readiness for Tennesseans,” said Dr. Steven Gentile, THEC Executive Director. “By supporting high-quality, short-term credential programs that are closely aligned with employer demand, we can help more students earn valuable skills, enter rewarding careers, and contribute to Tennessee’s continued economic success.”

 The state has launched the Workforce Pell application portal. Eligible higher education institutions may visit the Tennessee Workforce Pell webpage to review program requirements and submit training programs for State approval.

 Institutions interested in offering Workforce Pell-eligible programs should carefully review all eligibility materials before applying. Programs must meet federal and state  requirements related to:

•  Program Length
•  Occupational Alignment with workforce needs
• Emplyoyer Validation
• Industry-Recognized Credentials
• Credit Transfer and articulation opportunities
• Completion and job placement outcomes
• Program cost relative to expected wages

The review process will be jointly led by TDLWD and THEC, with final State approval granted by Tennessee’s State Workforce Development Board. Following State approval, institutions must submit required information to the U.S. Department of Education for final federal approval before students may access Workforce Pell funding.

 “As Tennessee’s workforce needs continue to evolve, Workforce Pell creates a new pathway for Tennesseans to access high-quality training that leads directly to in-demand careers,” said TDLWD Commissioner Deniece Thomas. “Workforce Pell gives more Tennesseans access to practical, industry-aligned training that benefits both job seekers and employers across the state.”

The Workforce Pell initiative is expected to increase access to workforce-focused education by making federal financial aid available for eligible short-term training programs offered by colleges and universities across Tennessee.

Approved Workforce Pell programs will be posted on the Tennessee Workforce Pell webpage as they become available, providing prospective students with a growing list of opportunities to pursue career-focused training supported by federal aid.

Road construction won’t slow motorists across Tennessee over the July 4 holiday. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstate and state routes from noon on Thursday, July 2, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6, to provide maximum roadway capacity for holiday travelers.

AAA predicts most travelers will drive to their destinations this year, with 1.4 million Tennesseans hitting the road.

“With so many people driving on and around the Fourth of July, we want to do all we can to ensure they reach their destinations safely and without delays,” said TDOT Commissioner Will Reid, P.E. “We are suspending lane closures during this busy holiday travel time. Be mindful that our HELP Trucks will be on patrol in urban and rural areas and drivers must obey the law by moving over and slowing down for all emergency vehicles on the side of the road.”

Motorists will still encounter some long-term lane closures on construction projects. While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may be on-site in zones, and reduced speed limits in work zones will remain in effect. Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possibly increased insurance premiums.

Get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras from your desktop or mobile device at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 for statewide travel information. As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

In celebration of National Pollinator Week (June 22-28), the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is reopening online ordering for milkweed seeds through its popular Project Milkweed initiative for the fourth year.

Last year, TDOT distributed more than 93,000 seed packets to residents across Tennessee, fulfilling over 18,000 requests. As in years past, the program is again offering free seed packets of Red Milkweed and Common Milkweed varieties to Tennessee residents. New this year, however, is a native herb and flower blend, now available for order alongside the Red and Common Milkweed packets. The new blend will include 10 different native plant varieties, including Tennessee’s two state wildflowers, the Passion Flower & Coneflower, as well as Bee Balm and Black-Eyed Susans. All seeds will be available while supplies last and can be ordered online at: https://tnpollinators.org/milkweed.

TDOT launched its Pollinator Habitat Program in 2017 in response to the sharp decline of pollinator species caused by habitat loss, pesticide exposure, pests, and other threats. The program brings together a multi-agency partnership that includes the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA), and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).

One of the program’s cornerstone initiatives, Project Milkweed, is dedicated to restoring and preserving vital habitat for pollinators, particularly the monarch butterfly, which depends exclusively on milkweed plants for reproduction. The importance of this effort was formally recognized in February 2025 by House Joint Resolution 84, introduced by Representative Greg Vital, which acknowledges TDOT’s work through Project Milkweed and affirms the state’s commitment to conserving monarch populations and their critical milkweed habitat. While monarchs are a primary focus, the project also benefits a diverse array of pollinators essential to Tennessee’s ecosystems.

National Pollinator Week, observed annually across the U.S., is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of pollinators and the challenges they face. It also encourages communities to take meaningful action to help protect these essential species, not just during the week, but all year long.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has announced the second annual Tennessee Biodiversity Summit will take place on October 21, 2026, at Middle Tennessee State University. All wildlife enthusiasts, including experts, birdwatchers, hunters, and anyone interested in nature, are invited to participate in this experience packed with opportunities to learn about wildlife diversity, habitats, and conservation in Tennessee.

The theme of this year’s event is “Moving the Needle, Wins in Conservation.” Eight dynamic speakers will deliver presentations focused on successes in conservation work across the state. Participants will also hear updates on the State Wildlife Action Plan, a federally guided blueprint to prevent biodiversity decline, and on the Red-cockaded Woodpecker reintroduction plan, announced at the inaugural summit last year. The event also hosts 21 partnering agency booths where attendees can further learn about conservation efforts and ways to get involved in conservation efforts.

Because of the overwhelmingly positive response in the 2025 summit, this year’s event attendance has been capped at 900 participants. Josh Campbell, TWRA’s Chief of Biodiversity, stated, “We’re heartened by the overwhelming response to this event and the interest in the health of the state’s wildlife diversity. The 2026 summit will be equally captivating.” 

Those traveling from out of town or those in the area the day before the event have the option to register pre-event hikes taking place at two locations. Registration is currently open, and more information can be found on the Tennessee Biodiversity webpage.

Event sponsors include the Greg A. Vital Center for Natural Resources and Conservation at Cleveland State Community College, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.  

A life-changing mental health program for children and youth is getting a big infusion of support thanks to Tennessee’s signature music festival.  The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is donating $100,000 to support the School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison program in nine schools across all three school districts in Coffee County.

School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons are masters-level therapists who are employed by grantee community mental health centers and funded at the state level through the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS).  Liaisons work in partnership with their local school districts to help students who are struggling with mental health challenges, serious emotional disturbance, and substance use issues with parent permission.  Bonnaroo’s investment will help create dedicated counseling and wellness spaces in nine schools across Coffee County where these counselors, along with school social workers and other mental health professionals, can meet privately with students and provide care and support.

“Community is the heart of Bonnaroo.  The Farm is a place where people feel seen and supported, and we’ve witnessed fans lift each other through their darkest times,” said Shelby Goodsell, Festival Director, C3 Presents. “Supporting this program in schools across Coffee County is a natural extension of that spirit. By investing in mental health early, we hope to help build a generation with the strength to care for others and the courage to ask for help.”

“We see such tremendous outcomes with our School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons.  Students get the help they need and get back to class resulting in improved outcomes for behavior, attendance, graduation, and educational attainment.  This funding from Bonnaroo leverages the state’s investment in this life-changing program, and we are so grateful to Secretary of State Tre Hargett for seeing the opportunity to connect our organizations and giving us the opportunity to create this collaboration,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW.

“We’re so grateful to Bonnaroo for this generous gift to support our School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons. This investment in the mental wellness of students in Coffee County pays immediate dividends in the schools, but it also enhances the wider community.  When our liaisons provide services in schools, parents don’t have to take off work and they don’t have to worry about their child receiving care,” said Phyllis Persinger, President/CEO Volunteer Behavioral Health Care Services.

“Coffee County Schools is deeply grateful to the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival for their generous donation to support and improve the mental health of our students, and to Volunteer Behavioral Health for their years of dedication and support in providing behavioral health liaisons for our schools. Together, your partnership is making a lasting difference in the lives of our students and families,” said Scott Hargrove, Director of Schools. Coffee County Schools.

“This incredibly generous donation from Bonnaroo means the world to Manchester City Schools. It helps us create dedicated, private therapeutic spaces right inside our buildings and ensures our students have a safe, quiet place to heal and grow. It empowers our counselors and liaisons to do what they do best: surround our children with the care, attention, and support they truly deserve,” said Joey Vaughn, Director of Schools, Manchester City Schools.

“I am thrilled to announce that we have been awarded $30,000, with $10,000 allocated to each location, to enhance spaces that support students’ mental health needs,” said Dr. April Norris, Deputy Director of Schools, Tullahoma City Schools. “The grant funds will be used to establish these spaces at our Alternative Learning Center, East Lincoln Elementary School, and the Early Childhood Center/Jack T. Farrar Elementary School. We are grateful to Bonnaroo and the Behavioral Health Community Programs team for their support.”

With tens of millions in new state funding in recent years, Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly have expanded the School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons to a few dozen positions in only a handful of counties to 400 funded positions covering all 95 Tennessee Counties.  In Coffee County, there are four Liaisons employed by Volunteer Behavioral Health working in five schools.  In the most recent state fiscal year, the more than 100 Coffee County students received targeted, intensive supports from a liaison, and more than 1,600 students, faculty, and staff received training from a liaison.  Statewide, more than 23,000 students received mental health counseling services from a liaison.

Learn more about the School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison program at this link: TN.gov/behavioral-health/sbbhl

Today, the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) announced it will provide a $120 one-time payment directly to families in need across Cannon and 12 other counties through the Summer Nutrition Initiative starting Friday, June 12, 2026.

The initiative first launched in 2025 as a state-funded effort to provide additional nutrition assistance to serve families in underserved counties.

“This initiative reflects Tennessee’s commitment to ensuring children have access to nutritious food throughout the summer,” said TDHS Commissioner Clarence H. Carter. “By providing targeted support to families in communities with limited access to summer meal programs, we are helping bridge a critical gap to ensure children receive the nutrition support needed during the summer months.”

The Summer Nutrition Initiative will serve eligible children in 13 counties who are currently enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Families First- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program.

The program will use existing EBT cards to provide the one-time payment to families.

Thirteen counties were identified through Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) data as having limited access to SFSP meal sites and thus qualify to receive the one-time payment. The approved counties include: Bledsoe, Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Fentress, Hancock, Humphreys, Jackson, Lewis, Marshall, Moore, Sequatchie, and Smith. 

The one-time TN Summer Nutrition Initiative benefit is available to children who are:

• Age 5-18 as of May 1, 2026
• Members of an open and active SNAP and/or Families First case as of May 31, 2026
• Residing in Bledsoe, Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Fentress, Hancock, Humphreys, Jackson, Lewis, Marshall, Moore, Sequatchie, and Smith counties as of May 31, 2026  

Eligible households do not need to apply for this benefit. Families in the targeted counties will automatically receive the benefit on their existing EBT cards beginning June 12, 2026. Benefits can be used anywhere where EBT is accepted for purchasing food.

For more information on the Summer Nutrition Initiative, please visit: https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/summer-nutrition-initiative.html.

Following recent approval by the Tennessee General Assembly, Tennessee will transition to participation in the federally funded Summer EBT program beginning in 2027.

Following the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement that a confirmed case of New World screwworm (NWS) was detected in Zavala County, Texas, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is taking steps to protect livestock the potential spread of this invasive pest.

“NWS has not been detected in Tennessee, but we want to be proactively working to prevent the establishment of this pest in Tennessee,” State Veterinarian Samantha Beaty said. “Livestock, pets and even wildlife are vulnerable. This parasite can have a tremendous negative impact on our animal populations and associated industries. Early detection is our best defense. Our priority now is to prepare — to ensure surveillance, movement controls, and response plans are in place so that if we do detect NWS, we can act swiftly to protect the health of Tennessee’s animals and our agricultural industries.”

The State Veterinarian has instituted a temporary order implementing more stringent requirements for warm-blooded animals moving out of an infested area into Tennessee. These stricter requirements ensure that animals are thoroughly inspected and prophylactically treated prior to movement and allow officials to effectively implement other control measures.

In addition to the temporary order, the State Veterinarian’s Office is focused on implementing enhanced surveillance measures and providing outreach and education related to prevention, management and treatment.

TDA Animal Health field staff and Foreign Animal Disease diagnosticians are ready with materials to collect and submit larvae and fly specimens should a suspected case arise. This preparedness ensures that any detection can be confirmed quickly and accurately.

If you are a livestock producer, pet owner, veterinarian or interact with wildlife:

• Inspect animals regularly, especially any wounds, tick bite sites, dehorning or ear‐tagging areas, or orifices, for signs of infestation.
• Limit the movement of animals that may have been exposed, especially if traveling near the U.S.-Mexico border region or through areas with confirmed cases.
• If you suspect NWS, contact the State Veterinarian’s Office at 615-837-5120 or the USDA Area Veterinarian in Charge at 615-517-2642. On weekends and evenings, call 866-536-7593.

The following are USDA information links on New World screwworm:

New World Screwworm

Pest Alert: New World Screwworm

New World Screwworm What You Need to Know

Stop Screwworm: Unified Government Response to Protect the U.S.

USDA New World Screwworm Emergency Response

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring the spread of NWS and coordinating with USDA, Department of the Interior and other federal and non-governmental partners using the One Health approach to prevent spread to people and animals, both domestic, including livestock and companion animals, and wild animals.

NWS was previously found in the United States, Mexico and Central America. It was eradicated in the United States in the 1960s, in Mexico in the 1970s, and in Central America in the early 2000s.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division is responsible for promoting animal health in Tennessee. The State Veterinarian’s Office seeks to prevent the spread of disease through import and movement requirements, livestock traceability, disaster mitigation, and the services of the C.E. Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory. The division collaborates with other health-related stakeholders, academic institutions, and extension services to support One Health, an initiative to improve health for people and animals.

United Way of South Central Tennessee (UWSCTN) wrapped up another successful tax season with the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, including extended tax preparation opportunities through the IRS because of Winter Storm Fern.

The United Way VITA program is an IRS-supported tax preparation service, through which trained volunteers prepare taxes at no cost for qualifying individuals and families. This year, more than 80 volunteers completed a total of 6,000 volunteer hours to prepare taxes at nine total sites across UWSCTN’s service area.

UWSCTN’s VITA program completed 3,526 tax returns, saving more than $1 million in filing fees alone. Clients received a total of $5.1 million in tax refunds, totaling an astounding $6.1 million in financial impact in Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Lincoln, Moore, Rutherford, and Warren counties alone.

“Through VITA, we have the privilege of turning tax season into an opportunity — one that helps hardworking families keep more of what they’ve earned and take meaningful steps toward financial security. With our community’s support, we look forward to reaching even more people through this service next year,” shared UWSCTN President and CEO, Kristen Swann.

United Way’s team is actively seeking volunteers for the next tax season, with volunteer training beginning in fall of 2026. For more information, visit yourlocaluw.org/vita.

VITA Numbers by the County (# of returns filed):

Rutherford                               2470

Cannon                                          90

Bedford                                        236

Lincoln                                         619

Moore/Coffee                              85

Warren                                            26

State Rep. Michael Hale, Smithville, and Sen. Shane Reeves, Murfreesboro have secured $250,000 in state grant funding to support the revitalization of the Cannon County Courthouse. The appropriated funds are part of the state’s $58.3 billion balanced budget passed by the Tennessee General Assemblyon April 15.

The funding will be used for capital improvements to the historic courthouse, including structural and restoration enhancements designed to preserve the building and extend its long-term use.

“I’m grateful we’re taking proactive steps to preserve one of Cannon County’s most historic gems,” Hale said. “This building is more than just a courthouse. It is a symbol of our county’s origins and remains at the heart of our community.”

“I’m so glad we could help secure funding that will preserve this historic landmark for future generations while ensuring it remains a functional centerpiece of the community for years to come,” said Reeves. “Courthouses like this are part of the foundation of our small towns and reflect the character and heritage of the people who call Cannon County home.”

Originally established on Jan. 31, 1836, by the General Assembly and named in honor of former Tennessee Gov. Newton Cannon, Cannon County has long centered around the historic Cannon County Courthouse in Woodbury. The courthouse was constructed in 1838 and rebuilt in 1935 after the original structure was destroyed by a fire. The Cannon County Courthouse was later added to the National Register of Historic Places registry on April 14, 1992, in recognition of its historical and colonial architectural significance.