News

Governor Bill Lee announced that he will call for the Tennessee General Assembly to convene a special session on Monday, January 27, to pass the Education Freedom Act. Additionally, the Governor will introduce a disaster relief legislative package addressing recovery needs for Hurricane Helene, as well as future natural disasters. The session will also address public safety measures regarding illegal immigration, as the incoming Trump Administration has called on states to prepare for policy implementation.

Gov. Lee will issue an official call and provide additional details in the coming days.

Joint statement from Gov. Lee, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, and House Majority Leader William Lamberth:

“We believe the state has a responsibility to act quickly on issues that matter most to Tennesseans, and there is widespread support in the General Assembly and across Tennessee for a special session on the most pressing legislative priorities: the unified Education Freedom Act and a comprehensive relief package for Hurricane Helene and other disaster recovery efforts. The majority of Tennesseans, regardless of political affiliation, have made it clear that they support empowering parents with school choice, and the best thing we can do for Tennessee students is deliver choices and public school resources without delay. Additionally, Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented disaster across rural, at-risk, and distressed communities that cannot shoulder the local cost share of federal relief funds on their own. The state has an opportunity and obligation to partner with these impacted counties and develop innovative solutions for natural disasters going forward. Finally, the American people elected President Trump with a mandate to enforce immigration laws and protect our communities, and Tennessee must have the resources ready to support the Administration on Day One.”

Education Freedom Act

Gov. Lee and legislative leadership introduced the unified Education Freedom Act (SB1/HB1) on November 6, 2024 with the recognition that every Tennessee child deserves to attend the school that best fits their unique needs, regardless of income or zip code. 

In addition to establishing Education Freedom Scholarships, the Act further invests in public schools and teachers by delivering teacher bonuses to recognize their unwavering commitment to student success, increasing K-12 facilities funding, and ensuring state funding to school districts will never decrease due to disenrollment. Gov. Lee and the General Assembly will maintain their commitment to public schools by further investing hundreds of millions of state dollars in the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula, and raising starting teacher pay.

Learn more at TNEducationFreedom.com.

Hurricane Helene + Disaster Relief

Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented disaster that primarily impacted at-risk and distressed counties, with eligible damage-related costs estimated at $1.2 billion. Gov. Lee proposes immediate legislative and budgetary action to support ongoing recovery efforts and allow for proactive preparation for future emergencies. The comprehensive plan invests more than $450 million in direct disaster relief. Key components of the plan include:

·        Disaster Relief Grants (DRG) Fund: $240 millionto bolster Tennessee’s existing disaster relief fund, as well as reduce the local cost-share burden from 12.5% to 5% and fund the state match requirement in order to access federal funds and cover administrative costs.

·        Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund: $110 millionto establish a new fund that will help local governments manage loan interest for recovery costs by covering interest costs at 5% per year for three years on loans for recovery expenses.

·        Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund: $100 millionto create a new program inspired by the HEAL Program that will provide flexible financial resources for future emergencies, including agricultural recovery, unemployment assistance, and business recovery efforts.

·        $20 million for the rebuilding of Hampton High School in Carter County, which was destroyed in Hurricane Helene.

Public Safety + Immigration

The Tennessee General Assembly will consider public safety measures related to illegal immigration to ensure the state is prepared for federal policy implementation. 

Last year, Gov. Lee directed key state agencies to begin making preparations and stand ready on Day One of the Trump Administration to support efforts to secure our Nation’s borders and keep communities safe.

Do you have cattle, sheep, goats, or equine animals?  If so, you could be eligible to receive payment from the DeKalb/Cannon County Farm Service Agency. According to Donny Green, County Executive Director, signup for the Livestock Forage Program will end January 30, 2025.    

The Livestock Forage Assistance Program (LFP) was approved on September 24, 2024 for DeKalb and Cannon countiesdue to recent and extreme drought conditions that have affected livestock grazing during the 2024 normal grazing period.  LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers that have suffered grazing losses for covered livestock on land with permanent vegetative cover or planted specifically for grazing. 

Since the LFP signup began in October 2024, just over 400 livestock producers in DeKalb and Cannon counties have been approved and received $887,909.

If you are a livestock producer and have not filed your LFP application since the signup period began in early October, please visit the FSA office in Smithville to file your application before the January 30, 2025 deadline. There are no approval provisions for late filed LFP applications.

For more information, call the office at 615-597-8225, Ext. 2, or come by the Smithville USDA Service Center located at 647 Bright Hill Rd., Smithville, Tennessee. The Farm Service Agency’s office hours are 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

State Rep. Michael Hale, Smithville, has proposed legislation ensuring certified campus police and public safety officers receive supplemental annual training pay, similar to bonuses already granted to law enforcement each year.

Police, campus police and public safety officers all complete the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) commission certification training and meet identical requirements under current law, (TCA § 38-8-107(d)). 

 “These men and women are protecting our most valuable asset—our children,” Hale said. 

House Bill 0008 would provide an $800 annual training pay supplement.

To qualify, eligible officers must complete the same annual in-service training as public police officers.

The P.O.S.T. Commission, the state agency responsible for employment standards and training for law enforcement agencies,  would allocate funds  to the appropriate institutions, boards and schools, ensuring the bonuses are paid to campus and public safety officers.

“By providing this supplemental pay, we can help these departments offer compensation that aligns with other law enforcement agencies, making it easier to recruit new officers,” Hale said. “This is the right thing to do for these officers and our colleges across the state.”

The 114th General Assembly convenes at noon on Jan. 14. 

State Rep. Michael Hale represents House District 40, which includes Cannon, Dekalb, Jackson, Smith and part of Wilson Counties.  

Cannon County Schools will be closed on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, due to continued hazardous driving conditions on several roads. A decision concerning the CCHS home game with Community will be made by noon on Tuesday, January 14th.

Director of Cannon County Schools, Ms. Bonnie Patterson, stated, “Cannon County Schools will be CLOSED on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, due to continued hazardous conditions on many of our county roads. This will be our 5 th inclement weather day.”

 The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) is pleased to announce the findings of the inaugural report on Navigate Reconnect, Tennessee’s primary college coaching and advising program for adults over 25.

The study found that students who worked with a Navigate Reconnect coach, also known as “Navigators,” stayed in school or completed a technical certificate or degree at higher rates (11 percentage points) than those who did not work with a Navigator.

The program helps adult students, or “Reconnectors,” explore college options and navigate the application process. Free services include academic coaching and financial aid assistance, as well as access to local resources such as childcare and affordable transportation.

“An 11-percentage point difference is huge for Tennessee,” said Brett Gipson, Chief College Access Officer at THEC. “Every state in the nation is wrestling with how to support adult learners in their journey to reconnect with training that will enhance their careers, prepare for new jobs coming into their region, and build a brighter future for their families. Navigate Reconnect is an important tool in this fight.”

In partnership with Tennessee’s Department of Finance and Administration’s Office of Evidence and Impact and researchers from the Boyd Center for Business & Economic Research (BCBER) at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, THEC has begun to study the effects of Navigate Reconnect on postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion by adult learners.

Key Findings:

• Demographics of Reconnect Participants: Approximately two-thirds of Reconnectors were female, with an average age of 33 years old.  Reconnectors were more likely to be Non-White and come from lower-income households compared to the state average. Around 1 in 7 participants had previously received unemployment benefits, and more than half were the first in their family to attend college.
• Enrollment Outcomes: Between 33% and 43% of Reconnectors enrolled in college within one year of engaging with a Navigator. The number of new participants surged during Spring and Summer 2020, with this cohort showing higher enrollment rates than other groups. 
• Enrollment in Tennessee Institutions: Among Reconnectors who enrolled in Tennessee institutions, 87% chose community colleges, 6% enrolled in Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), and 7% enrolled in four-year universities.
• Higher Persistence and Completion Rates: Reconnectors exhibited significantly higher persistence rates compared to other nontraditional students. For example, 55% of Reconnectors who enrolled in community colleges were still enrolled or had attained a credential two years later, compared to just 44% of other nontraditional students. 
• Employment and Income Outcomes: Upon enrollment, 78% of Reconnectors were employed, a rate 13 percentage points higher than that of other nontraditional students.
• Broader Impact Across Demographics: The report also shows that persistence rates were higher among Reconnectors across a wide range of demographic groups, including gender, race/ethnicity, prior enrollment history, and income levels. This demonstrates that the Navigate Reconnect program has a broad and inclusive impact, supporting a diverse range of adult learners.

“High school students have guidance counselors, and college students have advisers. But what about people in between?” stated Dr. Celeste Carruthers, Fox Distinguished Professor at BCBER and author of the report. “It’s challenging to think about going to college when you’ve been out of school for a while and you’re juggling family and work. That’s the population that Navigate Reconnect serves. We’re studying Navigate Reconnect because there aren’t many programs like this out there, and we want to understand more about how they work.”

Tennessee was the first state to implement these services on a statewide scale for adults.

“I witness daily how our Reconnect Navigators are looking out for adult college students: helping them find solutions, offering information and guidance, and providing encouragement and support,” said Jessica Gibson, THEC Senior Director of Adult Learner Initiatives. “We personally know their stories, their struggles, and their successes. We know how impactful our Navigators are with adult students’ trajectories and this report backs that up.”

THEC is committed to expanding the accessibility of higher education opportunities for adult students and continues to create and spotlight programs that address the specific needs of nontraditional learners.

For more information on Navigate Reconnect, please visit tnreconnect.gov.

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH 6AM SATURDAY MORNING

The National Weather Service is predicting heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 7 inches with locally higher amounts possible for all of Middle Tennessee.

The period begins Friday morning at 3:00am and continues through Saturday morning at 6:00am. Plan on slippery roads and difficult travel conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, water, and warm clothes in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

From the County Court to the basketball court, announcements are being released…

Cannon County Circuit Court Clerk Katinia Foster George is asking, if you know anyone that received a summons to appear for Jury Service on Friday, January 10, 2025. The Clerk’s office has announced today’s court session has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 30th at 12:30pm.

The Cannon County Safe Baby Court Implementation Training scheduled for today will be held, however the Friday session has been rescheduled for February 4th due to inclement weather forecast.

The location for the training is Experience Community Church at 209 Murfreesboro Road in Woodbury. Hours are from 8:30am until 4:00pm.

Cannon County Executive Greg Mitchell has announced that Cannon County government offices will be closed Friday, January 10th and Saturday, January 11th. This will include the Cannon County Health Department and the County Convenience Center.

The governor has announced due to the hazardous weather conditions all state offices are closed today.

Cannon County Schools will be closed Friday and the basketball games with Forrest scheduled for Friday night have been rescheduled to January 21st.

State Representative Michael Hale has introduced a bill which would allow local schools and public charter schools to display the Ten Commandments on school property.

Hale is the sponsor of HB0047 which was filed last month. Under the bill, schools will be able to display the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution of Tennessee, the Bill of Rights, or other “historically significant documents.”

The bill allows schools to place the display in a “prominent location” in each school building to “educate students on the historical significance and common cultural heritage the documents have on the principles of the LEA or public charter school, this state, or the United States of America.”

Schools will have access to printed versions to be made available -if not already available- to them free of charge and each school will decide the size and placement of the display.

Representative Hale’s bill states as follows:

Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 20, is amended by adding the following as a new section:

(a) Local boards of education and governing bodies of public charter schools, as defined in § 49-13-104, may allow schools in the LEA and public charter schools to display the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Constitution of Tennessee, the Bill of Rights, a resolution honoring the history of a school in the LEA or the public charter school, or other historically significant documents in a prominent location in each school building in order to educate students on the historical significance and common cultural heritage the documents have on the principles of the LEA or public charter school, this state, or the United States of America.

(b) LEAs and public charter schools are encouraged to display the historical documents using wall posters or other hard copy, printed versions that are made available to the LEAs or public charter schools free of charge.

(c) Each local board of education and each governing body of a public charter school shall determine the size and placement of the display authorized in subsection (a).

(d) As used in subsection (a), “prominent location” means a school entryway, cafeteria, or common area where students are likely to see the display. SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

Media Partner: WJLE

Cannon County Schools will be CLOSED on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, due to hazardous conditions on several roads.
Director of Cannon County Schools, Ms. Bonnie Patterson, stated, “Cannon County Schools will be CLOSED on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, due to hazardous conditions on several roads in our county which affect multiple bus routes. Unfortunately, cold temperatures overnight will not allow for the conditions to improve before the start of the school day, The decision to close schools is not an easy one. However, the safety of our students will always come first.”

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security marked a year of significant achievements in 2024, reinforcing its commitment to protecting and serving Tennesseans. From hiring and training over 150 State Troopers to advancing school safety initiatives and enhancing first responder communication systems, the department’s efforts directly contributed to making Tennessee a safer place to live, work, and thrive.

“We’re working each day to make Tennessee a safer place to work, live and visit,” said Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long. “Whether it’s reducing fatal crashes, protecting our schools, or improving customer service, we’re delivering tangible results that make a real difference in the lives of Tennesseans. I’m proud of our team’s efforts and look forward to building on this momentum in 2025.”

Key Departmental Highlights:

Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP)

• Hired and trained over 150 new State Troopers, boosting law enforcement presence on Tennessee roadways.
• Dedicated over 20,000 hours to Hurricane Helene disaster response, working alongside Homeland Security agents and Driver Services personnel to assist impacted communities, which is still ongoing.
• Charged more than 950 drug-related arrests, with 29% involving methamphetamine and fentanyl.
• Reduced fatal crashes compared to 2023, with final statistics pending.
• Engaged in nearly 900 community events, fostering stronger connections with residents.
• Removed over 300 illegally possessed firearms and recovered more than 80 stolen firearms from Tennessee streets.

Colonel Matt Perry of the Tennessee Highway Patrol: “Every day, our troopers work to make Tennessee’s roads safer and remove dangerous substances and weapons from our communities. Their commitment saves lives and ensures a safer environment for everyone.”

Office of Homeland Security (OHS)·        

• Trained 63 new special agents, fulfilling Governor Bill Lee’s goal of strengthening school safety statewide and assigning special agents to work with schools in all 95 Tennessee counties.
• Awarded $5.7 million in federal grants for security infrastructure projects.
• Provided state grants to fund School Resource Officers (SROs) in every public and charter school in Tennessee.
• Allocated $750,000 for security upgrades at Tennessee houses of worship.

Special Agent Greg Mays, Deputy Commissioner and Director of the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security: “By investing in school safety and community security, we’ve taken meaningful steps to protect Tennesseans where they live, learn, and worship. These initiatives build a foundation for stronger, more resilient communities.”

Driver Services·        

• Issued 2.6 million REAL IDs and served 1.7 million customers statewide.
• Deployed 287 self-service kiosks with enhanced features, including modern payment options like Apple Pay, and added photo capture capabilities.
• Launched improved driver licenses and IDs with advanced security designs.     
• Expanded online services, streamlining processes for reinstatements and accident claims.
• Created the Quality Assurance Division to combat fraud and ensure operational integrity.
• Established a Customer Service Division to enhance engagement using advanced analytics.

Les Dolente, Chief of Staff of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security: “Modernizing our systems and prioritizing convenience have transformed how Tennesseans interact with Driver Services. Our advancements reflect a commitment to efficiency and reliability for every customer.”

Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN)

• Provided critical communication support during Hurricane Helene, ensuring seamless coordination among first responders.
• Welcomed 15 new partner agencies, enhancing interoperability and collaboration across Tennessee.

Jeff Gray, Director of the Tennessee Advanced Communications Network: “Effective communication is the backbone of emergency response. Expanding TACN’s reach ensures first responders have the tools they need to protect lives during both daily operations and crises.”

Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO)

• Awarded 373 grants to 326 agencies to support highway safety initiatives.
• Trained nearly 3,000 individuals through 134 safety classes.
• Increased seat belt usage to a record-high 92.2%.
• Expanded outreach efforts, including programs for aging drivers and child passenger safety events.

Buddy Lewis, Director of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office: “Our mission is to make Tennessee’s roadways safer for everyone. By prioritizing education, awareness, and enforcement, we’re saving lives and building a culture of safety.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, aimed at helping specialty crop producers expand markets and manage higher costs, is now accepting applications through Jan. 8, 2025.

To be eligible for MASC, a producer must be in business at the time of application, maintain an ownership share and share in the risk of producing a specialty crop that will be sold in calendar year 2025. MASC covers the following commercially marketedspecialty crops:

• Fruits (fresh, dried);

• Vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms, and vegetable seed);

• Tree nuts;

• Nursery crops, Christmas trees, and floriculture;

• Culinary and medicinal herbs and spices; and

• Honey, hops, maple sap, tea, turfgrass and grass seed.

Eligible established specialty crop producers can apply for MASC benefits by completing the FSA-1140, Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program Application, and submitting the form to any FSA county office by Jan. 8, 2025.When applying, eligible specialty crop producers must certify their specialty crop sales for calendar year 2023 or 2024. New specialty crop producers are required to certify 2025 expected sales, submit an FSA-1141 application and provide certain documentation to support reported sales i.e., receipts, contracts, acreage reports, input receipts, etc.

For MASC program participation, eligible specialty crop sales only include sales of commercially marketed raw specialty crops grown in the United States by the producer. The portion of sales derived from adding value to a specialty crop (such as sorting, processing, or packaging) is not included when determining eligible sales.

For established specialty crop growers, FSA will calculate MASC payments based on the producer’s total specialty crop sales for the calendar year elected by the producer. Payments for new producers will be based on their expected 2025 calendar year sales.

FSA will issue MASC payments after the end of the application period. If demand for MASC payments exceeds available funding, MASC payments may be prorated, and the payment limitation of $125,000 may be lowered. If additional funding is available after MASC payments are issued, FSA may issue an additional payment.