Number Tennessee Distressed Counties Decreases

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has announced Tennessee has reduced the state’s number of distressed counties to an all-time low as the Lee Administration focuses on targeted interventions for workforce development and infrastructure.

“Early on, we set a goal that we would have less than 10 distressed counties by 2025,” said Governor Lee. “By focusing on workforce development and infrastructure improvements, we are down to nine counties and will continue working to get remaining counties on the path to prosperity.”

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Tennessee Department of Agriculture reminds everyone Debris Burn Permits Required Starting October 15th

Nashville, TN – National Fire Prevention Week is observed this week to educate citizens about fire prevention and safety. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry joins the effort to promote fire prevention awareness and reminds citizens that our state is heading into fire season. A debris burn permit is required for leaf and brush piles from October 15th until May 15th each season.

“Fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility,” State Forester David Arnold said. “Thanks to rainfall, our wildfire numbers are low so far this fall. However, it’s always necessary to practice safe debris burning and remember that state permits are required starting next week in areas where local governments do not have established outdoor burning ordinances.”

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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, FSAG Release Plan to Continue Tennessee’s Economic Recovery

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group (FSAG) has released recommendations for federal relief dollars to support the state’s continued economic recovery, including more than $3 billion in investments to further strengthen infrastructure and businesses.

“As Tennessee continues its strong economic recovery, it’s important that we maintain proper stewardship of federal dollars coming to our state,” said Governor Lee. “I thank the members of the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group for their efforts to manage these resources and serve Tennesseans.”

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Tennessee Department of Human Services Making Childcare Easier to Find, More Affordable

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is announcing additional steps to help parents navigate the balance of raising a family and holding down a job. Beginning October 1st, 2021, TDHS will increase child care payment assistance rates by 10% across all categories of care in the Child Care Certificate Program.

Under this program, the state pays a reimbursement rate directly to child care providers on behalf of families who are enrolled and meet the income and work or education requirements of the program. This overall rate increase will save many participating families money by reducing the portion they have to pay to cover tuition expenses.

Additionally, this rate increase will provide financial support to child care providers who may be recovering from financial losses during the pandemic. This additional income for child care providers and will help providers stay open and remain available to serve families in their communities that need quality care for their children.

“Many child care providers have continuously and consistently served families throughout the pandemic, enabling parents to work and children to continue their critical early learning,” said TDHS Commissioner Clarence H. Carter. “This rate increase will create incentives to grow the child care industry and remove some of the barriers that make it challenging for parents to enter the workforce and support their families.”

Beginning October 1st, 2021, TDHS will also begin providing additional assistance to child care agencies who care for children identified with disabilities or special needs. A 15% rate bonus will be applied to each qualifying child that participates in the Child Care Certificate Program. In addition to the 15% bonus, the Department is partnering with the Child Care Resource and Referral Network to establish a team of Inclusion Quality Coaches to promote inclusive early childhood environments.

These investments are the latest in a series of moves to support and expand child care in Tennessee. In recent years TDHS has offered Enhancement and COVID Relief grants, established a WAGE$ program to raise salaries, and created a bonus for providers operating in communities that don’t have an adequate supply of child care providers.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services is dedicated to making our state a place where all Tennesseans can move beyond the barriers they may face, to self-sufficiency, and on to new heights

Tennessee Unemployment Rates drop in almost every County

Nashville, TN – Unemployment rates in nearly all of Tennessee’s counties decreased in August. This marks the second consecutive month the jobless situation has improved in 93 or more of the state’s 95 counties.

August unemployment rates were lower in 93 counties across the state. The rate in Williamson County remained unchanged from July at 2.6%. Unemployment increased in Maury County from 4.2% to 4.5% in a month-to-month comparison.

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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee reports Promising Results From Historic Special Session on Education

Nashville, TN – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Education shared encouraging data around the state’s more than $160 million investment in academic summer camps to address learning loss and accelerate achievement for Tennessee students.

“Tennessee has led the nation in getting students back in the classroom and swiftly addressing learning loss,” said Governor Lee. “As we continue to prioritize our students, I’m encouraged to share positive outcomes of priorities established in our historic special session. I am hopeful for our state and thank the legislature for their partnership to turn the tide for Tennessee students.”

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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Invites Tennesseans to Pick New License Plate Design

Nashville, TN – On Monday, September 20th, 2021, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee invited Tennesseans to “Rate the Plates” and help choose the state’s next standard license plate by selecting their favorite design at tn.gov/ratetheplates. Per Tennessee statute, the plate is redesigned every eight years if funds are approved in the General Assembly’s annual budget.

[320left]“As Tennessee celebrates 225 years of statehood, it’s a perfect time to redesign our license plate and feature the Tri-Star that represents each of our state’s unique grand divisions,” said Gov. Lee. “We welcome all Tennesseans to cast their vote and play a role in choosing this piece of our state’s history.”

Voting began Monday and will conclude at 11:59pm CT on Monday, September 27th. The winning design will be announced later this fall and available to the public in January 2022.

Tennessee statute requires the display of “Tennessee,” “Volunteer State” and “TNvacation.com” on the plate, as well as county name and expiration year decal locations. Statute provides that Tennesseans may select an “In God We Trust” plate option.

The new license plate design will replace the current plate that launched in 2006 with modifications in 2011, 2016, and 2017.

Tennessee Unemployment Rate drops for Third Straight Month

Nashville, TN – As Tennessee’s economy continues to rebound, the state has experienced three consecutive months of lower unemployment, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).

The preliminary, seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for August came in at 4.6%, 0.1 of a percentage point lower than July’s revised rate of 4.7%. June’s unemployment rate was 4.9%.

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Tennessee National Guard’s response to September 11th

Nashville, TN – There are events throughout history that evoke powerful emotions: Pearl Harbor, President Kennedy’s assassination, the loss of Space Shuttle Columbia, and September 11th, 2001.

On that September morning in 2001, America watched in disbelief as terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center and attacked the Pentagon. The image of two passenger airliners slamming into the iconic New York City landmarks became seared into our collective memory. The deliberate brutality grounded air traffic across the country – with one exception.

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Henry County Correctional Officer Arrested, Charged

Paris, TN – An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Henry County Correctional Officer on charges of having inappropriate contact with an inmate.

At the request of 24^th District Attorney General Matt Stowe, today, TBI agents began investigating a report of a Henry County Correctional Officer having inappropriate contact with a female inmate inside her cell over the last week. 

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