Tennessee.gov News Center

Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation is one of only four states in the nation with a perfect bridge inspection record according to an MSNBC report released January 30. MSNBC analyzed the most recent National Bridge Inventory inspections through 2006 to determine how states measure up in their efforts to inspect all […]

Nashville, Tennessee —A 24-year veteran of the Tennessee Highway Patrol is hospitalized in intensive care after being involved in a two-car crash Tuesday night.  It happened at approximately 9:00 p.m. on State Route 105 near Bradford, TN, in Gibson County.
A preliminary investigation reveals that Lieutenant Bobby “Joey” Hargrove was traveling along SR 105 when a […]

Nashville, Tennessee —The Tennessee Department of Safety is working to continue to reduce the number of traffic fatalities in 2008 by participating in three enforcement initiatives aimed at saving lives on Tennessee roadways.
Preliminary figures show that traffic fatalities declined by nearly nine percent last year, from 1,284 in 2006, to 1,169 in 2007.
“The significant decline […]

The Department of Health has confirmed the first cases of seasonal influenza for 2008, with positive cultures reported from several Tennessee counties. Tennessee residents still have time to protect themselves from the flu this season. Flu vaccine is widely available at locations throughout Tennessee, including county health department clinics.
“The flu season can peak in February […]

WARTRACE, Tenn. – Cascade Elementary School student Jessica Woodard was awarded a $1,000 scholarship as the state winner of the annual Bonnie Plant Farm 3rd Grade Cabbage Program.
Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens along with representatives of Bonnie’s presented the scholarship to Jessica, now a 4th grader, in a special ceremony at the school.  Jessica’s […]

David Kirschke, MD, has been appointed deputy state epidemiologist for the Department of Health. In this position, Kirschke will oversee the Department’s Environmental Epidemiology, Tuberculosis and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Programs.
“Dr. Kirschke’s combination of education and experience make him the ideal candidate for the deputy state epidemiologist position,” said Assistant Commissioner Cathy R. Taylor, DrPH, […]

Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, has suspended new admissions of residents to Life Care Center of Jefferson City nursing home effective January 28, 2008, and imposed a state civil monetary penalty of $1,500. The federal civil penalty has been imposed at $3,550 a day.
Life Care Center of Jefferson City, a 121-bed […]

Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, has suspended new admissions of residents to Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation for LaFollette nursing home effective January 28, 2008, and imposed a state civil monetary penalty of $1,500. The federal civil penalty has been imposed at $3,550 a day.
Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation for LaFollette, a 182-bed […]

It’s prime time for small game hunting and what could be better than rabbit hunting on a cool winter morning? Chasing cottontails is an old-time tradition and one which thousands of Volunteer State hunters still pursue.
Hunters typically enjoy very good rabbit seasons here in Tennessee. Referring to the quality of rabbit hunting in the state, […]

Paddlefish have for many years been a resource concern for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, which is why when wildlife officers observed two Cumberland River commercial fishermen breaking a law designed to protect these fish, they cited both men for multiple violations.
Also referred to as “spoonbill” catfish, paddlefish are cherished by commercial fishermen because their […]

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley has announced the appointment of Melinda Williams as administrator of marketing and outreach programs. Williams will have oversight for marketing all divisions within the agency in addition to her current responsibilities in the Employment Security Division.
Melinda Williams served as an assistant administrator with […]

NASHVILLE – Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December 2007, released last week, was 5.3 percent, up from the November rate of 4.9 percent.  The United States’ unemployment rate went up to 5.0 percent for December from 4.9 percent in November.
County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for December 2007, released today, show 10 counties decreased, 76 […]

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development is closing its Fayetteville Career Center effective January 25, 2008.  The center, which is located at 2219 Thornton Taylor Parkway, has been operating since 1977.
Job seekers who previously received employment services through the Fayetteville center can now go to the Career Center in Shelbyville, located […]

Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will host a Green Development Conference in Nashville Feb. 24-26, in partnership with the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The three-day conference, titled “Green Development:  Good for Water and the Bottom Line” will be held at the Sheraton Music […]

Nashville, Tenn. - The State Review Board will meet on January 30 to examine Tennessee’s newest proposed nominations to the National Register of Historic Places.
The meeting will be held at Clover Bottom Mansion at 2941 Lebanon Road in Nashville. It will begin at 9 a.m. CDT. The Board will vote on seven nominations […]

Nashville, Tenn. – Fall Creek Falls State Park will host a craft workshop weekend February 1-2. These workshops are designed to teach new crafting techniques to beginners as well as to refine existing skills for experienced crafters.
Courses include basket making, woodcarving, wood burning and watercolor painting. Orientation for each workshop will begin at 7 p.m. […]

Nashville, TN—Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that an Aeronautics Grant in the amount of $14,000 has been approved for the Tullahoma Regional Airport.
“As our communities continue to grow and thrive, it becomes increasingly important that our airports stay competitive and efficient at meeting the needs of the travelers who use them,” said Bredesen. “The Tullahoma […]

Nashville, TN—Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that an Aeronautics Grant in the amount of $5,000 has been approved for the Humphreys County Airport.
“As our communities continue to grow and thrive, it becomes increasingly important that our airports stay competitive and efficient at meeting the needs of the travelers who use them,” said Bredesen. “The Humphreys […]

Nashville, TN—Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that an Aeronautics Grant in the amount of $60,000 has been approved for Johnson County Airport.
“As our communities continue to grow and thrive, it becomes increasingly important that our airports stay competitive and efficient at meeting the needs of the travelers who use them,” said Bredesen. “The Johnson County […]

Nashville, TN—Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that an Aeronautics Grant in the amount of $1,882 has been approved for the Knoxville Downtown Island Airport.
“As our communities continue to grow and thrive, it becomes increasingly important that our airports stay competitive and efficient at meeting the needs of the travelers who use them,” said Bredesen. “The […]