Attorney General Skrmetti: Winter Storm Shows Why Governor Must Retain Authority to Deploy National Guard

by Kaitlin Housler | Feb 1, 2026 | Justice, News, Tennessee, The South

As Tennessee National Guard troops continue assisting communities in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti says the emergency effort demonstrates why the governor’s authority to deploy the Guard is critical as the state appeals a court...

Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Program Sees ‘Record Interest’ for 2026-2027 School Year, Lee’s Office Says

by Kaitlin Housler | Jan 19, 2026 | Education, News, Tennessee, The South

Governor Bill Lee announced Thursday that more than 50,304 applications have been received for Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Program for the 2026–2027 school year, with the deadline closing later this month. Now in its second year, Tennessee’s Education...

Tennessee’s Nuclear Sector Gets Another Big Investment

by Zachery Schmidt | Jan 16, 2026 | Economy, News, Tennessee, The South

A nuclear energy company announced on Friday a $1.4 billion investment in Tennessee. LIS Technologies said it would expand its operations at the Oak Ridge facility previously known as Duct Island. The company will be building a K-25 uranium enrichment site, which will...

Initiative to Launch Turning Point USA Chapters in All High Schools, Colleges Announced in Tennessee

by Kaitlin Housler | Dec 15, 2025 | Education, News, Tennessee, The South

An initiative to launch Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapters across all public high schools post-secondary institutions in Tennessee was announced Friday at the Tennessee State Capitol. TPUSA leaders and top Tennessee officials – including U.S. Senator Marsha...

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Announces Two Judicial Appointments

by Kaitlin Housler | Nov 22, 2025 | Justice, News, Tennessee, The South

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced two judicial appointments on Thursday, naming a new circuit court judge for the state’s 20th Judicial District and district attorney for the 31st Judicial District. I’m proud to announce the appointment of these highly qualified...

Tennessee to Distribute Partial SNAP Benefits

by Zachery Schmidt | Nov 12, 2025 | News, Policy, Tennessee, The South

Tennessee will start issuing partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits this month. The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) announced on Wednesday that it will be giving out 65 percent of SNAP benefits to people. TDHS said people...

Beacon Poll: Marsha Blackburn Dominating Gubernatorial Race, Tennessee Democrats Favor Socialism

by Kaitlin Housler | Nov 5, 2025 | News, Politics, Tennessee, The South, TN LEAD

The Nashville-based Beacon Center of Tennessee’s November poll highlights deepening political polarization between Republican and Democratic voters in the Volunteer State. The poll, which surveyed 1,200 registered voters in the state between October 26-29, featured...

Tennessee to Give $5 Million to Food Banks

by Zachery Schmidt | Nov 4, 2025 | News, Policy, Tennessee, The South

Gov. Bill Lee announced on Tuesday that Tennessee will allocate $5 million in state funds to food banks to help people facing delays in governmental food assistance. As the government shutdown goes on, Lee said he is “grateful to non-profit partners serving...

Tennessee Senator Co-Sponsors Bill to Fund SNAP During Shutdown

by Zachery Schmidt | Oct 27, 2025 | News, Politics, Tennessee, The South

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) co-sponsored a bill last week to ensure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) receives full funding during the government shutdown. The Keep SNAP Funded Act would require the federal government to provide funding...

Explosion at Tennessee Manufacturing Plant Leaves 16 Presumed Dead, Blast Remains Under Investigation

by Kaitlin Housler | Oct 13, 2025 | Justice, News, Tennessee, The South

The Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office reported that Friday’s explosion at an explosives manufacturing facility in McEwen is believed to have resulted in 16 fatalities. The explosion occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems, a privately owned facility that processes...