NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the appointment of Deniece Thomas as Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, effective September 30. Thomas succeeds Jeff McCord following his departure to lead Northeast State Community College.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and Speaker Cameron Sexton announced a decisive step to accelerate the hiring process for 25 additional forensic lab positions at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Taking this action ahead of the regular budget process will expedite the TBI’s efforts to expand testing capacity and reduce the turnaround time for sexual assault kits (SAKs).

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced two key judicial appointments.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released a nationwide Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) recruitment video and renewed efforts to welcome out of state law enforcement officers to Tennessee.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the appointment of Lance Villio as executive director for the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives. Villio will fully transition to the role on October 1 as Dave Worland returns to the private sector.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released a video update on key actions the Lee administration has taken to enhance school safety following Executive Order 97, which directed state agencies to engage parents, increase transparency and collaborate with local law enforcement and school districts.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released the following statement:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the appointments of Erin Merrick to succeed Jonathan Skrmetti as Chief Legal Counsel, effective September 1, and Casey Black Sellers to succeed Laine Arnold as Director of Communications, effective September 2. Skrmetti will assume the role of Tennessee Attorney General and Reporter. Arnold will lead communications for the governor’s re-election campaign in addition to starting a strategic communications venture for corporations and causes.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security invited Tennesseans to get ready for the new school year by downloading the SafeTN app.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the appointment of Margie Quin as Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS), effective September 1. Quin will succeed Jennifer Nichols, who has served the department since 2019.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced more than 40 independent schools, pending approval, have committed to make seats available immediately for students enrolled in the Education Savings Account (ESA) program and invited Tennessee parents to begin the application process.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released the following statement in response to the court lifting the injunction on the Education Savings Account (ESA) program passed by the Lee Administration in 2019.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced he will appoint Troy Haley to serve as Administrator of the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation within the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, effective immediately. Lee also named key appointments to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released the following statement on the United States Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and shared critical information about current Tennessee law.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced he will appoint David Rausch to serve a second term as Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), effective July 1. Director Rausch’s term will expire June 30, 2028.