The city of Gatlinburg, Tenn. will host a ceremony to celebrate earning Firewise USA recognition on May 23 at 3 p.m. EDT at Rocky Top SportsWorld in Gatlinburg.

NASHVILLE – On Wednesday, May 23, 2018 the Tennessee Board of Parole will have a clemency hearing at the Tennessee Prison for Women.

NASHVILLE-- Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions Commissioner Greg Gonzales announced today that the maximum effective formula rate of interest in Tennessee is 8.75 percent per annum. The rate is based on a ceiling of 4 percent over the weekly average prime loan rate of 4.75 percent as published by the Federal Reserve on May 21, 2018.

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Black Rifle Coffee Company (BRCC) officials announced today that the company will locate its new operations in Manchester. The coffee roaster and distributer will invest $6 million and create 52 new jobs over the next five years in Coffee County.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) today announced its support for an international crackdown on fraudulent Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and cryptocurrency-related investment products. The sweep is being coordinated by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), of which TDCI is a member.

In effort to broaden the opportunity and impact of the industrial hemp program for farmers and industry, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture is reopening the application period for industrial hemp grower and processor licenses through June 1, 2018.

NASHVILLE – To commemorate Home Fire Sprinkler Day (May 19) and bring attention to Building Safety Month, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is raising awareness of the life-saving capabilities of residential home fire sprinklers.

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is proud to announce that the team from Brentwood High School won the viewer-voted Tennessee Together Teen public service announcement competition.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) is warning consumers about Tennessee residents Johnny Ray Jackson and Richard Wayne Davis, Jr., who have a history of using fraudulent practices to sell insurance in order to scam unsuspecting consumers.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced today that the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have approved Tennessee’s nomination of 176 Opportunity Zones.

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Engineered Medical Systems, LLC (EMS) officials announced today that the medical device manufacturer will expand in Bartlett.

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced today that Charlie Brock, CEO of Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN), will return to work in the private sector in October. Brock has served in his role since January 2013.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips today announced that Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate for April was 3.4 percent, the third consecutive month the rate has held steady. The seasonally adjusted rate represents 0.6 of a percentage point decrease in unemployment compared to the same time period in 2017. April 2018 marks one year since Tennessee’s unemployment rate dropped to 4 percent for the first time in recent history. In May 2017 the rate dipped to 3.8 percent and has remained under that mark ever since. The state recorded an all-time low unemployment rate of 3.3 percent in September of last year. That figure is just 0.1 of a percentage point lower than the latest rate.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips today announced that Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate for was 3.4 percent, the third consecutive month the rate has held steady. The seasonally adjusted rate represents 0.6 of a percentage point decrease in unemployment compared to the same time period in 2017.

Students across the state are graduating from community college this month through a unique outreach program with the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS). More than two years ago, TDHS launched an effort to encourage high school seniors receiving benefits through Families First to apply for the Tennessee Promise. That outreach later expanded to include families receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) and families who receive child support services.