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 April 09, 2018.

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 April 09, 2018.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) announces punishments including civil penalties totaling $12,000 and license revocations/surrender related to three former Tennessee insurance producers who violated provisions of state insurance law.

Tennessee is one of 19 states selected for a new training and support program to improve the social, emotional, and mental health of babies, toddlers, and young children. A group of leaders from several state agencies and other stakeholders led by the Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee (AIMHiTN) will participate in a year-long series of sessions with ZERO TO THREE.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today praised passage of the University of Tennessee Focusing On Campus and University Success (FOCUS) Act, legislation that restructures the UT Board of Trustees to improve governance of the UT system and establishes advisory boards for the primary UT campuses to create a local focus for each campus. The University of Tennessee FOCUS Act, SB2260/HB2115, reduces the current size of the UT Board of Trustees, empowering the reconstructed board to better oversee the multiple campuses that comprise the UT system. In addition to modernizing the focus and responsibilities of the UT Board of Trustees, the legislation establishes advisory boards for the primary UT campuses: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; The University of Tennessee at Martin; and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. These advisory boards will allow each campus to have a local focus.

MEMPHIS – During the past week officers from the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) have completed additional, unannounced home visits on hundreds of sex offenders under community supervision.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Commissioner Bob Martineau will return to work in the private sector in May. Under Commissioner Martineau’s leadership, for the first time in more than two decades, the entire state of Tennessee is in compliance with federal air quality standards for particle pollution and ozone. Additionally, 41,000 acres have been added to our state lands, including three new state parks, and $170 million has been invested to modernizing our state park facilities. TDEC has facilitated the cleanup of more than 100 contaminated properties, resulting in renewed productive use and approximately 18,000 jobs at those locations. TDEC now has the lowest backlog of clean-ups of old contaminated underground storage tank sites in the Southeast.

Tennessee’s eagerly-anticipated strawberry season is a month away, but the frigid weekend forecast has many growers watching the weather and covering their crops.

A Shelby County woman accused of obtaining TennCare benefits she was not eligible for must repay the state for medical and pharmacy services provided through the state’s healthcare insurance program.

A Williamson County woman is charged with doctor shopping for prescription drugs, using TennCare as payment.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) will join volunteers from the Grundy County Fire Association to install free smoke alarms in homes throughout Grundy County on Saturday, April 7, 2018.