Newsroom

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has received a positive chronic wasting disease (CWD) test result in a road-killed deer in Wayne County, the first positive CWD case for Wayne County. Since Wayne County is within the current CWD Management Zone, wildlife feeding and carcass transportation restrictions are already in place.

On Dec. 17, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Matt Perry welcomed the newest graduating class of Tennessee State Troopers. The department instructed a regular 17-week Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Academy that exceeded the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission requirements.

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) Fisheries Division is soliciting public comments on the proposed 2026-27 fishing regulations through Jan. 5. The proposals were presented at the December meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission in Chattanooga.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) has been awarded funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Emerging Markets Program (EMP) to boost export opportunities for Tennessee’s hardwood sector through outbound and inbound trade missions with India and Vietnam.

NASHVILLE -- The Department of Revenue will host a free webinar on books, records, and statute of limitations on December 30 at 9 a.m. Central time.

NASHVILLE--Commissioner of Financial Institutions Greg Gonzales announced today that the maximum effective formula rate of interest in Tennessee is 10.90 percent per annum. The rate is based on a ceiling of 4 percent over the weekly average prime loan rate of 6.90 percent as published by the Federal Reserve on December 15, 2025.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Eric Wayne Helton, owner of the Aquatic Den, pleading guilty to tax evasion.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Dec. 11, 2025 – Songwriters in all genres of music are encouraged to share their original music, as signups officially open today for the eighth annual statewide Tennessee Songwriters Week. Songwriters can sign up to perform in qualifying rounds all over Tennessee and compete for a chance to play their original music at iconic venues across the state, including The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. In 2026, the program will celebrate more than 6,000 songwriters who have shared their original music on Tennessee stages since the program launched.

NASHVILLE --- The application period for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) 2026 Spring Turkey Quota Hunts will be open Dec. 17 through Jan. 7, 2026. Applications can be submitted online at gooutdoorstennessee.com, through the TWRA On The Go mobile app, at TWRA regional offices, or at any TWRA license agent.

Farmers and forest landowners in Tennessee who continue to recover from losses brought on by Hurricane Helene will soon have the opportunity to apply for block grants made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA).

The Oscar L. Farris Agricultural Museum Association has been awarded a $17,365 Tennessee America 250 Grant from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. This Exhibitions and Programs Grant will support new museum experiences that celebrate Tennessee’s agricultural heritage while commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.