Newsroom

Gov. Lee’s daily press conferences will resume next Monday through Thursday at 3 p.m. CDT and can be viewed here. Gov. Lee has also established a website specific to COVID-19 updates which can be found here.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is announcing new child care assistance to support families that are serving the state in essential workforce positions. Through payment assistance and a network of temporary care locations, parents who work as essential employees can access child care at no cost during the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency until June 15, 2020.

TDMHSAS is receiving a $2 million federal grant to provide additional services in response to COVID-19 over the next 16 months. The funding will be used to bolster the state’s existing crisis services continuum, Behavioral Health Safety Net, and substance abuse treatment and recovery services.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development moves to a staggered schedule for unemployment claimants completing their weekly certifications. This change will spread out the number of people certifying over three days, creating a more responsive experience for claimants using Jobs4TN.gov.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development moves to a staggered schedule for unemployment claimants completing their weekly certifications. This change will spread out the number of people certifying over three days, creating a more responsive experience for claimants using Jobs4TN.gov.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Today, Governor Bill Lee established the Economic Recovery Group, a joint effort between state departments, members of the legislature and leaders from the private sector to build guidance to safely reboot Tennessee’s economy.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the creation of the Stimulus Financial Accountability Group to ensure proper fiscal management of stimulus funds received by the state through the Coronavirus Relief Fund created by the CARES Act. The State of Tennessee projects a distribution of approximately $2.3 billion from the Fund.

NASHVILLE – Despite the current spike in unemployment across Tennessee, March’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains relatively unchanged, only increasing 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5%. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development did not see an unprecedented increase in unemployment claims until the third and fourth weeks of March.

Tennessee New Unemployment Claims Filed for the week ending on April 11, 2020

Tennessee New Unemployment Claims Filed for the week ending on April 11, 2020

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced free COVID-19 testing will be available for any Tennessean, regardless of traditional symptoms, as the Unified-Command group ramps up an aggressive effort to expand testing capacity across the state.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health will offer 33 drive-through events this weekend to make COVID-19 testing available to Tennesseans who are concerned about their health or the health of their family members.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Today, Governor Bill Lee announced the appointment of Butch Eley to serve as the Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration (F&A). Eley currently serves as Chief Operating Officer in the Governor’s Office and will continue to coordinate efforts between departments in the interim.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers are still raising livestock and planting and harvesting crops. At this time, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture sees no evidence of agricultural shortages in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is prepared to provide replacement Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to families who suffered losses in Sunday’s severe weather event.