Newsroom

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Millions of travelers flock to Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains each autumn to catch a glimpse of the leaves changing from deep green to brilliant red, orange and gold. But not everyone is able to fully enjoy the effect of nature’s beautiful transition due to color blindness.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) urge everyone to plan ahead for a safe Halloween. The THP is planning increased visibility and enforcement efforts on Halloween to ensure a safe and a happy evening for all Tennesseans.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today appointed Carter S. Moore of Cosby as Circuit Court Judge for the 4th Judicial District, which serves Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties. Moore replaces retiring Judge Ben W. Hooper II.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips announced today that in September 2017, for the first time ever, below 5 percent in every county across the state. This is the second consecutive month rates have declined in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties. September also marked the fourth consecutive month Tennessee experienced a historic low statewide unemployment rate. At 3 percent, Tennessee has the lowest unemployment in the southeast and the eighth lowest rate in the nation.

Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (TECB) Executive Director Curtis Sutton was recently elected to the board of the Next Generation 911 Institute (NG911 Institute), a Washington, D.C. based not-for-profit that promotes more effective 911 services across the nation.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced Katie Ashley will serve as director of legislation, the governor’s chief advisor and strategist for legislative matters. The Crockett County native is one of the longest serving Haslam staffers, starting out on his campaign in 2009 before becoming a legislative liaison in 2011 and handling one of the governor’s top priorities: education in Tennessee.

Today, Commissioner David W. Purkey of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) along with Colonel Tracy Trott of the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) are proud to announce the “40 Under 40” award recipient, Sergeant Maureen Velez. Velez was recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in Philadelphia, PA.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, residents of Hamilton and Bradley counties can safely dispose of outdated medications or shred their personal documents and records during a consumer service effort that coincides with National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced today that Director of Legislation Warren Wells will leave the administration on December 1 to join the government affairs team at Unum in Chattanooga. Wells, 34, has served in the Governor’s Office since 2011. He became Gov. Haslam’s chief strategist for legislation in 2015 and was instrumental to the passage of the IMPROVE Act, the Reconnect Act and the STRONG Act, landmark initiatives for Haslam.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam will hold budget hearings for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 on Monday, November 6 through Thursday, November 9. The hearings will be held in the Executive Conference Room on the ground floor of the State Capitol. Haslam, Finance and Administration Commissioner Larry Martin, Chief Operating Officer Greg Adams and David Thurman, state budget director, will preside over the hearings.

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe along with Techni-Glass, Inc. officials announced today the company will expand in Surgoinsville. The custom glass manufacturer will invest $1.5 million and create 54 new jobs in Hawkins County.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development today announced four new Select Tennessee Certified Sites.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) was dispatched to State Route 81 in Washington County, TN to a motor vehicle crash with injuries and possible fatality.

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Revenue will be holding a series of free, in-person tax workshops for new businesses in Chattanooga, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville in November.