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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released the following statement regarding death row inmate Oscar Smith:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Members of the Tennessee National Guard’s Joint Adaptive Battle Staff participated alongside Bulgarian Armed Forces during the international NATO exercise, Viking 22, from March 28 to April 7 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Cost share incentives for tree planting and forest stand improvement activities are currently offered in preparation for the May sign-up period. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry (TDF) encourages family woodland owners to apply for technical and financial assistance to establish or enrich their forests. Loggers can apply to improve harvesting capacity and enhance protection of water quality.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Nashville Record Pressing, LLC officials announced today the company will establish operations in Nashville, which will include its headquarters, manufacturing, distribution and back-office functions.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s new student-based funding formula, called the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement formula (TISA), is gaining widespread support from more than 100 local leaders and stakeholders across the state.

NASHVILLE – In accordance with protocol, inmate Oscar Franklin Smith #136424 was moved to death watch at approximately 11:50pm last night. Death watch is the three-day period before an execution when strict guidelines are implemented to maintain the security and control of the offender and to maintain safe and orderly operations of the prison.

KNOXVILLE--- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Matt Perry announced the opening of a new THP Knoxville district headquarters, located at 1755 Neals Commerce Lane, Knoxville, Tennessee 37914. The previous THP Knoxville district headquarters on Kingston Pike opened in 1966 and closed in 2022 after serving the Knoxville community for 56 years. As the role of state troopers and their service to their community evolved, the previous headquarters on Kingston Pike did not provide the capacity nor the efficiency required to ensure THP served the community to the highest standards.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) announced today the state broadband map is now available for public comment.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Agricultural Crime Unit (ACU) completed its investigation into the cause of two recent Sevier County wildland fires. “Based on the results of our origin and cause investigation, it was determined the two large wildland fires were caused by downed power lines,” ACU Captain Greg Whitehead said

NASHVILLE – Tennessee marked a milestone in March when statewide unemployment dropped to its lowest rate in history. Data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) showed the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.2%, the lowest level ever recorded.

Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Butch Eley today announced that Tennessee tax revenues exceeded budgeted estimates in March.

DYERSBURG - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Cullen Jones, in Dyersburg. Jones, 28, turned himself in to authorities on Tuesday at the Dyer County Sheriff’s office. Bond was set at $5,000.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is funding urban forestry tree planting projects to help cities and counties, schools, and nonprofit organizations with conservation efforts. The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) Community Tree Planting Program applications are now open to help increase and enhance urban and community tree populations.

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has partnered with KultureCity, making THP the second state law enforcement agency in the United States, and the first law enforcement agency in Tennessee, to have all road troopers trained to be sensory-inclusive.

DYERSBURG - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Edward C. Ruff, II, in Dyersburg. Revenue special agents arrested Ruff, 44, Tuesday while he was at the courthouse on a previous indictment. Bond was set at $25,000.