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The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is updating older Commercial Driver License records to comply with current federal and state requirements. Approximately 8,800 of Tennessee’s 150,000 CDL holders will receive a notice by mail requesting citizenship or lawful presence documentation that were not required when their licenses were originally issued.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 8, 2026) – As Tennessee icon Dolly Parton prepares for another milestone year, the global ambassador graces the cover of the official 2026 Tennessee Vacation Guide, unveiled today by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD). The free planning resource highlights the people, places and experiences that define the Volunteer State and invites travelers to explore all 95 counties through music, food, history, outdoor adventure and more. Available now, travelers can order a free printed copy and download the guide at TNVacation.com, or pick one up in person at any of Tennessee’s 16 Welcome Centers.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Board of Parole will conduct an administrative board meeting at 9 a.m. January 21, along with executive clemency hearings January 21-22 at James Robertson Parkway in the Davy Crockett Tower, located on the fourth floor in downtown Nashville. The meeting and clemency hearings are open to the public and will be conducted in the Chairman Richard Montgomery Board Room.

NASHVILLE --- The 35th Tennessee Sandhill Crane Festival is set for Jan. 17-18, 2026 (Saturday-Sunday) at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge, Cherokee Removal Memorial Park, and Birchwood Community Center. The festival celebrates the thousands of sandhill cranes that stop over or spend the winter on or near the refuge. It is also an opportunity to focus attention on the rich heritage of the state and the Native American history of the area.

On Tuesday, Jan. 6, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security joined Mayor Chad Graham and Bedford County first responders today to celebrate Bedford County’s integration into the statewide Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN).

WHITE PINE, Tenn. — Leadvale Access Area on Douglas Lake is temporarily closed to the public as crews work to repair damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The access area, which serves as a popular entry point for boating and fishing, sustained significant structural impacts during the storm.

The Commissioner of Financial Institutions hereby announces that the maximum effective rate of interest per annum for home loans as set by the General Assembly in 2025, Public Chapter 290, for the month of February 2026 is 10.18 percent per annum. The maximum effective rate of interest per annum for home loans shall be set at an amount equal to four (4) percentage points above the average prime offer rate (APOR), as defined in 12 CFR 1026.35, that applies to a thirty-year fixed loan, as published by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC), or its successor federal entity. For the most recent APOR statistical data available preceding the date of this announcement, the calculated rate is 6.18 percent.

NASHVILLE--Commissioner of Financial Institutions Greg Gonzales announced today that the maximum effective formula rate of interest in Tennessee is 10.75 percent per annum. The rate is based on a ceiling of 4 percent over the weekly average prime loan rate of 6.75 percent as published by the Federal Reserve on January 5, 2026.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) will celebrate the 40th year of the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards in 2026 and invites Tennesseans to submit nominations for the upcoming honors.

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announces a new master plan for the David Crockett Birthplace State Park following flooding damage from Hurricane Helene.