Newsroom

On April 22, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) announced results from its 2025 annual roadside observational survey to determine the state’s average seat belt usage rate. The survey, conducted during March, April, and May of last year, returned a statewide usage rate of 91.3%. This represents a decrease of approximately 0.9%. compared to Tennessee’s 2024 survey result of 92.2%; however, the 2025 survey result is above the national average of 90%. Tennessee’s 2025 survey result is its fourth-highest annual seat belt usage rate and marks the seventh consecutive statewide observational survey with a rate exceeding 90%.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) available for twenty-nine Tennessee counties. These counties were impacted by the Tennessee Severe Winter Storms as declared in the Federal Disaster Declaration FEMA DR-4898.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Tennessee National Guardsmen with the Memphis Safe Task Force, and the Memphis Police Department, responded to two separate shootings across Memphis on April 16, providing immediate medical aid to multiple gunshot victims.

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 April 20, 2026.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In accordance with state law, the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) is now accepting applications from recognized Tennessee news organizations to serve as statutorily required witnesses for the scheduled execution of Tony Von Carruthers #139604. The execution is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. (CDT) on May 21, 2026.

NASHVILLE -- The Department of Revenue will host a free webinar on sales tax exemptions on April 28 at 9 a.m. Central time.

TDMHSAS is encouraging Tennesseans to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. local time.

Darrell’s Dream Boundless Playground at Warriors’ Path State Park will be closed Saturday, April 25 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. for the 19th annual Day of Caring/Day of Service volunteer cleanup at the park.

SMYRNA, Tenn. – Sixteen National Guardsmen graduated from the Tennessee Army National Guard’s 10-month-long Officer Candidate School, led by the 117th Regional Training Institute, during a special ceremony held at Smyrna’s Volunteer Training Center, April 19.  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is joining states nationwide to ask motorists to Work with Us – move over and slow down for highway workers. TDOT will spread that message statewide during National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 20-24) to improve safety in Tennessee’s interstate and highway construction and maintenance work zones. This year’s theme is “Safe Actions Save Lives.”