Area News

Jon Styf The Center Square Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced Tuesday the state will stop participating in added federal unemployment benefits in an effort to encourage Tennesseans on unemployment to start working again. The move, which goes into effect July 3, follows similar orders in Alabama, South Carolina and Montana. Lee’s announcement means Tennesseans will…

Jon Styf The Center Square While gasoline prices haven’t seen a large increase in Tennessee, the effect of the Colonial Pipeline shutdown has been felt as more consumers have headed to gas stations throughout the Southeast. “We have seen overnight, throughout the Southeast, an increase in gasoline demand,” said Megan Cooper, public relations and government…

Jon Styf The Center Square The Tennessee General Assembly on the last day of the legislative session passed a bill that will cut the number of weeks Tennesseans are eligible for unemployment from 26 weeks to 12 weeks. The measure, House Bill 1039, also increases the weekly benefit amount. Unemployed Tennesseans who made $26,000 or…

Jon Styf The Center Square The Tennessee House has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would change the state constitution’s wording as it pertains to slavery. The proposed amendment passed, 81-2, on Tuesday and will be on the statewide ballot in November 2022. Rep. Joe Towns, D-Memphis, said the bill language came directly from the…

Jon Styf The Center Square Tennessee Senate and House committees passed state budget proposals Wednesday, and the full chambers will hear and discuss the spending plans Thursday. Both plans add $250 million to the state’s pension fund while cutting $100 million from Gov. Bill Lee’s $200 million proposal for local government grants and $100 million…

Jon Styf The Center Square Two bills touted by Gov. Bill Lee as the key to his criminal justice reform package passed the Tennessee House on Thursday. House Bill 784 and House Bill 785 – dubbed the Alternatives to Incarceration Act and the Reentry Success Act – passed the House with overwhelming support. Companion bills…

Jon Styf The Center Square Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee introduced a budget amendment Tuesday that included a two-week sales tax holiday on food purchases. The two-week sales tax holiday, which includes all grocery sales, purchases at restaurants and all prepared food, is estimated to cost the state $100 million, accounting for $25 million in grocery…

(Ed. note: This story was first published in the April 1 print edition.) Saltillo Mayor Larry Lowery took advantage of a local visit by the Hardin County Health Department to get his second dose of COVID-19 vaccination Friday. “I’m one of those who is very much a believer that it’s very important. I try to…

Jason Schaumburg The Center Square Carrying a handgun without a permit in Tennessee is now law after Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation Thursday to allow it. Lee announced on social media he had signed Senate Bill 765. “I signed constitutional carry today because it shouldn’t be hard for law-abiding Tennesseans to exercise their (Second Amendment)…

Anyone at least 18 years old can get a free Moderna vaccine shot on Friday, April 9 at the Hardin County Fairgrounds in Savannah. The Hardin County Health Department is holding the COVID-19 vaccination event from 8:30-11:30 a.m. No appointment is needed and first and second doses are available on a first come, first served…