Tennessee News & Current Events | Public News Service

In 2024, Tennessee approved more than 1,350 Summer Food Service Program meal sites across the state and served approximately 3.4 million meals to children. (Kirsten D/peopleimages.com/AdobeStock)

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

TN nonprofits plan ahead for end of Summer EBT food program

Gov. Bill Lee has opted Tennessee out of the federal Summer EBT program and nonprofit groups in the state said they will work to fill the gap for …

Tennesseans with disabilities advocate for essential services and defend their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Tennessee Disability Coalition)

Monday, March 10, 2025

TN Disability Coalition hosts 'Liberty Not Limits' day on the Hill

Tennessee's Disability Day on the Hill is an opportunity for people living with a disability to unite, and engage in the legislative process…

About 2.3% of the population in Tennessee lives with developmental disabilities, or around 160,000 individuals across the state. (Adobe Stock)

TN disability rights advocates concern over impact of Section 504 rollback

Advocates for people with disabilities in Tennessee are concerned about the potential impact of a lawsuit challenging Section 504 of the Rehabilitatio…

Tennessee has made progress in child care availability but as of 2024, 37 counties are still considered child care

Report: Investing in child care would help TN families, economy

Many Tennessee families cannot afford child care and providers cannot afford to pay their staff fair wages, according to a new report. The …

According to The Center for American Progress, about 146 million American citizens do not possess a valid passport. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

SAVE Act would make it harder for Tennesseans to vote, critics say

Congress is preparing to pass a bill, which would make it harder for millions of Tennesseans to register and to vote. The Safeguard American Voter …

Paraquat is a dangerous pesticide, currently banned in more than 70 countries but <br />still approved for use in the United States. (Marritch/Adobe Stock)

Feds petitioned to eliminate 'extraordinarily toxic' pesticides in food

One organization is taking the Trump administration's promises to "Make America Healthy Again" seriously. The Center for Biological Diversity is …

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., came to Memphis, Tenn., to support the sanitation workers' strike on April 3, 1968, the day before his assassination. (Gerald Zaffuts/Adobe Stock)

MLK III on legacy, building connections for dignity, respect, civility

In Tennessee and nationwide, communities are celebrating Black History Month, recognizing the contributions and achievements of African Americans to …

Daily sunlight exposure can boost a person's internal vitamin D production. However, factors such as skin tone, location, weather, time of year and time of day can all influence how much you produce. (Catahula/Adobe Stock)

Experts: Outdoor activities may help beat winter blues, SAD

As winter drags on and more snow showers are expected this week, many Tennesseans face what is known as seasonal affective disorder, a type of …

Jen Fisher's son Raleigh has received all the recommended vaccines for a child his age but his mother still worries about potential exposures given faltering vaccination rates in Tennessee. She said even a weakened form of virus could send him to the emergency room. (Sarah Jones Portraits)<br />

A health bright spot fades as TN childhood vaccination rates slip

By Daniel Chang and Sam Whitehead for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Tennessee News Service reporting for the KFF Health News…

A child's brain is 90% developed by age 5, yet low-income children hear 30 million fewer words by age 3 and may start school 18 months behind. Many rural children lack even one book in their household. (Adobe Stock)

Creating adaptive education solutions for kids in rural TN

Education gaps run deep in rural Tennessee, so community leaders there are working to bridge the divide. The challenges include teacher shortages …

A Red America, Blue America Research survey revealed a majority of voters, 52%, would be less likely to support legislators who voted to fund private education with tax dollars. (Rawpixel/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Tennesseans oppose expansion of private school voucher program

A recent online survey revealed strong opposition among Tennessee voters toward expansion of the state's private-school voucher program. More than 50…

In 2022, 6% of all cars, light trucks and SUVs produced in the United States were manufactured in Tennessee. (Tobias Arhelger/Adobe Stock)

UAW contract negotiations at VW focus on higher wages, health care, retirement

The United Auto Workers union is negotiating its first union contract with Volkswagen at its Chattanooga plant, covering more than 4,000 members…

The six largest water systems in Tennessee collectively manage more thanb 874,000 service lines, accounting for more than 30% of the state's more than 2.8 million drinking-water lines. (Brian Jackson/Adobe Stock)

Tennessee accelerating efforts to replace lead pipes

Tennessee is working to eliminate lead pipes under the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, which require most lead pipes to be removed within …

The 2024 State of Child report reveals that in 2021, Tennessee families benefited from tax credits, with 24 percent claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit averaging $2,130, and 25 percent claiming the Child Tax Credit averaging $3,128. (Oksana Kuzmina/Adobe Stock)

Report: 20% of TN children under five live in poverty

Tennessee's "State of the Child" 2024 report shows some progress, but also highlights ongoing concerns. The report from the Tennessee Commission on …

The Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition offers English Innovations classes, blending collaborative, in-person English learning with online tools. (TIRRC Votes)

Group prepares TN for mass deportations amid economic concerns

Immigration and deportation are key topics in this week's Tennessee legislative session, and a local nonprofit group is helping residents prepare for …

TennCare is Tennessee's Medicaid program, offering health-care services to around 1.5 million residents, with an annual budget of about $18.6 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Potential Medicaid cuts threaten rural hospitals and Tennesseans

In Tennessee and across the country, federal safety net programs face potential cuts as the Trump administration eyes budget reductions. A House G-O-…

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. (Jon/Adobe Stock)

Tennesseans honor legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today marks the nationally recognized birthday of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It's a day for college students in Tennessee to …

Dental clinics operated by local health departments can be found in 45 out of 89 rural Tennessee counties, as well as in four of the state's six metropolitan areas. (luckybusiness/Adobe Stock)

TN community health centers meet growing demand for dental care

Community Health Centers are stepping up to meet a critical need for dental care across Tennessee. Dental visits at these clinics have increased by 1…

Memphis Light, Gas and Water, Tennessee Valley Authority's largest customer, accounts for 11% of TVA's total load, serving around 431,000 electric customers. (Kevin Ruck/Adobe Stock)

Memphis may not have enough power to accommodate enormous AI facility

An environmental group is sounding the alarm about Elon Musk's xAI Colossus facility in Memphis, which they fear will strain the city's power grid…

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons third meeting will take place March 3-7 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. (Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance)

Tennesseeans to mark fourth anniversary of nuclear weapons treaty ban

A Knoxville group of concerned citizens is marking the fourth anniversary of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons going into effect…

By 2033, the Association of American Medical Colleges forecasts a shortage of 12,500 anesthesiologists, with rural areas expected to face the most acute deficits. (Alfa27/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Could new legislation solve TN's anesthesiologist shortage?

Some anesthesiologists hope this is the year Tennessee passes legislation to allow Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants to practice in the state…

In 2023, Tennessee saw an increase of almost 58,000 jobs. However, projections indicate a decrease, with only 22,500 more jobs in 2024 and 36,400 jobs in 2025. (Austin/Adobe Stock)

Economists predict 2025 economic trends amid presidential transition

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, economists are weighing in on how his promised policies might shape what's ahead in 2025…

In two states and 38 local areas, the minimum wage will hit or surpass $17 per hour for some or all hourly workers in 2025. (JJ Gouin/Adobe Stock)<br />

Tennesseans to miss out on minimum wage increase in 2025

In January, low-wage workers in Tennessee will be missing out on pay hikes seen in 23 other states. In the new year, the minimum wage will reach or …

Audubon's scientists analyzed 140 million bird observations and used advanced climate models to predict the impact of climate change on the loggerhead shrike's range. (AGAMI/Adobe Stock)

TN bird enthusiasts embark on annual count of feathered friends

Bird lovers across Tennessee are enthusiastic participants in the nation's longest-running community science project. The Audubon Society's 125th …

In Tennessee, the SNAP asset limit is $3,000 for most households and $4,500 for households with a disabled member or someone age 60 or older. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

Proposed SNAP, Summer EBT cuts threaten more than 600,000 Tennesseans

Several federal programs may face budget cuts as the new administration proposes sweeping actions to reduce the federal debt. Advocates for the …

Almost half of LGBTQ+ youths aged 13-17 faced bullying in the past year and those who did were significantly more likely to attempt suicide compared with those who were not bullied, according to a Trevor Project survey. (Andrii Zastrozhnov/Adobe Stock)

TN awaits decision in case on gender-affirming care for trans youth

A Supreme Court decision in U.S. v. Skrmetti, challenging Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors, is expected by mid-2025. Since 2021…

For the 2023-2024 school year, Tennessee awarded nearly $577 million through 16 scholarship programs for public and select private two- and four-year colleges and universities. (Adobe Stock)

College cost still a major hurdle for Tennessee students

A new report from The Sycamore Institute reveals the persistent challenge of college affordability in Tennessee. Despite state and federal aid …

So far, the Safe Haven Baby Box hotline has handled more than 9,000 calls, supporting parents across all 50 states, including referring more than 500 women to crisis pregnancy centers, assisting with 10 adoption referrals, and facilitating more than 150 legal Safe Haven surrenders. (Tsado/Adobe)

Tennessee offers new Safe Haven Baby Boxes for parents

Advocates say Tennessee is taking a big step toward infant safety by installing new Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Chattanooga and Atoka. Nationwide…

In 2023, the highest-cost 10 drugs comprised about one-third of the total disbursements within the 340B Drug Pricing Program. (Azee Jacobs/Adobe Stock)

TN health centers voice concerns about future of low-cost drug program

Access to reduced-price medication is vital for many low-income rural Tennesseans and the clinics serving them are concerned about potential cuts to a…

The Tennessee Department Mental Health Services provides a wide range of resources and programs for people of all ages who are managing mental illness or significant emotional challenges. (vejaa/Adobe Stock)

Support for Tennesseans facing grief, loss during holiday season

'Tis the season for celebration and good cheer. However, for many Tennesseans, the absence of a loved one, whether through death, divorce or another …

Whooping cough is a common, contagious respiratory illness with frequent outbreaks in various settings such as schools, hospitals and large geographic areas, peaking every few years. (Louis-Photo/Adobe Stock)

Whooping cough cases rise in Tennessee, nationwide

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is making a comeback and a Tennessee medical expert stressed the preventable, highly contagious bacterial infection …

The proposed Education Freedom Scholarship Act in Tennessee aims to give parents the power to choose the best education for their child and a say in how their taxpayer dollars are used. (BalanceFormCreative/Adobe Stock)

Project 2025's education overhaul could have potential fallout for TN schools

A Tennessee education advocacy group is voicing concerns about Project 2025, which aims to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and transfer …

Each year, almost 33,000 Tennessee adults are newly diagnosed with diabetes. (Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

Tennesseans urged to prevent diabetes with healthier habits

November is National Diabetes Month and experts said with healthier habits, more Tennesseans can reverse prediabetes and prevent Type 2 diabetes and …

Project IKE, a uranium enrichment facility, will be situated on a 920-acre site in Oak Ridge in Roane County. U.S. Department of Energy land will be transferred to the private company Orano USA for the project. (HTGanzo/Adobe Stock)

Alliance sounds alarm on new uranium enrichment facility in Oak Ridge

A Knoxville environmental group is raising concerns about a new uranium enrichment facility slated to be operated in Oak Ridge. Unlike past sites …

A report from the University of California-Berkeley found Tennessee has more than 480,000 children ages 0-through-5, but has an early childhood teaching workforce of only 33,800. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

Study reveals Tennessee child care workers face poverty wages

Child care workers across the nation, including in Tennessee, are struggling with poverty-level wages according to a new report. It revealed in …

The Latino voter turnout is expected to grow by 6.5% compared with 2020, while non-Hispanic voter turnout is projected to increase by just 1.5% from 2020 levels. (Mediteraneo/Adobe)

Expert warns Tennesseans of harmful misinformation on Election Day

Election Day is finally here, and this year more than 17 million Latinos are expected to cast a ballot. Latino voters are now the country's second …

The gray bat, one of Tennessee's two endangered bat species, is the state's largest mouse-eared bat. Its gray coat sets it apart from other Myotis bats, and it's mainly found in eastern and middle Tennessee. (creativenature.nl/Adobe Stock)

Debunking the horror: Tennessee bats essential to ecosystem, economy

From vampires to Dracula to the Halloween thriller Bats, stories often paint bats as scary animals. A spooky Halloween-themed campaign Real Scary …

In 2026, it is estimated Medicare Part D enrollees will likely save $1.5 billion on out-of-pocket costs due to negotiated drug prices. (C Daniels/Adobe Stock)

Medicare open enrollment can bring cost savings for Tennesseans

For millions of Tennesseans age 65 and older, Medicare can be a vital resource and it is the time of year to give their coverage a closer look…

About 496,000 Latino Americans are disenfranchised, with more than 5% of Latino voters in Arizona and Tennessee affected by felony voting bans. (Adobe Stock)

Past felony convictions keep almost 400,000 in TN from voting

Tens of thousands of Tennesseans with felony convictions are unable to vote in the Nov. 5 General Election. Research by The Sentencing Project shows …

A Chattanooga Regional Anti-Hunger Conference is coming up Oct. 22. The Tennessee Justice Center, along with community members and groups working to fight food insecurity, will gather to discuss federal programs like WIC, SNAP and Child Nutrition. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)<br />

TN expands SNAP assistance to residents post-Helene

Tennessee has expanded food assistance for Northeast Tennessee residents still cleaning up after Hurricane Helene. What's known as the Disaster …

Tennessee's new HEAL Program will provide $65 million to eligible counties affected by Hurricane Helene. The money will be divided equally among the affected counties to help with cleanup and rebuilding. (Ruslan Gilmanshin/Adobe Stock)

East TN mobile health center rolls in to help, post-Helene

A community health center in East Tennessee is offering essential medical services on wheels, to families cleaning up after Hurricane Helene…

In Metro Nashville Public Schools, more than $558 million was allocated based on individual needs of each student through student-based budgeting for the 2023-2024 school year. (bersch28/Adobe Stock)

TN grant program funds early health care career pathways

Metro Nashville Public Schools and Nashville State Community College are working together to help some high school students launch health care careers…

Climate change, marked by rising temperatures, sea levels and extreme weather, poses significant threats to Tennessee. The environmental shifts are predicted to cause more illness, death and forced relocation of Tennesseans. (michelmond/Adobe Stock)

Report exposes donors funding climate change disinformation in TN

As Tennesseans deal with record-breaking heat, hurricanes and prolonged drought linked to a changing climate, a new report showed how American …

The HBCU Liberation Tour aims to get students in historically Black colleges to engage in the political system and register to vote. (Adobe Stock)

HBCU Liberation Tour seeks to mobilize young Black voters in TN, South

Polling shows that many young people of color in Generation Z are ambivalent about voting, but one group of activists is working to change that…

According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, the United States may face a shortage of up to 12,500 anesthesiologists by the year 2033. (romaset/Adobe Stock)

TN sidesteps opportunity to address anesthesiologist shortage

A shortage of anesthesiologists in Tennessee could have been addressed with legislation this year but it died in committee. Now, there is an effort …

According to AARP, by 2029 at least 10% of Part D beneficiaries in 19 states and the District of Columbia will be eligible for a new out-of-pocket cap. (Rattanachat/Adobe Stock)

Tennessee seniors to benefit from Medicare prescription drug cap

Tennesseans on Medicare will see big savings next year thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. The Act caps prescription drug costs at $2,000 per …

Volkswagen has issued a recall for nearly 100,000 electric ID.4 SUVs. The recall is due to a reported issue where vehicle doors may open unexpectedly. (filmbildfabrik/Adobe Stock)

UAW contract negotiations at VW focus on healthcare, safety, wages

United Auto Workers' contract negotiations kick off today with Volkswagen at its Chattanooga plant, covering over 4,000 UAW members. The union says …

In Fiscal Year 2023, Tennessee's Department of Correction allocated about $907 million for incarceration expenses, not including capital expenditures. (Adobe Stock)

TN forum to focus on shaping statewide criminal justice policy

Tennessee's justice system may be getting a makeover, as a forum on Thursday will cover new ideas to modernize it. The Sycamore Institute event will …

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