Tennessee House Republicans have announced a proposal to address healthcare needs in the state.Republicans announced their CARE plan on Thursday – an acronym that stands for Consumerism, increasing access, improving rural health systems and empowering patients.Legislators said the plan would allow consumers to make their own decisions "instead of insurance companies or the government."Some of… Continue reading Lawmakers Plan to Address Healthcare Needs

Gov. Bill Lee says his upcoming budget proposal will include $40 million to improve school safety.Lee’s team announced on Thursday that $10 million was already budgeted for school safety from former Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Lee will add $30 million to that amount, with $20 million slotted for one-time funding… Continue reading Lee Proposes $40 Million to Improve School Safety

Charles Marvin (Charlie) Mears, 60, of Centertown died Saturday. Funeral services will be Thursday, Feb. 21st at 1pm at McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Harold Cook and Chris Mears will officiate. Burial will follow at Unity Cemetery. Visitation is Thurs. 10am-1pm.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee raised almost $2.5 million and spent nearly $1.8 million for his inauguration.The list of hundreds of donors from the governor’s inaugural disclosures includes prominent politicians, Lee administration figures, top companies, political action committees and more. Almost 110 of them gave the top amount allowed, $7,500.Lee finished with more than $441,000 left… Continue reading $1.8 Million Spent on Inauguration

A Tennessee bill that would ban abortions after the fetal heartbeat is moving forward after passing in committee Wednesday.The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Van Huss, says a heartbeat is typically detectable at about six weeks into pregnancy.Tennessee law currently prohibits abortion past "viability" unless to "prevent the death of the pregnant woman". A medical assessment is… Continue reading Bill to Ban Abortions After Fetal Heartbeat Moves Forward

Warren County law enforcement and rescue personnel were called out Wednesday to rescue a horse and buggy, which had become stranded in high water on Petigap Road. Rescue squad personnel, using a boat, were able to rescue the 17 year old driver of the buggy. He was waiting on top of the buggy when rescue… Continue reading Horse and Buggy Rescued

Democratic lawmakers in Tennessee say the General Assembly should ban shackling pregnant women in detention, particularly during childbirth.Sen. Raumesh Akbari, a Democrat from Memphis, said Tuesday she has a bill that would not only prohibit the state’s inconsistent use of shackling, but also provide prenatal and postpartum medical care. The bill would also ban solitary… Continue reading Bill Would Ban Shackling Pregnant Inmates

Officials with the Tennessee Department of Health say 85 percent of all maternity deaths in 2017 could have been prevented, with substance abuse being determined as the leading contribution in those deaths.The agency issued the report on Tuesday after the Tennessee General Assembly in 2016 passed the Maternal Mortality Review and Prevention Act. The law… Continue reading 85 Percent of Maternal Deaths Preventable

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says he will repeal the state’s "gym tax" in his upcoming budget proposal.The state imposes a nearly 10 percent amusement tax on memberships to gyms, fitness centers and health clubs. It’s been on the books since the mid-1980s and represents about $10 million in state revenue.However, Lee says the tax discourages… Continue reading Lee to Propose Repealing Gym Tax

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has set up a website that will accept public comments on bills that have passed and are awaiting his decision.Lee says the feature is part of a push for transparency and open government. He said it will bring more Tennesseans into the process more directly.The website will be updated regularly with… Continue reading Website Will take Input on State Legislation