Tennessee

Gov. Lee signs Executive Order to lead the nation in workforce development – WBBJ TV

Published

1 year ago

June 10, 2025

Press Room

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF TENNESSEE GOVERNOR BILL LEE:

Gov. Lee Signs Executive Order to Lead the Nation in Workforce Development

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 109, ensuring Tennessee continues to lead the nation in workforce development by demonstrating an innovative strategy to meet the needs of the state’s dynamic and growing labor market. The Order strengthens the State Workforce Development Board’s work by requiring a unified, results-driven approach that aligns education and training with the evolving needs of employers and high-growth industries.

“The state with the workers will win the future, and that’s why workforce development has been one of my top priorities since day one,” said Gov. Lee. “As companies continue to invest in Tennessee and create high-quality jobs, continued coordination across state government and public-private partnerships will be necessary to unlock our full economic potential and create greater opportunity for all Tennesseans to thrive.”

The Governor signed the Order alongside students enrolled in the Tennessee Youth Employment Program (TYEP) in Knoxville, which engages youth across rural and urban communities, providing hands-on training to achieve full-time employment and meet the needs of Tennessee businesses. In partnership with the General Assembly, the FY25-26 budget invested an additional $7 million into the program to double its participation and establish year-round operations.

The Order elevates the State Workforce Development Board as the central strategic leadership body guiding Tennessee’s broader workforce agenda by leveraging technology and employer partners to personalize career pathways, drive continuous innovation, and maximize public return on investment. By ensuring the state’s programs are effective, every Tennessean will have the opportunity to succeed, no matter what path they choose beyond high school graduation.

During the 2025 legislative session, the Lee Administration made significant investments in workforce development, including:

$7 million to expand the Tennessee Youth Employment Program to operate year-round, double its participation, and reach even more underserved communities
$25 million for FastTrack grants to recruit new business to Tennessee and support workforce development
$6.3 million to create a statewide Micro-Credentialing Program to develop short-term, targeted certifications that equip Tennesseans with high-demand skills identified by industry and state partners
$25 million to expand the RevV program to connect private companies with Tennessee’s research institutions to drive research and development and job creation
$5 million to create TNWORKS, a partnership between Tennessee Economic and Community Development and the Department of Labor and Workforce to create customized workforce training programs tailored to the specific needs of incoming and existing businesses
$5 million for the Tennessee Entertainment Commission to fund incentive grants to strengthen Tennessee’s music and film industry
$10 million for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Funds to match federal funds assisting Tennessee startups in securing competitive research and development grants
$10 million further investment in Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) to support nuclear workforce education, as recommended by the Nuclear Energy Advisory Council
$4 million to expand the State Workforce Development Board’s role in planning workforce strategies, identifying high-demand industries, and awarding grants to grow Tennessee’s skilled workforce
$2 million investment in Tennessee Board of Regents’ Center for Workforce Development to expand workforce training for businesses and industries, including specialized onboarding and apprenticeship programs, in partnership with TN Accelerates

To date, the Lee Administration’s most notable workforce initiatives and accomplishments include:

Delivered more than $400 million in tax cuts for Tennessee families and businesses through the Tennessee Works Act, one of the largest tax relief measures in state history
Eliminated the nearly 12,000-person waiting list for Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) and invested $1 billion to complete the TCAT Master Plan to improve existing TCATs, replace outdated facilities and build new TCATs at strategic locations across Tennessee
The Tennessee Youth Employment Program surpassed expectations by placing 4,800+ youths in paid positions, each earning up to $4,000 while gaining career‑aligned experience
Established Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) Act to expand access to vocational and technical training for students
Through the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE), the Lee Administration has served 15,500 rural students and helped spark 41,500 new jobs as well as almost $19 billion in capital investment across rural Tennessee
Created the Future Workforce Initiative to prepare students for jobs of the future in science, technology, engineering and math
First state in the U.S. to establish a Teacher Occupation Apprenticeship, a “Grow Your Own” program for aspiring teachers
Created the innovative “New Pathways” program to help adults earn a high school diploma equivalency faster and made Tennessee the first state to offer five high‑school‑equivalency test options, already enabling over 1,000 adults to earn diplomas and reenter the workforce within its first year.
Strengthened the state’s Apprenticeship Agency, now administering 433 active programs and nearly 10,000 apprentices

For local news, click here.

Source link

Tennessee

A Tennessee woman was heard screaming, ‘he’s got a gun.’ Now her husband is pleading guilty to her murder.

Published

6 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

A Tennessee woman was heard screaming, ‘he’s got a gun.’ Now her husband is pleading guilty to her murder.

BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (WSMV) – A 72-year-old man in Pickett County entered a guilty plea to the second-degree murder of his wife Theresa Marie Foutch.

Johnny Ray Foutch was sentenced to 20 years in custody of the Department of Corrections at 100% day for day, said District Attorney Bryant C. Dunaway.

Theresa’s adult sons were consulted about the plea and were supportive of the sentence.

Dunaway said that the incident in question took place on July 13, 2025, at their home in Byrdstown. The Pickett County Sheriff’s Office paid a visit to their home after Johnny’s daughter requested that officers check on the married couple.

When Chief Deputy Steve Wilbur arrived at the home and approached the front of the house, he says he overheard a man and a woman arguing inside.

He said he then heard the female voice yell, “He’s got a gun.” That’s when he says he heard a gunshot.

The deputy took cover outside the home. Moments later, Johnny walked out the front door holding a Sig Sauer handgun.

Wilbur secured Johnny and went into the home, where he found Theresa lying face down in the living room. She appeared to have been shot in the back.

Officers searched the home and said they found a shell casing on the floor of the dining room, just 10 to 15 feet away from Theresa’s body.

Dunaway said that a forensic pathologist who performed an autopsy determined that Theresa’s cause of death was a gunshot wound to her back. The manner of her death, the pathologist said, was homicide.

Source link

Tennessee

When is Tennessee’s tax-free weekend in 2026? Here’s what you need to know

Published

16 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

When is Tennessee’s tax-free weekend in 2026? Here’s what you need to know

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The State of Tennessee’s annual sales tax holiday is set to begin at the end of July in 2026.

The holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 31 and runs through Sunday, August 2 at 11:59 p.m.

Certain goods may be purchased tax-free during this weekend event.

“Certain restrictions apply. Items sold online are also eligible. Items must be purchased for personal use, not for business or trade,” the Tennessee Department of Revenue said.

Previously, the state has listed the following items that are and are not tax-free:

Clothing

Tax-Free: General apparel that costs less than $100 per item. Things like shirts, pants, socks, shoes and dresses.
Not Tax-Free: Items over $100, jewelry, handbags and sports equipment

School Supplies

Tax-Free: School supplies that are less than $100 per item. Think backpacks, pencils, notebooks and art supplies.
Not Tax-Free: School supplies more than $100 each.

Computers

Tax-Free: Computers less than $1,500. Laptops and tablets as well.
Not Tax-Free: Storage media like flash drives, printer supplies or household appliances.

Source link

Tennessee

TN Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for July 6, 2026

Published

1 day ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

The Tennessee Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at July 6, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from July 6 drawing

17-44-63-66-67, Powerball: 04, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from July 6 drawing

12-16-19-21-23, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 6 drawing

Morning: 1-8-6, Wild: 1

Midday: 3-3-5, Wild: 6

Evening: 7-6-0, Wild: 6

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 6 drawing

Morning: 9-0-5-4, Wild: 7

Midday: 3-8-1-8, Wild: 8

Evening: 0-1-6-3, Wild: 6

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Tennessee Jackpot numbers from July 6 drawing

04-13-19-25-27

Check Daily Tennessee Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Tennessee Cash numbers from July 6 drawing

05-15-17-30-31, Bonus: 04

Check Tennessee Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from July 6 drawing

22-25-27-47-50, Powerball: 21

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 6 drawing

02-08-32-54-56, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Tennessee Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Tennessee Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket, a copy of a government-issued ID and proof of social security number to P.O. Box 290636, Nashville, TN 37229. Prize claims less than $600 do not require a claim form. Please include contact information on prizes claimed by mail in the event we need to contact you.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID and proof of social security number to any of these locations:

Nashville Headquarters & Claim Center: 26 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214, 615-254-4946 in the (615) and (629) area, 901-466-4946 in the (901) area, 865-512-4946 in the (865) area, 423-939-7529 in the (423) area or 1-877-786-7529 (all other areas in Tennessee). Outside Tennessee, dial 615-254-4946. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Knoxville District Office: Cedar Springs Shopping Center, 9298 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922, (865) 251-1900. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Chattanooga District Office: 2020 Gunbarrel Rd., Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 308-3610. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Memphis District Office: Chiles Plaza, 7424 U.S. Highway 64, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133, (901) 322-8520. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://tnlottery.com/.

When are the Tennessee Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Cash 3, 4: Daily at 9:28 a.m. (Morning) and 12:28 p.m. CT (Midday), except for Sunday. Evening game daily, seven days a week, at 6:28 p.m. CT.
Daily Tennessee Jackpot: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Tennessee Cash: 10:34 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Powerball Double Play: 10:30 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Tennessean editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link