Tennessee
Bill backed by Tennessee Republicans would increase state control over tourism zones
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A bill that would expand state oversight of Tennessee’s busiest tourism districts — including downtown Nashville — is now headed to the governor’s desk.
The legislation would shift more control over how these areas operate, setting up a broader debate over whether the move is about accountability or a state power grab.
“This is one of the most egregious interferences with local government that we’ve ever considered,” said Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville).
What are tourism development zones?
Tennessee has eight tourism development zones (TDZs) across the state, including:
- Nashville
- Memphis (Graceland)
- Memphis (Fairgrounds/Liberty Park)
- Memphis (Downtown)
- Knoxville
- Chattanooga
- Sevierville
- Pigeon Forge
These areas are designed to boost tourism and economic development by allowing cities to keep certain tax revenues generated within the zone and reinvest that money into infrastructure, operations, and attractions.
What the bill would change
Under the bill, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development would be required to create a new set of rules for all TDZs statewide.
Those rules would cover:
- Sanitation (trash, litter, street cleaning, odors, pest control)
- Public behavior, including loitering and access to businesses
- Use of public spaces and rights-of-way
The legislation would also:
- Give the Tennessee Highway Patrol authority to enforce laws in these areas alongside local police
- Limit when cities can block streets or restrict access, including in areas like Lower Broadway
And critically, those new state rules could override local ordinances already in place, shifting decision-making power away from city leaders.
Debate at the Capitol
Supporters say the move is justified, pointing to the amount of state money tied to these districts.
“Those zones are keeping state dollars and therefore the state has an interest,” said Bo Watson (R-Hixson).
Republicans argue the state has invested billions of dollars into tourism development zones and should ensure those areas are clean, safe, and accessible to visitors.
“They are not being properly maintained, they are being closed off which affects local businesses, they are not safe and secure,” Watson said.
But critics argue the bill gives too much power to a state agency, including authority over issues typically handled at the local level.
“We’re supposed to pass the laws. We’re not supposed to give the Department of Tourist Development of all places the right to create new standards,” Yarbro said.
Yarbro also warned the legislation hands broad authority to unelected officials.
“That is a wide range of power that we are giving to an executive branch agency that is going to then override the decisions of local governments,” Yarbro added.
What happens next
The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.
He can either sign it into law, or allow it to become law without his signature after 10 days.
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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — New TCAP results are giving parents their first look at how students performed across Southeast Tennessee during the 2025-26 school year.
Among the districts in the Chattanooga area, Dayton City Schools posted the highest proficiency rates in English language arts and social studies, while Rhea County led the region in math.
Here’s how districts in the Tennessee portion of the NewsChannel 9 viewing area performed:
Hamilton County:
- English language arts: 40.3%
- Math: 39.9%
- Social studies: 49.7%
Bradley County:
- English language arts: 45.1%
- Math: 43.5%
- Social studies: 46.7%
Marion County:
- English language arts: 37.9%
- Math: 30.6%
- Social studies: 43.3%
Grundy County:
- English language arts: 32.1%
- Math: 30.7%
- Social studies: 39.4%
Sequatchie County:
- English language arts: 34.1%
- Math: 32.0%
- Social studies: 46.4%
Bledsoe County:
- English language arts: 39.8%
- Math: 34.8%
- Social studies: 49.8%
Rhea County:
- English language arts: 44.0%
- Math: 46.1%
- Social studies: 51.4%
Meigs County:
- English language arts: 37.3%
- Math: 32.2%
- Social studies: 41.0%
McMinn County:
- English language arts: 41.1%
- Math: 39.5%
- Social studies: 50.0%
Polk County:
- English language arts: 35.1%
- Math: 27.2%
- Social studies: 43.0%
Cleveland City Schools:
- English language arts: 33.9%
- Math: 31.3%
- Social studies: 36.0%
Dayton City Schools:
- English language arts: 45.7%
- Math: 45.2%
- Social studies: 63.9%
Richard Hardy Memorial School:
- English language arts: 23.6%
- Math: 25.0%
- Social studies: 21.4%
Etowah City Schools:
- English language arts: 34.0%
- Math: 34.0%
- Social studies: 30.6%
Several local districts finished above the statewide proficiency average.
Bradley County, Rhea County and Dayton City exceeded the state average in both English language arts and math.
Rhea County and Dayton City also outperformed the statewide average in social studies, while McMinn County matched the state average in that subject.
Hamilton County school leaders are expected to present a more detailed look at the district’s TCAP results during Thursday night’s school board meeting.
Depend on us to keep you posted.
WHITE HOUSE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A heavy law enforcement presence was reported Tuesday near the intersection of U.S. Highway 31W and Rolling Meadows Road in White House.
FOX 17 News has a crew headed to the scene and is working to learn more about the situation.
Law enforcement vehicles line a roadway near the intersection of U.S. Highway 31W and Rolling Meadows Road in White House, Tennessee, as authorities respond to an active incident on Tuesday. Officials had not released details about the investigation at the time the photo was taken. (Photo: FOX 17 News )
A viewer told FOX 17 News a man was barricaded inside a home with other people inside. However, FOX 17 News has not independently confirmed those details.
Once at the scene, FOX 17 News learned that a man who was inside the home during the operation had exited the residence. FOX 17 News is working to obtain more information on the incident that is now subsiding.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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