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TVA drone

Drone policies must balance privacy, innovation as use grows

As drone use increases by the public, governments, and private businesses, state and local policies around drone usage are being shaped by a debate. The protection of personal privacy and data is up...
TNSDC farm field

Growing pains influencing Tennessee economic outlook

While “all growth is good growth” has long been Tennessee’s mantra when it comes to the economy, perspectives are changing toward a more managed approach with deep implications for municipalities.
Franklin meeting

Communication is key for leaders managing public pressure, free speech regulations

Whether addressing issues in person, via email, at public meetings, during press conferences, or on social media, municipal leaders have tools to avoid legal troubles and public backlash.
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News Across Tennessee

Siemens to expand Rockford operations

Siemens Healthineers Molecular Imaging officials announced the company is expanding its manufacturing operation in Rockford. The company will invest $43.6 million and create 90 new jobs in the next five years at the facility, which houses Siemens Healthineers Molecular Imaging’s PET Detector Center...

Sam Dong to expand Rogersville facility

Sam Dong officials announced the company will create 22 jobs and invest $13.5 million to expand its operations in Rogersville. The expansion will increase the company’s production capacity of enamel and Continuously Transposed Conductors lines (CTC). Sam Dong is a world-leading manufacturer of high...

First-of-its-kind nuclear facility in Clinton receives permit

The state’s first-ever fusion-specific byproduct material license has been issued to Clinton’s Type One Energy in preparation for a new commercial fusion project in the area. The license is also the first issued under a first-of-its-kind regulatory framework for nuclear fusion machines put in place...

Ashland City grant to improve recreation, walkability

Ashland City has received a $138,300 grant from the Tennessee Department of Health that will support connectivity, accessibility, and quality of life for residents. The funds will be used to provide new amenities and enhancements at the J.W. Johns Park. Additionally, they will be used to support...

Parks and recreation grants awarded to 15 cities

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced more than $20.25 million in grant funding awarded to 19 parks and recreation projects across the state.

Oak Ridge Fire Department receives highest ISO rating

The Oak Ridge Fire Department has achieved an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Public Protection Classification rating of 1, putting it among the nation’s highest-rated departments.
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People

NLC honors Kluth for years of service

Debbie Kluth and Anthony Haynes

TML Director of Corporate Sponsorship and Conference Expo Debbie Kluth has been honored by the National League of Cities (NLC) with an award for 25 years of service. 

Kluth was presented with NLC’s John G. Stutz Award for her contributions made to the advancement of municipal government through...

McKinley transitions to TML's Director of Corporate Enagement and Member Benefits

Kelly McKinley
Kelly McKinley

Kelly McKinley will serve as the Tennessee Municipal League’s (TML) Director of Corporate Engagement and Member Benefits, transitioning to the role from her current position as Director of Digital Strategy. 

McKinley began the new role on Sept. 1, 2026, and will be responsible for  TML’s corporate...

Carrier named MTAS executive director

Angie Carrier
Angie Carrier

Angie Carrier has been named the executive director of the University of Tennessee’s Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) after serving as interim executive director since October 2025.  

Carrier began her permanent role on Sept. 1, 2026.  

“After conducting a search and considering several...

Tim Dockery

Tim Dockery
Tim Dockery

Tim Dockery, longtime parks and recreation director for Newport, died unexpectedly Aug. 28, 2026, at the age of 64. A Newport native, Dockery attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga before taking his first role with the South Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Department. He then returned to...

Steve Neilson

Steve Neilson
Steve Neilson

Steve Neilson has been named as the new planning director for Johnson City. Neilson comes to Johnson City from Morristown, where he spent the past decade as community development director. Prior to joining the city of Morristown, he served as Johnson City’s development coordinator from 1995 to 2016...

Comptroller's office announces leadership changes

Jeff Puckett
Jeff Pucket

Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower has announced upcoming leadership changes in the Division of Investigations.  

Director of Investigations Jeff Puckett retired Sept. 1, 2026, after more than four decades of public service. Puckett spent 34 years with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)...
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State Briefs

Tennessee sees larger than average inflation in cost of basic needs, income

Approximately 41% of Tennessee households struggled to afford basic needs in 2024, according to a new report on affordability in the state from the Sycamore Institute. The non-partisan public policy research center recently published the report looking on financial affordability and hardships in...

Tennessee one of nation's fastest growing states

Tennessee had the tenth fastest-growing population in the nation between 2024 and 2025, according to a new SmartAsset study Using U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the study found Tennessee’s population increased by 0.88%, adding nearly 64,000 residents year-over-year. South Carolina was the topped rank...

Tennessee to receive $751.92M from Meta lawsuit

Tennessee is one of 47 states, along with Washington, D.C., and three U.S. territories that will share in a landmark $17.1 billion settlement with Meta Platforms, Inc., over addictive features that...

Tennessee July 2026 unemployment lowest in two years despite economy shedding 400 jobs

Tennessee recorded its lowest unemployment rate in two years in July 2026. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development reported a 3.4% unemployment rate, down from 3.5% in both June...

Tennessee state budget $418.2M above estimates for July 2026

Tennessee revenues exceeded budgeted estimates for the month of July with Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson reporting total July tax revenues were $2.2 billion, $418.2 million more than the budgeted estimate and $337.8 million more than July 2025.  

The total tax growth...

Sycamore Institute report expresses concern about state transportation, lottery scholarship funding

The Sycamore Institute's annual State Budget Primer is highlighting what the organization considers “structural deficits” in the Tennessee budget related to transportation funding and lottery-funded scholarships. The report from the nonpartisan research organization listed the concerns under a new...

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TML Updates