Latest news with #VolunteerState
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
The worst place to live in the U.S.? Tennessee ranks dead last, below Alabama, Arkansas. Here's why
Tennessee is topping the charts, but not in a good way. The Volunteer State was recently named the worst state for quality of life, according to a CNBC study. While Tennessee has previously been among the worst states, this is the first year since the COVID-19 pandemic that the state has come in dead last. In 2024, Tennessee ranked as the sixth-worst state for quality of life, accumulating just 96 out of 325 possible points. In 2023, Tennessee came in eighth place for the worst quality of life. The quality of life ranking is a subsection of CNBC's Best States for Business study. Points are awarded to states based on crime rates, environmental quality, health care and more, according to CNBC. According to the CNBC study, Tennessee's weaknesses include the crime rate, inclusiveness and worker protections. The crime rate in Tennessee has long dragged the state's reputation down in the CNBC poll. In 2023, the most recent year of data from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, there were 43,613 offenses of violent crimes, including more than 700 murders. For every 100,000 people, there were 628 crimes in 2023. That's 67.8% higher than the national average, according to USA Facts, a nonprofit organization specializing in government data accessibility. Inclusiveness was another one of Tennessee's most grave weaknesses, according to CNBC. The study specifically cites legislation limiting the rights of the LGBTQ+ population, and the state's 2023 law that codifies a person's gender based on their anatomy. CNBC did give Tennessee one thumbs-up for the state's air quality. Tennessee has the third-highest crime rate in the nation, according to the most recent data. Of course, not all areas of Tennessee have an equal rate of crime. Nolensville, Signal Mountain, Kingston, Mount Juliet and Oakland are considered the safest areas of the state, according to Safewise. In this poll, the number 1 spot belongs to the state with the best quality of life. 8 (tie): Virginia (167 out of 265) 8 (tie): Nebraska (167 out of 265) 8 (tie): Massachusetts (167 out of 265) 7: North Dakota (171 out of 265) 6: Hawaii (173 out of 265) 5: Connecticut (179 out of 265) 4: Minnesota (189 out of 265) 3: New Jersey (201 out of 265) 2: Maine (207 out of 265) 1: Vermont (228 out of 265) Tennessee has the lowest score in CNBC's quality of life metric, dubbing it the worst state to live in. Here's which other states are at the bottom of the list. 9: Oklahoma (97 out of 265) 8: Arkansas (95 out of 265 ) 7: Alabama (92 out of 265) 6: Georgia (89 out of 265) 5: Louisiana (87 out of 265) 4: Utah (87 out of 265) 3: Indiana (73 out of 265) 2: Texas (72 out of 265) 1: Tennessee (61 out of 265) This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CNBC ranked the worst states for quality life and Tennessee was last
Fox News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
TN Yanks Driving Privileges from Bullies
Teen bullying here in Tennessee now comes with a very inconvenient penalty. I'm Tomi Lahren, more next. In a noble effort to combat bullying and cyberbullying, a new law here in Tennessee states that any minor found guilty of bullying or cyberbullying in juvenile court will lose their driving privileges for one year. This was a bipartisan measure that lawmakers here in the volunteer state hope to see other states adopt. The law might seem a bit harsh but it does offer a second chance for first time offenders and has a carve out to allow teens to drive with restricted privileges to church, school and work. That does require sign off by a judge, however. It's a noble endeavor. Far too many young people suffer long term consequences from bullying and far too many even resort to taking their own life. I do think this law is going to be tough to enforce, though. One man's 'teasing' is another man's 'bullying' and the discretion here seems pretty broad. Even so, I hope parents will step up to the plate and fill the void. Manners, decency and godliness in the home would go a long way and probably be more effective than yanking driving privileges. I'm Tomi Lahren and you can watch my show 'Tomi Lahren is Fearless' at Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
When is the longest day of the year? Here's how much daylight Tennesseans can expect for summer solstice
Tennesseans are already feeling the heat, but the official start to the summer season is still a few days away, and with it comes the longest day of the year. The first official day of summer astronomically for 2025 isJune 20. This will mark when the Northern Hemisphere has the longest day of the year, according to the Farmer's Almanac. It also means the dog days of summer are upon us. It is expected to be hot, muggy and rainy across much of the Volunteer State heading into the official first day of summer. Over the next week, communities in Tennessee will get the first true dose of summer heat as temperatures hit 90 degrees or even exceed it. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the official start to summer and the longest day of the year. Well, there are technically two answers. The first official day of summer astronomically for 2025 is June 20, which is when the Northern Hemisphere has the longest day of the year, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. But when we talk meteorologically, summer starts on June 1. The reason for this is because meteorologists divide the year into four seasons based on the months and temperature cycle. Doing it this way also allows them to compare and organize climate data more easily. In this system, summer begins on June 1 and ends on August 31. The summer solstice marks the astronomical first day of the summer season in June in the Northern Hemisphere. This is also when the Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt toward the sun, according to the Almanac. This makes it the longest day with the longest period of sunlight hours and shortest night of the calendar year. It will begin at 2:42 UTC on June 21, which is 9:42 p.m. CT on June 20, according to The summer solstice is the longest day of the year. On June 20, it will be the day with the longest period of sunlight, with some areas in the Northern Hemisphere getting upwards of 15 hours of sunlight on that day, according to In Tennessee, communities will see around 14 hours and 40 minutes of daylight on the longest day of the year, according to which tracks when sunrise and sunset occurs in communities across the United States. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the two hottest days on record for Tennessee occurred less than two weeks apart in 1930. Perryville, Tennessee, hit a high of 113 degrees on July 29, 1930, and August 9, 1930. Each year the summer solstice heralds the start of the summer season, but some years have distinctly more spring-like weather. Here's what the average temperature was in Tennessee for past summer solstices, according to World Weather, a site that archives weather data from around the world. 2024: 90 2023: 77 2022: 93 2021: 90 2020: 88 2019: 88 2018: 79 2017: 82 2016: 88 2015: 91 This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Summer solstice 2025: When's the longest day of the year in Tennessee?
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
When is the next full moon? The 2025 'Flower Moon' is set to bloom. Here's the best time to see it
It's almost time for the Flower Moon to bloom. May's full moon is just a few short days away and while it would be a beautiful view for people across Tennessee, the weather might obscure the view for many in the Volunteer State. Even if the weather works out, this month casual stargazers won't be able see it reach its peak but the moon will still appear full the night before and after its peak on May 12, according to Here's when stargazers can catch the celestial event and just how May's full moon has become known as the Flower Moon. The May full moon is May 12, at 12:56 p.m. ET/11:56 a.m. CT, according to This month's full moon is known as the flower moon. You've heard the adage, April showers bring May flowers, well that gives you the answer to May's full moon being the Flower Moon. The Flower Moon heralds the peak of spring and the season of rebirth and renewal. While the peak of the full moon is during the day, stargazers will still be able to see the nearly full moon the night of May 11 and in the evening of May 12. And if you are looking for the best view, you'll have to get away from the city lights. An open area with little to no light pollution will offer you the best view as the moon rises just above the horizon. May's full moon could be obstructed for many people across Tennessee due to a band of rainstorms making its way across the state. The National Weather Service predicts a chance of rain across Tennessee starting on May 11 and continuing through May 13, with some thunderstorms mixed in for Middle Tennessee. Each full moon has its own name. Here in North America, we take the names for the full moons from Indigenous peoples usually from different areas of North America. In the 1930s the Maine Farmers' Almanac began publishing names used among the Algonquin tribes from New England on west to Lake Superior. Here's a look at when other full moons are expected to happen in 2025, according to the Farmer's Almanac: May: Flower Moon June: Strawberry Moon July: Buck Moon August: Sturgeon Moon This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: May's 'Flower Moon' is the next full moon. Here's when it will peak
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Our bills would assure civil rights protections for all Tennesseans
The Volunteer State has a proud tradition of demonstrating leadership in the quest to protect civil liberties and ensure equal access for all. Our efforts have resonated nationwide. It was 105 years ago when the Tennessee General Assembly provided the 36th and final vote needed to ratify the 19th Amendment, giving millions of women the right to vote. Tennessee was the epicenter of student-led nonviolent sit-ins in the 1960s, where brave Black Americans risked their safety to desegregate lunch counters. In more recent years, Tennessee has expanded access to higher education for all by becoming the first state in the nation to offer free community college to high school graduates and returning adults. We've stood firm on religious liberties, protecting the rights of churches and faith-based organizations to operate according to their beliefs. And at a time when voting rights are under attack in other states, Tennessee leads the nation with its commitment to election integrity and ability to balance greater access with accountability. The list goes on, but what makes Tennessee truly remarkable is our ongoing commitment to shaping a future where everyone has the opportunity to prosper and exercise their rights. As the sponsors of Senate Bill 861/House Bill 910, our goal is straightforward: to ensure all Tennesseans have access to efficient, effective protection against discrimination. The bill simply transfers the enforcement of the Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA) to the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, a structural change that will better serve citizens experiencing discrimination. We condemn discrimination in all forms. That is why we have ensured our legislation preserves every substantive protection of the THRA. While maintaining current protections, the bill expands these safeguards by adding discrimination in education as a prohibited practice and establishes a civil penalty for malicious harassment. Every Tennessean deserves robust protection from discrimination, and our commitment to this principle remains unwavering. This bill increases government efficiency by streamlining the complaint and enforcement process, directly connecting those who experience discrimination with the state's chief legal office, who can forcefully advocate on their behalf. If a citizen is unhappy with how their case is being handled, their individual right to sue is preserved. We strive to strengthen the enforcement of our civil rights laws while making the process more accessible and effective for all Tennesseans. Our message is clear: If you violate civil rights in Tennessee, you will be held accountable. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office has the capability and experience to enforce the THRA effectively. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has a notable background in civil rights enforcement. During his tenure at the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Memphis's Civil Rights Unit, he prosecuted significant civil rights cases, including racially motivated violence and religiously targeted hate crimes. His work prosecuting the leaders of the Aryan Alliance for the firebombing of a Tennessee mosque, along with his role in securing justice for a law enforcement officer murdered in a racially motivated attack, highlights his unwavering commitment to protecting the civil rights of Tennesseans. This dedication earned Skrmetti the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service – one of the Department of Justice's highest honors – and other awards, including the Civil Rights Division's first-ever Victim Rights Award. As attorney general, he has been active and aggressive in protecting Tennesseans. His office has taken on some of the most powerful opponents in the country, including BlackRock, Google, and even the federal government – and won. We are confident he will be equally active and aggressive in protecting Tennesseans from illegal discrimination. The protection of civil rights transcends political differences. All Tennesseans deserve equal protection under the law and a system that resolves discrimination claims efficiently and effectively. House Bill 910/Senate Bill 861 represents a thoughtful progression in how our state upholds these fundamental rights. Ultimately, this legislation is about deterring discrimination and expediting justice for Tennesseans when it happens. By entrusting enforcement to the Attorney General's Office, with its established legal expertise and resources, we will continue our legacy of civil rights leadership and provide Tennesseans with more timely, effective protection against discrimination. John Stevens is an attorney from Huntingdon. He represents District 24 of the Tennessee State Senate, which includes Benton, Carroll, Gibson, Henry, Houston, Obion, Stewart, and Weakley counties. Johnny Garrett is an attorney from Goodlettsville. He represents District 45 of the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Sumner County. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Our bills boost civil rights protections for all Tennesseans | Opinion
