Latest news with #JeremyFaison
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pigeon River in East TN stocked with 10,000 walleye after Hurricane Helene concerns
NEWPORT, Tenn. (WATE) — The Pigeon River was stocked with approximately 10,000 walleye earlier this week following concerns about potential impacts from Hurricane Helene on local fish populations. In partnership with State Rep. Jeremy Faison, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency released the 5,000 in Newport and 5,000 in Cosby at Freeman Park. Were fish affected by Helene? Biologists conduct survey at Douglas Lake TWRA Chief of Fisheries Jason Henegar said in a release that while the most recent survey of the river indicated minimal changes in fish populations following Helene, the decision to stock the river aligns with their goals to support natural reproduction and provide quality angling opportunities to the public. The TWRA will continue to survey affected river systems to assess the long-term ecological impacts of the storm, Henegar added. Bassmaster Classic returning to Knoxville in Spring 2026 Tennessee's lakes, rivers, and streams are stocked with over 10 million warm and cold-water fish. 'The Pigeon River is healthier and more vibrant today than anyone alive can remember,' said Rep. Faison. 'I'm deeply grateful for the continued dedication of the TWRA in supporting the decisions that keep the Pigeon sustainable and thriving. The sight of 10,000 walleye growing and repopulating our river is truly exciting—and a powerful sign of progress.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tennessee Republicans back South Nashville ICE roundup
Republican House Leadership from left Rep. Jeremy Faison,, Speaker Cameron Sexton and House Majority Leader William Lamberth. The Tennessee GOP Caucus is defending a series of raids on Nashville immigrant communities. (Photo: John Partipilo/ Tennessee Lookout) Tennessee Republican leaders are leaning into a 'law and order' position following a weekend of traffic stops and detentions of immigrants in Nashville. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed Tuesday that the agency has arrested 84 people without permanent legal status since Saturday in the state's capital city. According to ICE, those arrested include one alleged member of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuela-based gang; a person with a conviction for drug possession; an individual allegedly convicted of felony domestic assault and sex with a minor and one person for an alleged conviction of reckless aggravated assault. No information was provided on the other 80 people arrested. Despite public consternation about what critics described as a roundup, Tennessee's Republican leaders are backing the enforcement action in which dozens of traffic stops were made in south Nashville. A statement from the Tennessee House Republican Caucus said, 'Tennessee will have zero tolerance for those who prove to be a threat to public safety, whether here legally or illegally.' 050625-caucus statement on ICE arrests 'Republicans in the General Assembly in 2024 proudly provided law enforcement agencies at every level across this state with the authority to work with the appropriate federal authorities when they encounter someone who is determined to be in this country illegally.' Lawmakers approved creation of a Centralized Immigration Enforcement Bureau during a special session this year at a cost of about $6 million. Six to seven people are to work in the bureau, and grants are to be made to local law enforcement agencies to hire officers and work with the federal government on immigration enforcement. Davidson County's legislative delegation and Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell are asking federal officials for more information about the weekend arrests, which followed what some lawmakers have termed a 'dragnet' in a South Nashville area that is home to many immigrants. According to reports, Tennessee Highway Patrol officers stopped about 150 drivers early Sunday morning for alleged traffic infractions. The highway patrol described the action as a 'public safety operation that targeted areas of suspected gang activity with a history of serious traffic crashes' — an allegation disputed by Davidson County lawmakers, who in a letter, accuse the state law enforcement agency of 'ethnically and racially profiling' drivers. Elizabeth Lane Johnson, Gov. Bill Lee's press secretary said, 'Tennessee has a long track record of stepping up to secure our nation's borders and strengthen public safety. President Trump made it clear that states would play a major role in enforcing immigration laws and removing the most violent offenders, and Americans overwhelmingly elected him to do so.' Johnson also noted Lee's establishment of the Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division, headed by immigration czar Ryan Hubbard. Lee named Hubbard, a former U.S. Border Patrol agent, to the post on April 17. During a Monday press conference, O'Connell said he had spoken with Lee and 'flagged that this seems like a moment of significant tension increase between local and state.' Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, a Franklin Republican who sponsored the bill creating the new bureau, said the legislature's intent was clear: 'To support the enforcement of federal immigration law in coordination with our federal partners.' Previously, state and local authorities have shied away from enforcing immigration law. Johnson said entering or remaining in the country illegally is a violation of federal law, and he added that the enforcement action is 'entirely consistent' with the legislature's plan for 'upholding the rule of law and ensuring our state is a strong partner in the enforcement of immigration policy.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hurricane Helene disaster relief bills set for final House floor vote Wednesday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Three bills related to disaster relief funding for East Tennessee counties torn apart by Hurricane Helene in November are set to receive their final vote on the floor of the Tennessee House of Representatives Wednesday night. House Bills 6002, 6003, and 6007 will see their final votes in one chamber of the Tennessee General Assembly starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29. According to the Tennessee Capitol website, these bills all provide some type of monetary relief for Tennesseans affected by the hurricane that destroyed whole cities in Western North Carolina and Northeast Tennessee. VIDEO: TN Troopers carry women out of House hearing as lawmakers debate immigration HB 6002 suspends certain requirements for disaster relief funding eligibility in order to move funds to people who need it quicker than current state and federal emergency management agencies allow. The bill also allows for certain eligibility requirements for unemployment assistance to be suspended in a specified disaster-declared zone. The second bill, HB 6003, creates two separate disaster relief funds within the state treasury department. The first, titled the Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund, would allow for grants, state appropriations, or federal funds, to be given by TEMA to local governments to pay for disaster recovery costs. Loans would be provided up to a 5% interest or the prime interest rate if they are included in the disaster declaration zone. Currently there are nine counties that meet that criteria. The second fund is titled the Governor's Response and Recovery Fund, per the terms of the bill. According to the language, the fund would be made up of grants, state appropriations, loan repayments, and federal funds. TEMA would be able to use these funds to give to 'third parties' in the form of either loans or grants for disaster response and recovery, including damage or loss of property, agricultural cleanup efforts, or business recovery, according to the bill. The bill also stipulates the funds must only be used in response to Hurricane Helene or another officially declared disaster and emergency. The final bill, HB 6007, allows for the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury to provide money to those needing property tax relief if their homes or businesses were destroyed or damaged by Hurricane Helene. Brought by Cosby Rep. Jeremy Faison, the bill is limited to real or personal property damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene in the FEMA-declared disaster counties, and is only a one-time payment of their upcoming property tax bill. According to Faison, Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower worked with him on drafting the legislation after hearing from local property assessors who worried about constituents who will still owe property taxes on structures that may or may not be standing after the flooding in the area. All three bills easily sailed through all required committees, receiving unanimous support across party lines. ⏩ As of Wednesday afternoon, all three disaster relief bills were set for their final debate on the House floor Wednesday night. The bills are expected to pass easily. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
