TN Governor Newsroom

William E. Phillips II Appointed to Tennessee Court of Appeals, Eastern Section

Governor Bill Lee appointed William E. Phillips II to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Eastern Section. Phillips currently serves as Circuit Court Judge for the Third Judicial District of Tennessee. This appointment fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Judge D. Michael Swiney and is subject to confirmation by the Tennessee General Assembly.

Tennessee Joins A Home for Every Child Initiative to Expand Foster Care Capacity

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that the Tennessee Department of Children's Services will join the Trump Administration's 'A Home for Every Child' initiative, a national effort led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families to expand foster families and improve outcomes for children. Tennessee is among the first states to join the initiative, committing to expand licensed foster homes, support kinship caregivers, strengthen prevention services, and improve child welfare data reporting.

Governor Lee Appoints Judge Stacy Street to Court of Criminal Appeals

Governor Bill Lee announced the appointment of Judge Stacy Street to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Section. Street currently serves as a Criminal Court Judge in the First Judicial District. The appointment is effective July 7, 2026, and is subject to legislative confirmation. He earned his bachelor's degree at East Tennessee State University and juris doctor at University of Tennessee College of Law.

President Trump Approves Governor Lee's Major Disaster Declaration for Winter Storm Fern

President Trump approved Governor Bill Lee's request for a Major Disaster Declaration following Winter Storm Fern, enabling FEMA Public Assistance for 15 counties in West and Middle Tennessee. The storm caused 29 deaths, significant infrastructure damage, and left over 365,000 customers without power at its peak. Eligible government entities and certain private nonprofit organizations in designated counties can now apply for reimbursement of qualifying disaster-related costs through FEMA's Public Assistance program.

Tennessee Submits Oak Ridge Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus Proposal to DOE

Governor Bill Lee announced that Tennessee has submitted a comprehensive proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy positioning Oak Ridge as the premier site for a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus. The proposal outlines candidate sites, priority campus functions, and evaluation of storage opportunities while highlighting Tennessee's existing nuclear ecosystem anchored by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 National Security Complex. The initiative builds on TVA's $400 million DOE award for the nation's first small modular reactor at Clinch River and up to $40 billion in private investment from GE Vernova Hitachi for small modular reactor manufacturing.