Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivers his inaugural address after taking the oath of office in War Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in Nashville.

'There are a lot of things I want to get done'

New Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee isn’t interested in a perception that not a lot will get done in his first year because he has never governed.

Yesterday at 1:00 PM

Michael Cohen arrives at his home in New York with his left arm in a sling supported by a pillow Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Kevin Hagen)

Trump 'appreciates' Mueller's statement on report's accuracy

Special counsel Robert Mueller's office has issued a rare public statement disputing the accuracy of BuzzFeed News' report that President Donald Trump's former attorney told Mueller that Trump directed the lawyer to lie to Congress.

Jan 19, 2019 at 1:06 PM

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2018 file photo, Michael Cohen, former lawyer to President Donald Trump, leaves his apartment building in New York. A report by BuzzFeed News, citing two unnamed law enforcement officials, says that Trump directed Cohen to lie to Congress and that Cohen regularly briefed Trump on the project. The Associated Press has not independently confirmed the report. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Congress to probe report Trump told lawyer Cohen to lie

The Democratic chairmen of two House committees pledged Friday to investigate a report that President Donald Trump directed his personal attorney Michael Cohen to lie to Congress about negotiations over a Moscow real estate project during the 2016 election.

Jan 18, 2019 at 12:55 PM

U.S. Rep. Phil Roe

Roe: 'Literally the shutdown to me makes no sense at all'

U.S. Rep. Phil Roe called the partial government shutdown on Thursday a political game that needs to stop and could be solved in five minutes. Roe also disclosed he has signed a letter refusing his Congressional paycheck as long as the shutdown goes on.

Jan 17, 2019 at 5:30 PM

Hawkins County Mayor Jim Lee told county commissioners Wednesday he didn't see how he can justify renewing the county's $175,000 contract with Hawkins County Central Dispatch.

Hawkins County Public Safety Committee

Hawkins mayor questions if county should continue funding Central Dispatch

Hawkins County Mayor Jim Lee told county commissioners Wednesday he didn't see how he can justify renewing the county's $175,000 contract with Central Dispatch. But, there are far reaching consequences of not renewing that mutual aid contract.

Jan 17, 2019 at 10:58 AM

2019 Regional Legislative Breakfast

New year, new governor, new lawmakers

That was the main message from a 2019 Regional Legislative Breakfast held Friday morning at the MeadowView Marriott and hosted by Tri-Cities chambers of commerce and the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Jan 12, 2019 at 7:30 AM

President Donald Trump gestures as a reporter raises her hand to ask a question, as he speaks to the media on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday Jan. 10, 2019, in Washington, en route for a trip to the border in Texas as the government shutdown continues. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump threatens emergency declaration ahead of border visit

President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to declare a national emergency to circumvent Congress if he can't reach a deal with Democrats to fund his promised border wall. He headed to the U.S.-Mexico border to draw further attention to his case after negotiations with lawmakers blew up.

Jan 10, 2019 at 1:25 PM

Floodlights from the U.S, illuminate multiple border walls Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, seen from Tijuana, Mexico. With no breakthrough in sight, President Donald Trump will argue his case to the nation Tuesday night that a "crisis" at the U.S.-Mexico border requires the long and invulnerable wall he's demanding before ending the partial government shutdown. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Trump to take case for border wall to prime-time audience

President Donald Trump will argue to the nation Tuesday night that a "crisis" at the U.S.-Mexico border requires the long and invulnerable wall he's demanding before ending a partial government shutdown that has hundreds of thousands of federal workers fearing missed paychecks on Friday.

Jan 8, 2019 at 10:44 AM

Civics 101

Civics 101: The speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

The Speaker of the House is by law second in line to succeed the President, after the Vice President, and the 25th Amendment makes the Speaker a part of the process announcing presidential disability.

Jan 7, 2019 at 2:10 PM

Mount Carmel Board of Mayor and aldermen

New Mount Carmel aldermen propose major personnel changes

Last week’s recommendations to replace the Mount Carmel police chief and eliminate the city manager's ability to hire and fire will be the main topics of an upcoming Board of Mayor and Alderman workshop.

Jan 3, 2019 at 10:00 PM

Mount Carmel Board of Mayor and aldermen

Mount Carmel BMA upholds firing of former interim police chief

George Copas, who served on the MCPD for two decades, including a stint last year as interim chief, was fired on Oct. 19 after being accused of improper possession of town property including a golf cart, guns, badges, ammo, and radios.

Jan 3, 2019 at 7:30 PM

Vintage artwork of the Tennessee Capitol.

Tennessee General Assembly

Tri-Cities to lawmakers: 'Keep local control local'

In their 2019 legislative wish list, the Tri-Cities again pointed out that Tennessee cities of all sizes provide the fuel driving the economic engine of the state. “Yet cities continue to struggle to provide the fuel for the economic engine,” the document stressed. “Cities face a number of threats: erosion of revenue sources; changes in annexation and de-annexation laws; and loss of control over municipal concerns. Cities need the help of our legislators to make Tennessee thrive.”

Jan 3, 2019 at 7:30 AM

The Capitol is mirrored in the Reflecting Pool in Washington Friday night, Dec. 28, 2018,. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

House Democrats have plan to re-open government

House Democrats are introducing a package of bills Monday that would re-open the federal government without approving money for President Donald Trump's border wall.

Dec 31, 2018 at 12:30 PM

People visit the Capitol as a shutdown affecting parts of the federal government appeared no closer to ending, with President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats locked in a hardening standoff over border wall money, in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

White House, congressional Democrats see no deal on shutdown

After a weekend and two holiday days for federal employees, Wednesday was the first regularly scheduled workday affected by the closure of a variety of federal services. Trump vowed to hold the line on his budget demand, telling reporters that he'll do "whatever it takes" to get money for border security.

Dec 27, 2018 at 11:14 AM

Inside Politics

Why Trump needs Alexander now

If President Trump needs someone to broker a deal to reopen the federal government, Lamar Alexander just might be the guy. Alexander, who now chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has a history of reaching across the aisle to make deals.

Dec 26, 2018 at 5:30 PM

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