Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott has announced Jeff Mosley of McMinnville as the new captain of the agency’s Chattanooga District, effective immediately. Mosley replaced Captain Jessie Brooks, who last month was appointed to lead the THP Knoxville District. Prior to his promotion, Mosley had worked as a road lieutenant in Coffee County since 2009. During that time, he assisted with the organization and allocation of manpower for the Bonnaroo festival, which brings over 80,000 motorists to the area annually. Mosley became a state trooper in 1987. His first assignment was as a road trooper in Giles County until...

The state House has passed a bill to make the Bible the official state book of Tennessee, despite opposition from Republican leaders and an attorney general’s opinion that the measure would violate the state and federal constitutions. The chamber voted 55-38 on Wednesday to approve the measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Jerry Sexton, a former pastor from Bean Station. Sexton argued that his proposal reflects the Bible’s historical, cultural and economic impact in Tennessee. But several opponents raised concerns about putting the Bible on par with other state symbols like the official salamander, tree and beverage. The measure would...

Not all farm groups are in agreement on whether President Barack Obama should be given fast track negotiating authority on foreign trade agreements. The proposal may be introduced as early as this week and would allow the administration to negotiate trade deals in secret and then send them to Congress for an up or down vote without the ability to make any amendments. Karen Hansen-Kuhn, director of international strategies with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, says the outcomes of previous deals such as NAFTA and CAFTA have proven that this is the wrong way to go. “While...

The Coffee County Grand jury met Tuesday to consider 48 cases that were bound over to it from the General Sessions courts. There were also 37 sealed or original cases that were considered by the secret panel. Those cases are those that were presented straight to the grand jury by law enforcement. Those cases usually include drugs or other cases that have not been through the court system. Those named in sealed indictments will be arrested and booked into the Coffee County Jail on the charges. All of those indicted will appear in Coffee County Circuit Court for arraignment...

April 15 is “Tax Day” and some area residents have had the rude awakening that their Social Security numbers were stolen. The residents found out when they filed their income tax forms this year with the Internal Revenue Service. They were told that their Social Security numbers had been used by other filers. When the people check with the IRS they confirm the fraudulent actions. Some of those who have experienced the problem had earlier been told that their information had been hacked when thieves hacked their insurance...

Tennessee’s Department of Agriculture says it has received 53 applications seeking approval to grow industrial hemp. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports the applicants will serve as test cases for the state law if the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration gives its approval to the project. Officials say industrial hemp is the same plant species of marijuana, but it has a significantly lower content of THC, the part that makes you high. It can be used in a variety of products, including fabric, textiles, fibers and foods. The DEA has asked state officials for more details on planned uses for the...

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on a disability. On Wednesday the ADA Legacy Tour is due to make a stop in Nashville. The tour includes information on how the landmark legislation has changed the lives of Americans like Carol Francisco of Nashville, who is blind. She says the ADA gives her a resource “in her corner” as she pursues accessibility in her hometown. “You do what you have to do,” she says. “It’s just that you get tired of fighting all the...