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Tennessee ranks 2nd in analysis of state finances | Tennessee

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-15 12:38:00

(The Center Square) – Tennessee ranks second for its economic outlook in an annual analysis of the fiscal health of the 50 states.

The 18th annual Rich States, Poor States from the American Legislative Exchange Council shows Tennessee moved to the second spot after ranking 6th in 2024 and 13th in 2023.

The Volunteer State received its highest marks for its tax policies. The state has no income tax or estate/inheritance tax. Tennessee also received the top mark for its minimum wage, which is at the federal level of $7.25 an hour.

Tennessee’s high sales tax rate placed it at 44th, its worst rating. The sales tax rate is 7%.

The state’s economic performance ranking was 12th among the 50 states, according to the report.

An analysis of Tennessee’s gross domestic product for 2013 to 2023 showed it was 76.25%, 10th in the country.

The state welcomed 405,833 new residents between 2021 and 2023, ranking it seventh among the states, according to the report.

“As Washington attempts to tackle debt and dysfunction, the states remain America’s last line of defense for fiscal responsibility and economic growth,” said ALEC President and Chief Economist Jonathan Williams. “Rich States, Poor States once again illustrates that Americans vote with their feet – leaving high-tax, high-regulation states in favor of those embracing low taxes, balanced budgets, and worker freedom. The states leading our rankings thrive because they put the people first.”

Utah took the top spot in the report, with Indiana, North Carolina and North Dakota rounding out the top five. The bottom five states are Illinois, California, New Jersey, Vermont and New York.

The report was co-authored by Reagan economist Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, policy expert Stephen Moore, and ALEC president and chief economist Jonathan Williams.

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News from the South - Tennessee News Feed

DATA: ICE detainer requests in Tennessee up by 86.5% compared to last year

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www.wkrn.com – Tori Gessner – 2025-09-09 17:03:00

SUMMARY: ICE detainer requests in Tennessee surged 86.5% this year, with a 31.8% rise in Davidson County, according to new data. Representative Lee Reeves highlighted strains on local resources from illegal immigration, citing law violations in small towns like Robertson County. Reeves urges more local agencies to adopt 287(g) agreements, which grant federal immigration enforcement powers to sheriffs, including jail enforcement, task force, and warrant officer models. Currently, 27 Tennessee sheriffs participate in these agreements, contributing to the state’s ranking as second nationwide for ICE arrests in jails. Reeves credits tougher immigration enforcement under President Trump and supports legislation to mandate 287(g) adoption statewide. Detainer requests in Shelby County rose only slightly.

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News from the South - Tennessee News Feed

FOX13 Investigates timeline of mass murder suspect's movements on day of alleged murders

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www.youtube.com – FOX13 Memphis – 2025-09-09 12:57:30

SUMMARY: Fox 13 investigated the timeline of Austin Drummond’s alleged murders of four family members in West Tennessee on July 29. Using cell phone data and video, investigators pieced together a tight sequence spanning about 15 hours. Early morning, vehicles linked to the victims arrived at the crime scene. Drummond made several calls, arranged rides, and moved vehicles to hide evidence. Around 2:30 p.m., his phone was near where the kidnapped baby was left. By evening, Drummond’s phone stayed near his parents’ home, then was turned off after reports of the bodies. He likely spent the night at his girlfriend’s nearby apartment, close to where he was later found.

Investigators and prosecutors said in the span of about 15 hours, Austin Drummond managed to kill four people, kidnap a baby, …

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Leniency on lice in schools meets reality

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wpln.org – Blake Farmer – 2025-09-09 04:08:00

SUMMARY: Evelyn Thompson from Nashville’s Lice Is Simple treats a preschool affected by a lice outbreak involving 13 children. Schools have shifted from strict “no-nit” policies, which excluded infected children, to “nonexclusion” rules prioritizing in-person learning despite lice presence. However, outbreaks have sparked parent petitions in multiple states urging stricter policies. Public health officials view lice as a nuisance, not a health threat, leading to minimal data and evolving recommendations. The American Academy of Pediatrics and school nurses support keeping students in class, emphasizing education over exclusion. Families face challenges balancing stigma, financial costs, and controlling infestations, as seen at a Nashville preschool’s recent outbreak.

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