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Lawmakers urge State Department to speed-up tourist visa approvals

2 days ago | newportplaintalk.com | Sarah Roderick-Fitch

(The Center Square) – Visa delays at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide could negatively impact the tourism industry as the country prepares to host major international events, a pair of lawmakers claim, despite recent data showing improvements. Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Mark Warner, D-Va., penned a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to “address dramatic visa delays,” which they say threaten international tourism, thus negatively impacting businesses.
Through his daughter's eyes: 'Dad is a true patriot'

2 days ago | newportplaintalk.com | Rob Walker

In March I attended the 2025 Cocke County Citizenship Award program that was honoring Pastor Tom Mooty. I have been friends with Tom for several years and he has helped me host many veteran-oriented events, and for the past year provide a space for our free monthly breakfast. He has turned the church’s gymnasium into a meeting room for many local organizations. It has been, respectively, called the Westend End Conference Center.
Defense claims Casada, Cothren broke no laws

3 days ago | newportplaintalk.com | Sam Stockard

Glen Casada's defense team, including attorneys Ed Yarbrough, front center, and Johnathan Farmer, front right, walk out of the Fred D. Thompson Federal Courthouse. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Photograph by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout ©2025kAmkDA2? DEJ=6lQ7@?E\H6:89Ei c__Qms676?D6 2EE@C?6JD EC:65 E@ A@<6 9@=6D |@?52J :? E96 4@CCFAE:@?
ICE says 196 arrested in Nashville during week-long operation

4 days ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kim Jarrett

(The Center Square) — An enforcement operation involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security components, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol resulted in 196 arrests, ICE said Tuesday. Ninety-six of those arrested had prior criminal convictions and pending criminal charges, the agency said.
Lee's signature officially abolishes Human Rights Commission

4 days ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kim Jarrett

(The Center Square) – A 62-year-old Tennessee agency will no longer exist as of July 1. Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill that abolishes the Human Rights Commission and transfers its duties to the attorney general. kAm%96 4@>>:DD:@? H2D 6DE23=:D965 :? `heb 2E E96 96:89E @7 E96 r:G:= #:89ED |@G6>6?E E@ Q6?4@FC286[ AC@>@E6 2?5 25G:D6 E96 AF3=:4 @7 E96:C 9F>2? C:89EDQ 2?5 H2D 8:G6? 6?7@C46>6?E A@H6CD :? `hfg]k^AmkAm%96 492?86 :D ?@E 6IA64E65 E@ 92G6 2 7:?2?4:2= :>A24E @? E96 DE2E6 2D E96 2EE@C?6J 86?6C2= 42?
Lee signs Farmland Preservation Act

4 days ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kim Jarrett

(The Center Square) – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed the $25 million Farmland Preservation Act on Monday, a move he said would help Tennessee farmers protect their land. The governor included the plan in his fiscal year 2026 budget. It will award grants to farmers who want to preserve their farmland. The grants will be given to farmers who have entered permanent easement contracts. kAm#6A] vC68 ':E2=[ #\w2CC:D@?[ :D 2 72C> @H?6C H9@ 42CC:65 E96 3:== :?
Tennesseans worried about the economy, split on tariffs

4 days ago | newportplaintalk.com | Kim Jarrett

(The Center Square) – The latest Vanderbilt poll shows 61% of Tennesseans believe the economy is fairly bad or very bad. The survey of 1,223 Tennessee registered voters shows 85% believe the cost of living is expensive or somewhat expensive with only 7% saying things are affordable, according to the poll results. kAm(96? 2D<65 23@FE E96 7FEFC6[ efT D2:5 E96J 36=:6G6 E96 4@DE @7 =:G:?8 H:== :?4C62D6 @G6C E96 ?6IE 7@FC J62CD] |@C6 E92?
Under pressure, UK govt unveils flagship immigration plans

4 days ago | newportplaintalk.com | James Pheby |Peter HUTCHISON AFP

Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed Monday to "finally take back control" of Britain's borders as his government unveiled policies designed to reduce immigration and fend off rising support for the hard right. Labour leader Starmer announced he was ending an "experiment in open borders" that saw net migration rise to nearly one million people under the previous Conservative government, which lost last year's election. kAm%96 8@G6C?>6?EVD x>>:8C2E:@?
UT system loses $37.7M in federal grants; Institute of Agriculture is hardest hit

5 days ago | newportplaintalk.com | Cassandra Stephenson

The University of Tennessee system will lose at least $37.7 million in federal grant funding due to cuts under President Donald Trump's administration. (Photo: John Partipilo)kAmkDA2? DEJ=6lQ7@?E\H6:89Ei c__Qm!C6D:56?E s@?2=5 %CF>A’D 25>:?:DEC2E:@? 92D AF==65 E96 A=F8 @? C@F89=J Sbf]f >:==:@? :? 7656C2= 7F?5:?8 24C@DD ca 8C2?ED 7@C E96 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 %6??6DD66 $JDE6>]k^DA2?mk^AmkAmkDA2? DEJ=6lQ7@?E\H6:89Ei c__Qm%96 >2;@C:EJ @7 E96 =@DD — Sb`]a >:==:@?
Cosby shows 'grit' in district championship series

1 week ago | newportplaintalk.com | Jake Nichols

For Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, it was a bloody sock from stitches in his right ankle. For Cosby pitcher Lakelyn Sweeten, a bloody hand from her raw, blistered fingers. kAm%H6?EJ J62CD[ D:I >@?E9D 2?5 `h 52JD D6A2C2E65 E96 EH@ :?4:56?ED[ 2D $H66E6? H2D ?@E 6G6? 3@C? @? E96 ~4E@36C ?:89E $49:==:?8 =65 E96 #65 $@I A2DE E96 *2?<66D :? v2>6 e @7 E96 a__c p>6C:42? {628F6 r92>A:@?D9:A $6C:6D]k^AmkAmp?5 F?7@CEF?2E6=J 7@C r@D3J[ E96 {25J t28=6D DF776C65 2 5:776C6?E C6DF=E E92?