SUMMARY: Air Force veteran Rachel Suja found peace and a sense of home in her property along the Nolichucky River, where she created a thriving herbal business. However, after relentless rain caused the river to flood, her yard and home were devastated, with mud and water reaching up to the second floor. Despite the damage, Rachel’s community support and her fiancé, Steve Rutter, helped her recover. A viral TikTok video showcasing the flood’s aftermath brought attention to her situation, leading to a GoFundMe campaign. While the loss was hard, Rachel remains hopeful and focused on rebuilding her vision.

Weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall in East Tennessee, one veteran is still reeling from the fallout.

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SUMMARY: President Trump has promised the largest mass deportation of illegal immigrants in U.S. history, raising concerns about its economic impact. An economics professor in Tennessee noted that immigrant workers are crucial to industries like construction, agriculture, and farming, which rely on unauthorized labor. Governor Bill Lee did not specify plans but emphasized working with the president to implement policies for Tennessee’s needs. Experts warn that deportations could gradually affect the state’s labor force, especially in housing production. With Tennessee’s growth, immigrant labor is seen as essential for maintaining a robust workforce.

Trump has promised to crack down on immigration, so News 2 asked an area economics professor how the state would be …

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SUMMARY: President-elect Donald Trump vowed to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, a stance supported by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. Lee believes Tennessee can manage its education system more effectively without federal oversight, arguing the state was successful before the department’s creation in 1979. While critics worry about the impact on disability protections, Lee is confident Tennessee can meet the needs of students, including those with disabilities and English language learners. He also advocates for the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, which would provide school vouchers, allowing parents of children with disabilities to choose private schools that better suit their needs.

Lee said Tennessee is more capable of creating a strategy for spending money efficiently.

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