SUMMARY: Tennessee Governor Mike Lee announced the creation of the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership, emphasizing the river’s significance as the sole water source for 250,000 residents and its status as North America’s most biologically diverse freshwater river. The partnership will develop watershed management recommendations and inform state policies, aiming to balance economic growth with environmental protection. Lee’s budget initiatives will support a comprehensive state plan for the watershed. The Harpeth Conservancy lauded this move as crucial for conserving Tennessee’s water resources. The 19-member partnership board will include representatives from various governmental and environmental agencies.

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SUMMARY: A federal judge in Tennessee ruled that meetings of the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Rules of Practice and Procedure do not need to be open to the public, overturning a previous injunction that mandated transparency. This decision follows ongoing discussions about proposed court rule changes and the commission’s live-streamed meetings. Dan McCaleb, represented by the Liberty Justice Center, has appealed the ruling to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The center argues for public access to these meetings, citing a tradition of openness in similar rulemaking processes. The ruling highlights a federal circuit split regarding First Amendment access rights.

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SUMMARY: Tennessee is currently in its secondary tornado season, yet there has been a surprising lack of severe weather, with no tornadoes reported since July 29th and no severe thunderstorm warnings in Middle Tennessee since late September. This quiet period may become the new normal, as the state’s last November tornado occurred in 2018. Recent statistics show that winter tornadoes have increased in frequency since 2015, particularly during La Niña years. Meteorologist Ryan Hustad notes that this winter may see more tornado activity due to changing pressure systems, highlighting the necessity for residents to stay weather aware.

Even though Tennessee is technically in the peak of fall tornado season, the region hasn’t seen much in the way of severe weather lately.

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