Flu deaths rise as anti-vaccine disinformation takes root • Tennessee Lookout
Americans have faced the highest number of deaths from the flu since 2018. This makes more people vulnerable, just as it becomes vulnerable due to increased vaccine skepticism in the state’s House and the Trump administration. Influenza-related deaths hit seven-year highs in January and February, according to a stateline analysis of preliminary federal statistics. There […]
Blind justice takes a break in Tennessee with Trump as president • Tennessee Lookout
You don’t need to be a sociologist or criminal justice expert to recognize that not all Americans are treated equally in courts. Beliefs and judgments include factors such as race, economics, and politics. Lawmakers are not exempt from contradictions in treatment. Witness the gap between two former Tennessee senators, Memphis Democrat Katrina Robinson and Germantown […]
Grocery tax cuts compete for support in Tennessee legislature • Tennessee Lookout
The House Finance Subcommittee refused to pass a Democrat-sponsored grocery tax cuts bill on Wednesday, but did not kill it. The panel has added funding mechanisms House Bill 2sponsored by Nashville Democrat Aftyn Behn, and shipped it to what is known as “Summer Research.” “The tone has changed to this issue because it became a […]
Tennessee bill to criminalize ‘harboring or hiding” immigrants without legal status advances • Tennessee Lookout
The bill that criminalized embracing or hiding an individual without legal immigration status cleared the Tennessee House Subcommittee on Wednesday, criticizing the enemy as a dangerous precedent that could criminalize families of mixed immigrant families, criticizing nonprofits and faith-based organizations for being able to engage in charity. bill(HB322/SB392) Rep. Chris Todd of Madison County and […]
Second attempt at wetlands bill would leave 80% vulnerable to development • Tennessee Lookout
The bill to remove protections from an estimated 80% of Tennessee wetlands advanced through a Senate committee on Wednesday over objections from several scientists and environmental advocates. The bill is the second attempt by Senators Brent Taylor and Kevin Vaughan, a West Tennessee Republican, to roll back what they say is an overly troublesome mitigation […]
Tennessee Ag Day on the Hill 2025 • Tennessee Lookout
Every March, Tennessee lawmakers take a break from legislative obligation efforts to celebrate agriculture, one of the state’s largest industries. Ag Day on the Hill will give lawmakers, including Gov. Bill Lee, who grew up on a family’s remaining Williamson County farm, the opportunity to demonstrate their skills by throwing farm chores such as milking […]
Memphis-Shelby schools “takeover” starts in Tennessee subcommittee • Tennessee Lookout
The Tennessee House Education Subcommittee approved plans on Tuesday to establish a state-appointed board of directors to run schools in Memphis-Shelby County. House Bill 662, sponsored by East Memphis Republican Rep. Mark White, places a nine-member administrative group appointed by the state responsible for running the district, empowering local school boards and administrators who serve […]
Tennessee coalition celebrates 20 years of Sunshine Week, promoting government transparency • Tennessee Lookout
This year it’s 20th anniversary Sunshine Week It was celebrated nationwide to promote the importance of open government at federal, state and local levels. The idea came more than 20 years ago when Florida newspaper editors launched Sunshine on Sunday to highlight the need for government transparency. By 2005 it had grown into a week […]
Bill requiring English-only driver’s license testing in Tennessee fails in a legislative committee • Tennessee Lookout
The bill requiring Tennessee’s driver’s license tests to be obtained only in English failed in a House subcommittee on Tuesday after lobbying by business groups concerned that executives and workers employed in some of the state’s biggest industries could be affected. bill(HB556/SB1373) Rep. Kip Capley, a Summertown Republican, and Sen. Bo Watson, of Hixon, are […]
Tennessee bill would sanction grade changes • Tennessee Lookout
The academic scandal at Anderson County High School could be a driving force for Tennessee’s bill that allows students to change grades if they improve their second attempt. The measure sponsored by Memphis Republican Sen. Brent Taylor passed the Senate consent calendar. In other words, the bill was uncontroversial and there was no debate. The […]
