Tennessee levied $44.78 million in penalties against private prison operator in three years • Tennessee Lookout
The Tennessee Department of Corrections has been demanding a contract rise of $6.8 million since 2022, despite contract shortages and penalty $15 million over the past five months alone. Correctional authorities told lawmakers Tuesday that the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, which is currently under the Justice Department’s civil rights investigation, has a vacancy rate of […]
Flooding devastates small West Tennessee town ahead of cold snap • Tennessee Lookout
Water spiked over the banks of the Obion River early Sunday, violating levees and evacuating almost everyone in a small Tennessee town when roads and homes flooded. Memphis’ National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency by Sunday morning, confirming that the embankment had failed near the town just south of Union City. Regions surrounding […]
Campaign contribution limits could be lifted for political parties, caucus PACs • Tennessee Lookout
Smart from the dark barrage of money that took two Senate incumbents in 2024, lawmakers will consider eliminating party and party caucus campaign contribution restrictions. Sen. Richard Briggs, a Republican from Knoxville, said Senate Bill 229 after much spent last August on the meaning of the incumbent and the out-of-state political action committee that spent […]
Johnson City settles serial rapist class action lawsuit for $28M • Tennessee Lookout
Johnson City agrees to pay $28 million to resolve a class action lawsuit brought by a woman who allegedly failed to investigate the sexual assault and conspires to protect serial rapists from justice. did. The settlement, which city officials call the most expensive in Johnson City’s history, must be approved by a federal judge before […]
A review of Tennessee’s celebratory proclamations shows a mixed bag • Tennessee Lookout
My journey down the state’s rabbit hole began with questions from a colleague. Of course he thought so. For almost 50 years, February has been officially Black History Month in the United States, and the celebration’s roots date back to the 1920s. In 1976, Republican President Gerald Ford presented an official effort launched by Black […]
Bills that target immigrant-serving nonprofits raise criticism from faith community • Tennessee Lookout
The bill by Republican lawmakers, punished by charities that serve immigrants and could lead to the arrest of employees, attracts imposed by Tennessee faith leaders as a violation of religious freedom. One invoice (HB322/SB392) “Human smuggling” crimes are transported, encouraged or transported, encouraged, or encouraged by “concealing, embracing, or shielding” to illegally invade or invade […]
Tennessee Sen. Becky Massey’s bad day • Tennessee Lookout
State Sen. Becky Massey, a Republican who represents about half of Knox County, began on a rough morning in February. Legislative Forum It is sponsored by the East Tennessee branch of the Federation of Women Voters and the Association of Professional Journalists. I’ve seen Massey for years and I’ve realized that her pattern is to […]
Federal freeze includes $156M solar power program for low-income Tennessee households • Tennessee Lookout
Funding for Tennessee, Tennessee’s $156 million program is aimed at reducing energy costs for low-income households through the installation of solar panels. Tennessee is one of 49 states selected to win the award through $7 billion Solar for all programs. Former President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act approved the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to […]
Sexton and bail bond industry headed for collision • Tennessee Lookout
The bail bond industry has questioned the constitutionality of Tennessee’s constitutional amendments, and judges will give discretion to refuse bail for around 75 violent crimes. Michael McClallen, an American bail council lawyer, challenged Attorney General Jonathan Skulmetti and Senate majority leader Jack Johnson, who challenged the action to the legality of the measure and said […]
Tennessee Gov. names mix of officials, utilities and conservationists to Duck River advisory group • Tennessee Lookout
Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday said 19 people from the Duck River Advisory Group identifying ways to balance habitat conservation, drought management and utility use in what he calls “scenic treasures.” The appointees have been announced. Lee created the Duck River Basin Planning Partnership through an executive order in November. Lee proposed $100 million in […]
