Tennessee voters will decide whether those accused of some felonies lose right to pretrial bail
Tennessees have the option to vote in 2026 for constitutional amendments that allow them to refuse bail for several crimes. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Tennessee voters will have the power to finalize the state’s constitutional amendments. Removes pretrial bail rights For those accused of committing a particular crime. The Tennessee House of Representatives voted 84-10 […]
Tennessee legislature puts state watchdog agency under attorney general
The responsibility for allegations of discrimination, including state agencies, will be the responsibility of Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skulmetti after the disbandment of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office was quickly able to take responsibility for investigating allegations of discrimination by state agencies after the state Senate […]
Tennessee asks feds whether state funds are jeopardized by immigrant student bill
House majority leader William Lambers is asking the U.S. Department of Education for guidance on a bill that would limit undocumented immigrant students from enrolling in K-12 schools. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) On the final day of the 2025 legislative conference, Tennessee officials asked the U.S. Department of Education whether they are at risk by […]
Tennessee lawmakers send message to private prisons
Tim Reaper testifies to be the father of a man who was later killed after being stabbed at a psychological facility. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout©2025) Tennessee legislatures have been notified to state private prison operators to reduce mortality rates and face a decline in prison. The House of Representatives voted in favor of House Bill […]
Editor’s notebook: Trump-like policies dominate the Tennessee legislature
The bill to send immigrants to prison without permanent legal status to be in Tennessee was pushed in 2026. (Photo: John Partipillo) When examining the state of national politics and federal government, there are many things that include President Donald Trump’s enthusiasm for the country’s legal deportation of people, and perhaps in the near future, […]
Flood fallout poses challenges for West Tennessee soybean farmers
The flood surrounds the home on April 9, 2025, about a mile from the Obion River in Ridgeley, Tennessee, after 96 hours of heavy rain. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) West Tennessee soybean farmers are already right behind a tough year. Flood in early April. Lowland fields at Gina Ward near Rives and Obion River flooded in […]
Tennessee lawmakers set no good example for “success sequence” bill
Brentwood Wits Representative of House Room 1 Gio Bulso (R) Wits along with other protesters behind him by John Partipillo/Tennessee Lookout © 2025 Tennessee’s legislature has passed by overwhelmingly recently Success Sequence Methodrequires public schools to teach them about the positive outcomes of their paths of life, graduating from high school, moving on to work […]
Tennessee House passes measure to dissolve state human rights commission
House Republicans passed a bill to dissolve the Tennessee Human Rights Commission and handed over the discrimination claims investigation to the state Attorney General’s Office. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Tennessee House Republicans overwhelmingly voted to transfer responsibility to the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office to investigate discrimination complaints, effectively disbanding the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. This […]
Tennessee legislature approves $59.8 billion budget
House Finance Chair Gary Hicks, far right, is packed with House Republican leadership members, including House majority leader William Lamberth, back to camera, and Hicks’ Cameron Sexton speakers. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Tennessee legislators approved a $59.8 billion budget Wednesday for the upcoming fiscal year, but the House members were engrossed in the last minute […]
Tennessee must invest in crime victim services
Non-legal nonprofit work is important for victims of crime and requires investment from the Tennessee government. I was a criminal prosecutor for seven years, and during that time I met hundreds of crime victims, and I was not paralyzed by the experience. It changes you when you stand with someone who has seen fear in […]
