Stockard on the Stump: Sexton Defends College Anti-Diversity Bill

Plus: Nicely takes on “Gucci-baggers” and Hulsey is disarmed.

Conservative Report Affects Higher Education Anti-Diversity Bill

The report critiquing Tennessee universities’ emphasis on “diversity, equity and inclusion” is circulating the state Legislature.

Tennessee Lawmakers Prod Wildlife Agency For Better Communication

The TWRA is catching heat for a plan to clearcut hardwood forests in a White County wilderness area.

Biden Meets With County Leaders, Including One From Tennessee

Roane County Commissioner Ron Berry was in D.C. as a member of NAC, which advocates for county priorities in federal policies.

Bill Opens Wider Door For Charter Schools In Local Buildings

The sponsor, Rep. Mark White, says the bill doesn’t relate to Gov. Lee’s Hillsdale College plans.

Tennessee Lawmakers Eye $2.7B Capital Projects Plan

The plan includes selling state property such as the James K. Polk and Citizens Plaza buildings.

Stockard On The Stump: ACT Runs Into Hard Time Everywhere

The University of Tennessee is the primary opponent of Sen. Brian Kelsey’s bill requiring colleges to use the test for admissions.

Odors 'Like Feces': Complaints Grow For Middle Point Landfill

Aluminum waste in Murfreesboro landfill could pose long term environmental and financial consequences.

TVA Chief Jeff Lyash Gets More Power From Board

He now has authority over federal advisory committees and economic development contracts, causing concern among environmental groups.

Bills Spark outrage In Tennessee Immigration Organizations

The four Republican-sponsored bills include one seeking to prevent undocumented children from attending public school.

State Sen. Kelsey Postpones ACT Requirement Bill

The Germantown Republican was criticized after saying the University of Tennessee was trying to be "woke" like Harvard.

State Ends No-Bid Contract With Contact Tracing Firm, $65M Poorer

The vendor, Xtend, had no prior epidemiology experience and drew criticism at times for its pandemic work.

Commentary: Lee Partners With Michigan College For Charters

The governor said he asked the president of conservative Hillsdale College to bring 100 charter schools to Tennessee.

GOP-Controlled Senate Expels Robinson In Historic 27-5 vote

Robinson calls it “racist, discriminatory” and a “procedural lynching.”

Bill Would Require Local Approval For Aging Landfill Expansions

The bill was introduced by a pair of GOP lawmakers who represent parts of Rutherford County, where a dispute over a landfill continues.

Zachary Bill Would “Complement” Federal Health-Care Vaccine Rules

State Rep. Jason Zachary, a Knoxville Republican, railed against the federal government in a House Civil Justice Subcommittee meeting.

Panel Approves Temporary Rules On Instruction About Race, Gender

Hefty financial penalties will fall on school districts that fail to properly abide by the rules, while teachers may be suspended or fired.

Lee Wraps $52.6B Budget Plan Into Partisan State Of The State

Democrats are skeptical of the education plan, pointing out teachers will receive only a small pay increase once the money trickles down.

Panel Seeks ‘Transparency’ In Placement Of Unaccompanied Children

Some legislators, however, wonder whether the outcome was worth the effort.

McCall: What The Hell Is Wrong With Tennessee

The state made national news twice in a 24-hour period last week.

TDEC In Litigation Over Water Withdrawal From Duck River

Species protected by federal act could be harmed as development in Middle Tennessee booms.

Stockard On The Stump: Voucher Bill Gets Chilly House Reception

Also: Williamson County book banners go on a binge.

Bill Would Strip TWRA's Ability To Generate Timber Revenue

For decades, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has kept the profits from the sale of natural resources on publicly-owned land.

Legislators Push For Ballot Question Move On Marijuana

Rep. Bruce Griffey, a firebrand Republican from Paris, and Sen. Sara Kyle, a liberal Democrat from Memphis, are sponsoring the legislation.

Tennessee Lawmakers Slam Plans To Clearcut

A letter sent by 34 Republican and Democratic legislators accuses the TWRA of “breaching its duty” and a “shameful lack of communication."

TN House Passes Redistricting Plans Amid Threat Of Legal Action

Democrats complained about gerrymandering and splitting Black votes.

State Put On 60-Day Notice Of Suit Over Plans To Raze Hardwoods

The plan to raze 2,000 acres of trees in the Bridgestone wilderness area in White County could impact endangered species.

Stockard On The Stump: As The Whistle Blows, Felonies May Follow

Rep. Brandon Ogles proposes legislation to make it a felony to assault a referee.

Registry Tries To Get Testimony On Faith Family Freedom Fund PAC

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance could consider civil penalties against Cade Cothren.

Tennessee Judge Who Illegally Jailed Children Plans To Retire

Juvenile court judge will also not seek re-election.

Judge Rules Fiscus Cannot Pursue Monetary Damages

An attorney for the former Tennessee vaccination chief says they plan to appeal.

Tennessee Republican District Maps Move Ahead Despite Protests

Critics say the maps would dilute African-American and Latino votes.

Gov. Lee Plans To Put More Funding Into K-12

Some lawmakers say more money needs to be injected to draw broad support from the Legislature to pass a change in the funding formula.

Stockard On The Stump: Convicted State Senator Could Be Ousted

GOP members considered taking action last fall to oust Robinson but opted to let her keep the post while her appeals were being considered.

Officials Release Details Of Plan To Clearcut Wilderness Area

About 2,000 acres in White County will be cleared in phases over the next three years in the controversial plan to create a quail habitat.

Commentary: A Backsliding Democracy And A Civil War In The Making

Tennessee’s leaders have already shown an eagerness to bend to Donald Trump at the sacrifice of American democracy.

Stockard On The Stump: Support Needed For ‘Pantsing’ Victims

State Rep. Jeremy Faison, who attempted to pull a referee’s pants down during a basketball game, has tried to get in front of the incident.

Griffey Would Shift Tax Surpluses To Replace IMPROVE Act

The measure would reduce the tax on gasoline and diesel to 20 cents and 17 cents per gallon

Details Straggling In On Tennessee Education Funding Reform

The issue is set to take center stage when state lawmakers convene Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Panel To Consider Redistricting Plan That Could Impact Tennessee

Democrats are concerned the map will split Davidson County in an effort to put more Republicans in Congress.