Tennessee received ‘B’ for fiscal health

According to Truth in Accounting's new Financial State of the States report

TN Program For Kids With Disabilities Falls Short In First Year

The Katie Beckett program has enrolled fewer than 1,000 children, far short of the state's estimate.

Commentary: Promise Of Citizenship Needs To Become Reality

A DACA recipient and small business owner from Memphis says her temporary immigration status puts her family in limbo.

Lee Discounts Effect Of Permitless Carry Law On Kroger Shooting

Tennessee has the 12th highest rate of gun deaths in the nation.

Lundberg: Virginia Needs To Do More To Fix Bristol Landfill Smell

Bristol is a split city, straddling Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, with the state line cutting straight down its main street.

Schwinn Denies Piloting Materials In Book Adoption, But LIFT Did

Also in this week's edition of Stockard on the Stump: Briggs strays off the GOP reservation.

Editor’s Column: Slatery’s Tenure As AG Shows Mixed Legal Bag

Herbert Slatery’s office has led in prosecuting opioid malefactors; costly and losing cases have come under Lee.

Tennessee Sees Student Improvement From Summer Programs

The kids regained some of their pandemic learning loss, according to new data the state released Wednesday.

How The Pandemic Is Traumatizing Kids

On Wednesday, Congress heard about a 5-year-old girl from Tennessee who was orphaned due to COVID-19.

“I Feel Like The Public Schools Have Let Us Down.”

Few school options for special needs kids during COVID add stress for parents.

State Saving Monoclonal Antibodies For The Unvaccinated

Tennessee ranks at the bottom nationally for COVID-19 vaccination rates.

U.S. House Dems Propose $28.6B In Disaster Aid For Recovery

The funds are for recovery from hurricanes, wildfires and floods.

Tennessee House Education Panels Won’t Hear Black History Bill

Rep. Yusuf Hakeem says he fears students won't learn about important people in history, such as George Washington Carver, without the bill.

Lee Signs Letter To Biden Requesting Border ‘Crisis’ Discussion

He joins 24 other Republican governors who are urging the President to meet with them within 15 days.

TN Immigration Advocates Go To DC To Urge Pathway To Citizenship

Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled over the weekend against having immigration issues in the budget.

Tennessee Businesses Grapple With Biden Vaccine-Or-Test-Mandate

Amidst weather supply chain delays and labor shortages, the mandate is the latest logistical challenge.

Lt. Gov. Appoints Bipartisan Redistricting Committee

Memphis Democrat has been named as a chairman to the panel.

Legislative Committee Drops Discussion Of Black History Education

In April, HB1460 was deferred to summer study, which typically means a bill has little traction.

Tennessee Joins Fight Against John Lewis Voting Rights Act

Also in this week's Stockard on the Stump: Brouhaha over bail bonds and no shots for you

At Least 14 TN School Employees Lost To COVID This Academic Year

The deaths occurred between Aug. 8 and Sept. 9.

Bredesen Brings Renewable Energy To Small Companies

Clearloop brings economic development to Jackson.

Lt. Gov. Continues To Oppose COVID-Issue Special Session

Nevertheless, McNally could urge Attorney General Herbert Slatery to file a legal protest against President Biden’s vaccine mandate.

Tennessee Legislators Put Bail Bond Industry Under The Microscope

But after eight hours of hearings, it appears current laws are likely to see only a tweak.

Four Candidates Charged By State Ethics And Finance Commission

The candidates for local office failed to comply with campaign disclosure rules.

Tennessee Rep Wants Lawsuit To Block Biden Vaccine Mandate

Kingston Republican Rep. Bud Hulsey also wants the state legislature to take action on the matter.

Opioid Overdose Deaths Jump In 2020

Advocates and healthcare workers point to isolation as a result of COVID and increase of fentanyl.

COVID Toll Rises In Tennessee’s DIDD Community

At least 1,692 people with disabilities served by the state tested positive since the pandemic began — 118 since December of last year.

Soldiers Reflect On Their Oath Of Service On Anniversary Of 9/11

Tennessee natives say the day redirected their lives.

Presidential Precedent Exists For Drastic Action During Crisis

Lookout editor Holly McCall provides examples of times presidents have made unpopular decisions for national security or other crises.

Tennessee Republicans Call Biden Vaccine Plan “Tyranny”

Gov. Bill Lee said he opposes the plan, which could affect 80 million workers, because he is a proponent of individual and business choice.

Textbook Commission Sends ‘Hands Off’ Message To Schwinn

Also in this week's Stockard on the Stump: Governor takes heat for maskless, foot-washing photo op, and Chattanooga special election nears.

COVID Vaccines Or Tests To Be Mandated For Millions Of Workers

The rule for companies with at least 100 employees is part of an increasingly aggressive effort by the Biden administration to fight COVID.

8 Tennessee Public School Employees Dead From COVID

No government or private agency is keeping comprehensive count of deaths.

Fiscus Files Lawsuit Against Tennessee Health Department Official

The fired state immunization director denies mailing a muzzle to herself, claiming the allegation was made up to discredit her.

Unapologetic American Exceptionalism Exists In Whitewashed World

Tennessee teacher Gabe Hart criticizes Gov. Lee's stance on what kids should be taught about their country.

COVID Cases Among Kids In Tennessee DCS Custody Mount

The department has failed to respond to inquiries on whether it is vaccinating eligible youth.

Commentary: Right To Work Means Less Freedom For Workers

In 14 months, Tennessee voters will be tasked with deciding whether or not to enshrine this existing law into the state constitution.

Stockard: Lee Won’t Take Blame For Lawsuits, School Closings

The governor ignored doctors who confronted him in person Thursday and urged him to accept a petition demanding mask mandates in schools.

House Dems Kick Off Reconciliation With $30B Interior Bill

The bill would fund climate, tribal and environmental programs.

Texas Law Sets Stage For Tennessee’s Next Abortion Battles

The Texas abortion law – now the most restrictive in effect in the nation – bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected.