Interim Director Leads TN Domestic Violence Nonprofit

Jennifer Escue joined the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence two years ago as director of programs.

Stockard On The Stump: Metro Council, ‘Get Thee To A Nunnery’

Also in this week's column: raising a ruckus about kids in foster care.

TN Agency Declines To Regulate Trotline, Despite Claims Of Danger

Critics say this unmanned method of fishing is a threat to canoers, kayakers and swimmers.

Advocates Decry Conservative Measures As TN Legislature Convenes

Rally-goers near the Capitol demanded change in abortion law and passage of Medicaid expansion.

Report: There's High Levels Of Instability Among TN Foster Children

Tennessee has twice the national average in shuffling kids from one temporary home to another during their first year in state foster care.

Cooper Opposed Pelosi’s Management Style But Received Key Appointment

Pelosi harbored no hard feelings and gave the Tennesse Congressman the honor of serving on the House intelligence committee.

TCS Now Must Cover Tennessee Young Adults Leaving State Custody

Kids aging out of foster care with no support are especially vulnerable to financial instability, homelessness and human trafficking.

I-24 MOTION Project Seeks To Learn New Methods To Manage Traffic

Tennessee DOT and Vanderbilt University partner with others to provide a test bed for using technology to reduce traffic congestion.

Stockard on the Stump: Lawmakers Set To Add Exceptions To Abortion Law

In other political news, an investigation found that hundreds of Nashville voters were put in the wrong district last year.

Tennessee Advisory Group Recommends Task Force For Waterway Conflicts

There's an increasing number of conflicts between anglers, boaters, paddlers and swimmers.

Lee Appoints New Correction Commissioner In Wake Of Lethal Injection

This marks the first move to shore up execution protocol in Tennessee.

Need For Immigration Legal Help Far Outweighs Demand In Tennessee

Local leaders seek to replicate publicly funded legal support initiatives underway in other cities and states.

ER Doctors Call Private Equity Staffing Practices Illegal

The two largest physician-staff firms owned by private equity firms are based in Tennessee.

Stockard On The Stump: Lee Sends Mixed Message On Clemency, Asylum

The Tennessee governor grants clemency for drug offenders but vilifies asylum seekers.

Report Urges Tennessee DCS To Pivot From Institutionalizing Kids

Disability Rights Tennessee and the Youth Law Center recommend focusing on providing needed services to families instead.

Public-Private Partnerships Work Their Way Into State Government

Tennessee Democrats are likely to balk at allowing private firms to control roadways.

Refugee, Faith Groups Respond To TN GOP Uproar Over Asylum Seekers

“Fear mongering” rhetoric runs counter to Volunteer values, advocates say.

Audit: Eastman Chemical In Violation Of Clean Air Act

The company has been emitting unsafe levels of sulfur dioxide into the communities surrounding its Kingsport, Tenn. plants.

In West Tennessee, A Group Of Black farmers Take On Tyson Foods

The Southern Environmental Law Center files suit on behalf of farmers, alleging the USDA is illegally subsidizing Tyson chicken farms.

State Holds Release Of Independent Report On Executions

Gov. Bill Lee put a hold on executions in May after finding out the state didn't follow guidelines on the testing of lethal injection drugs.

Former TN Democratic Caucus Chair Claims House Speaker Pushed Him Out

Also in this week's Stockard on the Stump: The Tennessee Senate Democratic Caucus is being led by Black women for the first time.

Tennessee School Districts Lose Title I Money

The funding shifts stem from a federal audit.

Third-grade Retention Law Could Pit TN Republicans Against Each Other

Education chairs take different view of literacy requirements.

Tennessee DCS Commissioner Outlines Efforts To Address Ongoing Crises

Margie Quin, tapped to lead the troubled Department of Children's Services in September, spoke to a legislative committee on Wednesday.

Audit: Tennessee DCS Placed Kids In Danger

An abuse hotline took as many as 40 days to pass along reports of sexual abuse of children in state custody to child abuse investigators.

Longtime TN Domestic Violence Leader Is Out Following Federal Probe

Kathy Walsh was the executive director of the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence for more than three decades.

Beacon Center Report Lists Examples Of Government Waste In Tennessee

Examples, including funds for new professional sports facilities, were found from all over the state.

Tennessee Tech Professors Lose First Amendment Case Against University

The pair received disciplinary action after posting fliers on campus calling a fellow professor a racist.

Probe: TN Domestic Violence Nonprofit Retaliated Against Employee

The whistleblower flagged possible misuse of grant funds and concerns about how crisis calls were handled.

Governor’s Transportation Proposals Draw Wide Reactions

Lee wants to institute toll roads or “choice lanes” built and maintained by the private sector through a state partnership.

Johnson Sponsors Bill To Close Records In Non-Criminal Death Probes

The move, prompted by the suicide of country legend Naomi Judd, is drawing opposition from open records advocates.

Former TN Vaccine Chief Fiscus Seeks To Have Name Cleared In Court

She was fired in July 2021 over a longstanding policy allowing some children to get vaccinated without parental consent.

Paddler Groups Frustrated By Lack Of Trotline Regulation By TWRA

Trotline fishing can snare kayakers, canoe paddlers and swimmers, sometimes with tragic results.

TN Supreme Court Ruling Could Soon Free Inmate Sentenced To Life

Howard Atkins was put behind bars 22 years ago when he was 16 after killing his abusive stepfather.

TN DCS Housing Kids - Many Disabled - In Hospitals For 8+ Months

The practice of hospitalizing children when they do not require hospital care is a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Nashville Rep. Clemmons Takes Over House Democratic Caucus

Rep. Vincent Dixie was voted out after a one-year term as caucus chair.

TN Gay Bar Owners Seek To Increase Security After Colorado Shooting

LGBTQ-rights advocates blame political attacks for inspiring violence and harassment against the community.

Kelsey Pleads Guilty To Two Counts Of Campaign Finance Violations

The former state senator faces a maximum of 5 years in prison and $250,000 in fines on each count.

Tennessee Abortion Legislation Pending To Provide Exceptions

Those exceptions include saving the life of the mother in a deadly pregnancy.

Gov. Lee Weighs Solutions To Children’s Services Woes

Democrats are urging him to take action now to keep kids from sleeping in offices and, in some cases, spending months in hospitals.