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Private emails, texts, about government business often not kept on file
There’s no question the documents Franklin resident Emily Jenkins sought in an open records request exist because they were quoted multiple times at a hearing. On July 27, the Franklin Ethics Commission substantiated evidence that Alderman Gabrielle Hanson violated ethics codes and unanimously recommended to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen that she be […]
Continuance filed in Lawrence County federal civil rights case
Two Lawrence County officers who have been indicted on five counts of federal civil rights and obstruction charges are asking for a continuance in their case, which came after the two allegedly slammed a 61-year-old man to the ground during an October 2020 traffic stop. Sheriff’s Investigator Zach Ferguson and Deputy Eric Caperton are scheduled […]
Lawrence County group working to save historic segregated school building
In parts of 410 West Gaines Street in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, sunlight and rainwater poured through holes in the roof, unchecked for years — until a new blue roof tarp was placed over the July 30 weekend. Moss and grass still grow over portions of the wooden floorboards, and broken tiles hang from the ceiling. While […]
Franklin ethics commission finds alderman violated ethics code with messages to Nashville airport
The Franklin Ethics Commission substantiated evidence that Alderman Gabrielle Hanson violated ethics codes and will recommend to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen that she should be censured following a commission hearing held Thursday afternoon. The committee met to consider multiple complaints submitted by citizens after Hanson sent emails and text messages from personal […]
Franklin official Gabrielle Hanson appears to launch mayor campaign sans legal filings
Franklin Alderman Gabrielle Hanson, already scheduled for one ethics committee hearing later this month, may be campaigning for mayor without having filed the appropriate paperwork. On July 3, Williamson County School Board member Eric Welch posted a photo online of a “Gabrielle Hanson for Mayor” sign outside a residential home in Franklin. The sign identified […]
Terminations and failed union negotiations lead to closures of Nashville coffee shops
The futures of two popular Nashville coffee shops are uncertain as multiple Barista Parlor locations and Three Brothers Coffee remain closed after weeks of failed union negotiation efforts and unexplained terminations. Employees at both companies say baristas have major concerns about the coffee industry in Nashville because of multiple closures, terminations and low or stolen […]
Tennessee Student Solidarity Network carries non-violent message of activism
School walkouts and student protests at the Tennessee Capitol following The Covenant School shooting in March and expulsion of two young lawmakers highlighted political organization efforts by Tennessee high school and college students. Members of the Tennessee Student Solidarity Network say there’s no shortage of issues around which to organize. As the group grows beyond […]
Confusion at Nashville concert shows ambiguity of drag law
A recent incident at a Nashville concert points to the confusion around a new Tennessee law prohibiting some types of drag shows. Entertainer Hayley Kiyoko alleged an “undercover cop” warned her she would be liable for prosecution if she performed with drag queens during a May 1 show in Nashville in spite of a recent […]
Franklin ethics commission dismisses complaints against alderman over Covenant shooting comments
The Franklin, Tenn. ethics commission on Wednesday dismissed complaints about a member of the Board of Mayor and Alderman, finding the member’s behavior did not violate provisions of the Franklin Municipal Code. First term board member Gabrielle Hanson was the subject of 64 citizen complaints about her remarks on the March 27 Covenant School shooting, […]
Waverly, Tenn. flood survivors sue CSX rail company for “man made tidal wave”
Following unprecedented flooding that killed 22 people in Waverly, TN in late August last year, ten families announced a class action lawsuit yesterday against a local rail company they believe is partly responsible. The group says CSX Transportation knew about infrastructure problems with a levee that broke and caused a 7-ft tidal wave but chose […]
Fired Starbucks employees in Memphis rally with Three Brothers Coffee workers
Following a small weekend rally of about 20 employees from Three Brothers Coffee in Nashville and the Starbucks at Poplar and Highland in Memphis, on Wednesday Three Brothers owners handed an anti-union letter encouraging workers to vote against the group in a possible election. The letter falsely told workers they would be charged up to […]
2022 could break anti-LGBTQ legislation records
Tennessee’s legislative season is concerning transgender constituents, LGBTQ+ activists and officials around the country. The state could break its 2021 record by passing the most anti-LGBTQ legislation yet. Freedom for All Americans lists 14 bills on its anti-transgender legislative tracker, including one that would make gender-affirming healthcare for kids a crime. According to the Human […]