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Tennessee’s anti-LGBTQ bills supported by national conservative groups
With dozens of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced this legislative season around the U.S., human rights groups and nonprofits have been busy fighting discrimination—perhaps only surpassed in productivity by the vast and well-funded networks of nonprofits that lobbied for, and helped write, discriminatory bills in the first place. Three of the heaviest hitters have been the Heritage […]
State could lose millions in business and tourism over discriminatory legislation
Since Tennessee Republicans passed a bill prohibiting transgender student athletes from competing on teams that affirm their gender identity, at least three conferences have backed out of coming to the state. Oracle, the tech giant expected to bring thousands of new jobs to Nashville, joined 86 other businesses in signing an open letter against the […]
Nashville’s Community Oversight Committee investigating MNPD arrest of minors
The Metro Nashville Community Oversight committee is investigating the arrest of two children Sunday following video of the incident posted on social media. Videos show multiple police officers gathered as one officer pushed a 13-year-old Black child against a car and searched him. According to Angel Stansberry, co-president of activist organization People’s Plaza, two Vanderbilt University […]
Businesses support anti-transgender legislators despite public PR campaigns
Ahead of the Tennessee House of Representatives vote on SB228/HB3, which effectively bans transgender student athletes from competing in sports on teams that affirm their gender identity, both local and national businesses continued to donate money or support Gov. Bill Lee and other GOP legislators who advocate for the bill. For many of those companies, […]
After a testy debate in Nashville, vice-mayor commits to equity on boards
Nashville Metro Vice-Mayor Jim Shulman committed to selecting a “person of diversity” to sit on the Metro Fair Board following a heated Metro City Council meeting February 16th. During Monday night’s meeting councilmembers considered two appointees to the Hospital Authority board, including Pastor Frank Stevenson and St. Thomas COO Michelle Robertson. Robertson was initially selected […]
Tennesseans buy into GameStop trading frenzy
Even if you haven’t picked up a video game controller in years, you’ve likely heard about the historic market debacle involving GameStop and a few other select companies Reddit users have been purchasing stock in. The subreddit WallStreetBets, a sort of community for amateur investors and day traders, came together in a united effort to […]
Tennesseans play role in mob scene at U.S. Capitol
As photo and video of Wednesday’s rioting at the U.S. Capitol spread across social media, Tennesseeans began recognizing friends and neighbors, with prominent elected officials and local leaders among the mob who entered the federal building and temporarily halted certification of President-Elect Joe Biden’s win. NashvilleResist, a popular political Twitter account, reported that at least […]
Haynes Park neighbors organize for safer neighborhood
After a rash of disconcerting crime in North Nashville’s Haynes Park, neighbors were tired of feeling like “sitting ducks,” according to community activist Gina Coleman. Coleman and her fellow Haynes Park Neighborhood Association board members are doing something about it—fundraising for security cameras, hosting fish fries and other community efforts to reduce crime and change […]
1946 Tennessee election parallels 2020
Election season in Tennessee has been a microcosm of the nation’s problems: social media videos of voter intimidation in Knoxville, massive protests led by teens, alleged hate crimes by right-wing instigators and implications of voter fraud by the president, but voters’ memories are short: they may have forgotten that in at least one rural Tennessee town, violence […]
Election chaos and violence possible in Tennessee, experts say
Mere minutes after President Donald Trump told the Proud Boys to “stand by,” during the first presidential debate the group started posting merchandise and graphics online bearing the phrase. Based on their posts, the “western chauvinist” group that marched with the KKK at the “Unite the Right” Charlottesville riot in 2017 heard Trump’s call to […]
In Rutherford County, incumbent and challenger face off for second time
In 2018, the Tennessee House of Representatives race in District 49 was decided by just 1,041 votes. Rep. Mike Sparks, the Republican incumbent first elected in 2010, beat Democrat Chris Mayor by five percent. In 2016, Sparks, who was first elected in 2010, beat Democrat Brandon Thomas by a margin of 61%-39%. Sparks and Thomas […]
In-person voting rule challenges Rutherford County voter ill with COVID-19
On July 29, Brittney Whidden received a phone call from the Rutherford County Election Commission. While her husband’s absentee ballot had been approved, hers would not be. Whidden pushed back, and the election commission made an exception. Whidden, who tested positive for COVID-19 and is recovering, received her ballot via mail July 31, but reached […]