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Anti-immigrant bills spark outrage in Tennessee immigration organizations
Four Republican-sponsored bills, including one seeking to prevent undocumented children from attending public school, are sparking outrage among supporters of immigrants and immigrant rights. Rep. Bruce Griffey, R-Paris, is sponsoring HB1648, that would allow local educational agencies or public charter schools to deny enrollment to students based on their immigration status. If a child cannot […]
Vanderbilt policy center finds food insecurity persists in Tennessee’s children
The Vanderbilt Center for Child Health Policy released its annual survey on child health in Tennessee and found one in three families experienced food insecurity in 2021, with nearly half of families receiving support from a food assistance program. The poll surveyed 1,000 parents across the state. By region, 48% of east Tennesseans reported that […]
Nashville Metro Council passes controversial license plate readers
On Tuesday night, Metro Nashville Council passed a controversial ordinance to allow Metro Nashville police use of license plate reader technology as part of a 6-month pilot, despite concerns by council members and civil rights advocates about the lack of safeguards protecting individual rights. “I think it’s irresponsible to pass a vote that’s not fully […]
TDEC in litigation over water withdrawal from Duck River
At Old Stone Fort State Archeological State Park in Manchester, the Duck River and the Little Duck River converge, cascading along the edge and allowing visitors to stand upon mossy rocks to peer into its numerous waterfalls. During peak seasons, the Duck River becomes the backbone of the region’s outdoor recreational economy, supporting an estimated […]
Healthcare advocacy group urges Lee to take action
Parents, doctors and pastors asked Gov. Bill Lee to reinstate a state of emergency to deal with the ongoing COVID surge that’s forced dozens of schools to close in the past few weeks. In a press conference organized by the Protect My Care, speakers described how Lee and “radical” politicians have left Tennesseans to deal […]
CHOICES Memphis gets funds for playground to serve clients’ children
The Shelby County Commission awarded $25,000 to a nonprofit reproductive healthcare facility, despite controversy over the facility providing abortions for low-income women. CHOICES Memphis Center for Reproductive Health was founded in 1974 and offers a full range of reproductive services for women and the LGBTQ community. Along with providing Pap smears, birth control, breast exams, […]
New year, same old evictions
As a new year begins, so does another wave of evictions, and for those seeking to prevent homelessness among Nashville’s most vulnerable populations, existing problems continue as well. As the year 2021 sputtered to an end, Nashville’s court system closed for the holidays, as did Judge Rachel Bell’s Housing Resource Diversionary Court Program. Bell’s court […]
Shelby County approves $1.5 million for COVID testing kits
During a special session Wednesday, Shelby County commissioners approved $1.5 million for the purchase of at-home COVID testing kits as cases continue to spread throughout the county. Shelby County’s weekly test positivity rate has decreased since last week, but residents are still testing at a positive rate of 35.9%, continuing the county’s streak of the […]
Shelby County accepts opioid settlement
The Shelby County Commission voted to accept $20 million as a partial settlement as part of a statewide effort to crack down on the opioid epidemic. In March 2021, Memphis city officials filed a federal lawsuit against a group of opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in fueling the opioid influx that has significantly […]
Tennessee schools stressed by omicron variant
Collierville High School students had barely returned to class on Jan. 4 when a week later they were sent home as the COVID omicron variant spread rapidly though schools with limited staff and options. On Monday, staff at the Shelby County school announced students and faculty would move to remote learning despite a state law […]
Labor groups, teachers address need for school funding
With education being on the agenda of Tennessee lawmakers this year, organizations across the state are asking for increased funding for schools to counteract long standing issues complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, educators, parents and labor organizations — Memphis For All, AFL-CIO, Stand Up Nashville, Nashville Organized for Action and Hope and Memphis […]
Shelby County add funds to target opioid addiction
The Shelby County Commission voted Monday to add $168,700 to its operating budget to combat the county’s opioid epidemic. Shelby County previously received $506,000 from the Tennessee Department of Health for the period of Sept 1, 2021 to Aug. 31, 2022 through an effort to target high-impact areas across the state. Today’s vote amended the […]