Author
Critical care doctors want DOJ investigation into Lee following Fiscus firing
COVID-19 deaths are now preventable, and Gov. Bill Lee should be held accountable for politicizing the pandemic, said a coalition of physicians battling the virus on the frontlines. On Wednesday, Dr. Jason Martin, a critical care pulmonologist, and other health professionals called on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Lee after recent political moves […]
Survey from Nashville community group details concerns about Fairgrounds track
A community engagement group figured people living near the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway had something to say about NASCAR racing returning to the track, and they were correct. On Tuesday, Stand Up Nashville (SUN) representatives presented results from a recent survey to the Board of Fair Commissioners meeting, detailing local resident’s concerns. In March, Metro Nashville […]
Camper leads minority legislator roundtable
In an era of rising voter suppression, Black Democratic leaders discussed on Monday their roles as double minority legislators in Republican-majority states. Black legislative leaders held a roundtable discussion as part of the Southern Legislative Conference, which is being held in Nashville this week. Rep. Karen D. Camper of Memphis, Tennessee House Democratic Caucus leader […]
Memphis citizen review board upholds assault complaint against police officer
Kleston Beverly of Memphis was sitting in his vehicle when he was suddenly forcibly thrown out onto the ground, surrounded by police officers in riot gear. On Thursday, he entered a formal complaint against officer Kerry Moody in front of Memphis’ Civilian Law Enforcement Review (CLERB) Board, an 13-person independent agency tasked with investigating allegations […]
Refugee arrivals in Tennessee drop to historic low in 2020
As a former child soldier, Gatluak Thach was granted refugee status and moved to Nashville in 1996 to start a new life. Efforts to teach his wife and the nearby community English eventually led to Thach founding the Nashville Center for Empowerment, but over the last few years, Thach noticed a significant decrease in the number […]
Lookout in Brief: Byhalia Pipeline halted but Memphis Council still pushes protective legislation
The Byhalia Connection pipeline project has been abandoned by its developers but Memphis council members continue to push legislation to protect the Memphis Sand Aquifer. On Tuesday, an ordinance for protecting Shelby County’s natural water source was up for a final reading, but was withdrawn. In its place, councilmember JB Smiley introduced a substitute aquifer […]
As permitless gun carry law takes effect, some Second Amendment advocates urge continued training
Even some Tennessee gun enthusiasts are hard-pressed to say that the state’s controversial new permitless gun carry law won’t have negative effects. Starting today, permits will no longer be required to carry a handgun publicly in Tennessee, nor will new gun owners be required to take training. But that’s not to say gun owners shouldn’t […]
Distribution of funds to keep people in homes lags, and nonprofits blame Metro Action Commission
When rent relief became available in 2020 to Nashvillians at risk of losing housing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Davidson County nonprofit organizations rushed to meet the deadline and distributed $10 million. Since then just a fraction of the current rent relief funds have been distributed, and nonprofits are blaming Metro Action Commission’s technology. In […]
Metro Schools, MNEA launch community schools project with immigrant organizations
In Metro Nashville Public Schools, students speak more than 100 different languages and the majority of immigrants are arriving from non-English speaking countries, but many students don’t currently feel represented in their curriculum. Members of the Metro Nashville Education Association (MNEA) and representatives of immigrant organizations have found over the last year that children of […]
In litigation with national organization, Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee continues to thrive
Little girls selling Girl Scout cookies in plexiglass face shields is just one example of why Middle Tennessee Girl Scouts are in financially better circumstances than many of their sisters across the country. Recently the Associated Press reported that Girl Scouts of the USA has 15 million boxes of unsold cookies and faces financial difficulties. […]
Move to create Blue Ribbon advisory panel stalls in Shelby County commission
The Shelby County Board of Commissioners discussed a motion Monday to create an independent panel overlooking appointees to the Shelby County Ethics Commission. The group, called the Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel, was sponsored by Chairman Eddie S. Jones, Jr, Commissioners Amber Mills and Mark Billinglsey and created as a way to have neutral third party […]
Tennesseans celebrate Juneteenth
Tennesseans didn’t wait on President Joe Biden’s Thursday proclamation making Juneteenth a federal holiday to begin organizing celebrations marking the occasion. In the Nashville area alone, more than 45 events were held to celebrate a traditional holiday for Black Americans. On June 19,1865, U.S. Major Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Texas bearing a copy […]