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Tennessee ACLU names attorney Kathy Sinback as executive director
Nashville attorney Kathy Sinback will take the reins as the new executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, replacing longtime director Hedy Weinberg as of September 6. Sinback, whose career began with the Metro Nashville Public Defender’s Office in 1997, is known for her work with the Davidson County Juvenile Court and […]
Study shows Tennessee ranks 36th for overall child well-being
Tennessee has experienced slight improvement in providing stability for children, families’ struggles with poverty, health and security kept the state ranked 36th in overall child well-being, according to a 2022 report. A 50-state report of recent household data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation showed that Tennessee children are still struggling to get access […]
“Get DC out of Tennessee,” says Republican congressional nominee Ogles
Late Thursday night, supporters of Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles celebrated winning the Fifth Congressional District Republican primary after a bruising, attack-filled campaign. Once early votes started to come in, Ogles held a strong lead over former Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell and continued to lead throughout the night. Ogles, former director of Americans for […]
August Election Day marked by slow polling places
As Tennessee candidates hovered in the blazing sun on Thursday to greet potential voters, they contemplated the months leading up to the August election. In the 5th Congressional District, Sen. Heidi Campbell noted how redistricting affected the area, but “maybe in ways (legislators) didn’t anticipate.” Campbell, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary, said Republican […]
Increased threats to poll workers across country haven’t dampened enthusiasm in Tennessee
At Belle Meade City Hall, Victor Nelson took a quick break from his work as a poll worker, a job he says is as rewarding as it is challenging. Nationwide, poll workers have reported feeling threatened since the 2020 presidential election cycle after former President Donald Trump propagated false claims about the election. The threats […]
Charter amendments add to long ballots across Tennessee
Partisan races aren’t the only ones on Tennessee ballots Thursday, as voters in Davidson, Hamilton and Shelby Counties will also be voting to ratify — or not to ratify — a clutch of amendments to county government charters. Davidson County The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County approved four amendments in May but each […]
Memphis-Shelby County School Board candidates face challenges to system
Memphis-Shelby County School Board races remain nonpartisan, unlike 59 other Tennessee counties, with four seats up for election. Board members will have several challenges to address: Students in Memphis, a majority-minority city, were some of the hardest hit by the pandemic economically and academically. School closures due to remote learning, COVID-case surges and teacher shortages led […]
Late again, Tennessee finally distributes funds to feed hungry kids
After months-long delays, state officials announced on Thursday that eligible families will finally be receiving funds from a federal summer food program to help with the rising cost of groceries. Summer Pandemic-EBT is an emergency program that originally rolled out with the 2020 CARES Act to assist families with meals after schools closed due to […]
On the record with Metro Nashville Public Schools board candidates
Davidson County is one of 59 Tennessee counties offering partisan school board elections for the first time after the legislature passed a bill to allow them during a 2021 special session. As in other large counties, including Williamson and Knox, opposing candidates are in many races facing off over divisions created by school districts’ management […]
In Tennessee’s first partisan school board elections, candidates in key races address issues
In Williamson County, candidates are competing in hotly contested school board races, representing how divisive politics have become around teachers and students. Last year, Gov. Bill Lee signed into law a bill allowing political parties to nominate candidates for school board races, which were previously nonpartisan elections. The bill followed a series of clashes between […]
Memphis Council approves taxpayer-backed investment in convention project; Mayor is not so sure
After heated debate, the Memphis City Council passed a resolution agreeing to invest $200 million into the One Beale development — and back 100% of bonds incurred to pay for the project — in an effort to attract conventions to the city. But the administration of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland was reluctant to agree, leaving […]
Gimme shelter: Nashville’s homeless have few options to escape from heat
On a hot and humid Tuesday night, Samantha McAlpine made her daily rounds on Green Street, just south of downtown Nashville, offering food, water and relief to members of the local homeless community. Across from Green Street Church of Christ, homeless residents emerged from the tents they use as temporary housing. As they congregated around […]