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Family’s separation part of a long history of child-theft in America
Journalists write and read many stories of government abuse, but few stick more than stories of how agencies tasked with protecting children habitually fail to do so. Stories of traumatized children being further traumatized by a cold state are the ones that keep me awake at night. So after years of following the chronic dysfunction […]
Holding out for a hero
The Republican supermajority legislature is slashing and burning its way through the annual session with a host of bills that will strip Nashville of self-governance. Already signed into law is a measure to cut the Metro Council in half, from 40-20. You’d think many Nashville officials would be screaming to the high heavens about not […]
“Slay hate” rally draws hundreds in Nashville
A Nashville rally sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign drew hundreds to protest recently-passed Tennessee laws that criminalize some drag performers and performances and prevent parents from providing their children with gender-affirming care. “Slay the Hate: Fight Back Tennessee,” featured appearances by several drag performers and remarks from LGBTQ leaders. The event was one of […]
Drag queen bill sets the goal posts on obscenity around only LGBTQ folks
In 1964, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart was asked for his definition of obscenity during arguments in Jacobellis v. Ohio, the case in which a movie theater owner was charged with obscenity for showing a French film depicting the story of a woman who committed adultery. Potter famously said: “I know it when I […]
Alice Rolli, former state economic development official enters Nashville mayor’s race
Ending weeks of public speculation, Alice Rolli, a former official with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and staff member for former U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, formally announced Friday she is running for Nashville Mayor. “I see, and I hear, that while Nashville may be a party for our visitors — it isn’t […]
Settlement finalized in 2018 Grainger County slaughterhouse raid
Nearly five years after agents from multiple federal agencies illegally detained Latino workers during a Grainger County slaughterhouse raid, a judge on Monday finalized a class action settlement for the workers. First approved in September, the settlement awards more than $1 million to the 104 members of the class, with $475,000 going to the seven […]
When Republican moderates run to the right, voters end up with extremists
An old country saying states that when you lie down with pigs, you’re going to get up with mud on you. Or, if you are a moderate Tennessee Republican who lies down with the far right wing of your party, you’re going to get up with a loss. Recently, media reports have shone a spotlight […]
Keep her name out of your mouth
(Note: Rep. David Hawk has said that the late Rep. Lois DeBerry did publicly reprimand him for his attire, and not privately, as the column states.) Last week, Republican Rep. David Hawk of Greeneville, chose to invoke the name of Lois DeBerry when he chastised newly seated Democratic Rep. Justin Pearson of Memphis. At issue […]
Bill to ban gender-affirming care for minors advances in both Tennessee House and Senate
Both House and Senate versions of a bill to ban healthcare providers from treating transgender minors with gender-affirming care took steps toward becoming law, passing handily in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday and the House Health Committee on Wednesday. The bill not only prohibits healthcare providers from treating transgender minors, it also sets up […]
U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen talks manufacturing, clean energy in Tennessee
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen touted President Joe Biden’s economic recovery plan in Spring Hill, Tenn. on Wednesday at a $2.6 billion manufacturing plant for electric vehicle batteries. Yellen’s trip came a day after Biden’s State of the Union address, and on the home turf of U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, who was among the GOP […]
Gov. Bill Lee breaks little new ground in State of the State
Gov. Bill Lee broke little new ground nor dropped any policy changes in his fifth State of the State address Monday, choosing to highlight issues he has discussed for months and in some cases, years — including a transportation plan that would include “toll” roads for motorists who want to bypass congestion, a boost to […]
Silly season
As the 113th General Assembly gaveled into session in January, so did I begin the new year with all intentions of writing high-minded and substantive commentary on legislative bills that will make the biggest difference in the lives of ordinary Tennesseans, instead of getting pulled into the annual “shiny object” legislation that is endlessly debated […]