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Series: A darker shade of red
In 2022, Tennessee became fertile ground for far-right activity and the launch of groups on the right wing of the political spectrum, an outgrowth of former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and anti-COVID-19 measures that sparked conspiracy theories. In the five-part series, “A darker shade of red,” writer Devon Heinen unpacks how such groups have proliferated […]
Nashville Pride 2023
Thousands celebrated the rights of LGBTQ Tennesseans on Saturday and Sunday in Nashville, including First Lady Jill Biden, who spoke to crowds on Bicentennial Mall in the shadow of Tennessee’s Capitol. “We know there are those who wish to undo the hard-won progress that this community has made and tomorrow we will brave those battles […]
Juneteenth in Tennessee
Tennesseans didn’t wait until Monday to celebrate Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the date in 1865 when enslaved Texans learned they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. In May, Gov. Bill Lee signed a law recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday, two years after President Joe Biden declared it a federal holiday. Cities […]
Updates on Nashville school shooting: police investigation continues as city mourns
A candlelight vigil to honor victims and support the families and survivors of The Covenant School shooting is scheduled for Wednesday evening outside Nashville’s City Hall. First Lady Jill Biden is expected to attend, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at Wednesday’s press briefing, as the president continues to call on Congress to pass an assault […]
3 kids, 3 adults killed in shooting at Nashville private elementary school
Three children and three adult staff members are dead after a mass shooting event Monday at The Covenant School, a private Christian school in Nashville’s Green Hills neighborhood. Among the victims are three 9-year-old children: Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney. The adult victims are Cynthia Peak, 61, Mike Hill, 61, and Katherine Koonce, […]
Lieutenant governor posted regularly on Knoxville man’s racy Instagram
The lieutenant governor’s office is defending frequent posting by Randy McNally on the racy Instagram pictures of a young gay man over the last three years even though he voted for anti-LGBTQ legislation recently. The story was initially reported by the Tennessee Holler and followed up by several TV stations. McNally, 79, often posted on […]
Spencer Fane Bone McAllester to host 22nd MLK Fellowship Breakfast in Nashville
Spencer Fane Bone McAllester will hold its 22nd Annual MLK Fellowship Breakfast on January 16 with featured speaker, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, Democrat of New Jersey, at the Tennessee State Museum. The event is held each year on the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King. The law firm’s website says that the event “celebrates […]
Stories of 2022: Redistricting, legislators’ legal issues and a Black town fights government
Mason, Tennessee Last March, Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower issued an unusual appeal to residents of Mason, Tenn., a small majority-Black town in West Tennessee whose finances were in complete disarray. Jason Mumpower’s suggestion that the town cede its charter, ending more than 150 years of self-governance, drew national attention after local Black leaders fought to […]
Metro Councilmember O’Connell proposes taxpayer protections as Council votes on Titans funding terms
Metro Nashville Council Member Freddie O’Connell is proposing an amendment to legislation approving a $4 billion financial framework for a new Tennessee Titans stadium that will include a slate of taxpayer protection measures. O’Connell, who is running for Nashville Mayor, announced his plan on Tuesday prior to Metro Council’s vote at the night meeting. “Without these […]
Yager earns Tennessee Chamber of Commerce award
The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry has named its 2022 Champion of Commerce award winners, including Sen. Ken Yager, R-Kingston. The annual awards recognize legislators who demonstrate extraordinary support for business and manufacturing in the Volunteer State and is based in part on lawmakers’ voting record on key business issues. “It is an honor […]
Tennessee Justice Center, Metro Nashville housing agency hold community partnership event
The Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) and the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) in Nashville capped a year of partnership with a lunch and awards ceremony Thursday to recognize leaders in the Napier-Sudekum community and organizations active in the community. A TJC building is under construction in the neighborhood, just south of Downtown Nashville, and staff […]