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Michael Sullivan named Hagerty state director
U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty has named Michael Sullivan as state director for his U.S. Senate office, based in Nashville. Sullivan replaces Jim Henry, who is retiring. “Michael Sullivan has been by my side since I began this journey to have the honor of representing my fellow Tennesseans in the U.S. Senate, and I am pleased […]
Coalition hold events for abortion justice in nine Tennessee cities
A coalition of progressive groups and organizations that work for reproductive rights is holding a rally for abortion justice in nine Tennessee cities on Saturday, with Murfreesboro serving as a central site. The “Bans off our Bodies” event is part of a Nationwide Day of Action for Abortion Rights which will feature more than 600 […]
Education committee drops discussion of Black history education
Chattanooga Democratic Rep. Yusef Hakeem says he is “surprised and disappointed” the Joint Legislative Education Committee won’t be discussing a bill he introduced during legislative session to provide the study of Black history to public school students. In April, HB1460 was deferred to summer study, which typically means a bill has little traction. Hakeem wrote […]
Metro Nashville Council defers vote on license plate readers
Two competing ordinances allowing for the use of License Plate Readers (LPR) in Nashville’s public right of ways were deferred at Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting. Councilmember Courtney Johnston brought her ordinance back for consideration after indefinitely deferring it in April to get through the annual budget process. Her ordinance calls for LPRS to be affixed […]
State Funding Board taps $65M for Oracle’s Nashville project
The State Funding Board on Tuesday approved a $65 million FastTrack Economic Development grant for Oracle Corp.’s Nashville project on the east bank of the Cumberland River. The funds are designed to offset expenses such as new construction and land acquisition, coming after the Metro Council approved $175 million for infrastructure improvements surrounding a 65-acre […]
Nashville doctor announces Democratic gubernatorial bid
Dr. Jason Martin, a pulmonary and critical care physician at Sumner Regional Medical Center, has made official what’s been rumored for months: He’s running for governor. Martin made the announcement at Meharry Hospital in Nashville Monday morning after launching an exploratory committee a month ago. He has appointed Keith Maune, founder of a Nashville technology […]
Conservative talk show host Phil Valentine dies of COVID-19
Phil Valentine, the conservative talk show host who mocked COVID-19, has died of the virus at the age of 61. His employer, SuperTalk 99.7, announced his death in a brief statement via Twitter late Saturday afternoon. “We are saddened to report that our host and friend Phil Valentine has passed away. Please keep the Valentine […]
Pediatrics association pushes back on Lee and requests meeting
The Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement Tuesday firing back to Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order giving parents of school children the ability to opt out of school mask requirements, saying the group “strongly disagrees” with Lee. “We implore all parents to continue to send their children to school masked. […]
School officials, lawmakers react to Lee order on masks in schools
Shortly after Gov. Bill Lee concluded a Monday press conference at which he announced parents across the state will have the option to decide if their children wear masks in school or not, responses began to pour in from elected officials and school districts. Lee issued an executive order mandating school systems must allow parents […]
License plate readers deferred again at Nashville Metro Council meeting
Two competing ordinances allowing for the use of License Plate Readers (LPR) in Nashville’s public right of ways were deferred at Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting. Councilmember Courtney Johnston brought her ordinance back for consideration after indefinitely deferring it in April to get through the annual budget process. Her ordinance calls for LPRS to be affixed […]
Watchdog coalition files complaints against ALEC in 15 states
A coalition of watchdog organizations is filing complaints in15 states this week against the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC,) a nonprofit group of conservative state legislators and private organizations that draft model legislation to share with states across the country. Tennessee is one of the states included in the action. The Center for Media and […]
Visit Franklin names new President and CEO
The board of directors for Visit Franklin, the convention and visitors bureau for Williamson County, has named Maureen Haley Thornton as president/CEO. Thornton replaces Ellie Westman Chin, who left the role in February to take over as president/CEO of Destination Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. Andy Marshall, chair of the Visit Franklin Board and CEO of […]