Briefs
Nashville lawsuits target unsolicited robocalls in recall effort
Two federal lawsuits were filed on July 17 against an anti-tax group that made unsolicited robocalls to Davidson County voters encouraging support for an effort to recall Nashville Mayor John Cooper and Metro Council members. The class action lawsuits claim that the anti-tax group No Tax 4 Nash broke federal laws that ban such calls […]
Poll: Majority of Tennesseans more likely to vote for candidate supporting background checks
A poll just out from former Arizona U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords’s gun violence prevention organizations shows eight out of 10 Tennesseans polled approve of background checks before a buyer can purchase a weapon
Group led by Nashville lawyer pushes anti-tax referendum
Davidson County voters received a petition in their mailboxes this week asking for signatures to support a referendum that would overhaul how Metro raises property taxes, deals with excess property and issues bonds. It’s unclear who is behind financing the initiative, which is dubbed the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act, but Nashville attorney Jim Roberts is […]
Trump’s reversal on international students negates need for preparations
The Trump administration reversed their proposal on Tuesday to ban international students from U.S colleges if campuses transitioned to online-only classes, but local universities have already put in place policies to protect their international students. Luca Joens is one of a few international students that chose to remain on campus at Cumberland University in Lebanon […]
From the 901: Beale Street Blues
Bar owners are having it tough across the state but some are giving as good as they get. In both Memphis and Nashville, bar owners have resorted to legal action after leaders for their respective cities have closed them or limited crowd size. Monday, 16 bar owners in Memphis sued the city, citing “significant economic […]
Challengers at final Nashville schools forum focus on incumbent
Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH) hosted the final virtual forum of four Thursday for Metro Nashville Schools Board candidates, and the District 1 event became contentious. District 1 has the highest percentage of economically disadvantaged students, the highest percentage of students of color, the lowest literacy scores in MNPS and average ACT score in […]
Nashville District 9 schools forum focuses on racial equity
Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH) hosted the third of four virtual forums Tuesday for school board candidates to address issues facing Metro Nashville Schools. Russelle Ann Bradbury and Abigail Tylor are running to replace board vice chair Amy Frogge for school board representative in District 9. Bradbury has children that attend district schools […]
Austin Peay names interim president
In a special meeting Monday morning, the Austin Peay State University board of trustees named Dannelle Whiteside as the university’s interim president until a permanent president is found. APSU’s president for six years, Alisa White, unexpectedly announced June 19 that she will step down in August after commencement ceremonies to take the position as president […]
NOAH hosts round two of school board interviews in Nashville
Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH) hosted the second of four virtual forums Thursday for school board candidates to address questions and issues facing Metro Nashville Schools, with Metro Councilmember Kyonzte Toombs (District 2) serving as moderator. Incumbents Christiane Buggs, District 5, and Freda Player-Peters, District 7, are both running without opposition. Buggs has […]
Beacon Center releases study of city freedoms
In conjunction with the July 4 Independence Day, the Beacon Center of Tennessee released a report Wednesday ranking Tennessee’s 30 most populous cities on a series of measures of freedom. The inaugural Freedom Index examined 25 metrics in four categories, free enterprise, private property, individual liberty, and cost of government, with LaVergne in Rutherford County […]
NOAH holds first of four Nashville school board forums
Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH) hosted the first of four virtual forums Tuesday for school board candidates to address questions and issues facing Metro Nashville Schools. Candidates Brian Hubert and Emily Masters are running to replace District 3 incumbent Jill Speering, who will not seek reelection, and discussed a variety of issues. Hubert, […]
Equity Alliances staffs up
The Equity Alliance, a statewide non-profit focused on the civic and economic empowerment of the Black community, announced today the addition of seven new staff members to assist the organization as it expands its operations. The staff additions will add capacity to The Equity Alliance’s community organizing, voter outreach and Covid-19 response efforts. Charlane Oliver, […]