Politics
Lawmakers say stopping federal education funds favors private and charter schools over public
Critics of a plan to consider rejecting upwards of $1.9 billion in federal education funds say the idea would undermine public schools in favor of private and charter school operators. One lawmaker, Sen. Heidi Campbell, went as far as to call it “a grift.” “The controlling party has made it pretty damn clear that they’re […]
Judge allows Kelsey to remain free while appealing sentence
A U.S. District Court judge granted convicted felon Brian Kelsey’s request to stay out of prison on bail while he appeals a 21-month sentence for directing a scheme to violate federal campaign finance laws. The former Germantown Republican senator was to report to prison in mid-October, but Judge Waverly Crenshaw of the Middle District in […]
Top Tennessee lawmakers start push to reject billions of dollars in federal education funds
Tennessee could be on the verge of rejecting nearly $1.9 billion in federal education funding with House and Senate leaders creating a group to study the potential impact. The idea is drawing opposition already, though, from key Democrats, including Sen. Raumesh Akbari of Memphis, who said the money is “essential to ensure educational equity and […]
Olivia Hill, Tennesssee’s first transgender elected official: “My main goal is to just do my job.”
Olivia Hill had no ambition to run for public office when she walked up to the microphone at a Washington D.C. gala last year to thank the keynote speaker for an inspirational talk about the power of voting. And she didn’t anticipate that Danica Roem – the first openly transgender woman elected to state office […]
Stockard on the Stump: Kelsey bail argument tries to lay groundwork for conviction appeal
It’s growing ever clearer that former Sen. Brian Kelsey’s case is clear as mud. At least that’s what the defense wants the judge to think. Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys turned down U.S. District Court Judge Waverly Crenshaw’s offer Thursday for an evidentiary hearing to decide whether Kelsey should be allowed to remain free on […]
State revenue falls amid tax holidays, business break
After two years of tax windfalls, Tennessee’s revenue leveled off in August amid sales tax breaks and a one-time business tax cut, all of which are forerunners to permanent business tax reductions that could affect the state budget. Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson reported revenues came in at $1.5 billion for August, $39.4 million […]
Election map: 2023 Nashville mayor race looks like 2020 Presidential election
Nashville’s mayoral runoff election turned into a classic Democrat versus Republican race despite being classified nonpartisan. The August general election effectively served as a 12-person party primary, producing a known Republican in Alice Rolli and a more liberal candidate in Metro Council member Freddie O’Connell. O’Connell then fully embraced his Democratic Party ties in the […]
State Building Commission backs new Moccasin Bend mental hospital despite Chattanooga opposition
The State Building Commission is plowing ahead with construction of a new Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute in Chattanooga in spite of concerns about a potential clash with Native Americans and a national park plan. The commission recently authorized work to start on a $260 million replacement facility for the state’s psychiatric hospital there after […]
House minority leader blasts Republican rep’s letter supporting Tuberville delays
House Minority Leader Karen Camper is criticizing state Rep. John Ragan’s letter backing delays in key military appointments until the Pentagon relents on abortion policy. Camper, a Memphis Democrat and mayoral candidate, issued a statement Monday saying she is “shocked by the level of vitriol and carelessness for the men and women in uniform expressed” […]
A bloody clipboard and biodiesel car: The story behind Freddie O’Connell’s rise to Nashville mayor
It didn’t take long for Nashville mayor-elect Freddie O’Connell to learn that even the best-laid plans can go astray. O’Connell, a former chair of Metro Nashville Transit Authority, scored his first electoral victory to the Metro Nashville Council in 2015, thinking he was joining at the perfect time. Nashville had just elected Megan Barry as […]
Department of Children’s Services spending $400M on intake, juvenile detention projects
The Department of Children’s Services is embarking on more than $400 million worth of construction projects to handle children entering state custody and improve problematic detention centers. Six months after removing the last children from state offices because they had nowhere else to go, the department received approval to start work on an assessment center […]
Immigrant, Black voters play key role in Metro Nashville elections
Immigrant and Black voters played a critical role in Metro Nashville’s municipal elections. Of the 26 candidates endorsed by TIRRC Votes, the political arm of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, 21 won their races — including Mayor-elect Freddie O’Connell. Other winners include Delishia Porterfield, Olivia Hill and Quin Evans Segall, who claimed seats […]