News
Judge Kelvin Jones’ divorce raises questions of invasion of privacy, mysterious deposits
Nashville Judge Kelvin Jones accessed his wife’s work email in order to read attorney-client communications, secretly recorded her with a hidden camera and made large cash bank deposits last year, according to a series of filings by his wife in their divorce lawsuit. Jones, who was elected to the Circuit Court in 2014, is in […]
Lawsuit alleges Belmont-Watkins merger violates public trust
The merger between Belmont University and Watkins College of Art remains contentious as an ongoing lawsuit raises questions about the foundations of the deal. The lawsuit boils down to a dispute on whether procedure was followed in order to dissolve a trust left by the original founder, Samuel Watkins. Attorney Kevin Teets, who represents the plaintiff, […]
Southern Christian Coalition calls on Lee to expand Medicaid
Gov. Bill Lee is putting vulnerable Tennesseans at risk by reopening the economy too soon and failing to accept federal funds for Medicaid expansion, members of the Southern Christian Coalition said Thursday. During a Thursday press conference, three pastors from across Tennessee called on Gov. Lee to expand Medicaid in Tennessee and to address the […]
Child care closures make back to work plans tough for parents
Kingsport, Tenn. business owner Bob Feathers operates two entirely separate ventures — a 20-year-old commercial interiors firm with 38 salaried employees and a franchise restaurant with 70 mostly part-time workers who rely on tips to get by. Feathers’ biggest operational question right now cuts across both business models: How do you get employees back at […]
Nashville COVID chief says ‘data and science matter’
A Monday story from NBC that reported Nashville is experiencing a high spike in COVID-19 cases counted data from a Trousdale County prison outbreak took local criticism. Written by political reporter Jonathan Allen and reporters Phil McCausland and Cyrus Farivar, the story cited a May 7 report by the White House pandemic task force. Dr. […]
Will Congress send aid to ailing local news outlets?
WASHINGTON — Politicians are banding together to try to rescue local news media from economic collapse during the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced that Democratic leaders in Congress are pushing to fix a small business lending program so that it applies to local news publishers and broadcasters affiliated with larger […]
Poor People’s Campaign launches stay-at-home campaign
The Poor People’s Campaign, which has a Tennessee chapter, today launched a nonviolent protest to promote the plight of essential and low-income workers as states begin reopening the economy. Today’s virtual media conference was led by the Rev. William Barber II and featured workers speaking of having inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE.) A Dallas retail […]
Gov. Lee: TN should focus CARES funds on unemployment insurance, helping businesses
Gov. Bill Lee laid out his priorities on Tuesday for how Tennessee should spend $2.4 billion in federal CARES Act stimulus funds, advocating for investment in the state’s unemployment insurance program and aid to businesses that lost money because of his stay-at-home order in April. Tennessee, like all states, has been navigating how to spend […]
Fauci: UT students shouldn’t expect COVID-19 vaccine before fall term
WASHINGTON — Students preparing to head to the University of Tennessee this fall shouldn’t expect to get a COVID-19 vaccine before then, a top public health official told Congress on Tuesday. Tennessee Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander, chairman of the U.S. Senate committee that oversees health and education, asked top Trump administration health officials at a […]
As Nashville reopens, some business owners play it safe
As Nashville begins Phase One of reopening, the once vibrant Nashville dining and entertainment scene is gradually reopening, with many establishments forgoing even to-go orders and remaining closed. Brenda Sanderson, owner of several downtown businesses such as Legends Corner and Second Fiddle, remains skeptical about opening her honky-tonk bars without Nashville’s iconic music scene. “It’s […]
Pandemic pushes bill to legalize home recording studios
Just a few weeks before thousands of Davidson County residents were forced to work from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Metro Council bill to legalize home-based businesses advanced to the brink of passing. The legislation, sponsored by Councilman Dave Rosenberg, has stalled since then but is scheduled to be considered for public hearing […]
Release of health data to law enforcement raises privacy concerns
The release of private health information of Tennesseans who have tested positive for COVID-19 to law enforcement by Gov. Bill Lee’s administration is facing pushback from lawmakers, advocates for minority communities and at least one police force that originally agreed to get the information. The Tennessee Black Caucus on Saturday called on Lee to end […]