News
Shelby County approves $1.5 million for COVID testing kits
During a special session Wednesday, Shelby County commissioners approved $1.5 million for the purchase of at-home COVID testing kits as cases continue to spread throughout the county. Shelby County’s weekly test positivity rate has decreased since last week, but residents are still testing at a positive rate of 35.9%, continuing the county’s streak of the […]
Lawsuit: Deaf people deprived of ASL interpreters in state-funded programs
UPDATE: This story has been updated with responses provided after publication from the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Dontay Battle is profoundly deaf but lives in a state-funded Shelby County group home for adults with intellectual disabilities where neither the staff nor his […]
Shelby County accepts opioid settlement
The Shelby County Commission voted to accept $20 million as a partial settlement as part of a statewide effort to crack down on the opioid epidemic. In March 2021, Memphis city officials filed a federal lawsuit against a group of opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in fueling the opioid influx that has significantly […]
Registry embarks on long road to obtain testimony on Faith Family Freedom Fund PAC
The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance could consider civil penalties dealing with fraud against Cade Cothren, ex-chief of staff to former House Speaker Glen Casada, as they dig into a shady political action committee he may have run secretly. Registry board members don’t expect him to be forthcoming, and they aren’t certain what types of […]
Judge rules fired Tennessee vaccine official Dr. Michelle Fiscus cannot pursue monetary damages
A federal judge has ruled that former Tennessee vaccination chief Dr. Michelle Fiscus cannot pursue claims for monetary damages against the state’s top two Department of Health officials after her controversial firing last summer — but the remainder of her lawsuit seeking a ‘name-clearing hearing’ and a finding that the state violated her constitutional rights […]
Republican district maps move ahead amid claims of minority vote dilution
Republican-controlled panels approved legislative and congressional district maps Tuesday despite criticism they would dilute African-American and Latino votes. In spite of evidence that Black voters would lose their influence in elections, the Senate Judiciary and House State Government committees approved three redistricting plans for new state House, state Senate and congressional maps. New maps are […]
Crowd protests GOP-drawn congressional maps on MLK Day
Concerns over COVID-19 and lingering snow from a weekend storm halted several Middle Tennessee events traditionally held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to honor the late civil rights leader, but more than 100 people turned out in Nashville to protest new GOP-drawn congressional and legislative district maps. The Nashville Justice League, which is comprised […]
Seven states to watch in the 2022 push to restrict voting rights
WASHINGTON — Republican state lawmakers across the country are ramping up their drive to enact voting and election-related laws in time for crucial 2022 midterm elections. As federal legislation that would limit state-level voting restrictions appears stymied in Washington, Republicans in the states are moving forward with new proposals and revisiting old ones that Democrats […]
$400 million in American Rescue Plan funds to support those with disabilities
Thanks to American Rescue Plan funds, more Tennesseans with disabilities will hopefully be getting services they need, aimed at supporting them in their homes and communities. One state program, Enabling Technology, introduces gadgets to lessen dependence on in-home helpers. In November, TennCare, Medicaid for low-income Tennesseeans, and the state’s Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities […]
Online orders for free at-home COVID tests to begin Jan. 19
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Friday launched a new website for Americans to request up to four free COVID-19 tests per household. The administration is buying 1 billion at-home rapid COVID-19 tests, and Americans will be able to begin ordering the tests online on Jan. 19 at COVIDtests.gov. This is part of the administration’s effort […]
Governor plans to put more money into K-12 amid funding formula push
In the midst of an initiative to change the state’s K-12 funding formula, Gov. Bill Lee said Friday he plans to boost spending for public schools next fiscal year. Tennessee is spending $6.9 billion on K-12 education this year, $5.6 billion in state funds and $1.14 billion from the federal government. The state has spent […]
Tennessee schools stressed by omicron variant
Collierville High School students had barely returned to class on Jan. 4 when a week later they were sent home as the COVID omicron variant spread rapidly though schools with limited staff and options. On Monday, staff at the Shelby County school announced students and faculty would move to remote learning despite a state law […]