U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper
Editor’s column: The hottest ticket in town
Political tongues have been flapping all over Nashville since community organizer and activist Odessa Kelly announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 5th Congressional District in early April. Kelly is taking on incumbent Jim Cooper, who has served in the 5th District seat since his election in 2002 (and in the 4th Congressional […]
Analysis: How the Delke plea affects DA Glenn Funk’s political future
The starting point for any analysis about District Attorney Glenn Funk’s political future is the acknowledgment that Funk would not be district attorney in the first place had it not been for the support of Black voters. But a high profile plea deal could put that support in jeopardy a year out from the next […]
In litigation with national organization, Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee continues to thrive
Little girls selling Girl Scout cookies in plexiglass face shields is just one example of why Middle Tennessee Girl Scouts are in financially better circumstances than many of their sisters across the country. Recently the Associated Press reported that Girl Scouts of the USA has 15 million boxes of unsold cookies and faces financial difficulties. […]
Governor goes “back to the future” with Memphis Megasite push
Gov. Bill Lee sent out a press release this week hailing a renewed effort to market the Memphis Regional Megasite in Haywood County and – at long last – build a wastewater line needed to attract a major manufacturer. It’s a tactical change of sorts because not too long ago, state officials were saying Tennessee […]
Harwell considering congressional run if the lines are right
Former Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell has a hankering to enter public office again. In fact, after just four years away from the state House, she’s eyeing a congressional race if the 2022 redistricting plan puts her in a strong position. In an interview Thursday with the Tennessee Lookout, Harwell, a southwest Davidson County Republican, […]
Democrats anticipate Republican efforts to redraw Cooper’s district out of existence
Republicans already hold seven of nine Tennessee congressional districts, but with redistricting approaching in 2022, Democrats fear the GOP-controlled Legislature will try to redraw U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper’s Nashville-based district and effectively push him out of Congress. Such a move could help Republicans gain another seat in Congress to chip away at Democrat control on […]
Congressman Cooper chief of staff Lisa Quigley to leave post
Lisa Quigley, the long time chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper and one of Nashville’s most influential political leaders, will leave her post this summer, the congressman’s office announced on Wednesday.
‘Stress and uncertainty’ follow Gov. Lee’s decision to end federal unemployment benefits
Nearly 112,000 Tennesseans received unemployment payments during the week ending May 1, and 61,000 have applied for jobless benefits, according to the Department of Labor.
Community activists push back on Oracle deal
Community organizers are asking Metro Nashville to postpone an agreement with the technology giant Oracle, saying there are too many questions about how the company’s relocation here will affect local residents already suffering from rising living costs. Stand Up Nashville and The Equity Alliance held a rally Monday to protest what they see as a […]
TIRRC pushes Congress to create easier path to citizenship
Immigrants and new Americans made up a large portion of essential workers during the pandemic, and Tennessee immigrant advocates joined a nationwide effort urging Congress to create an easier path to citizenship. Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) held a rally Tuesday night to call on representatives and senators to promote the interests of […]
Odessa Kelly enters race for Congress after a decade of African-American candidates winning more countywide races
Before Odessa Kelly ever entered the race for Congress to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, Nashville politics had been in the midst of a transformation. Over the previous decade, more Black politicians won notable countywide elections for desirable posts that had long been occupied by mostly older, white men. Since 2012, 13 African-American candidates […]
Governor knocks president’s infrastructure plan, corporate tax increase
Gov. Bill Lee isn’t prepared to turn away federal funding, but he blasted President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan Tuesday, saying the proposal to pay for it with a corporate tax increase will hurt jobs. During a speech to the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, the governor reiterated criticism of the president’s American Recovery Act that passed […]