Political stories for Southern Middle Tennessee.
Amtrak says a new route in its long-range plans would connect Savannah, Georgia to Nashville, Tennessee with stops in Atlanta and Chattanooga. The map shows the rail running through Manchester as it makes its way to and from Nashville. The routes are among several nationwide proposed by Amtrak after President Joe Biden announced his sweeping …
Amtrak’s 2035 plan would bring Train through Local Area Read More »
Tennessee state lawmakers passed a bill Monday that would prohibit transgender middle and high school athletes from participating in sports based on their gender identity. The Tennessee House approved the measure in a 71–16 vote. The legislation was approved by the Senate earlier this month. The bill “requires, for the purposes of participation in a middle school or …
New Bill Blocks Transgender Students from Playing Sports in Middle and High Schools Read More »
By Iska Hoole, Legal Aid Society Not everyone can relate to the challenges of people with criminal records or view them as a vulnerable population. Their struggles often go unseen or are misunderstood. Some Tennesseans may not realize that they themselves are likely to have a neighbor, co-worker, friend or family member with a criminal …
A Legal Helping Hand for People With Criminal Records Read More »
Coffee County Commission met on Tuesday night for full commission meeting. Commissioners voted not to approve the latest proposal for a rock quarry in the county. Hawkins Asphalt from Bedford County wants to build a quarry on privately owned land in Beechgrove. The proposal to re-zone the land to operate the quarry was denied. In …
Tennessee’s GOP-dominant Senate advanced legislation Monday that would ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. The bill has been heavily criticized by Democrats and civil rights advocates, who have warned that Tennessee will likely face costly legal challenges. According to the bill, student athletes would be required to prove that their sex matches that …
Bill Banning Transgender Athletes from participating in Girls’ Sports moves forward Read More »
The state’s only openly gay Republican lawmaker, Rep. Eddie Mannis, a Republican from Knoxville recently warned his fellow GOP colleagues that legislation to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports would likely result in vulnerable students being marginalized. Adding it could also harm Tennessee’s ability to recruit athletes and businesses. Mannis’ remarks stand out …
Openly Gay Republican Lawmaker Warns Proposed Transgender Bill could be bad Business Read More »
Judge L. Craig Johnson said in a media release that he was formally announcing his retirement as Circuit Court Judge for the 14th Judicial District, located in Coffee County effective the first part of May, 2021. First, I want to express my appreciation to the people of Coffee County who have continually voted for me …
Lawmakers in at least three states, including Tennessee, have introduced bills that would bar public agencies from publicly disclosing information about nonprofit donors, and experts say donor disclosure issues remain under-the-radar but could have major implications. Jerrick Adams, a staff writer for Ballotpedia who tracks the issue, said the Senate and House bills would ban state and local governments …
TN Bill Puts Spotlight on Nonprofit Donors and Public “Right to Know” Read More »
The way we vote in Tennessee would change under a bill proposed by Tullahoma State Senator Janice Bowling. The 16th District Rep. has introduced a bill that would require the state to only use watermarked paper ballots that would be hand marked by the voter. SB1510 was introduced to the General Assembly Feb. 11. “As introduced, …
Tennessee lawmakers have advanced legislation that would prohibit transgender girls from playing on middle and high school sports teams. The bill advanced Tuesday in its early stages. Republican House members expressed enthusiastic support for the proposal. If made law opponents warn the proposal will almost certainly face legal challenges.
