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…
Read MoreNashville’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…
Read MoreHouse 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…
Read MoreNashville Mayor-elect Freddie O’Connell addressing supporters on Aug. 3 2023. (Photo: John Partipilo) 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…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreImmigrant 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…
Read MoreMetro Nashville Council member Freddie O’Connell will be the fourth straight mayor to ascend from the city’s legislative branch to the executive seat after winning Thursday night’s runoff election. O’Connell grabbed 64% of the vote, while his opponent, former Republican strategist Alice Rolli, snagged 36%. A total of 114,103…
Read MoreFirst-term state Rep. Justin J. Pearson’s newly-formed political action committee is set to inject $100,000 into Van Turner’s Memphis mayoral campaign during the final three weeks of the race. Pearson, who raised about $1 million this year amid international outrage after being expelled from the state House for…
Read MoreIn a coda to a bruising special session of the Tennessee Legislature that wrapped up last month, lawyers representing three women who silently defied a House ban on signs and attorneys for the state have agreed to bring a First Amendment legal challenge to a close. The challenge…
Read MoreA measure by House Speaker Cameron Sexton designed to stiffen sentences for serious juvenile crimes is one of several bills expected to be revived in 2024 after dying in a truncated special session on public safety. Sexton, a Crossville Republican, contends Memphis officials, including Mayor Jim Strickland and…
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