Latest Tennessee state government News

Progressive Councilmember Freddie O'Connell wins Nashville mayor's race

Sep. 15, 2023 17:07 PM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Freddie O'Connell, a progressive member of Nashville's metro council, has resoundingly won the race to become the next mayor of the Democratic-leaning city, according to unofficial results. Results from the Davidson County Election Commission show O'Connell...

Rep. Gloria Johnson of 'Tennessee Three' officially launches 2024 Senate campaign

Sep. 05, 2023 22:27 PM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee state Rep. Gloria Johnson, a Democrat who skyrocketed to national fame after surviving a Republican-led expulsion effort for participating in a gun control demonstration, on Tuesday formally announced that she's running for U.S. Senate. Johnson,...

Breaking impasse, Tennessee lawmakers adjourn tumultuous session spurred by school shooting

Aug. 29, 2023 20:17 PM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers on Tuesday abruptly ended a special session initially touted to improve public safety in the wake of a deadly elementary school shooting, but it quickly unraveled into chaos over the past week as the GOP-dominant Statehouse refused to take up gun...

Protest this way, not that way: In statehouses, varied rules restrict public voices

Aug. 25, 2023 15:57 PM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Shaking violently between sobs, parent Sarah Shoop Neumann could only manage a whisper as state troopers escorted her out of a Tennessee legislative hearing where she was waiting to testify against a bill that would let teachers carry guns. “I was supposed...

As research grows into how to stop gun violence, one city looks to science for help

Aug. 24, 2023 11:05 AM EDT

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (AP) — “That’s where I got shot,” said Rashaad Woods, nodding toward a convenience store in Knoxville’s “gun zone.” There were bullet holes in a church’s walls. Nearby was a shuttered nightclub where some people were killed. “There was a point...

Signs return to Tennessee statehouse grounds after judge blocks new House GOP rule

Aug. 23, 2023 22:49 PM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A judge ruled to let people bring signs back into the Tennessee House's hearings on Wednesday, followed hours later by more disarray during a committee debate on allowing more guns into schools in a special session in reaction to a deadly Nashville school shooting in...

After school shooting, Tennessee lawmakers not expected to take up gun control in special session

Aug. 21, 2023 19:34 PM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Deeply divided Tennessee lawmakers returned to the state Capitol Monday, kicking off a special session that many hoped would address the state's relaxed gun laws but instead quickly devolved into bitter fighting over procedural rules and limits on public access into the...

Former Tennessee state senator gets 21-month prison sentence for campaign finance cash scheme

Aug. 11, 2023 19:28 PM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A former Tennessee state senator on Friday was sentenced to 21 months in prison after he unsuccessfully tried to take back his guilty plea on federal campaign finance charges and initially described the case as a “political witch hunt.” Former Republican...

Tennessee hospital faces civil rights investigation over release of transgender health records

Aug. 11, 2023 11:50 AM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Vanderbilt University Medical Center is facing a federal civil rights investigation after turning the medical records of transgender patients over to Tennessee’s attorney general, hospital officials have confirmed. The U.S. Department of Health and Human...

$1.55 billion Mega Millions prize grows as 31 drawings pass without a winner

Aug. 07, 2023 16:55 PM EDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — There is no mystery why the Mega Millions jackpot has grown to $1.55 billion, making it the third-largest ever ahead of Tuesday night's drawing. The prize has ballooned because no one has matched the game's six winning numbers since April 18, amounting to 31...