Tennessee Republicans form working group to reject federal education funds
House Speaker Cameron Sexton first expressed interest in rejecting $1.8 billion in annual federal education funding during the regular legislative session earlier this year.
Ian Round
Ian Round is The Daily Memphian’s state government reporter based in Nashville. He came to Tennessee from Maryland, where he reported on local politics for Baltimore Brew. He earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland in December 2019.
There are 368 articles by Ian Round :
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September 2023
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State Government -
Criminal Justice Brian Kelsey appears in court to ask for bail pending appeal
With four weeks left until he’s scheduled to go to prison, former state Sen. Brian Kelsey appeared in federal court in Nashville on Thursday, Sept. 21 to argue that prosecutors violated his plea deal — and that he should remain free while the appeal plays out.
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Criminal Justice Brian Kelsey appeals conviction, says prosecutors violated plea deal
Prosecutors say Kelsey’s request for bail is another delay tactic. The parties are set for oral arguments on the bail motion Thursday, Sept. 21.
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State Government State approves funding for ‘first step’ in Wilder Youth Center replacement
The renovation is part of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services’ plan to manage the crisis of placements for youths in foster care or the juvenile justice system.
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August 2023
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State Government Here are details on the four bills the General Assembly passed
The two chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly resolved a standoff on Tuesday, Aug. 29, agreeing to pass the four bills that the Senate passed last week and ending a special session prompted by the Covenant School shooting.
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Mayor's race
ElectionsIn her run for mayor, Karen Camper says she’s in a ‘unique position’
In her campaign for Memphis mayor, Tennessee House Minority Leader Karen Camper is emphasizing her relationships with the state’s Republican leadership, saying her role would allow her to bring more state resources to Memphis.
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Metro House Speaker ejects audience, silences Jones in special session; Democrats walk off in protest
Sexton’s moves followed a subcommittee chairman’s move last week to clear the entire audience from a hearing room — including parents of survivors of the Covenant School shooting.
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Update
State GovernmentSpecial session to continue next week as Senate adjourns for the weekend
The General Assembly’s special legislative session will not end this week. The state Senate on Thursday, Aug. 24, adjourned for the weekend with the intention of returning Monday afternoon, after a meeting that lasted just a few minutes.
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State Government Tennessee Senate passes four bills, special session likely to end Thursday
The bills seek to improve background checks, create an awareness campaign about free gun locks and require a report on human trafficking; they mostly continue things the state government already does.
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State Government Audience ejected at special session: ‘This is not what democracy looks like’
Tuesday saw the first committee hearings of the special session and the beginning of discussion on bills. More than 100 people — including parents of Covenant School shooting survivors — were removed from one of the first hearings.
Related story:
House sets controversial rules as General Assembly begins special session
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State Government House sets controversial rules as General Assembly begins special session
In addition to limiting public access, the Tennessee House of Representatives listed consequences for members who breach decorum during the special legislative session that began Monday, Aug. 21.
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Protesters in Nashville rally for — and against — stricter gun laws
‘Freedom Ride for Millennials:’ Dozens bus to Nashville for first day of special session
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State Government Protesters in Nashville rally for — and against — stricter gun laws
Representatives of DC Project, Equity Alliance, Memphis For All, Moms Demand Action and other groups gathered in Nashville leading up to the special session that commenced Monday, Aug. 21.
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State Government Justin J. Pearson sworn into state House — again — before special session
Justin J. Pearson was sworn into the state House of Representatives for the third time on Monday, Aug. 21, following his April 6 expulsion, quick interim reappointment and subsequent special election victory earlier this month.
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Premium
State GovernmentHow gun-rights groups exert influence on state lawmakers
Republican Debra Maggart had worked to pass a number of gun bills, but she said the National Rifle Association decided to “annihilate” her in 2012 after she spoke against Tennesseans keeping weapons in their cars while at work.
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State Government Lawmakers’ gun-safety bills can’t be heard during special session
In the months since Gov. Bill Lee announced he would convene a special session, top lawmakers’ initial openness to a “red flag” law hardened into uncompromising opposition, and the focus of the special session shifted from guns to mental health and tough-on-crime legislation.
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July 2023
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Education State’s largest teachers’ union sues over ‘prohibited concepts’ law
The Tennessee Education Association and five state educators including two affiliated with MSCS filed a lawsuit against the 2021 ‘prohibited concepts’ law, banning certain discussion surrounding race and gender in public and charter schools.
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State Government Brian Kelsey’s sentencing delayed — again
Kelsey is now scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. in federal court in Nashville.
Related story:
Brian Kelsey’s sentencing was delayed again. Here’s a timeline of his legal odyssey.
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Criminal JusticeBrian Kelsey’s sentencing was delayed again. Here’s a timeline of his legal odyssey.
Here’s a look back at the timeline that led to former state Sen. Brian Kelsey’s expected sentencing hearing Thursday, July 27, on two campaign-finance felonies.
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State GovernmentCalls for gun reform have reached a fever pitch in Memphis. Will state lawmakers listen?
Gun violence has become a major theme in the Memphis mayoral race. And the Memphis City Council voted to put a referendum on local gun laws before voters next year, setting up a possible clash with the state.
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Premium
State GovernmentJustin J. Pearson, Justin Jones report massive fundraising after expulsions
State Reps. Justin J. Pearson and Justin Jones both now have more campaign money than any of the Republican lawmakers who expelled them in April.
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State Government Wilder Youth Center getting upgrades, but won’t be replaced yet
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services says the Fayette County facility is needed despite reports by Disability Rights Tennessee and the Youth Law Center of abuse and unsafe conditions at the facility.
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State Government Memphis’ state technical college gets $89 million for new campus
Tennessee officials approved just under $718 million to rebuild the state’s technical colleges on Thursday.
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State Government Report: TDOT should seek federal funds for passenger rail
A passenger rail route connecting Nashville, Chattanooga and Atlanta should be Tennessee’s top priority, followed by a Memphis-to-Nashville line, according to a report from an independent state commission.
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Premium
State GovernmentSixth Circuit upholds anti-trans law, but ‘chilling effect’ decreased access months earlier
This weekend’s ruling, allowing SB1 to take effect, isn’t what made gender-affirming care inaccessible for many people. That care had become less accessible in Tennessee — even for trans adults — since the bill was introduced in the General Assembly in November, before the legislative session even began.
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Premium
City of MemphisNonprofit ministry expanding to Shelby County offers ‘relief valve’ to DCS
Rapidly growing Isaiah 117 House is one of more than two dozen faith-based organizations helping the Department of Children’s Services by providing space for children awaiting placement so they don’t have to sleep on office floors.
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