Governor sends $10M grant to rural hospitals
Spread across 29 hospitals in 28 Tennessee counties, the grants help smaller hospitals bridge funding gaps created by reduced patient volumes while federal funds become available.
Sam Stockard
Reporter
Sam Stockard is a Nashville-based reporter with more than 30 years of journalism experience as a writer, editor and columnist covering the state Legislature and Tennessee politics for The Daily Memphian.
There are 1058 articles by Sam Stockard :
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May 2020
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Metro -
State Government House, Senate conflict builds as session arrives
With the Legislature set to reconvene June 1, the House and Senate are at odds over the scope of legislation to be considered in what is expected to be a short get-together to deal mainly with the budget and COVID-related bills.
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State GovernmentLegislation on pay for student-athlete endorsements fails
An effort to tweak the NCAA's nose failed Tuesday in the General Assembly as two Memphis lawmakers' bills allowing student-athletes to be compensated failed to gain traction.
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State Government Voucher program draws support without a word
Tennessee’s Education Savings Account program drew support in Republican-controlled subcommittees Tuesday, May 26, 2020, with hardly a word.
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State Government Legislation could give DeBerry a chance to get back on ballot as independent
Legislation in the General Assembly’s renewed COVID-19 session could help Democratic state Rep. John DeBerry find his way back on the ballot in 2020 after the Democratic Party took him off.
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State Government House Judiciary Committee passes constitutional carry bill
Despite the protests of Memphis officials and lawmakers, the House Judiciary Committee has passed a constitutional carry bill that enables “law-abiding” people to pack handguns without a state permit.
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State Government House public health panel passes governor’s abortion bill
The Public Health Subcommittee passed Gov. Bill Lee’s legislation severely restricting abortion Wednesday even though it is not set to be heard by the Senate and the governor is not prioritizing it.
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State Government State economic board hears tough economic news sprinkled with bright spots
Tennessee’s sales tax collections plummeted 6% in April, but while clothing retailers and restaurants took the biggest blow from the COVID-19 pandemic, grocery stores and building material businesses nearly made up for it.
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State Government Tennessee to stop sharing COVID-positive information with law enforcement
Gov. Bill Lee’s Administration is ending a highly-criticized policy of sharing COVID-positive information with 911 boards and law enforcement agencies across the state, saying plenty of PPE is available and urging first responders to wear it when they interact with people.
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State Government House subcommittee cuts governor’s authority over refugee resettlement
A House subcommittee voted twice Thursday, May 28, to undermine the governor’s authority to place Tennessee in the federal refugee resettlement program.
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State issues guidelines for non-contact sports, summer camps, higher ed
Six counties – Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Sullivan – may continue to follow individual reopening plans created in consultation with state and local health departments.
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State hits 400,000 coronavirus tests
”That means 6% of our population has stepped forward and asked for a test and received one,” Lee said during his press briefing.
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Coronavirus Coronavirus live blog, May 12: Executive order on permits and health care workers extended
Gov. Bill Lee extended continuation of a previous executive order to boost social distancing efforts. It maintains extended deadlines for motor vehicles and handgun permits and encourages working from home.
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Elections Governor refuses Black Caucus’ request for universal absentee vote
Despite COVID-19 cases continuing to spread statewide, with Tennessee counting 373 more Thursday, Gov. Bill Lee is rejecting a request by the Tennessee Black Caucus to issue an executive order allowing universal absentee voting.
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Public Safety Night of unrest sparks day of response
Everyone from Gov. Bill Lee to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland to a coalition of other elected and community leaders spoke out Thursday, May 28, on the Wednesday night unrest over a Minnesota man’s death at the hands of police.
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State GovernmentState sees worsening budget with department cutbacks and rescinded tax breaks
The Lee Administration is projecting COVID-related budget problems that will force the state to trim department budgets by 12% and to push off tax cuts such as phasing out the Hall income tax.
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State Government Nursing homes face punishment for failing to test for COVID-19
With nearly 40% of the state's COVID-19 deaths coming from nursing homes, Tennessee is ready to put sanctions on long-term care facilities if they fail to complete virus testing of staff and residents.
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State Government Tennessee Black Caucus demands justice in response to George Floyd killing
Saying the time for “hollow words” is over, the Tennessee Black Caucus called for legislative reform to address the needs of African Americans and sought justice in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police.
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State Government Governor mobilizes National Guard as George Floyd protest escalates in Nashville
Lee activates Guard after in response to protests "that have now taken a violent, unlawful turn in Nashville."
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June 2020
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State Government Lawmakers want more ‘checks and balances’ in state of emergency
State Rep. Tom Leatherwood is pushing for a full review of Tennessee’s state of emergency law and executive order rules, while state Rep. G.A. Hardaway says a legislative oversight panel could be convened for the rest of a state of emergency.
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State Government National Guard to remain mobilized across state
A day of peaceful protest of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis, Minnesota police erupted into violence Saturday night in Nashville as people set fire to the Metro Nashville Courthouse, clashed with police, then broke out windows and started fires in Lower Broadway honky-tonks and businesses.
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Coronavirus State sets second PBS schedule for learning
All six Tennessee PBS stations, including WKNO Memphis, will offer high-quality educational programming for grades K-3, weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon through June and July.
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Elections Secretary of State holding on to $55M for projects besides universal absentee voting
Two challenges against Tennessee’s absentee voting law are scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, in Davidson County Chancery Court.
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State Government House makes Tennessee Second Amendment sanctuary, shoots hole in abortion rights
The House bolstered gun ownership and undercut abortion rights Monday night, the first night in session after more than two months out for the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Health Care Health Department halts distribution of free face masks
Questions arise about the safety of odor-fighting Silvadur applied to the masks, which diminishes in the fabric with washings.
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