Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Noah McLane

Bail bond limits, property tax ban, ICE regulations: A legislative session recap

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:42:56 -0500

A lot can happen in four months, especially when 132 Tennessee lawmakers get together. Here are some of the bills that may have slipped between the big headlines.

Hiring, working, driving: An immigration-related legislative recap

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:13:39 -0500

Four months after announcing Republican lawmakers would send a “strong message” with immigration-related bills, The Daily Memphian looks at what passed and what failed.

For a while, Tennessee's cannabis industry was smokin' hot. Now it's in the weeds.

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:03:42 -0500

Between 2018, when Congress essentially legalized THCa, and 2025, when the Tennessee legislature regulated it, the Volunteer State’s hemp industry was flying high.

Get the lead out: Bill requires DHS to make lead tests available to Memphians

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:40:33 -0500

Two Memphis lawmakers teamed up to ensure Memphis kids and pregnant women have access to blood lead level tests.

Opponents claim new child-custody bill ‘treats kids like perps’

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:00:03 -0500

The bill would let a Department of Child Services residential facility keep a child for up to an additional six months for assaulting a staff member.

Tennessee bill allows anonymous applicants for director-level jobs

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:23:50 -0500

A new bill headed to Gov. Lee would keeps applicants for roles like superintendent and fire chief anonymous. Supporters call it protection. Critics say it’s concerning for government transparency.

State budget spikes $30M meant for Memphis

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:18:15 -0500

The budget “reallocates” $30 million originally proposed for Memphis to combat crime through workforce development and deterrence.

Transgender health care tracking bill passes Senate

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:00:43 -0500

Sen. Brent Taylor advanced a bill that would track transgender health care and protect conversion therapy for those questioning their gender identity.

Tennessee passes $58B budget

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:17:02 -0500

Tennessee’s fiscal year 2027 includes $50 million for public safety in Memphis, $350 million for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and $3.5 million for the new Downtown art museum.

TN Senate inches closer to details of an MSCS takeover, which could get $1M in startup money

Ltestino@dailymemphian.com (Laura Testino) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:18:09 -0500

A small group of state lawmakers is expected to meet Monday, in the waning days of the legislative session, to determine the details of a proposal to take over the Memphis school system.

Ask the Memphian: What is kratom? And is it legal in Tennessee?

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:28:27 -0500

Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke was charged with trafficking an illegal substance in Arkansas after he was found to be in possession of more than 200 grams of kratom. But what exactly is the drug?

Tennessee legislature honors Memphis native Drew Holcomb

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 12:56:10 -0500

Lawmakers honored the four-time Grammy nominated artist with a resolution making his “Tennessee” an official state song, in the company of classics like “Rocky Top” and “Tennessee Waltz.”

$1.6B in child support held up due to third-party vendor, judge alleges

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 12:55:25 -0500

A juvenile court judge in Memphis says there’s a growing issue with child support payments in Shelby County and that the state’s newest child support enforcement vendor is to blame.

TBI could get its own cold case unit

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Wed, 8 Apr 2026 20:30:21 -0500

A bipartisan effort to launch a dedicated cold case unit within the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation could help cut down on the ever-growing number of missing persons in Tennessee.

Memphis Safe Task Force accountability act clears Tennessee House

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 18:01:11 -0500

The MSTF Accountability Act passed the House with 74 ayes and 21 noes now heads to Senate.

Tennessee bill would make drink spiking a felony and require test strips at bars

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 19:50:30 -0500

Led by Sen. Paul Rose, R-Covington, a bipartisan bill that aims to crack down on the use of “date rape” drugs to involuntarily intoxicate someone cruised through the Senate, but is set for a challenge in the House.

Lawmaker calls delay on gun bills a ‘slap in the face’ to Tennessee gun owners

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 14:12:02 -0500

A Republican lawmaker wants guns to be allowed on college campuses, public parks and other places they have been historically banned. “It’s almost like they’re married to that one (Second) Amendment,” said one Memphis lawmaker.

FedEx loses out on $20M tax break following close House vote

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:22:27 -0500

Nine votes separated FedEx from a $20 million tax break, despite a mostly united front from Memphis lawmakers.

New bill would oust Memphis airport board

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 06:18:13 -0500

Local control of Tennessee’s airports would be grounded if a bill that would give airport-board appointment power to a handful of state lawmakers glides through both chambers.

Tennessee Dems call for gas sales tax holiday

noahmclane.news@gmail.com (Noah McLane) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 04:00:07 -0500

With the war in Iran ongoing and inflation still slightly higher than the Fed’s 2% goal, Tennesseans need financial relief, state Democrats said.