Biden order prompts debate about liberty
The Biden administration’s recent announcements regarding COVID-19 vaccines have set up a challenge with conservative states like Tennessee and raise legal questions.
Topic: Gov. Bill Lee
RSSThere are 210 article(s) tagged Gov. Bill Lee:
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September 2021
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State leaders, advocates respond to ruling against abortion ban
Days after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a restrictive abortion ban, with the U.S. Supreme Court declining to intervene, an important decision came down from another court that invalidated a similar law signed last year by Gov. Bill Lee.
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Mask-optional policies hurt children with asthma, diabetes, lawyers argue
A ruling is expected before the temporary restraining order expires on Sept. 17.
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Lee sticks to pandemic strategy even as state leads U.S. in COVID cases per capita
As more than a third of new COVID cases are among children, Lee says, “We’re doing what we believe is the best way forward.”
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August 2021
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Mask opt-out is far from first time state has preempted local orders
The opt-out order on masks is one of many times in recent years that the state government has preempted local governments, negating laws passed by mayors and city and county councils.
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St. Jude CEO takes on Lee’s masking opt-out stance
“Debate is healthy, but not when the debate is about wearing a mask that can decrease the chance of children contracting COVID-19,” Dr. James Downing said.
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County files suit against Lee over mask opt-out
Federal suit filed in Memphis late Thursday afternoon.
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ICU doctor announces Democratic bid for governor
Jason Martin treats COVID-19 patients in a Nashville hospital and has been one of the biggest critics of Gov. Bill Lee’s handling of the pandemic.
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Health Dept.: Local mask order still in effect in schools, day cares
Students are still mandated to wear masks, unless parents present a formal, written request to school officials to opt out.
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Lee mask order causes outrage among Memphis parents, teachers
Memphians are not happy with Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order allowing parents to opt their children out of mask mandates in schools.
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Herrington: From anti-mask to ‘exceptionalism,’ a two-front schools battle our kids don’t need
Our schools: A two-front political battlefield our kids didn’t ask for and really don’t need right now. Education shouldn’t be conscription, especially in the service of others’ political ambitions.
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State mulls how to enforce ‘critical race theory’ law
The Tennessee Department of Education is considering its rules for enforcing the state’s new law regulating discussions of race in the classroom.
Related story: Critical race theory: An explainer
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Critical race theory: An explainer
Here, in a nutshell, is a definition of critical race theory and why people are talking about it.
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Latest TCAP results show significant learning loss
The Tennessee Department of Education released statewide testing numbers Monday, the first batch of data since schools closed in the spring of 2020.
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July 2021
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Tennessee Republicans remain low-key on call for vaccination
While many Republican leaders nationwide are now calling more strongly for COVID vaccinations in light of the Delta variant, Tennessee’s leading Republicans have remained more muted.
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Lee, criminal justice advocates differ on clemency
Some criminal justice advocates say Gov. Bill Lee has not lived up to a commitment to use his clemency power.
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GOP lawmakers demand answers on immigration issues
Republican lawmakers discussing refugees demanded transparency Tuesday, July 13, from the federal government regarding unaccompanied minors.
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Officials: Feds not alerting Tennessee about migrant kids
It’s a practice that’s been taking place for years in Tennessee, but one that recently sparked criticism ahead of the 2022 midterm election as Republicans nationwide have increased criticisms of President Joe Biden’s administration handling of the border with Mexico.
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Democrats blast state plan to buy plane tickets for tourists
Gov. Bill Lee announced the state would spend $2.5 million to buy plane tickets for tourists. The decision prompted criticism that buying plane tickets for tourists is not the best use of taxpayer dollars.
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June 2021
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Infrastructure compromise tests partisan divide
The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast recaps local political development including the county’s budget season and campaign openings for the 2022 county elections. Also, the partisan divide among area legislators remains in place on voting rights and the infrastructure bill.
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Governor ramps up support for W. Tenn. ‘megasite’
Gov. Bill Lee is ordering more aggressive marketing and pushing a $52 million infrastructure investment in the Memphis Regional Megasite, located in Haywood County.
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May 2021
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Why critical race theory is a hot topic in education
Critical race theory is being banned from classrooms across the nation. Here’s what it is and why educators of color are fighting back.
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Opinion: Governor silent about law banning classroom discussion of race
Gov. Bill Lee signed the bill May 24 without comment. Because what could he really say that makes sense? His first and apparently only attempt to explain the rationale for the law would have been fine for a White Citizens Council meeting in the 1960s.
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Opinion: We live in the Great State of Mediocrity
Tennessee ranked 29th in U.S. News & World Report’s Best States ranking for 2021. ‘Here’s the scientific explanation, and I’ll try to be brief: Our state legislature is mean-spirited, small-minded, short-sighted. And cheap.’
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Will workers return as unemployment benefits wane?
Unemployment benefits will soon be dropping in Tennessee. Employers are hoping that will help convince more people to return to work as the economy improves.
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