Disagreements about what kind of authority an appointed board should have over the Memphis school system stopped the bill from advancing before lawmakers adjourned for the year. 

The state governing body for high school athletics is facing the possibility of a government takeover. Or outright dissolution.

A special committee of state lawmakers is expected to hammer out the details of a proposed takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools in a final push toward passing the legislation before the Tennessee General Assembly adjourns in the coming days.

Arlington officials express concerns about the potential testing route for a proposed driver's license station on U.S. 70.

The Tennessee General Assembly passed three possible amendments, including one that could allow judges to deny bail to defendants accused of certain crimes. 

The move diminishes the chances for the bill to pass this year as lawmakers prepare for a likely adjournment this week.

Rep. G.A. Hardaway, along with other Memphis lawmakers, expressed concern over the reductions and outright elimination of many Memphis organizations and programs.

A resolution that urges the Tennessee Supreme Court to create a panel to investigate three state district attorneys general passed the state Senate Wednesday, April 16.

When the National Foundation for Transplants announced its closure, many patients discovered they could no longer access funds they believed had been raised specifically for their medical needs. 

State Sen. Brent Taylor proposed a bill in March that would have created a state-level board to offer companies tax incentives for projects in Memphis.

Shelby County’s five state senators voted down party lines for a bill that would allow school districts to deny education to students based on immigration status.

As the current Tennessee General Assembly legislative session draws to a close, bills are facing do-or-die moments in committees.

The Political Roundup also digs into the reaction at the National Civil Rights Museum’s April 4th commemoration to Donald Trump’s executive orders.

The measure, narrowed to Memphis-Shelby County Schools, would strip elected school board members of their duties and assign oversight of the district to a board of state-appointed Shelby County residents.

“Humanitarian crisis.” “Big liability.” “Ungodly problem.” These are some of the terms Tennessee lawmakers used to describe the Shelby County Jail as they passed a bill to help fund construction of a new one. 

SB0336, sponsored by state Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, would remove the requirements for persons convicted of certain felonies to have fully paid all court costs associated with their crime to be eligible to vote.

Dr. Ralph Alvarado, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, touched on everything from vaccines to fluoride to health disparities during a presentation at the University of Memphis on Friday, March 28.

State Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Eads, and Senate leaders are asking the Tennessee Supreme Court to appoint a panel outside the legislature to investigate Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy. 

The Senate proposal would expand Tennessee’s voucher program to some rural and poor school districts, whether state officials believe other takeover measures are necessary or not.

The bill passed narrowly in an 11-7 vote, with three Republicans, including Memphis Republican Mark White voting against it alongside all four of the committee’s Democrats.

When Gov. Bill Lee’s budget amendment was released Tuesday, $10 million for Germantown’s desired sports complex was not included.

A discussion about gun laws lead to Rep. Justin J. Pearson, confronting fellow Rep. Andrew Farmer during a House subcommittee Wednesday, March 26, temporarily suspending the session. 

Eads Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor brought the proposal, which targets Memphis by taking aim at Tennessee school districts with high concentrations of poverty.

The money to hire and pay an accounting firm to conduct the audit is part of Gov. Bill Lee’s amended budget proposal.

“If we do nothing then we are really leaving ourselves at the will of the state,” said Commissioner Shante Avant.