Harris was arrested after an argument with his ex-boyfriend. He maintained his innocence and expressed confidence the charges will be dropped.

Democrats have raised more money, but GOP candidates are spending faster and have more cash on hand. That’s due in large part to Brent Taylor’s largely self-financed state Senate campaign.

“Starting today, we will work to help eligible parents enroll this school year,” Gov. Bill Lee said, “as we ensure Tennessee families have the opportunity to choose the school that they believe is best for their child.”

Memphis City Councilman JB Smiley Jr., Nashville-based critical-care physician Jason Martin and Memphis activist Carnita Atwater touted their qualifications for Tennessee governor.

In a state legislature with a Republican supermajority emboldened by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, it’s unlikely that these bills — especially one seeking to codify Roe v. Wade — will pass.

A 2018 law created the Tennessee Civil Rights Crimes, Information, Reconciliation, and Research Center, but provided no additional funding or staff.

The White House said Biden will speak Friday morning “on protecting access to reproductive health care services.”

“Tennessee is not prepared to deal with the consequences of more unplanned pregnancies and births,” said state Sen. London Lamar. 

The Collierville Board of Education adopted a resolution in a special-called meeting on Thursday. The impetus for the resolution was disparaging remarks against teachers.

The proposal is a response to the recent ban on abortions in Tennessee following the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Secrecy. Dark money. Anonymous billionaires. Nonexistent contracts. All affecting our kids’ education. What are the Chiefs for Change doing?

The three-judge panel, selected by the Tennessee Supreme Court, will oversee Moses’ case to challenge the constitutionality of her permanent disenfranchisement due to a guilty plea to a felony charge in 2015.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has launched a free legal clinic on wheels called the Justice Bus. The blue sprinter van will mostly travel to rural areas where residents may not have internet access.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally held a ceremonial signing of the bill at City Hall in Memphis.

“Governor, the COVID-19 emergency has long passed in Tennessee,” state Rep. Jason Zachary wrote. “We ask that you direct the Tennessee Department of Health to halt distribution, promotion or recommendation of COVID-19 vaccines for our youngest Tennesseans.”

The Democratic candidates in the race are Memphis City Councilman JB Smiley Jr., Nashville-based critical-care physician Jason Martin and Memphis activist Carnita Atwater. 

Gov. Bill Lee said he’s open to arming teachers, despite evidence that when teachers have guns, the risk of gun violence increases. Restorative justice can’t stop violence on its own, but evidence shows it improves students’ grades and behavior.

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett was arrested for driving under the influence Friday, June 17 after leaving the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Coffee County.

Republican-controlled county commissions in other parts of Tennessee have moved fast when state legislative seats open up, appointing replacements in less than a month.

The USDA announced last month it could stop funding food aid organizations that discriminate on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.

“I am cautiously optimistic about what we have seen so far,” said Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent Joris Ray. 

The state’s education commissioner and others were in Shelby County to see how well programs are helping students stem learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wednesday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee made his first extensive public comments on a Monday executive order on gun violence in schools. “We’re not looking at gun laws right now,” he told reporters.

Stuart McWhorter, a health care and tech venture capitalist, worked on Gov. Bill Lee’s 2018 campaign and served as his first finance commissioner.