From July 1, 2022 to July 30, 2023, there is no sales tax on gun safes or safety devices. This weekend will be tax-free for clothes and school supplies. And the entire month of August will be tax-free for groceries.

The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board rejected on Tuesday evening, July 26, applications for three charter schools, but the schools could still gain approval by going an alternate route. 

The Supreme Court issued its judgment in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Tuesday, initiating the 30-day countdown on Tennessee’s abortion ban.

A bill guaranteeing right to birth control passed in the U.S. House without support of Tennessee Republicans. Having a law on the books would preempt any decision the Supreme Court might make to withhold that right. 

But they offered no more clarity on what exactly teachers can and can’t say about race and history.

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.