A new rule, which says employers prohibiting people from using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity is workplace harassment, became law in late April.

Gov. Bill Lee said Tuesday, May 7, the ability to open carry firearms — and “constitutional rights” — are not the issue when it comes to Memphis and Shelby County crime.

According to a statement from Tennessee AG Jonathan Skrmetti, he believes the new ATF rule imposes too much of a regulatory burden on people “who occasionally sell or trade a firearm.” 

The plaintiffs argue in court filings that sex is properly determined not by external genitalia but by gender identity, which they define in their brief as “a person’s core internal sense of their own gender.” 

The Associated Press reported the DEA planned to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. The move is a bureaucratic step that could open up further pathways to legalization.

“I can tell you that we will continue to talk to anybody about abortion services when they ask for that information,” said Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi CEO Ashley Coffield. 

Gov. Bill Lee was able to secure a deal on the $1.9 billion tax cut and refund for businesses. The amount is almost 4% of the state’s $52.8 billion budget — which largely does not contain tax breaks for most Tennesseans.

Local education officials, from both private and public schools, continue to express skepticism about the “armed teachers” law. 

Under the bill, juvenile court can keep the minor under its jurisdiction until the teen’s 19th birthday, after which the court is authorized to impose an additional sentence to be served on or before their 24th birthday if they violate conditions.

After more than three months of debates and votes, the 113th Tennessee General Assembly is going home this week. Their decisions include making Memphis barbecue the second state food.

The bill to remove two Shelby County judgeships was faced with opposition after the removal of the Division 9 seat, formerly held by Melissa Boyd.

Tennessee’s GOP-dominant Statehouse approved the bill Wednesday, clearing the way for the measure to head to the Republican governor’s desk.

Although the Tennessee House of Representatives passed a similar bill in March, both houses would have to approve such a bill before it could head to the governor for his signature.

Some opponents of the bill hope liability concerns may make teachers and schools think twice before adopting the program.

When considering a request for $12 million for Youth Villages’ Memphis Allies program, the state Senate’s Finance, Ways and Means committee cut $1.75 million from four other Memphis nonprofits. 

With the passage of both bills Monday, attention can now shift to local governments receiving the needed approvals to allocate the funding.

A state measure that could put bail conditions in front of voters and change the Tennessee constitution will head to the House Tuesday, April 23. 

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee ordered the status in accordance with the Honoring Hometown Heroes Act.

Tenn. Gov. Bill Lee campaigned on vouchers in both 2018 and 2022, but the bill’s chances of becoming law appeared in jeopardy last week. Lawmakers questioned the cost, the effect on private schools and the changing nature of the legislation.

U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, R-Germantown, is also running unopposed in his August primary after the state GOP kicked perennial contender George Flinn out of the primary.

Even with the budget approved in the House and Senate, lawmakers still remained divided on whether they’ll advance any proposal to spend vastly more public money to send students to private schools throughout the state.

The bill would prevent public and charter schools from flying any flags except those permitted under the measure. The bill’s sponsor said the measure is meant to prevent schools from flying the LGBTQ+ pride flag. 

A new law would let some Tennessee barbershops and salons sell and serve drinks, but they’d also need to serve food and have seating. Some Memphis places are interested, while other say it’s a hair don’t.

The Tennessee House passed a bill Tuesday, April 16, that removes a magistrate’s financial consideration from the initial bail-setting process.

The bill approved Monday would also temporarily remove their gun rights if they are ruled incompetent to stand trial due to intellectual disability or mental illness.