Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn avoided a no-confidence vote Tuesday, Sept. 21 but not verbal criticism from lawmakers during a House Education Committee hearing.

Tennessee superintendents described a litany of problems to legislators Tuesday, Sept. 22, with the worst of the problems being that low-performing students are falling further behind during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related Story: Lawmakers grill education commissioner over ‘missteps’

Gov. Bill Lee says a move to bolster Tennessee’s unemployment insurance trust fund saved businesses $837 million in tax premiums, but some legislators believe the system is structurally flawed.

Tennessee’s senior Senator ended a Sunday of speculation about where he would stand on the move to fill the vacancy with a written statement Sunday afternoon.

Tennessee officials call the state’s 11-year-old TNInvestco program a “sham” that needs to be investigated and ended because of poor return on a $200 million investment.

Gov. Bill Lee ordered the Economic and Community Development Department to go after private Chinese investment, especially in the electric car sector, the state’s commissioner said.

With cases declining statewide, Tennessee will allow nursing homes to lift restrictions for more visitation and activities as long as they show no new cases for two weeks.

Democrat Gabby Salinas and Republican John Gillespie are getting feisty over an endorsement she received from the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, hinting at a lively race this fall for an open House seat.

Lawmakers could consider new laws for economic incentive accountability after finding out Tennessee collected $18.4 million from 17 companies.

Tennessee’s lieutenant governor and House speaker are entering the fight over Nathan Bedford Forrest, saying another step should be taken before the Historical Commission can consider a waiver to remove the Confederate general’s bust from the State Capitol.

Legislators could question Gov. Bill Lee’s administration this week over reports it is recruiting Chinese investment to Tennessee amid a trade war and questions about whether China misled the world over COVID-19.

Shelby County’s Republican legislators defend President Donald Trump’s comments to author Bob Woodward while Democrats say he misled the nation.

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner supports Gov. Bill Lee’s police reform plan amid nationwide chaos over alleged police brutality, saying it is a “starting point” to improve police work and relationships with communities.

Lawsuit challenged the Tennessee state law preventing first-time voters from using expanded eligibility for absentee voting during the pandemic.

The Tennessee Department of Education has launched an online dashboard with COVID-19 case information at school and district levels. It shows 514 student cases and 242 staff cases statewide.

The state's changes are in line with changing guidance from federal health officials. And they have already been adopted by the independent county health departments in the state's major cities, including Memphis.

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers made an emotional plea for racial justice as the NBA postponed playoff games, echoing the sentiment of some Tennesseans such as Memphis' Earle Fisher.

Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn could face a no-confidence vote from lawmakers during September meetings if she doesn't say what they want to hear.

Bill Lee signed executive orders Friday extending Tennessee’s state of emergency until Sept. 30 and allowing mayors to put mask mandates in place.

State Rep. Bill Beck said Thursday, Aug. 27, he tested positive for COVID-19 less than two weeks after attending a legislative special session and criticized state leaders for holding the three-day event.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Covington this fall will launch a new Digital Agronomy Assistant training program developed in collaboration with Indigo Ag and state agencies.

One of Shelby County’s 14 state House seats could disappear because of a dwindling population and low participation in the 2020 Census, putting Democrats in jeopardy of losing ground.

The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators is demanding an explanation from Lt. Gov. Randy McNally for posting a Facebook meme threatening “vigilante-type justice” against Black Lives Matter and Antifa.

A Davidson County chancellor ordered the Secretary of State’s Office to modify its absentee ballot application to reflect the changing position it argued before the Supreme Court in early August.

Tennessee’s unemployed workers are to receive a check for $900 within the next three weeks through a federal grant program putting $44 billion into the national economy, state officials said Tuesday.