Tennessee leaders are weighing the prospects for a special session to consider a COVID-19 liability immunity bill and several other issues in early August.

Tennessee parents who stay home with children for virtual education are eligible for unemployment and cash assistance, Gov. Bill Lee said this week. But the Department of Labor was unclear on the question.

Gov. Bill Lee is not considering making a statewide mask mandate or shutting down parts of the economy again to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, even as cases surge.

Three people working in the Legislature have tested positive for COVID-19, possibly including one lawmaker who has tested positive. Plus, a former lawmaker who gave the House prayer June 18 was released from the hospital after testing positive.

Just moments after Gov. Bill Lee signed an abortion ban into law Monday, July 13, a federal judge blocked the measure from taking effect and set up a court battle with the ACLU-Tennessee.

Gov. Bill Lee continues to call the COVID-19 pandemic a crisis, but some Memphis lawmakers question his strategy as cases spike. They say he needs to be prepared for another round of spending to help families as the school year starts.

The Tennessee Black Caucus is preparing to challenge the assertion that Nathan Bedford Forrest is a "military hero," which was part of the vote to shift the Confederate general's bust to the State Museum.

With protesters shouting in the halls of the Tennessee Tower, the State Capitol Commission narrowly voted Thursday, July 9, to relocate the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust to the State Museum.

Gov. Bill Lee is expected to tell the State Capitol Commission he believes the monument should be moved to the State Museum.

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance confirmed a $22,000 settlement penalty of campaign reporting violations for state Rep. Joe Towns in an effort to avert an open meetings lawsuit.

The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators is only “cautiously optimistic” the State Capitol Commission will vote Thursday to remove the monument of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest.

The state is doling out $81 million in grants to K-12 schools, colleges and universities to prepare for a safe reopening this August in the COVID-19 climate.

The Sierra Club’s Scott Banbury raises questions about the governor's move to extend electronic meetings for local governments, while the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government says it creates a "convenient" loophole for councils and commissions to avoid public comment.

The Masons are worried state funding will be cut for the Family Support Program, hurting their ability to pay for speech therapy for their autistic son.

Governor signed an executive order providing legal cover for health care providers in the COVID-19 pandemic and said his administration is looking at the legal authority for local governments to mandate face masks.

Gov. Bill Lee said Wednesday, July 1, he will address the Capitol Commission about removing the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from the State Capitol’s second floor, but he didn’t say whether he would make a recommendation to the panel when it meets July 9.

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance is set to take another vote July 8 to reduce civil penalties against state Rep. Joe Towns after the Attorney General's Office advised it to reaffirm what critics are calling “secret” action that led to an open meetings lawsuit.

The House voted to let the Memphis Zoo serve alcoholic beverages this week, but not without hearing lawmakers raise worries about drunken people falling into cages with “man-eating” animals.

The Tennessee Legislature broke an impasse Thursday night and was set to pass a $39.4 billion budget for fiscal 2021 dealing with a $1 billion shortfall caused by the COVID-19 crisis, wrapping up a short but chaotic session surrounded by protest.

Gov. Bill Lee is proclaiming Friday, June 19, as Juneteenth in Tennessee, but he stops short of demanding removal of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from the State Capitol.

House and Senate break stalemate to reach $39.4 billion budget agreement as Legislature prepares to adjourn.

The Tennessee House overwhelmingly passed fetal heartbeat legislation Thursday to prohibit abortion, then held out hope the Senate would consider the measure.

In an effort to calm nerves, state Rep. Antonio Parkinson issued an apology Wednesday night for cursing during an outburst the previous evening as he tried to defend a slain Nashville teenager.

In the waning days of the 111th General Assembly, the House of Representatives descended into an atmosphere of chaotic uncertainty but slowly started trying to take a new direction Wednesday morning.

A $39.4 billion House budget plan for fiscal 2021 pulls $12.2 million Memphis and Shelby and another large chunk from Nashville and Davidson County and redistributes it to other cities and counties.