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.

The state House voted 80-9 Tuesday to give schools, businesses and hospitals broader protections against the potential for "frivolous lawsuits" tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The House finance committee approved a $39.4 billion budget plan for fiscal 2021 Monday night that leaders said would make the state “structurally” sound in two years instead of three.

The House finance committee passed a bill Monday creating the observance of Juneteenth in Tennessee to recognize the freedom of the slaves in Texas 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. But it appears to be going nowhere in the Senate, like many other House measures.

As the House digs into a proposed $39.4 billion budget for fiscal 2021, lawmakers are coming to grips with the idea of building up reserves while cutting programs such as education in the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Rep. Antonio Parkinson says if NASCAR can ban the Confederate flag, the state Legislature can take action in response to George Floyd’s death, including passage of legislation designed to reform police techniques.

The Republican-controlled state Senate, attempting to stop a potential wave of COVID-19 lawsuits, passed legislation this week giving businesses and schools greater protection from liability.

The state Senate approved a $40 billion budget for fiscal 2021, using a chunk of reserve funds to cover about $1 billion in tax shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 crisis, but refused to restore money for education and postpartum health care.

Congressman said he would not support additional federal unemployment payments, but suggested perhaps a one-time, return-to-work bonus of up to $1,200.

Despite civil strife, Gov. Bill Lee refuses to say whether the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust should be removed from the State Capitol or the day of recognition for the Confederate general should be eliminated.

Testing for COVID-19 of every nursing home and long-term care facility in the state will be completed by the end of the week, Gov. Bill Lee said.

Tennessee will observe Nathan Bedford Forrest Day on July 13, but the governor won’t have to sign a proclamation recognizing the observance under legislation passed by the Senate Wednesday.