John Ryder's confirmation by the Senate came on a busy Thursday in D.C. that included U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander calling from the Senate floor for an alternative to President Donald Trump's national emergency.

Two students are expected to be charged in connection with an incident with legislators at the State Capitol over the controversial Nathan Bedford Forrest bust. The bust prompted a letter from U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis to Gov. Bill Lee asking for its removal. 

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen sends Gov. Bill Lee a second letter urging him to call for removal of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from the State Capitol in light of Lee's "stated regret" for glorifying the "Old South" while in a fraternity at Auburn.

State Rep. Tom Leatherwood of Arlington called his proposal to make local election nonpartisan in Shelby and Davidson counties a "good government" bill, but it died in a House subcommittee Wednesday.

Legislation prohibiting abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected passed a key committee Tuesday, but Shelby County lawmakers on the panel are split on the bill.

Legislators contend cutting the age will make it harder for teens to vape or smoke, keeping them from getting addicted.

State Sen. Sara Kyle and state Rep. G.A. Hardaway, both Memphis Democrats, contend free hygiene items are necessary in schools to ensure girls come to class each day.

State Rep. London Lamar, a Memphis Democrat, argues abortion restriction is "unconstitutional and inhuman" and would cost state taxpayers in litigation fees.

State Rep. Kevin Vaughan, a Collierville Republican, hopes for $5 million to create 40 to 50 medical residencies in Tennessee's economically distressed areas.

State Rep. Kevin Vaughan, a Collierville Republican, and other GOP lawmakers say legislation would give patients more information about treatment and medical procedure costs to lower health-care expenses.

Gov. Bill Lee is proposing a $40 million investment in school safety to protect teachers and students and avert violence, mainly through funding for school resource officers.

The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee passed legislation this week stripping the subpoena power of police oversight committees, sidestepping opposition from Memphis legislators.

African-American students want a bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest removed from State Capitol, spurring a debate on the legacy of the Confederate general whose statue also created controversy in Memphis. 

House Criminal Justice Subcommittee sends measure dealing with violence acts to summer study.

State Sen. Sara Kyle of Memphis says she will concentrate on another term in the General Assembly in 2020 rather than seeking the U.S. Senate.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Raumesh Akbari and Rep. Karen Camper, both Memphis Democrats, would end the practice of chaining pregnant women and require prenatal, postpartum care.

Democratic Rep. Antonio Parkinson's bill requiring school boards to set rules governing visitors' actions and dress while on campuses narrowly escaped defeat in a House subcommittee Tuesday.

The proposed elimination of the so-called "gym tax" could reduce state revenue by $10 million but save fitness clubs 10 percent on fees.

Legislation enabling people to schedule payments for fines and fees on suspended licenses pushed Rep. Larry Miller of Memphis to move forward with a bill of his own. 

Open records advocates want to make sure records custodians can't take court action against people simply to keep them from getting information in Memphis and elsewhere around the state.

The potential for fraud has some Tennessee legislators, including Memphis Rep. Mark White and Memphis Sen. Raumesh Akbari, cautious about broader school choice options. 

An ex-convict invited by President Trump to the State of the Union address is helping lead efforts to streamline the voter restoration process for people who "pay their debt to society."

House Minority Leader calls for governor to retain authority to negotiate waiver with federal government without legislative approval.

Republican state lawmakers are hoping to pass a law banning abortion in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. 

State Rep. Joe Towns of Memphis failed to file a third-quarter report in 2018, while the pre-general report last year of state Rep. G.A. Hardaway’s, also of Memphis, lacked sufficient information, official says.