Tennessee Lookout

25/07/2024

A pro-school voucher group tied to a New York billionaire is spending nearly $1 million to back pro-voucher candidates and to attempt to oust anti-voucher incumbents in the upcoming primary election.

The School Freedom Fund, a pro-voucher group tied to Club for Growth, is spending funds to defeat GOP Tennessee Sen. Frank Niceley.

24/07/2024

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance is set to subpoena members of two Constitutional Republican groups to have them explain how they operate without registering as a political action committee.

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance will subpoena members of two Constitutional Republican groups to explain their operations.

24/07/2024

Nearly half of Memphis families face high energy burdens, spending roughly 60 cents of every $10 they earn to keep lights on and climate control running, according to a study released in late June.

Nearly half of Memphis families face high energy burdens, according to a report commissioned by the Southern Environmental Law Center.

23/07/2024

An old state law prohibits more than one state contract with CoreCivic, but the prison company is exploiting a loophole to gain additional government contracts, to the tune of $233 million last year from Tennessee.

CoreCivic, a Tennessee-based private prison company, is exploiting a loophole in state law to roll up government contracts.

22/07/2024

"It’s TVA. You don’t have any options.” A push is on to make TVA more green, even as the utility proposes a 900-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant, battery storage and pipelines in rural Cheatham County.

The Tennessee Valley Authority faces a push to get greener and more transparent as it proposes a gas-fired plant in rural Cheatham County.

22/07/2024

Sean Williams, a former Johnson City businessman linked to scores of suspected s*xual assaults, is expected to face his first trial Tuesday in a federal court in Greeneville.

ean Williams, a former Johnson City businessman linked to scores of suspected s*xual assaults, is expected to face his first trial Tuesday.

21/07/2024

President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race Sunday, he said in a letter posted to social media, creating an unprecedented vacancy atop the Democratic ticket one month before he was scheduled to officially accept his party’s nomination.

President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race Sunday, he said in a letter posted to social media.

18/07/2024

Tennessee has agreed to scrub its s*x offender registry of dozens of people who were convicted of prostitution while having HIV following lawsuits from the U.S. Justice Department and the American Civil Liberties Union. From KFF Health News.

After a lawsuit by the Department of Justice, Tennessee has agreed to remove from the s*x offender registry people with HIV convicted of prostitution.

18/07/2024

A Tennessee Registry of Election Finance board member is criticizing an Attorney General’s Office investigation into two Constitutional Republicans groups, challenging the veracity of its report and raising questions about possible bias.

A Tennessee Registry of Election Finance board member criticizes the Attorney General’s Office, raising questions about possible bias.

17/07/2024

Tennessee public health clinics will no longer give teens routine healthcare—including birth control--without parental consent, according to the Department of Health’s interpretation of a parental rights law that took effect July 1.

Tennessee public health clinics will no longer give teens access to routine healthcare — including birth control -- without parental consent.

15/07/2024

In one of Tennessee's few competitive Democratic primaries, two candidates show a style split that represents a greater trend in the party.

The Democratic primary between Tyler Brasher and Shaundelle Brooks in Tennessee House District 60 shows a difference in styles.

14/07/2024

Following the attempted shooting of former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally on Saturday evening, Tennessee lawmakers from both parties weighed in with responses.

Tennessee lawmakers from both parties weighed in after an attempted shooting of former President Donald Trump on Saturday.

13/07/2024

A complicated mess: The Electoral College could help Democrats avoid a complicated situation in the event President Joe Biden withdraws from the race after his name is printed on ballots.

The Electoral College could help Democrats avoid a complicated situation if President Joe Biden withdraws after his name is printed on ballots.

12/07/2024

Two Middle Tennesseans will be featured on billboards erected near Milwaukee’s Fiserv Arena, site of the 2024 Republican National Convention, as part of an advertising campaign organized by Republican Voters Against Trump.

Two Middle Tennesseans will be featured on billboards by Republican Voters Against Trump at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

11/07/2024

The bipartisan gun-reform group Voices for a Safer Tennessee donated about $60,000 to state lawmakers ahead of this year’s election, with around 80% of the money going to Republicans.

Gun-reform group Voices for a Safer Tennessee donated about $60,000 to state lawmakers, with around 80% of the money going to Republicans.

11/07/2024

"Perhaps, just maybe, some of his resources could be addressed to Tennessee matters," said Tom Lawless, member of the Registry of Election Finance, after the Tennessee Attorney General's office told the registry it isn't an "investigative agency."

Tennessee’s Attorney General’s Office notified the Registry of Election Finance it is “not an investigative agency."

10/07/2024

Big companies like FedEx and Tyson Foods claim enormous tax exemptions annually, thanks to the Tennessee Department of Revenue — and industry lobbyists — at the cost of billions of dollars to state and local government.

Tyson Foods and FedEx are two of many big companies that get tax exemptions from Tennessee, costing state and local governments billions.

09/07/2024

Gov. Bill Lee is defending the spending by his administration’s top two economic recruiters on a trip to Australia at a cost of more than $32,000 for a four-day trip.

Gov. Bill Lee is defending the spending by his administration’s top economic recruiters on a trip to Australia.

09/07/2024

The state is pouring money into Tennessee's sports facilities, including $350 million into two Memphis facilities but not all Memphis lawmakers are thrilled with the deals.

The state of Tennessee is pouring hundreds of millions into stadium projects, including upgrades to Liberty Bowl and FedEx Forum in Memphis..

08/07/2024

The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services is placing children with no known disability diagnoses for months at a time in privately-run group homes designed to support adults with disabilities. These kids aren't allowed to have friends over or even make themselves a snack.

The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services is placing kids with no known disabilities in group homes designed for disabled adults.

03/07/2024

Tennessee has one of the highest rates of people put in jail or prison, a report released by the Prison Policy Institute found - the ninth-highest incarceration rate in the world based on population.

Tennessee has one of the highest rates in the world of people put in jail or prison, a report released by the Prison Policy Institute found.

02/07/2024

A spate of new criminal justice laws took effect on Monday, reports including one that gives the death penalty for child r**e, and another spurred by the killing of a Belmont University student.

A spate of Tennessee criminal justice laws took effect on July 1, including Jillian's Law, named for a Belmont University student killed.

02/07/2024

190 children's deaths last year are being investigated for suspected abuse and neglect by the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services - a nearly 30% increase over the prior year and the largest number in nearly a decade.

Deaths of children by suspected abuse or neglect rose by 30% in 2023 according to records from the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.

01/07/2024

Tennessee’s health department will hold its annual public hearing on Ballad Health’s state-sanctioned monopoly agreement as the hospital faces a new round of eroding public support

Tennessee's health department will hold its annual public hearing on Ballad Health's state-sanctioned monopoly agreement as support erodes.

01/07/2024

Very good news: We are excited to announce that Cassandra Stephenson joins the Lookout on July 8 to cover West Tennessee!

01/07/2024

We did it! For the Lookout’s 4th birthday, 40 new donors stepped up to celebrate four years of independent, watchdog journalism. Thank you!

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27/06/2024

Pepper spray, beatings & ‘bounties.’ Alleging violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a lawsuit against Tennessee Department of Children's Services charges children are denied medical and mental health care as discipline.

A class action lawsuit accuses the Tennessee Department of Children's Services of abusing disabled kids, beating them and denying care.

26/06/2024

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