Tag Archives: Tennessee

Knoxville’s NBC News affiliate reports: A bill in the Tennessee legislature would prohibit the state from approving textbooks and instructional materials that contain LGBTQ+ content. The bill, H.B. 0800, was introduced by Representative Bruce Griffey [photo] and will be considered by the Education Instruction Subcommittee on March 30. It says that public schools should focus on teaching subjects like reading, …

The Tennessean reports: A resolution designating the Bible as the state book cleared a House committee Tuesday morning despite constitutional concerns from several lawmakers. HJR150, carried by Rep. Jerry Sexton, R-Bean Station, would include the Bible in the Tennessee Blue Book next to a list of other state symbols. Similar to Sexton’s previous arguments, the resolution emphasizes the importance of …

USA Today reports: Federal agents said Monday the Christmas Day bombing in downtown Nashville was motivated by the bomber’s intention to kill himself and was not an act of terrorism. After a wide-ranging investigation, the FBI said in a report that the bomber, Anthony Quinn Warner, acted “in an effort to end his own life.” The FBI said Warner was …

Nashville’s ABC News affiliate reports: A Tennessee state representative wants to make the Holy Bible the official state book of Tennessee. Representative Jerry Sexton (R-Bean Station) is sponsoring House Joint Resolution 150, a resolution which has in previous years been sponsored but failed to pass. His resolution adds such a designation of making the Bible the official state book would …

Nashville’s NBC News affiliate reports: Dolly Parton is grateful for the Tennessee legislature’s consideration of a bill to install a statue of her on the Capitol grounds but doesn’t think this is an appropriate time to do so. Dolly Parton went on to Twitter to express her gratitude and her opinion on the bill, indicating that she had asked the …

Chattanooga’s ABC News affiliate reports: Police are charging a man from Chattanooga after they say he forged former President Barack Obama’s name on an application for a handgun permit. Chattanooga officers arrested Robert Joseph Hallick on February 11th. He’s charged with perjury, forgery and identity theft. An affidavit obtained by NewsChannel 9 says Hallick had been denied a gun permit …

Nashville’s NBC News affiliate reports: Tennessee lawmakers have filed legislation which would allow fathers of an unborn child to petition the court if the mother of their child is planning an abortion. SB494/HB1079 is sponsored by Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) and Representative Jerry Sexton (R-Bean Station) in their respective chambers. An injunction stopping the woman from having an abortion would …

The Tennessean reports: Timothy Wilks, 20, was shot and killed in the parking lot of Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park around 9:20 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene around five minutes later, 23-year-old David Starnes Jr. admitted to shooting Wilks. Investigators were told that Wilks and a friend approached a group of people, including Starnes, with butcher knives …

Chattanooga’s NBC News affiliate reports: Hamilton County officials say miscalculations led to late-evening vaccinations in the Tennessee Riverpark on New Year’s Eve, long after people were turned away and told there were no more vaccines available. Acting on a tip, Channel 3 returned to the Riverpark after dark to find cars leaving the property. The people in those vehicles told …

The Associated Press reports: With federal officials having identified the man believed to be behind Nashville’s Christmas Day bombing, authorities now turn to the monumental task of piecing together the motive behind the explosion that severely damaged dozens of downtown buildings and injured three people. While officials on Sunday named Anthony Quinn Warner, 63, as the man behind the mysterious …

CBS News reports: A law enforcement source told CBS News at least one person of interest has been identified in connection to the recreational vehicle that exploded on Christmas morning, rocking downtown Nashville. Multiple sources confirm that Anthony Quinn Warner, a Nashville area resident, had a similar make and model RV as the one in photos released to the public. …

Nashville’s ABC News affiliate reports: A large explosion was reported in downtown Nashville early Christmas morning. The explosion happened in the area of Second Avenue and Broadway near Commerce Street occurred around 6:30 am Friday. Heavy black smoke could be seen rising above the affected area. MNPD, FBI, and ATF are investigating the explosion of an RV outside 166 2nd …

The Hill reports: In an address to Tennesseans on the governor’s website, Bill Lee called on state residents to avoid holiday gatherings without anyone outside of their immediate household and noted that public gatherings would be limited to 10 people under the order. Places of worship and some other activities will be exempt, he added. “It only took a matter …

The Tennessean reports: Tennessee Department of Health officials announced Sunday that the state could “break” its hospital system if a Christmas surge of COVID-19 cases matches that of Thanksgiving. Commissioner Lisa Piercey said there have been multiple household gatherings where people have been affected statewide, as Thanksgiving surges proved. “We know how this happens,” she said. “We want to preserve …

Knoxville’s NBC News affiliate reports: Family and friends of Tennessee State Representative David Byrd are asking for prayers after he was placed on a ventilator Monday in his fight against COVID-19. The 63-year-old was taken to the hospital more than a week ago with COVID-19 pneumonia. On Monday morning before being placed on a ventilator, he continued to ask for …

The Tennessean reports: Tennessee state Rep. David Byrd says barring a “miracle,” he may soon be placed on a ventilator due to COVID-19. The Waynesboro Republican, who posted on Facebook Thursday to ask friends for prayers, was hospitalized over the weekend with pneumonia after testing positive for the coronavirus. He was flown by helicopter from Wayne County Hospital to St. …

Nashville’s ABC News affiliate reports: Two new state legislators made history with their wins by becoming the first openly LGBTQ politicians to serve in the Tennessee General Assembly. Until Tuesday night, Tennessee was one of just five states in the country to have never elected an openly LGBTQ person to the state legislature. Democrat Torrey Harris [photo] and Republican Eddie …

The Tennessean reports: An attorney for Tennessee Sen. Joey Hensley conceded Monday the politician, a small-town doctor, prescribed opioids to family members and an employee with whom he was in a romantic relationship, in what the state contends is a violation of medical ethics. During opening arguments in a medical discipline proceeding, attorney David Steed said it was well-intentioned, harmless …

The Associated Press reports: The White House quietly told Tennessee early this week that “a statewide mask mandate must be implemented” to curb its growing spread of COVID-19, strong instructions that the White House and governor did not discuss publicly before the report emerged in a records request. The Oct. 11 state report for Tennessee, where Republican Gov. Bill Lee …

The Associated Press reports: Rapper and producer Kanye West will be on Tennessee’s presidential ballot in November, the state election’s office confirmed. The secretary of state’s office announced this week that West cleared the 275 verified signature threshold to qualify as an unaffiliated presidential candidate. He will appear on the ballot with running mate Michelle Tidball, a 57-year-old spiritual coach …