With latest figures showing Tennessee has the highest number of new COVID-19 cases by population in the U.S. over the past week, a group of physicians on Friday said the state has now become the epicenter of the pandemic and accused Gov. Bill Lee of having abandoned the people he swore an oath to protect.
Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday celebrated the start of COVID-19 vaccinations in Tennessee, but the Republican governor warned the vaccine "will not cure foolish decisions" about social gatherings and also criticized refusals by many residents to don masks in a state that's now a raging coronavirus hot spot.
Tennessee voters are divided along partisan lines over issues ranging from the coronavirus pandemic to the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election's outcome, according to a new Vanderbilt University survey.
Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson announced Wednesday he won't seek a seventh term in January in the post he has held since 2009.
Vanderbilt University research professor: 'It's clear the house is on fire and we're still lighting matches'
Gov. Bill Lee not yet ready to accept Joe Biden as president-elect
Tennessee's coronavirus surge and its threat to overwhelm hospitals has spurred Gov. Bill Lee to sign a new emergency order granting top officials authority to send trained National Guard members to hospitals to work as nurses, screen patients for COVID-19 and operate ambulances.
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn said Thursday she is hopeful as U.S. Senate and House leaders begin discussions on a long-stalled second COVID-19 relief package, but the Tennessee Republican warned she opposes some provisions in the $908 billion compromise proposal offered up by moderate congressional Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
Retiring U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, used his Senate farewell address on Wednesday to urge Republican and Democratic colleagues to work across the aisle as he has and "put country before partisanship and personal politics."
Legislative Republicans want to place new restrictions on Tennessee governors' ability to extend emergency orders to address the COVID-19 pandemic as well as future health crises, saying extensions should require the General Assembly's specific approval.
