Tennessee - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Republicans push creation of board to oversee Nashville tourism tax revenues

In play for more oversight of Nashville's tourist tax dollars, Tennessee Republican lawmakers want to create a state-controlled board to oversee the extra cash from Nashville's downtown tourist development zone.

By Adam Friedman and Sam Stockard / Tennessee Lookout March 26, 2026

Tennessee's top Republicans want to create a new board to oversee surplus tax funds from Nashville's downtown tourist development zone. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout file)

Blackburn backs trio of bills targeting Tennessee’s rural health struggles

A trio of bills that target some of Tennessee's most pressing rural health issues was announced Thursday.

By Ruby Rayner March 26, 2026

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., shown during a subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, is sponsoring a bill that would change the way the Medicare Area Wage Index formula contributes to determining hospital reimbursements for Medicare (AP File Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Jailed Nashville journalist speaks after release: ‘Not knowing about my family was terrifying’

Journalist Estefany Rodríguez has spoken publicly for the first time after she spent more than two weeks in federal immigration detention.

By Araceli Crescencio and Mikeie Honda Reiland / Nashville Banner March 26, 2026

Attorney Michael Holley, left, accompanied by Alejandro Medina III, husband of journalist Estefany Rodriguez Florez, speaks during a press conference outside the federal courthouse in Nashville on March 17, following a hearing for Florez, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a traffic stop on March 4. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Feds cut funding to Tennessee school mental health project

More than $1.5 million in federal funds have been cut from a program designed to alleviate the shortage of mental health professionals in rural Tennessee schools.

By Jules Feeney March 25, 2026

Middle Tennessee State University / An intern for a Tennessee Department of Education project that puts mental health professionals in rural schools listens to a presentation during the full-day summer meeting at Middle Tennessee State University for project candidates.

Law that would prohibit Tennessee from using ‘West Bank’ clears Senate committee

Legislation would require new word for occupied territory to affirm Judeo-Christianity

By Ruby Rayner March 25, 2026

Children play beside a fragment of an Iranian ballistic missile that landed in a schoolyard in the Israeli settlement of Peduel in the West Bank Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Nearly $1M raised for older man delivering for DoorDash in Middle Tennessee

A GoFundMe started to help an older adult from Manchester, Tennessee, return to retirement after he was seen delivering a Starbucks DoorDash order has raised over $900,000.

By Kailee Shores March 25, 2026

A DoorDash sign is posted on the door of a Dunkin' franchise in Methuen, Mass. A GoFundMe campaign to benefit an older adult making DoorDash deliveries in Middle Tennessee has raised over $900,000. (AP File Photo/Charles Krupa)

Depleted uranium company gains approval in rural East Tennessee

Residents in Washington County, Tennessee, will see an expansion from a nearby depleted uranium facility in rural Northeast Tennessee.

By Marina Waters / Tennessee Lookout March 25, 2026

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development / Washington County Commissioners approved a rezoning for BWX Technolgy to expand in Jonesborough, Tenn., to provide depleted uranium to the federal government.

Tennessee Republicans back smaller increase in private school tuition grants

Tennessee House Republicans are seeking to lower the governor's private school tuition subsidy plan by 5,000 in an effort to cut expenses.

By Sam Stockard / Tennessee Lookout March 25, 2026

Rep. Ryan Williams, a Cookeville Republican, has filed a bill to cut a proposed increase in private school tuition grants. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout file)

Tennessee House advances proposal to relax private school tuition program’s testing mandate

Tennessee may soon relax state testing requirements for its Education Savings Account program under new legislation that advanced in the House on Tuesday.

By Melissa Brown / Chalkbeat Tennessee March 25, 2026

Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, attends a bill signing ceremony in 2025, in Nashville. Some Tennessee Republicans want to roll back a state testing mandate that applies to the Education Savings Account voucher program. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

FEC filings reveal how Blackburn laid the groundwork for governor campaign without personal fortune

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn cruised to Senate reelection in 2024, spending over $10 million in the effort, but unlike in previous years, the money didn't stop flowing after the votes were counted.

By Adam Friedman / Tennessee Lookout March 25, 2026

More in Tennessee, page 52