Andy Sher

Tennessee's special committee investigating the presence and movement of immigrants in the state will continue its work even after the state shut down the Chattanooga shelter for migrant children that sparked the effort.

A Chattanooga shelter for migrant children closed down last week as state officials suspended the license for the federal contractor that ran the operation, according to a state senator who serves on a special legislative committee studying the matter.

Facing threats by some fellow Republicans in the legislature to abolish or "reconstitute" Tennessee's Department of Health after it conducted outreach to minors encouraging them to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Bill Lee indicated Wednesday his administration will work through parents going forward.

Tennessee officials' revocation of the personalized license plate belonging to a Nashville astronomy buff and gamer for being "offensive" now faces a legal challenge charging the state is violating the woman's constitutionally protected right to free speech.

Tennessee officials are optimistic that a nearly four-year-long effort to end mandatory car-and-truck emissions testing programs in Hamilton County and four mid-state counties will receive final U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval in late August, allowing for testing to end 120 days later — in December or early January 2022.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee and the national ACLU sued in federal court Friday to block a first-of-its-kind state law requiring warning signs at businesses that allow transgender people to use the restroom of their choice.

Tennessee Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson, said Tuesday that New Zealand sports officials have set a "horrible precedent" by approving a transgender woman's participation on the country's weightlifting roster for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Students attending Tennessee community and technical colleges will see their first tuition and fee increases in two years this fall after approval by the Tennessee Board of Regents last week.

The special election for Tennessee's House District 29 seat has its first formally announced candidate, Democrat DeAngelo Jelks, while Republicans Greg Vital and Hoyt Samples have picked up nominating petitions signaling their intent to run in the contest to succeed the late state Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah.

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds are calling on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee's top Republican to press for a hearing to probe what they charge is the Biden administration's "failure to provide notice and transparency" in the movement of unaccompanied minors into their states.

A majority of Tennessee voters say they disapprove of a new law pushed by Gov. Bill Lee that allows most adults ages 21 and older to carry a handgun in public with no state permit, according to a poll released earlier this week.

Dr. Anthony Fauci fired back Wednesday at Republican critics, including U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, calling some of the attacks on him "preposterous" and even "dangerous."

Tennessee Republicans and Democrats evidently occupy parallel universes when it comes to a number of top issues and concerns, ranging from whether the 2020 election was "stolen" by Democrat and now-President Joe Biden to questions on whether the COVID-19 pandemic is largely over or not, according to a newly released Vanderbilt University survey of 1,000 registered voters.

Gov. Bill Lee on Tuesday defended his decision to end federal unemployment benefits early for thousands of jobless workers after a congressional report warned that the economic impact on local economies in Tennessee could reach $486 million.

U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Sherwood, has become the fourth Chattanooga area member of Congress to sign on as a co-sponsor of a House bill to bar flying LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter flags or any other banner besides the American flag at U.S. embassies and consular posts.

Tennessee Democratic lawmakers are blasting Gov. Bill Lee's plan to end the federal government's $300-a-week unemployment benefits paid to thousands of jobless workers early as "immoral" in light of the Republican governor's new proposal to use $44.6 million in other federal funds to boost payments to 1,125 small businesses that have suffered during the coronavirus pandemic.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced on Wednesday a special election for a local state representative seat, allowing the community to select a replacement for the late Rep. Mike Carter.

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees will consider a request by UTC to boost undergraduate student tuition and mandatory fees by 2% when trustees hold their June 25 meeting in Knoxville, officials say.

Tennessee's Senate and House speakers announced Friday creation of a special committee to look into the issue of unaccompanied migrant children coming into Chattanooga and other parts of the state under a federal program that has generated controversy in Chattanooga.

The Republican Governors Association this week bounced MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, from its annual conference held in Nashville, according to a published report.