A Knox County commissioner proposed an ordinance that would make the county pay attorneys' fees for successful challenges to firearm bans in county buildings. The move has ignited legal and political questions ahead of the commission hearing.

A TACIR report says planned state construction should cover long‑term needs, but West Tennessee lacks short‑term juvenile detention space and the commission urges stronger oversight.

A proposed Tennessee amendment would treat embryos and fetuses as homicide victims from fertilization, sparking debate over whether it could criminalize abortions and those who assist them.

The Tennessee Department of Education began emailing Education Freedom Scholarship decisions on Friday; renewals were largely approved and new awards will roll out by priority.

Year‑end disclosures show Larsen Jay with roughly $334K on hand as Knoxville’s mayoral campaigns heat up. Rivals Kim Frazier and Betsy Henderson reported sizable balances and early loans.

The Tennessee Senate advanced SB2423 to replace a Red 40 restriction with a ban on any artificial food dye in school nutrition programs, with implementation tied to 2027 contracts.

Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds of South Knoxville, famed for saying “We are all Jews here,” is set to receive the Medal of Honor posthumously after congressional action. The award follows a decades‑long push by his family and veterans.

The Justice Department has opened a civil-rights investigation into Lincoln Memorial University after allegations that Jewish medical students were prevented from finishing exams.

A Tennessee bill would limit most local property‑tax increases and require voter approval for larger hikes, citing last year’s reappraisals as a catalyst. The measure is now in early committee.

A proposed Tennessee constitutional amendment would let judges deny bail for certain violent crimes on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot; supporters cite accountability and critics warn of vagueness.

A Knoxville Republican filed a sworn complaint accusing Sen. Marsha Blackburn of using federal campaign money to help her gubernatorial bid and asks regulators to probe roughly $2.7M.

A House subcommittee advanced HB1704, a bill that would criminalize certain forms of undocumented presence and reentry, setting up a likely legal fight over federal preemption.

Deposition transcripts and amended filings show how UT leaders described their response to Dr. Tamar Shirinian’s Facebook remark and why those documents matter as the case heads to trial.