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.

A push to lift Tennessee’s minimum wage to $20 stalled in a House subcommittee on Feb. 11, leaving the state at the federal $7.25 floor.

Alcoa commissioners unanimously endorsed a plan urging Blount County to reappraise property every two years to better match fast‑moving market values. Officials say the change would blunt sudden valuation swings that recently hit local budgets.

Lamar Brown filed suit in Knox County Circuit Court on Feb. 11, 2026, saying he was made the "fall guy" after a district probe that removed him from coaching. The complaint names Knox County Schools, the board and Superintendent Jon Rysewyk.

A Tennessee Comptroller study finds Knox County’s courts are roughly 2.4 judges short, straining dockets for homicide, family and civil cases. The shortfall sits inside a statewide judge gap.

Knox County’s push for more psychiatric beds hit a roadblock after Gov. Bill Lee’s budget left out the $20M leaders sought, leaving a proposed 30‑bed plan unfunded. Local lawmakers say they’ll press for the money in a supplemental budget.