Tennessee

The man who allegedly shot six outside a Nashville nightclub on Sunday was previously released from jail on a $50,000 bond, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) confirmed. Williams is accused of injuring six in a shooting near the Soho Lounge in South Nashville, with MNPD reporting officers were initially responding to a call about "persons with guns fighting."

The man accused of kidnapping and murdering Eliza Fletcher in a high profile 2022 case was convicted late last week for raping another woman a year before Fletcher's murder, according to several reports.  Cleotha Abston was reportedly convicted in Memphis of three counts of aggravated rape, especially aggravated kidnapping and unlawful possession of a weapon.

A bill that would allow qualified employees to concealed carry firearms in a school is scheduled to be discussed by the Tennessee House on Wednesday. Senate Bill 1325 includes a list of requirements before an employee – which includes teachers, administrators and other staff – is approved for concealed carry.

Republican candidate Laura Nelson challenged the qualifying signatures submitted by State Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville) on Friday, which if successful, would remove the controversial Tennessee Three member from the ballot. With 25 signatures required to qualify for reelection, Jones reportedly turned in 26 signatures to election officials. One was then disqualified, with WSMV 4 reporting the signer was determined not to live in the district, which current leaves Jones with just the 25 signatures required.

Metro Councilwoman Courtney Johnston, who recently announced a primary challenge to Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), previously urged Governor Bill Lee to call a special session to pass legislation targeting firearms in a 2022 open letter. Johnston argued in her letter that "thoughts and prayers are no longer enough" and urged Lee to "take a hard look at our policies and what we can and should do differently."

The Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition (TNFFC) announced Friday that two members of the Tennessee General Assembly have been honored as the Senate and House Conservative Champions this legislative session. According to the organization, TNFFC’s Conservative Champion awards are given to legislators in the General Assembly who “most ardently defend the Constitution, rights and freedoms” of the Volunteer State citizens.

A bill that would allow Tennessee Department of Tourism to keep mega-event contracts hidden for up to 10 years headed to the desk of Gov. Bill Lee this week, where it’s expected to be signed. The department currently has $25 million in a mega-event fund to use to lure events such as a push to hold the 2028, 2029 or 2030 Super Bowl to the new Nissan Stadium.

The Tennessee Senate voted 18-11 on Thursday to pass a resolution applying for a national convention to propose term limits on Congress. The resolution, HJR5, will now be counted towards the 34 state applications required to call a term limits convention as the Tennessee House of Representatives passed the measure last year.

A U.S. Congressman from Tennessee had some strong words after he joined 19 of his Republican counterparts in voting against the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) on Wednesday. "FISA, of course, is what they use to spy, literally, on America citizens," said Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) in a video posted to his X account. "So what happens, very literally, say you have somebody working on your house, on your roof, what have you, [who is] not an American citizen, and then they contact you on their cell phone and basically because of that [the U.S. government] can follow you or investigate you or what have you, without a search warrant. And when I was told by the State Department that in fact it was problematic to have search warrants on these cases, they obviously have a problem with our Constitution. So, tough day for democracy today folks. And FISA needs to die."

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell on Thursday provided details of how his proposed transit referendum would expand lines and services for the city's bus system. O'Connell posted the details to the social media platform X, where he wrote the bus transit improvements are "a key element" of his referendum. The mayor confirmed, "We'll have local, frequent, new, and express service updates."

Members of the "furry" community will host what they describe as a family friendly convention in a Tennessee state park beginning Friday and ending Saturday.  "If you enjoy spending time in nature AND the furry fandom, this is the trip for you! Woods Flock is a a community that holds our annual Spring mini-con at Fall Creek Falls State Park in Tennessee (USA)," says an event invitation by a group called Woods Flock. "Participants will have a plethora of outdoor, crafty, and fun activities to choose from during their stay at our family-friendly camp."

A bill that would make child rape punishable by the death penalty has passed the Tennessee Senate. SB 1834, sponsored by State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston), "authorizes the death penalty as a punishment for rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, or especially aggravated rape of a child."

Conservative commentators blasted California's governor after he took to X to comment on the Tennessee Senate's passage of a bill that would allow some teachers to carry guns in the classroom. "Tennessee Republicans have decided their solution to gun violence in schools is…. MORE GUNS IN SCHOOLS," said Governor Gavin Newsom (D).

U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) joined 18 other Republicans in voting against reauthorizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) on Wednesday. He told The Tennessee Star his vote would protect Tennesseans from "unreasonable searches and seizures by the federal government." Ogles explained his decision to break with the majority of Republicans and vote against reauthorizing FISA came after House leadership "chose to keep the doors closed and did not allow an open amendment process." He noted he had six amendments that were all ignored by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04).

The Tennessee State Senate on Wednesday passed legislation that would impose criminal penalties for adults who provide transportation to minors seeking to circumvent the state's abortion laws. SB 1971 passed with 26 votes in favor and just three votes against. If passed by the House and signed by the governor, the legislation would create the criminal offense of abortion trafficking of a minor.