SUMMARY: A study from the Sycamore Institute highlights the financial challenges faced by Tennessee college students, who often experience sticker shock from expenses. The research indicates that most undergraduates receive financial aid, primarily relying on parental income and part-time work, alongside loans and scholarships. While programs like the Hope Scholarship and Tennessee Promise provide support, their value has diminished due to inflation, covering only 50% and acting as a last-dollar aid for community colleges. Additionally, around 30% of students face food insecurity, and rising housing costs have led institutions to lease external accommodations to address shortages.

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SUMMARY: A Memphis mother, Tasha Flowers, is demanding answers after her son, Devon, was reportedly stabbed 15 times by fellow inmates at the 201 Popper jail. Devon, who has been incarcerated for nearly two years on serious charges, has communicated his concerns about safety, claiming he cannot sleep due to fears of attacks. Flowers is struggling to gather the $10,000 needed for his bail, fearing that the violence may continue before he makes it to trial. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has stated the incident is under investigation and cannot comment further.

An outraged Memphis mother spoke to FOX13, claiming her son was stabbed more than a dozen times inside of the Shelby County Jail at 201 Poplar.

“He was stabbed 15 times. Couldn’t nobody call, contact me, and let me know my son was in critical condition? You got to be in critical condition to be stabbed 15 times,” said Tasha Flower, mother of Devon Flowers.

The mother said she only found out about the stabbing after her son recovered enough to write her a letter. READ MORE: https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/mother-says-son-was-stabbed-15-times-inside-of-shelby-county-jail/article_e827c250-a78a-11ef-955a-67493778a92c.html

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SUMMARY: Tennessee lawmakers are discussing eliminating the state’s 4% grocery tax, which generates significant revenue for the state. Some lawmakers argue that the tax disproportionately impacts those with tight budgets. Democratic lawmakers, including Aton Ben and Gloria Johnson, support cutting the tax, with Ben suggesting that higher corporate taxes could replace it. While Tennessee’s grocery tax is one of the few statewide levies of its kind, Republican leaders propose refining it to focus on staple items like milk and eggs. The state legislature will begin discussing the issue in January 2024.

Rep. Aftyn Behn and state Senator Charlane Oliver submitted a similar bill during the last legislative session.

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