SUMMARY: January is recognized as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, prompting Tennessee lawmakers to introduce new legislation aimed at combating the crime, which has seen a staggering 400% increase in reported cases between 2016 and 2023. Senator Marsha Blackburn proposed four bills, including the National Human Trafficking Database Act, to create a national database and improve data reporting. AncoraTN, a non-profit providing support for survivors, has noted an uptick in hotline calls, reflecting the urgency of addressing human trafficking in Tennessee. Collaborative efforts from institutions like Belmont University are also underway to track and understand the issue more effectively.

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SUMMARY: The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed Tennessee’s Protect Tennessee Minors Act to take effect, which aims to restrict access to inappropriate content for minors. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti hailed the ruling as a victory for the state. The law mandates age-verification software for sites with adult content, with violations resulting in a Class C felony charge. The Free Speech Coalition, alongside four companies, had previously filed a lawsuit against the law. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on a similar law from Texas, with the Coalition challenging related laws in other states.

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SUMMARY: Paulette Coleman, the interim Executive Director of Metro Arts, resigned in January 2025 after six months amid ongoing chaos in the grant distribution process. She took over the department in May 2024 following a tumultuous grants cycle that delayed funding for artists and nonprofits. The current fiscal year faces similar challenges, with grant proposals not yet scored as the distribution schedule shifts to January. Metro Arts is under a conciliation agreement with several city departments, complicating the funding approval process. Recently, staff mistakenly sent the wrong draft of the funding plan to city agencies, risking further delays.

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