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Bill changing Human Right Commission advances | Tennessee

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Bill changing Human Right Commission advances | Tennessee

www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-31 12:49:00

(The Center Square) – A bill that would dissolve a 61-year-old commission and place it under the Tennessee attorney general’s office took another step on Monday.

Senate Bill 861/House Bill 910 would move the Human Rights Commission’s duties to the attorney general’s office as of July 1.

Former Gov. Frank G. Clement created the independent commission in 1963, according to its 2023-24 annual report. A nine-member board oversees the commission, which not only investigates cases but also conducts education and outreach efforts.

Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, told the House Government Operations Committee on Monday that transferring the authority could put more teeth into civil rights investigations.

“I think if someone receives a letter or action that the attorney general is investigating their actions, I think that’s going to perk up some people,” Garrett said. “I think that’s going to make some people hopefully say, ‘What have I done to attract the attorney general of the state of Tennessee who has the authority to investigate claims that I might have been involved in?'”

Democrats have pushed against the bill.

“Independence matters,” said Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville. “Autonomy matters. From your answer its seems as if the HRC wasn’t doing something as far as getting behind and their authority wasn’t enough and we have to give it more authority and a letter coming from the AG’s office is going to give it more authority than it has now. I fundamentally disagree with that premise.”

The bill is not about an organization’s failures but about making it better, Garrett said.

Others are concerned about what happens to the cases, around 1,000, that would have to be resubmitted to the attorney general’s office.

“The time and resources spent on refiling cases would disproportionately affect the complainants and the businesses alike, causing unnecessary delay and confusion and disrupt the legal process for thousands of individuals relying on timely resolutions,” Muriel Nolen, the executive director of the commission during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 24.

The committee agreed to move the bill to the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee. The Senate version passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and was referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee.

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Defense attorneys in Casada, Cothren trial give hints to strategies 

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tennesseelookout.com – J. Holly McCall – 2025-04-24 05:01:00

by J. Holly McCall, Tennessee Lookout
April 24, 2025

Day two of former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada’s federal corruption trial ended with a jury chosen and indications of how defense lawyers could try to keep their client out of prison. 

Casada and his former chief of staff Cade Cothren are on trial for allegations of conspiracy, fraud, money laundering, bribery and kickbacks after funneling contracts for political consulting services for state House members to a company founded by Cothren called Phoenix Solutions. 

Casada’s attorney Ed Yarbrough questioned prospective alternate jurors Tuesday about whether they have worked in sales, received commissions in exchange for work — raising the question of whether commissions and kickbacks could be seen as mutually exchangeable terms — or outsourced work to subcontractors. 

“Did your customers always know who was doing the work?” Yarbrough asked. 

Federal prosecutors’ case rests partially on the premise that Casada and former Chattanooga Rep. Robin Smith secured contracts for political consulting services from House Republican Caucus members, receiving a cut of the proceeds from Cothren in return. 

Cothren resigned from his post in May 2019 amid a scandal over racist and sexist text messages that was heavily reported by Nashville-area media. He formed Phoenix Solutions in 2020 and prosecutors allege Casada and Smith purposely concealed Cothren’s identity on the assumption House members would not contract with Phoenix if they knew Cothren was behind it. 

Opening arguments will begin Thursday morning.

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Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com.



The post Defense attorneys in Casada, Cothren trial give hints to strategies  appeared first on tennesseelookout.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Left

The content primarily reports on the federal corruption trial of former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his chief of staff, Cade Cothren. The language used in the article is factual and focused on legal proceedings without overtly advocating for any political stance or party. However, the context surrounding a scandal involving members of the Republican Party and the critical mentions of corruption, racism, and sexism suggest a tendency to highlight negative aspects of right-leaning political figures. This positioning aligns the content slightly more with a Center-Left perspective, as it may reflect an underlying criticism of the political establishment rather than maintaining a neutral reporting stance.

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10About Town Weather: Russellville (4/23)

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10About Town Weather: Russellville (4/23)

www.youtube.com – WBIR Channel 10 – 2025-04-23 16:18:14

SUMMARY: The weather in Russellville, eastern Hamlin County, is mostly sunny to partly cloudy, with current temperatures around 86 degrees. Despite the pleasant conditions in the valley, thunderstorms and showers are occurring to the west on the plateau and to the east in the mountains. Russellville is part of the northern valley, while other regions like Knoxville and Chattanooga represent the central and southern valleys. Tonight, there’s a chance for evening thunder showers, and the forecast indicates higher chances for rain and storms over the next two days. Further updates will follow soon.

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Here’s what the weather is going to be like in Russellville this afternoon!

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Tracking tornadoes in TN in 2025, so far

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Tracking tornadoes in TN in 2025, so far

www.youtube.com – WKRN News 2 – 2025-04-23 15:51:31

SUMMARY: In 2025, Tennessee has experienced over 30 confirmed tornadoes, significantly impacting the area more than states like Kansas and Oklahoma. Meteorologist Alex Libby notes that Middle Tennessee has recorded about 18 to 19 tornadoes, with severe activity also affecting the Southeast and Mid-South, particularly in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky, housing strong EF2 to EF4 tornadoes. While Tennessee’s peak tornado season occurs in April within the “Dixie Alley,” the traditional tornado alley to the west remains quiet, as its peak season won’t hit until May or June. The likelihood of severe weather is expected to decrease now.

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Tracking tornadoes in TN in 2025, so far

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