SUMMARY: The 114th Tennessee General Assembly convenes on January 14, 2025, with lawmakers focused on key issues for the next two years. Major topics include Governor Bill Lee’s “Education Freedom Act of 2025” to expand Education Savings Accounts statewide, bills addressing cellphone use in schools, free school lunches, and increasing teacher funding for supplies. Additional legislation includes physical activity requirements for students, voter eligibility checks based on immigration status, and changes to abortion laws. Proposed bills aim to protect contraceptive use, define abortion more narrowly, and penalize the mailing of abortion pills.

Read the full article

The post TN General Assembly 2025: Major topics for Tennessee lawmakers this legislative session appeared first on www.wkrn.com

SUMMARY: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has launched the exhibit “Rosanne Cash: Time Is a Mirror,” highlighting Rosanne Cash’s unique identity as a second-generation artist. While acknowledging her father, Johnny Cash’s monumental influence, Rosanne joked about feeling like a “prodigal” in Nashville. The exhibit illustrates her journey from a rebellious newcomer with purple hair in 1981 to a respected figure who embraces her legacy. It features her dialogue with her father through letters and songs, showcasing her evolution from music to literature. The exhibit will be open until March 2026.

Read the full article

The post A new exhibit captures the rich complexity of Rosanne Cash’s career appeared first on wpln.org

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.

Read the full article

The post TN lawmaker aims to combat human trafficking appeared first on www.wkrn.com