Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s campaign for Tennessee governor received a $1 million donation from billionaire Jeff Yass, a major investor in TikTok, through the Team Tennessee PAC. This contribution makes Yass the largest single donor to the PAC, which has raised $3.2 million to date. The disclosure highlights the growing influence of out-of-state tech money in Tennessee’s gubernatorial race. [Tennessee Lookout]
Tennessee lawmakers are advancing legislation to ban cryptocurrency ATMs following a sharp rise in fraud losses. The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report documented approximately $142 million in cryptocurrency scam losses in the state. The proposed ban targets physical locations where fraudulent transactions frequently occur, aiming to protect consumers from scams. [WKRN Nashville]
Despite evidence of ineffectiveness and unpopularity, Tennessee legislators are pushing to expand school voucher programs, rebranded as Education Freedom Scholarships. The Senate version proposes doubling the program to 40,000 seats for the 2026-2027 school year. Critics argue the expansion defies logic and voter preferences, citing the program's high cost and lack of proven educational benefits. [Tennessee Lookout]
In a move seen as a rebuke to Governor Bill Lee, two rural Republican lawmakers are sponsoring a measure to force the state to resume participation in a federal summer food program. The program, which previously fed 700,000 children, was rejected by Lee two years ago. The effort highlights a growing rift within the Republican party over social welfare policies. [Tennessee Lookout]
State Senator Brent Taylor has initiated the process for creating a conference committee to advance legislation for state oversight of Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS). This move follows ongoing concerns about the district's management and performance, signaling a potential increase in state intervention in local education. [WREG Memphis]
A proposed $20 million tax break for FedEx, aimed at supporting a billion-dollar-plus investment in Memphis, faces a tough path back to the House floor. Despite the company's significant economic footprint, House Republican leaders are not endorsing the revival of the legislation, which previously failed to gain sufficient support. [Tennessee Lookout]
An alleged white supremacist pleaded guilty to setting fire to a Tennessee center that historically trained civil rights icons. The attack on the historic site, a symbol of the civil rights movement, has drawn national attention and underscores ongoing concerns about domestic extremism and hate crimes in the state. [Nashville Public Radio]
A Hendersonville man has been taken into custody and indicted on multiple sex abuse charges following a lengthy investigation. The indictment marks a significant development in a case that has drawn concern from local authorities and community members. [WKRN Nashville]
Marquarius Goss, 25, is facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault and child endangerment, after fleeing from police with his two children in the car. The incident occurred when officers responded to a domestic disturbance call. Goss abandoned the children during the pursuit, leading to his arrest. [WREG Memphis]
Police are seeking the public's help in locating three 17-year-old teens—Clara Smith, Mikeria Rutledge, and Elijah Hendricks—who ran away from a treatment center in Memphis. The teens were last seen leaving the facility on foot over the weekend. [WREG Memphis]
A rural Tennessee county is taking action to address a crisis of deadly infections, a problem exacerbated by the closure of local healthcare facilities, creating a "Healthcare Hollow." The county is implementing new public health initiatives to improve access to care and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. [Nashville Public Radio]
The power company AES has been fined $3 million for "indifference" to worker safety following a blast that killed 16 workers. The penalty stems from a 2025 incident and highlights ongoing concerns about industrial safety standards and corporate accountability in the state. [Nashville Public Radio]
The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is requesting a $13 million loan from the city of Memphis to stabilize its finances. This follows years of financial mismanagement and multi-million dollar deficits. The request comes just a year after MATA sought a previous loan, indicating ongoing fiscal instability. [WREG Memphis]
A permanent safety barrier will be constructed on the Natchez Trace Parkway bridge to prevent suicide attempts. The National Park Service has closed a portion of the parkway for construction, which will last from this Wednesday until next spring. The agency calls the barrier an "important step" in making the bridge safe and welcoming. [WKRN Nashville]
Since launching its driverless rideshare service in Nashville, Waymo has received 33 complaints from Metro officials over the past month. The complaints, which began during the test phase, have raised concerns about the safety and integration of autonomous vehicles into the city's transportation network. [WKRN Nashville]
A new Tennessee law, dubbed the "Charlie Kirk Act," bans student walkouts and mandates the protection of conservative speakers on college campuses. The law has sparked debate over free speech and student activism, with supporters arguing it protects ideological diversity and opponents warning it could stifle dissent. [Nashville Public Radio]
Residents in Middle Tennessee are advocating for safety improvements after a suspected DUI driver crashed into a home on a dangerous S-curve. The incident has prompted calls for better road design and traffic calming measures to protect homes near high-risk intersections. [WTVF Nashville]
The Nashville-based group Neighbor 2 Neighbor is hosting a Neighborhood Safety Day to facilitate community discussions on how to make local streets safer. The event aims to give residents a direct voice in developing solutions for community safety. [WKRN Nashville]
The state of Tennessee has passed a measure banning the use of the term "West Bank" in official state documents. The move is part of a broader legislative effort to align state policy with specific international perspectives, drawing both support and criticism. [Nashville Public Radio]
A new Tennessee bill aims to regulate the use of children in paid online content. The legislation addresses concerns about the exploitation of minors in the growing digital content economy, where young children are increasingly featured in family vlogs and social media content. [WKRN Nashville]
Dave McGinnis, the longtime radio analyst for the Tennessee Titans and a former NFL coach, has died at the age of 74. McGinnis was a respected figure in the football community, known for his insightful commentary and his contributions to the sport. [WTVF Nashville]
Phil Garner, a Major League Baseball All-Star, World Series-winning manager, and a standout for the University of Tennessee baseball team, has died at the age of 76. His death marks the loss of a significant figure in both professional and collegiate baseball history. [Knoxville News Sentinel]