NewsBreak Original

A group of Tennessee pastors expressed opposition to a school voucher plan announced by Gov. Bill Lee yesterday. The pastors, affiliated with the advocacy group Southern Christian Coalition, said the plan would harm the state's public education system and called instead for Lee and lawmakers to fully fund public schools.

Group says kids in state custody shouldn't go hungry. A group of Tennessee pastors is calling on the State of Tennessee's Department of Children's Services (DCS) to take action to ensure all children in state custody have adequate food.

Advocacy group calls on state leaders to accept $1.8 billion in federal funds for schools. A group of Tennessee pastors affiliated with the Southern Christian Coalitionis calling on state policymakers to continue accepting federal funding for the state's schools.

Christian advocates call for policies that match proclaimed faith. A group ofTennessee pastors affiliated with the Southern Christian Coalition are challenging Gov. Bill Lee to adopt policies that are in alignment with the faith he professes.

Democrats claim there's been no "real debate" on substantive gun safety reforms. The leader of the Tennessee Senate's Democratic Caucus is blasting what she says is a special legislative session on public safety that so far has been devoid of any serious debate on gun reform.

Lawmakers express frustration that gun safety is not included in session's focus. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee this week issued an official call for a special legislative session focused on public safety. The session will begin on August 21st.

Events will focus on key infrastructure improvements resulting from recent legislative session. Gov. Bill Lee has announced he'll be traveling the state this month to promote key transportation projects funded by the state budget approved by the Tennessee General Assembly. Lee says the new projects will encourage businesses to locate and grow in Tennessee.

Governor says nuclear power is key to America's clean energy future. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is taking steps to promote the state as a potential leader in providing clean energy by way of accelerating the development of nuclear power here.

Measures represent largest single-year tax cut in state history. Gov. Bill Lee this week signed a series of bills into law that represent a total of $400 million in tax cuts for Tennessee families and businesses. The most significant is a three-month grocery tax holiday beginning August 1st.

Lawmakers welcome August special session on guns, public safety. As Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has set the date for a special legislative session on gun violence for late August, Senate Democrats are suggesting a comprehensive package of reform bills to help prevent mass shootings.

Lawmakers backed Lee's $56 billion budget and approved key policy goals. Gov. Bill Lee is celebrating the passage of his 2023 legislative agenda, including a $56.2 billion state budget. Lee put forward his key policy initiatives early this year and as the legislature's session concluded, saw passage of each of them - from roads and infrastructure improvement to education.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee today called on the Tennessee General Assembly to pass a so-called "Red Flag" law to limit access to guns for people who pose a threat to themselves or others. Lee also signed an executive order he says will strengthen the state's background check system.

Move comes following a school shooting in Nashville last week. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has offered a number of proposals he says will increase security at Tennessee schools while legislative Democrats are calling for more regulations on guns in the wake of a shooting that killed three students and three faculty members at a Nashville elementary school.

The Kappa Alpha Order is a fraternity that the Governor participated in four decades ago. It still haunts him to this day. Founded in 1865 by James Wood, William Scott, William Walsh, and Stanhope Scott, the KA positions itself as a "moral compass for the modern gentleman." Their motto is "Dieu et Les Dame" (which translates into "God and women"), and there is a 6-item list that briefly explains their values. The fraternity also explains its controversial ties to Robert E. Lee as its "spiritual" founder.

Tennessee Governor shines spotlight on early literacy. Gov. Bill Lee recently declared that March is "Literacy Month" in Tennessee and announced that his Administration will be placing continued emphasis on reading, particularly in the early grades.

Since TN governor Bill Lee banned drag shows held on public property, a lot has changed. Tennessee has received worldwide criticism for the governor's transphobic legislation; many celebrities and locals have spoken out about the harm the bill causes; and many local organizations have changed their events to include drag performers--including Knoxville Pride.

The governor who was found to have dressed in drag after banning public drag shows will soon have his picture highlighted on Tennessee billboards. Through TikTok and GoFundMe, a Tennessean man named Zachary Stamper raised $54,067 for an electric billboard in Nashville (and on the governor's personal route to his church and home) that will showcase the 1977 Franklin High powderpuff photo that has gone viral.

Just days after criminalizing drag in Tennessee, Bill Lee was confronted with a 1977 Franklin High yearbook photo in which the governor wore drag. The photo--as confirmed by Lee's spokesperson--is, in fact, of the governor in 1977; however, the spokesperson referred to it as a "lighthearted school tradition," saying:

On December 31st, 2022, an anti-abortion extremist committed arson against one of the only two Planned Parenthood clinics in Knoxville, Tennessee. It's been over a year since that time, with plenty changing along the way. Here are some of the most impactful changes Tennessee has experienced since that time.