Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has officially called a special session for the legislature to re-draw the state’s congressional maps. State lawmakers will reconvene in Nashville on Tuesday to consider eliminating the state’s lone Democratic seat in Memphis.

Rep. Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, told WPLN News that the recent SCOTUS decision unraveled a key victory of the Civil Rights Movement.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say it was also so painful because of what my ancestors went through to get access to the ballot, many of them who were lynched who were shot were beaten on bridges like the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma in order for us to have this right to representation,” Pearson said. “And now to see the Supreme Court living in some mythological universe where racism is not as persistent is dangerous.”

“We owe it to Tennesseans to ensure our congressional districts accurately reflect the will of Tennessee voters,” Gov. Bill Lee said in his announcement for the session.

Outgoing Senate Speaker Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, had called the state’s existing maps “strong, fair and legal,” but has since praised the governor’s call for a special session.

Follow for more from reporter Marianna Bacallao and tap link in the bio for full story.

Photos: Mark Humphrey AP Photo (File), Tennessee General Assembly

This week we have stories about music sync (hello Grey’s Anatomy), education, climate and Tennessee’s abortion law.

We’re talking about a new study that showed Tennessee has the lowest per-pupil spending rate, sync placement in Nashville’s music industry, Al Gore on climate, and the latest in a legal challenge to Tennessee’s abortion law.

Tap link in bio for our in-depth stories and to sign up for the NashVillager newsletter, a human-powered 5-day-a-week email direct to your inbox with local stories, info, and ticket giveaways.

We’re talking Immigration, live concert tickets, rural healthcare, and progress in ending the “tampon tax.” These are the subjects of some of the top bills of interest that WPLN reporters followed this legislative session.

Swipe to see the status of the bills we tracked — did they pass with bi-partisan support? Were they blocked or rolled? This was the second year of a two-year session in Tennessee, and lawmakers had to work with a tighter budget than in recent years.

Follow along for more. Tap link in bio for story updates.

Photo: AP: George Walker IV / AP

Killing to protect property is on its way to being permitted in Tennessee.

In the final days of the legislative session Metro Reporter Cynthia Abrams reported Tennessee lawmakers approved a bill that expands the use of deadly force.

Today, deadly force is only allowed in instances of self-defense, given “a reasonable belief that there is an imminent danger of death, serious bodily injury or grave sexual abuse.

Now, under the approved bill, lawmakers are allowing deadly force to protect against burglary, arson, robbery, aggravated robbery, grave sexual abuse or aggravated cruelty toward animals.

“It basically says that if deadly force is your last and only option to protect your private property, you can use it.” said Rep. Kip Capley, the bill’s sponsor. Rep. Justin Jones, who opposed the bill said “We’re encouraging escalation ... This is about life or death.”

Once signed by the governor, the law goes into effect July 6.

Tap link in the bio for more.

Photos: Rose Gilbert / WPLN, stock photo

Spring in Tennessee has been warm, dry and early this year. And that could mean changes for bugs.

Warmth can help proliferate insect activity, but drought can tamper it. Have you noticed changes in butterflies, bees, wasps, lightning bugs, ticks or more? Comment to share your observations.

Tennessee recorded some spring blooms 2 to 3 weeks early this year, according to the National Phenology Network.

The state has also been warm. Nashville had its second-warmest March ever, and April is currently about seven degrees above the 30-year average.

At the same time, the state is in a widespread drought. The majority of land is classified under “severe drought” by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts that Nashville should recover, while other parts of Middle Tennessee could be in for an extended drought.

Follow along for more environmental stories from Caroline Eggers. Tap link in bio for more.

Photos: Caroline Eggers / WPLN

Notable quotables from our local coverage in Nashville.

This week we covered the end of the legislative session, the FAIR RX bill involving CVS, how Middle Tennessee has more clarity around how the Nashville Electric Service, and a win for the Duck River (no matter what side of the political fence you are on).

Tap link in bio or go to wpln.org for our in-depth stories and to sign up for the NashVillager newsletter, a human-powered 5-day-a-week email direct to your inbox with stories, info, and ticket giveaways.