Tennessee lawmakers are at odds over a bill that would require schools to track and report students’ immigration status.
Camellia Burris
Camellia Burris is an attorney and journalist from Nashville. She is a graduate of Spelman College, Tulane University School of Law, and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where she studied at the Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism. She began her journalism career covering housing policies for the San Francisco Public Press before joining the Miami Herald as an investigative reporting fellow. She joined WPLN News in February 2025.
Tennessee House passes measure requiring schools to track and report undocumented students
A measure requiring schools to report students’ immigration status has passed the Tennessee House, 70-25. Although the Senate version of the bill has already passed, lawmakers must reconvene before the bill can become law.
TSU president vows to keep financial momentum going with new revenue ideas
Despite years of chronic underfunding and past fiscal missteps, Tennessee State University has made a stunning financial turnaround in the last year. To keep this momentum going, the university’s president is exploring new revenue options to help ensure long-term sustainability.
Tennessee schools may soon report students’ immigration status as measure advances in statehouse
A Tennessee proposal that would require schools to verify students’ immigration status is headed to the state House floor. The bill passed its final committee vote on Tuesday amid protests that tracking this information is a time-consuming and costly burden for school staff.
Tennessee lawmakers soften measure that sought to keep undocumented students out of school
A new version of the bill would require schools to check students’ immigration status. Opponents say the proposal still poses a threat.
Pet owners with reptiles take new precautions after unique power outage challenges
The recent ice storm left hundreds of thousands without power. The cold weather is already risky for pet owners, and Tennesseans with reptiles faced even more challenges to keep them safe and warm.
Lawmakers push for Tennessee schools to offer free feminine hygiene products
A bill moving through the statehouse would provide free feminine hygiene products to students at Tennessee schools. Supporters maintain that increased access to these products will improve students’ academic performance.
Nashville students will start their days a little later next school year
Many Nashville students will soon start their school days a little later. On Tuesday, the Board of Education adopted a proposal to push back school start and end times.
From toddlers to teens, Tennessee parents are juggling work and kids during lengthy school closures
A dangerous mix of ice and snow has kept Tennessee students out of school most of this week, and parents are juggling work duties while tending to their kids.
Proposed library changes would increase censorship in Tennessee, the ACLU warns
Thousands more books may soon be banned under proposed policy changes within Rutherford County libraries.
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