State lawmakers are coming back to Nashville for another special legislative session this week. WPLN political reporter Blaise Gainey spoke with afternoon host Marianna Bacallao about what to expect now that the topic is COVID.
Tennessee lawmakers aim to block vaccine and mask mandates during special session
State lawmakers plan to tackle vaccine and mask mandates from both local and federal officials when they come back next week for a special session on COVID-19.
Tennessee workplace inspectors refuse to cancel COVID rules for fear of federal takeover
The agency tasked with enforcing workplace safety rules in Tennessee has rejected a directive from state lawmakers to abandon federal COVID rules adopted in late August.
Tennessee’s COVID positivity rate drops below double digits. But does that matter?
The decline shows spread of the virus is more controlled, though the closely-watched figure can be unreliable. The positivity rate is starting to dip below 10% for the first time since a sharp rise in July.
Tennessee lawmakers agree to another special session — this time to fight federal COVID rules
Members of the state House and Senate are expected to discuss masks, vaccines and other restrictions related to coronavirus when they convene next week.
Two Rutherford County educators die of COVID over fall break
Two educators in Rutherford County Schools have died from COVID-19 over the system’s fall break.
Facing a shortage of nurses, hospitals turn to higher pay and international staff
There’s some truth in a joke circulating among frustrated ICU nurses right now. They ask for their hospitals to appropriately pay them for the hazards they’ve endured through the pandemic. And they’re rewarded with a pizza party.
Lascassas father with ICU conversion on vaccine survives COVID
A month ago, Joe Gammon was on life support at Saint Thomas West. And his odds of recovering from COVID — even at age 44 — were not good. But he turned a corner. And then he was discharged to a round of applause. He rang a ceremonial bell to mark his departure.
Booster Shots Keep Tennessee Vaccination Sites Busy, Even As First Doses Decline
COVID vaccination sites in Tennessee have been busier since booster shots were approved late last month. But first doses continue to slow. And having residents take their first jab is still the top priority for state health officials.
Lives Lost In The Pandemic: A Hispanic Church In Nolensville Loses Its ‘Moses’
A Hispanic church in Nolensville is grieving the loss of their charismatic founder who died of COVID at age 57 a month ago. As part of our series on Lives Lost in the Pandemic, WPLN’s Blake Farmer has this remembrance.
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