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Jack Johnson

NES board overhaul prompts ‘power grab’ concerns from Nashville lawmakers

By Cynthia Abrams

April 21, 2026

NES storm repair
Listen

A bill requiring utilities to include board representatives from surrounding counties has passed both the House and the Senate.

Filed Under: Metro, Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: 114th Tennessee General Assembly, Brent Taylor, Clark Boyd, Heidi Campbell, Jack Johnson, Jeff Yarbro, Nashville Electric Service

Tennessee legislature narrowly passes school voucher expansion, raising total spots to 35,000

By Camellia Burris

April 16, 2026

A bill that nearly doubles the number of school vouchers in Tennessee narrowly passed both chambers of the state legislature this week amid concerns that this rapid expansion jeopardizes the state’s financial future.

Filed Under: Education, WPLN News Tagged With: Charlane Oliver, Heidi Campbell, Jack Johnson, Joey Hensley, school vouchers

Tennessee adds criminal penalties for immigration offenses at White House’s behest

By Marianna Bacallao

April 7, 2026

The Tennessee General Assembly has passed a measure that would make it a state crime to remain in the U.S. after a final deportation order has been issued.

Filed Under: Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: 114th Tennessee General Assembly, Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Donald Trump, ICE, Immigration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Jack Johnson, Stephen Miller, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, tnleg, tnpol

How friction between Nashville, the state and Boring Company materialized this week

By Caroline Eggers

March 5, 2026

Tensions between Nashville, the state government and the Boring Company escalated this week, days after tunneling began downtown.

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: Charlane Oliver, Delishia Porterfield, geology, Jack Johnson, Justin Jones, Mike Cortese, Nashville Metro Council, Tennessee General Assembly, The Boring Company, tunnel

ICE agent identities would be confidential under Tennessee proposal

By Marianna Bacallao

March 3, 2026

As immigration enforcement in Tennessee faces increased scrutiny, state lawmakers want to further limit what records of ICE operations are open to the public.

Filed Under: Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: 114th Tennessee General Assembly, ICE, immigrants, Immigration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Jack Johnson, Jeff Yarbro, police, raid, Tennessee Coalition for Open Government, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, tnleg, tnpol

Tennessee could lock up foster youth in jail-like facilities under new bill

By Paige Pfleger

February 20, 2026

Tennessee capitol

Research shows it’s best practice to house foster kids with families, but a bill would allow foster kids to be placed in the most secure juvenile facilities.

Filed Under: Criminal Justice, Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Bill Lee, Department of Children's Services, foster care, Jack Johnson, juvenile justice, Margie Quin, William Lamberth, Youth Law Center

Immigration, school choice and Charlie Kirk: Tennessee’s legislative priorities for 2026

By Marianna Bacallao

January 12, 2026

As Tennessee lawmakers continue the 114th General Assembly in Nashville this week, immigration and the governor’s school voucher program will still be priorities after dominating last year’s regular and special sessions.

Filed Under: Education, Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: 114th Tennessee General Assembly, Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Charlie Kirk, Gabby Salinas, Gino Bulso, immigrants, Immigration, Jack Johnson, Justin Jones, Supreme Court, tnleg, tnpol, U.S. Supreme Court, undocumented students

TN passes $60 billion budget, slashes money for starter homes, boosts funding for state AG

By Marianna Bacallao

April 16, 2025

The Tennessee General Assembly approved a $60 billion budget Wednesday, as federal funding cuts put a large portion of that money at risk.

Filed Under: Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: 114th Tennessee General Assembly, Bill Lee, Duck River, federal funding, Jack Johnson, Jeff Yarbro, memphis, school voucher, school vouchers, tnleg, tnpol

Tennessee lawmakers are not changing the current school threats law. They’re adding a new one.

By Paige Pfleger

April 11, 2025

A bill moving through the Tennessee state capitol would create a new felony offense for people who make threats at school.

Filed Under: Criminal Justice, Education, WPLN News Tagged With: Disability Rights Tennessee, Jack Johnson, juvenile justice, William Lamberth, Zoe Jamail

TN Senate opens the door to deny bail for more Tennesseans

By Marianna Bacallao

March 17, 2025

Listen

More Tennesseans could be denied bail under a joint resolution advancing in the statehouse. The amendment is one step closer to voters, having passed the state Senate.

Filed Under: Criminal Justice, Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: 114th Tennessee General Assembly, bail, Jack Johnson, jail, London Lamar, tnleg, tnpol, Todd Gardenhire

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