Following doctor’s orders, Tennessee Senate Speaker Randy McNally will miss the first few weeks of the legislative session while he recovers from ankle surgery. Second-in-line Sen. Ferrell Haile will preside over floor sessions.
Tennessee’s legislature made waves in 2023. Here’s a review of the year’s top stories in state politics.
Tennessee politics got national attention in 2023. There were protests, expulsions, culture wars and one official’s interesting social media activity brought to light. Below is a list of some of the top events from the year.
Tennessee House Speaker blames Senate inaction during special session for death of Belmont student. The Senate disagrees.
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton says the Senate’s refusal to pass mental health legislation during special session played a factor in the fatal shooting of Belmont University student Jillian Ludwig. Senators on both sides of the aisle refute the claim and look to pass laws to prevent future tragedies.
Tennessee lawmakers look forward to January after dissatisfying special session
When Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee called for a special session on public safety, he left out a chance for any gun reform legislation to be passed. With that off the table, Republican lawmakers focused on bills related to mental health and juvenile sentencing. Now, session is over, and many feel not enough was done.
Listen: Special session Day 3 updates from This Is Nashville
WPLN journalists Rose Gilbert, Char Datson and Tony Gonzalez share the latest from the Tennessee General Assembly’s special legislative session on public safety.
New anti-LGBTQ legislation faces hurdles in the Tennessee statehouse
Bills targeting LGBTQ Tennesseans have encountered obstacles in the statehouse this week, after similar measures sped through the General Assembly earlier in the session.
After social media scandal, Tennessee Republicans vote to keep Randy McNally as their speaker
The Lieutenant Governor has been under scrutiny for his social media activity on the accounts of young gay men.
A House Republican calls Senate Speaker Randy McNally a ‘groomer’ and ‘predator’ in letter requesting he resign
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, who presides over Tennessee’s Senate, is being asked to resign from his post by a Republican member of the Tennessee House. But McNally’s refusing to go.
Tennessee Senate Speaker Randy McNally says his voting record is not anti-LGBTQ, following national backlash
McNally says he’ll be taking a pause from social media, after drawing national attention for his comments on a young gay man’s provocative photos.
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