Federal power only goes so far. State governors and legislatures have wide authority over local law enforcement, schools, health and how cities and counties handle immigration.
Tennessee’s medical research is in limbo while the Trump administration considers illegal budget cuts
The Trump administration announced it would make major cuts to National Institutes of Health grants. Tennessee gets around $700 million a year in NIH funding. The money goes to universities, hospitals and biomedical companies.
As this South Nashville health center practices for ICE raids, it still wants immigrant patients to feel ‘celebrated’
ICE says it will now enter schools, churches and hospitals. Staff at one clinic is practicing what they’ll do if agents show up.
Under Trump, DOJ withdraws support for transgender youth in Tennessee case at the Supreme Court
The U.S. Department of Justice notified the high court Friday that the U.S. is now backing the state of Tennessee and its ban on care.
Families and doctors sue over Trump’s order to halt funding for gender-affirming care
Individuals who say they have been denied care since he signed it last week filed a lawsuit in a Baltimore federal court on Tuesday. They’re joined by a group of families of LGBTQ+ people and a medical organization.
Report: Maternal mortality is three times higher for TennCare members
TennCare recipients have historically faced higher death rates tied to pregnancy than those with private health insurance, but a recent report showed the gap is widening.
NashVillager Podcast: Abortion details up for debate
Will Tennessee’s legislature clamp down even further on abortion access this year? Plus, the local news for January 22, 2025.
A Trump executive order aims to make lethal injection drugs more accessible to states like Tennessee
On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders. One aims to help states like Tennessee secure lethal injection drugs. But that will be an uphill battle.
Lawsuit: Tennessee is breaking the law with long, complicated SNAP food stamp benefit delays
A lawsuit is accusing the Tennessee Department of Human Services of mismanaging nutrition assistance benefits so badly that the agency is breaking federal law.
Vouchers, disaster aid and hate speech: Tennessee’s top legislative priorities
Tennessee lawmakers will reconvene in Nashville Tuesday for the 114th General Assembly. Their priorities are already clear.
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