The ballots have been counted, and the winner of the award for Best Republican Legislator, 113th Tennessee General Assembly, is Rep. Iris Rudder of Winchester.

Never heard of her? Neither had I. But a low profile is part of her winning formula. That, and the fact that she doesn’t seem to offer much in the way of legislation.

2. Tennessee lawmakers pass bill to involuntarily commit some defendants judged incompetent for trial - Friday, April 12, 2024

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's Republican-led Legislature unanimously passed a bill Monday that would involuntarily commit certain criminal defendants for inpatient treatment and temporarily remove their gun rights if they are ruled incompetent to stand trial due to intellectual disability or mental illness.

3. Tennessee bill to untangle gun and voting rights restoration is killed for the year - Friday, April 12, 2024

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers have killed a bipartisan bill for the year that would have let residents convicted of felonies apply to vote again without also restoring their gun rights.

Democratic Rep. Antonio Parkinson and Republican Sen. Paul Bailey advanced the bill late in Tennessee's annual legislative session. But a split House committee voted 8-6 on Wednesday to send the bill to a summer study before next year's legislative session, effectively spiking it for 2024, barring some unusual move.

4. Tennessee Senate advances bill to allow death penalty for child rape - Friday, April 5, 2024

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's GOP-controlled Senate advanced legislation on Tuesday allowing the death penalty in child rape convictions as critics raised concerns that the U.S. Supreme Court has banned capital punishment in such cases.

5. Tennessee bill untangling gun and voting rights restoration advances, but faces uncertain odds - Friday, April 5, 2024

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee residents convicted of felonies can apply to vote again without restoring their gun rights under a bipartisan bill that faces some GOP skepticism as it advances late this session.

6. Tennessee lawmakers split on how and why to give businesses major tax help under fear of lawsuit - Friday, March 29, 2024

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republicans in the Tennessee House and Senate both plan to offer businesses new tax help worth upward of $1 billion.

But beyond broad strokes, they disagree about how much to award and what the public should know about companies that would get refunds, and what, if anything, they should do to protect the state from being sued for its current franchise-tax law and losing more money than the proposed tax relief.

7. Gov. Lee appoints new TSU board after legislature vacates old - Friday, March 29, 2024

NASHVILLE (AP) — Trustees of Tennessee's only publicly funded historically Black university were removed Thursday under legislation signed into law by Republican Gov. Bill Lee. Black lawmakers and community leaders said state leaders, a majority of whom are white, are unfairly targeting Tennessee State University.

8. Tennessee Senate advances nearly $2B business tax cut, refund to prevent lawsuit - Friday, March 22, 2024

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Senate on Thursday approved a nearly $2 billion tax and refund for businesses, a proposal designed to prevent threats of a potential lawsuit even as critics warned the so-called solution was rushed without being properly vetted and shrouded in mystery.

9. Democratic lawmakers ask Justice Department to probe Tennessee's voting rights restoration changes - Friday, March 1, 2024

NASHVILLE (AP) — A group of Democratic Tennessee lawmakers is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate how the state has further restricted the process for people with felony records to get their voting rights back.

10. Well-intentioned AI bill could hurt movie hopes - Friday, March 1, 2024

Four decades ago, Tennessee passed the Protection of Personal Rights law that established safeguards for the state’s songwriters, artists and others in the entertainment industry from misuse of their name, image and likeness.

11. Tennessee House advances bill addressing fire alarms in response to Nashville school shooting - Friday, February 9, 2024

NASHVILLE (AP) — Legislation requiring that schools determine the cause of a fire alarm being triggered before instructing children leave a classroom was advanced unanimously by the Tennessee House on Thursday.

12. State GOP leaders see no issue with state's voting-rights restoration system - Friday, January 26, 2024

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's top Republican lawmakers say they have no issue with the state's strict policy on restoring voting rights for those convicted of a felony, arguing that people shouldn't have violated the law if they wanted to continue casting ballots.

13. Tennessee House Republicans defend requiring tickets for more than half of the public gallery seats - Friday, January 12, 2024

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee House Republican leaders went on the defensive Thursday after surprising people who showed up to watch their lawmakers kick off this year's work by asking some of them if they had a ticket to get in. The new and previously unpublicized requirement has only fueled lingering criticism that the GOP supermajority is unfairly flexing its ability to silence those with differing political views.

14. New Tennessee House rules seek to discourage more uproar after highly publicized expulsions - Friday, January 12, 2024

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Republican-run Tennessee House on Wednesday installed new rules limiting how long lawmakers can debate bills and restricting members deemed "out of order" from speaking — an effort to discourage further turmoil after the highly publicized expulsions of two Democrats last year.

15. Tennessee lawmakers kick off session to mull voucher expansion, changes after school shooting - Friday, January 5, 2024

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers returned Tuesday for months of election-year work, anchored by the debate over whether taxpayer money to help students attend private schools should be available statewide for families of any income level.

16. Proud Boys member who went on the run after conviction in the Jan. 6 riot gets 10 years in prison - Friday, January 5, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — A member of the Proud Boys extremist group who went on the run after he was convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol and then allegedly faked a drug overdose after he was caught was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison.

17. Breaking impasse, Tennessee lawmakers adjourn tumultuous session spurred by school shooting - Friday, August 25, 2023

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers on Tuesday abruptly ended a special session initially touted to improve public safety in the wake of a deadly elementary school shooting, but it quickly unraveled into chaos over the past week as the GOP-dominant Statehouse refused to take up gun control measures and instead spent most of the time ensnared in political infighting.

18. Proud Boy on house arrest in Jan. 6 case disappears ahead of sentencing - Friday, August 18, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Authorities are searching for a member of the Proud Boys extremist group who disappeared days before his sentencing in a U.S. Capitol riot case, where prosecutors are seeking more than a decade in prison, according to a warrant made public Friday.

19. Restored Tennessee Rep. Pearson charts progressive path - Friday, April 14, 2023

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson never guessed he'd be expelled for leading a gun control protest on the House floor after a deadly school shooting. Nor did he predict that he'd be propelled into the national spotlight, placing his state at the forefront of the conversation on gun regulations.

20. Tennessee lawmakers' race to adjourn complicates gun safety push - Friday, April 14, 2023

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers on Monday kicked off a rushed effort to adjourn by the end of the week, looking for an exit from a session that has been eclipsed by the fallout of the Republican supermajority expelling two young Black Democrats and a growing push to pass some sort of gun restriction legislation.

21. Metro Council reinstates expelled Black lawmaker - Friday, April 7, 2023

NASHVILLE (AP) — One of the two Black Democrats who were expelled last week from the GOP-led Tennessee House was reinstated Monday after Nashville's governing council voted to send him straight back to the Legislature.

22. Black lawmaker who was expelled reinstated to Tennessee seat - Friday, April 7, 2023

NASHVILLE (AP) — One of the two Black Democrats who were expelled last week from the GOP-led Tennessee House was reinstated Monday after Nashville's governing council voted to send him straight back to the Legislature.

23. Tennessee's GOP-dominated House expels 2 of 3 Democrats for guns protest - Friday, April 7, 2023

NASHVILLE (AP) — In an extraordinary act of political retaliation, Tennessee Republicans on Thursday expelled two Democratic lawmakers from the state Legislature for their role in a protest calling for more gun control in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Nashville. A third Democrat was narrowly spared by a one-vote margin.

24. States aim to boost school safety after Tennessee shooting - Friday, March 31, 2023

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — In the wake of an elementary school shooting in Tennessee earlier this week that left three 9-year-olds and three adults dead, state legislatures across the country are moving forward with bills aiming to improve school safety.

25. Trans youth care ban headed to Tennessee governor's desk - Friday, February 24, 2023

NASHVILLE (AP) — Transgender youth in Tennessee would be banned from receiving gender-affirming care under legislation currently headed to the desk of Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who has voiced support for the bill.

26. Tennessee bill a $1M takeover of foreclosure advertising sales - Friday, February 24, 2023

The Secretary of State’s Office would gain nearly $1 million in new annual revenue under a bill that allows it to take over the business of advertising foreclosure sales from local community newspapers where they have appeared for years.

27. Tennessee GOP steps up effort to punish left-leaning Nashville - Friday, February 10, 2023

NASHVILLE (AP) — For years, Nashville leaders have watched Tennessee's GOP-dominated Legislature repeatedly kneecap the liberal-leaning city's ability to set its own minimum wage, regulate plastic bag use and place higher scrutiny on police officers.

28. Governance by spite: Legislators send silly message - Friday, January 20, 2023

Sometimes, the thinking behind a piece of legislation eludes me. House Bill 47, for instance, filed for consideration by the recently convened 113th General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. The bill seeks to designate an additional state motto: “Send Me.”

29. Tennessee House GOP nominates Sexton for new speaker term - Friday, November 25, 2022

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee House Republicans have nominated Speaker Cameron Sexton to serve a third term in the chamber's top leadership position.

30. Butler Snow adds to government relations team - Friday, November 4, 2022

Allyson E. Lynch and Michael Zimmerman have joined Butler Snow’s government relations advisers within the Regulatory & Government Relations practice group in Nashville.

Before joining Butler Snow, Lynch was a judicial clerk for three Tennessee Supreme Court justices, including most recently the Hon. Jeffrey S. Bivins. She researched complex legal issues in both civil and criminal matters to draft majority and separate opinions, judgment orders and more.

31. Legislators: Put a muzzle on your fake furry fury - Friday, October 14, 2022

One of my favorite sayings, variously attributed and rendered, goes like this: It’s better to remain quiet and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt. I call your attention now to recent utterings by State Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) and State Rep. Mary Littleton (R-Dickson).

32. ‘Law and order’ champions need some consistency - Friday, September 2, 2022

Consider the cases of two Republican politicians, two federal investigations and two completely different responses by their fellow Republicans.

The first case: The former speaker of the Tennessee House, Glen Casada, and his former top aide, Cade Cothren, were hauled before a federal judge last week – in ankle chains and handcuffs – and charged with a corrupt plot to siphon public money for their private gain.

33. Tennessee GOP leaders urge delay of toddler COVID-19 shots - Friday, June 24, 2022

NASHVILLE (AP) — Top Tennessee Republican House leaders on Wednesday urged Gov. Bill Lee to delay the state's health department from distributing and promoting the COVID-19 vaccines to infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

34. Senate GOP leader won't support Texas-styled abortion bill - Friday, March 18, 2022

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's Senate Speaker Randy McNally on Thursday said he does not support legislation that would ban abortions and allow almost anyone to file civil lawsuits against violators and collect damages.

35. Gun ammo salesman confirmed to Tennessee education board - Friday, March 18, 2022

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers have confirmed the governor's appointment of a businessman to the State Board of Education despite lawsuits over his company's sale of ammunition online, including the bullets used in a mass shooting at a Texas high school.

36. Tennessee kickback scandal leaves GOP reps feeling betrayed - Friday, March 11, 2022

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee House Republican lawmakers say they were betrayed by one of their own after they hired a shadowy political consulting firm talked up by a colleague who has since pleaded guilty to fraud in an alleged kickback scheme that also implicates a former House speaker and others.

37. Tennessee GOP leaders shy from attacks on librarians - Friday, March 4, 2022

NASHVILLE (AP) — GOP legislative leaders on Thursday maintained that parents need more transparency on what students are being exposed to inside Tennessee's public schools, but a handful conceded the arguments recently used to condemn teachers and libraries had crossed a line.

38. Tennessee redistricting starts; focus on Nashville-area boom - Friday, September 10, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's Republican supermajority Legislature began work Wednesday on the once-a-decade task of carving up new legislative and congressional districts based on population shifts, a task that a Democratic congressman testified should not divide fast-growing Nashville into different U.S. House seats.

39. Events - Friday, May 21, 2021

Good Morning Gallatin. State Legislative Wrap Up with Sen. Ferrell Hyde, Rep. William Lamberth, Rep. Teri Lynn Weaver and Rep. Johnny Garrett. Hilton Garden Inn, 1460 Tulip Popular Drive, Gallatin. Friday, 7:30-9 a.m. Registration required for this event. Information

40. Tennessee closer to banning executions of intellectually disabled - Friday, April 16, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers are inching closer to advancing legislation designed to prevent death row inmates with an intellectual disability from being executed.

The proposal has gained a groundswell of support from disability advocates, legal experts and death penalty critics who argue Tennessee is long overdue in addressing the matter.

41. Tennessee GOP pushes gun bill over law enforcement concerns - Friday, April 2, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — When Tennessee lawmakers pushed last summer to increase penalties against demonstrators demanding police reform, they did so in the name of supporting law enforcement. But when police advocacy groups asked them not to remove background checks and training requirements for most people seeking to carry a handgun, Republicans in charge at the Capitol were decidedly less responsive.

42. Tennessee lawmakers sending gov permitless carry gun bill - Friday, March 26, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee can soon sign off on his proposal to let most adults 21 and older carry handguns — concealed or openly — without a license that now requires a background check and training.

43. Tennessee OKs Medicaid block grant; fate unclear under Biden - Friday, January 15, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's GOP-dominant Legislature on Friday approved a contentious decision that would drastically overhaul the state's Medicaid program, casting quick votes this week in hopes of making it difficult for incoming President-elect Joe Biden's administration from overturning the deal.

44. Tennessee lawmakers return for session amid pandemic, FBI probe - Friday, January 8, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers gathered to start their annual session Tuesday in Nashville amid a pandemic and an FBI probe that drew searches of multiple legislative offices by federal agents last week.

45. Tennessee House GOP closes off its meetings, keeps leaders - Friday, November 20, 2020

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee House Republicans have voted to close off their caucus meetings to the public and the media and keep their current slate of legislative leaders in place.

According to The Tennessean, the caucus voted 56-11 on Tuesday to close off their future meetings.

46. COVID-19 immunity proposal flounders in Tennessee - Friday, July 3, 2020

NASHVILLE (AP) — Just a few weeks ago, Tennessee looked like a sure bet to become the latest state to protect businesses and other organizations from lawsuits by people impacted by the coronavirus in the push to reopen the economy. Republican Gov. Bill Lee had talked up the change and touted his advocacy on tort reform as a businessman, and he had GOP lawmakers in supermajorities lined up to seal the deal.

47. The best, worst from the 111th General Assembly - Friday, July 3, 2020

Tennessee legislators, having adjourned sine die and high-tailed it homeward, it’s time for a final report card on the 111th session of the General Assembly.

The good news: It wasn’t all bad. The bad news: It wasn’t much good. Here is my highly subjective list of grades:

48. Tennessee lawmakers advance 6-week abortion ban - Friday, June 19, 2020

NASHVILLE (AP) — Amid nationwide unrest and a global pandemic that wrecked the state budget, Tennessee lawmakers wrapped up a legislative session early Friday by advancing an anti-abortion proposal that includes some of the strictest restrictions in the country.

49. Trading racism claims, Tennessee House stays in tense divide - Friday, June 19, 2020

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee House continued to simmer Wednesday after Republicans spiked a resolution the night before for a young black woman shot and killed this year. Speaker Cameron Sexton even kicked off the morning session by telling leaders of both parties to meet with him afterward.

50. Trading racism claims, Tennessee House stays in tense divide - Friday, June 12, 2020

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee House continued to simmer Wednesday after Republicans spiked a resolution the night before for a young black woman shot and killed this year. Speaker Cameron Sexton even kicked off the morning session by telling leaders of both parties to meet with him afterward.

51. Tenn. GOP spike resolution honoring black teen shot, killed - Friday, June 12, 2020

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tensions erupted Tuesday on the Tennessee House floor after Republican lawmakers refused to advance a resolution memorializing a young a black woman shot and killed in her car earlier this year.

52. Bill would increase penalties for illegal camping, graffiti - Friday, June 12, 2020

NASHVILLE (AP) — As protests continue to pop up across the nation over George Floyd's death, Tennessee's House is seeking to significantly increase penalties against demonstrators who violate certain state laws.

53. Tennessee to offer state workers 12 weeks paid family leave - Friday, January 3, 2020

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced a plan Tuesday to offer up to 12 weeks of annual paid family leave for state workers experiencing a variety of life events.

The plan, which takes effect March 1, would apply initially to all full-time executive branch employees with at least a year of service.

54. Lee taps 38 to serve on census panel - Friday, October 18, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has appointed 38 people to a panel that will work with the U.S. Census Bureau on the 2020 Census.

Lee's office announced a wide variety of appointees to the Tennessee Complete Count Committee on Wednesday.

55. Lee taps 38 to serve on census panel - Friday, October 11, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has appointed 38 people to a panel that will work with the U.S. Census Bureau on the 2020 Census.

Lee's office announced a wide variety of appointees to the Tennessee Complete Count Committee on Wednesday.

56. House GOP caucus meets behind closed doors, defends decision - Friday, August 23, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee House Republican members are defending holding a recent private meeting, arguing that the matters discussed behind closed doors did not pertain to state business.

House Majority Leader William Lamberth defended the decision to close the meeting on Thursday. Lamberth says the meeting did not address policy or legislation. He also said many other states bar the public and media from attending caucus meetings.

57. Gov. Lee sets special session for Aug. 23 to elect new speaker - Friday, June 28, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday announced he's calling a special legislative session in late August to allow the GOP-controlled House to replace the state's House speaker, who has promised to resign after a series of scandals.

58. Tennessee House GOP to nominate new speaker July 24 - Friday, June 21, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — House Republicans leaders say their caucus will meet July 24 to vote for a new leader as members prepare for House Speaker Glen Casada to resign later this summer following a series of scandals.

59. Tennessee House creates new ethics attorney role - Friday, May 31, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee House is creating a new ethics attorney role.

In a news release Friday, House Republican Majority Leader William Lamberth and Democratic Minority Leader Karen Camper praised the appointment of Doug Himes as House ethics counsel. Himes is currently the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance's assistant director.

60. Tennessee House speaker scandals spur 'no confidence' vote - Friday, May 17, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee House Republicans have cast a vote of no confidence in House Speaker Glen Casada, who remains ensnared by a spate of scandals.

House GOP Majority Leader William Lamberth said Republicans cast the 45-24 vote during a Monday meeting closed to the public and reporters.

61. House advances bill seeking to overhaul Medicaid - Friday, April 12, 2019

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee would dramatically overhaul how it provides health care to its lower-income and disabled residents under a proposal the House advanced Thursday.

The bill cleared the GOP-dominated chamber on party lines, with 68 Republicans in favor and 21 Democrats against.

62. Lee: Voucher plan to be provided only to 'legal residents' - Friday, March 29, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Republican Gov. Bill Lee said Tuesday he's working to ensure his proposed $125 million school voucher program will be provided only to "legal residents" of Tennessee — a plan that some critics say could be illegal.

63. Tennessee gov to push $25M education savings account plan - Friday, March 1, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Monday unveiled his long awaited school-choice agenda, announcing a sweeping proposal that would boost the number of parents who can use education savings accounts to pay tuition at private elementary and secondary schools.

64. Bipartisan push in Legislature for increased voter access - Friday, March 1, 2019

Of dozens of bills before the state Legislature on voting this year, many would make it easier to cast ballots or register to vote, potentially benefiting students, the elderly and disabled, and people with felony records.

65. Lawmakers get hints of Lee's legislative agenda - Friday, February 22, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers got a brief look at Gov. Bill Lee's legislative agenda, which proposes to reform criminal justice and to loosen some licensure regulations.

House Majority Leader William Lamberth told House Republicans on Monday the governor's agenda has 32 bills for this year's legislative agenda.

66. Tennessee bill would allow public records requests bans - Friday, February 8, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennesseans determined to be using public records requests as a form of harassment could be banned from filing them for one year under a new bill that would allow courts to punish people for making too many inquiries.

67. Tennessee resolution praises King, denounces racism - Friday, January 18, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee House lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution praising Martin Luther King Jr.'s life while also promising to fight racism.

68. Resolution denouncing neo-Nazis resurfaces in Tennessee - Friday, January 18, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — A Nashville lawmaker is once again backing a resolution denouncing neo-Nazis and white nationalists after similar proposals failed to gain traction in the Tennessee Legislature last year.

69. Democrats map plan to stay relevent in new session - Friday, January 4, 2019

With new leadership in both the House and Senate, Tennessee Democrats are trying to stay relevant in the face of supermajorities in both houses of the General Assembly.

Karen Camper has been elected as the first African-American leader of the House Democrats, taking over from Craig Fitzhugh, who became minority leader in 2011 and left for an unsuccessful bid for governor. The Senate has elected Jeff Yarbro as the minority leader. Yarbro takes over for Lee Harris, who is now mayor of Shelby County.

70. Tennessee House GOP elects Casada as next speaker - Friday, November 16, 2018

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee House Republicans on Tuesday elected Majority Leader Glen Casada as the chamber's next speaker, reconfiguring another level of state government leadership as GOP Gov.-elect Bill Lee prepares to take office.

71. Legislators work all the angles for leadership posts - Friday, September 7, 2018

With apologies to Robert Zimmerman, “the times they are a-changing.” Unlike Bob Dylan’s 1964 song of rebellion, Capitol Hill isn’t turning into a hotbed of liberals, although someday the first could be last. In fact, it could turn more conservative this fall before things take a different direction.

72. Midstate transit future is paved with tired ideas - Friday, June 15, 2018

Will it be trains, planes or automobiles? If you ask state Rep. William Lamberth, Davidson County voters gave a resounding answer on the future of mass transit in this region. Based on their overwhelming defeat of an early May referendum, they don’t want to raise taxes for mass transit, preferring to be more like Atlanta and Los Angeles and less like New York.

73. Top Middle Tennessee commercial sales for April 2018 - Friday, May 25, 2018

Top commercial real estate sales, April 2018, for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

74. Hacker blamed for 3rd TNReady computer snafu - Friday, April 13, 2018

Frustrated by a third year of TNReady foul-ups, this time with testing statewide disrupted by a suspected hacker, state lawmakers are set to step in and put an end to what they feel is a fiasco.

Two measures are slated to be considered by the House this afternoon to put an end to mistakes in the administration of tests used to evaluate student progress and teacher effectiveness. School districts statewide were affected by the disruption this week, including Metro Nashville Public Schools, after an outside source hit the state’s testing vendor, Questar.

75. Legislators pushing bill to enable next-generation cell network - Friday, March 16, 2018

Unable to get cell-phone service at a football game in Nashville or Knoxville? Can’t send a text from a Broadway honky tonk or Beale Street blues bar? Wondering how autonomous cars will ever work?

76. Harwell casts tie-breaking vote to propel medical marijuana bill - Friday, March 2, 2018

Bolstered by House Speaker Beth Harwell’s tie-breaking vote, Rep. Jeremy Faison’s medical marijuana legislation took an important step Tuesday in the General Assembly.

Harwell, a Davidson County Republican running for governor, cast the deciding vote in a 4-3 decision to move the bill out of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. It will be heard next by the full Criminal Justice Committee.

77. Harwell casts tie-breaking vote to propel medical marijuana bill - Friday, February 23, 2018

Bolstered by House Speaker Beth Harwell’s tie-breaking vote, Rep. Jeremy Faison’s medical marijuana legislation took an important step Tuesday in the General Assembly.

Harwell, a Davidson County Republican running for governor, cast the deciding vote in a 4-3 decision to move the bill out of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. It will be heard next by the full Criminal Justice Committee.

78. Tennessee bill would exempt gun safes from state sales tax - Friday, February 2, 2018

NASHVILLE (AP) — Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Tennessee are pushing legislation to exempt gun safes from the state's sales tax.

At a news conference Monday, Republican Sen. Kerry Roberts of Springfield said the bill shows how the state Senate can find common ground and work in a bipartisan manner.

79. Self-driving cars: A shift in how we work, where we live - Friday, January 26, 2018

Fully autonomous vehicles are coming to Tennessee’s roads, bringing many more changes than the absence of a steering wheel. Just as America’s interstate highways changed the way we lived, worked, traveled and made decisions in the 1950s and 60s, the age of self-driving cars should deliver significant societal benefits, including reduced accidents, injuries and fatalities, as well as improved traffic management since cars and trucks will be connected, both to each other and traffic signals.

80. Opioid crisis and juvenile justice - Friday, December 29, 2017

With the state’s budget projected to be tight and lawmakers lining up to run for re-election in 2018, the coming legislative session isn’t expected to yield many surprises.

But the 110th General Assembly still has a long row to hoe as the session starts Jan. 9 with new legislative offices and committee rooms in the renovated Cordell Hull Building in downtown Nashville.

81. Black names leadership teams in all 95 Tennessee counties - Friday, December 1, 2017

NASHVILLE (AP) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Diane Black has named leadership teams in all 95 Tennessee counties.

82. Wiping slate clean is now less about who can afford it - Friday, November 24, 2017

The scales of justice in Tennessee are slowly tipping back toward the poor – and not so poor – helping them regain traction lost to often-minor transgressions.

Change is taking place in court battles and in the Republican-controlled Legislature, believe it or not.

83. Top Middle Tennessee commercial transactions for September 2017 - Friday, October 20, 2017

Top residential real estate sales, September 2017, for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports. Due to technical issues, Davidson County sales are unavailable for September.

84. Opioid committee on right track, obstacles remain - Friday, September 15, 2017

Smyrna Police Chief Kevin Arnold can remember the first time his detectives brought a heroin case to him three or four years ago.

“Of course, my reaction immediately was, ‘I thought that went away in the late 70s.’ But we’re seeing it. In fact, we are averaging approximately five heroin overdoses a month just in the town of Smyrna,” adds Arnold, whose city about 10 miles southeast of Nashville has a population of nearly 48,600.

85. Legislature’s end game on guns: No rules at all? - Friday, July 21, 2017

If you think the state Legislature is full of gun nuts, Rep. Micah Van Huss begs to differ. “No, not at all,” Van Huss says when asked if the General Assembly is too pro-gun. “I don’t think they’re pro-gun enough. In fact, … I think our laws in Tennessee infringe on our constitutional rights. There are now 16 states – we’ve added two or three this year – that allow constitutional carry. So, we’re falling behind.”

86. Tennessee cities adjust to law letting guns in buses, hubs - Friday, July 7, 2017

NASHVILLE (AP) — Metro Nashville fought a losing battle this spring as a state law passed that lets people with gun permits enter city buses and its main bus terminal with their guns. Nashville is now among several cities in Tennessee to tweak its bus system rules just enough to follow the new law without advertising that guns can be carried more freely.

87. Law could allow guns at Nashville bus hub used by schools - Friday, June 2, 2017

NASHVILLE (AP) — Police and security guards keep watch as thousands of children zigzag through Nashville's downtown bus hub each morning and afternoon, catching buses between home and school.

Barring some court challenge this month, the authorities likely won't be alone in carrying lethal firepower through the Music City Central station. A law signed by Gov. Bill Haslam that takes effect July 1st will force Nashville to let people carry loaded guns there and potentially even on the city buses thousands of students ride each day.

88. Bill making it harder for cities to restrict guns passes House - Friday, April 28, 2017

Legislation making it easier for Tennessee cities to be sued over gun restrictions eased through the House on Wednesday even though it would allow those filing lawsuits to claim triple attorney fees.

89. Bill requires metal detectors for city, county gun bans - Friday, April 28, 2017

NASHVILLE (AP) — A gun rights push in Tennessee would give cities and counties an ultimatum: buy metal detectors, hire security guards and check bags at many public buildings, parks and buses; or let people with handgun permits bring in their guns.

90. Bill to allow oral chemotherapy dies in Senate - Friday, April 7, 2017

Legislation designed to lower the cost of oral chemotherapy will have to wait until next year.

Sen. Bill Ketron, who fought through cancer two years ago, removed his bill from consideration this week after losing support from one of the senators he needed to pass the bill this year. He placed it on the first calendar in 2018, the second year of the 110th General Assembly.

91. House committee passes bill to make Oral chemo more affordable - Friday, March 31, 2017

Despite objections to a pharmaceutical reporting requirement, a House committee this morning passed legislation designed to make oral chemotherapy medication more affordable.

By a 16-2 vote, the House Insurance and Banking Committee approved legislation sponsored by Rep. William Lamberth prohibiting an insurance provider from requiring a higher insurance co-payment for oral anti-cancer medication than for injected chemotherapy medication. The measure moves next to the Calendar & Rules Committee and then the House floor.

92. A disjointed stash of marijuana bills - Friday, March 31, 2017

This year’s marijuana bills are a mixed bag. Rep. Jeremy Faison is sending his medical marijuana legislation to a task force, as opposed to “summer study,” typically considered the trash heap for unwanted bills.

93. House passes bill that blocks marijuana decriminalization - Friday, March 24, 2017

NASHVILLE (AP) — The House has voted on a bill that would block any efforts by Tennessee cities to decriminalize the use of marijuana. The bill would nullify laws that Memphis and Nashville have passed that have reduced the penalty for weed in some cases.

94. Marijuana bill seeks to save money, keep users out of jail - Friday, January 27, 2017

Rep. Antonio Parkinson says his legislation dealing with marijuana isn’t designed to decriminalize pot but to reduce felony possession charges – and the stumbling blocks attached to them – in addition to saving the state money.

95. GOP lawmakers seek law to ban marijuana decriminalization - Friday, January 27, 2017

NASHVILLE (AP) — A Republican lawmaker has filed a bill to repeal any city ordinances that would to reduce the penalty for people who possess small amounts of marijuana.

The Tennessean reports (http://tnne.ws/2kRYEGD) that House Criminal Justice Chairman William Lamberth of Gallatin filed the bill that would override ordinances passed last year in Nashville and Memphis.

96. State DAs: Haslam's plan would hurt DUI enforcement - Friday, January 20, 2017

Tennessee’s district attorney generals are negotiating with the governor’s office to keep $5.6 million for DUI enforcement and prosecution, federal funds they could lose in an unintended consequence of his proposed IMPROVE Act.

97. Top Middle Tennessee residential transactions for Dec. 2016 - Friday, January 20, 2017

Top residential real estate sales, December 2016, for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

98. Legislator: Metro marijuana law has some real problems - Friday, September 30, 2016

State Rep. William Lamberth balks at the notion Memphis and Nashville are softening the punishment for simple pot possession.

Lamberth, a Republican and former assistant district attorney from Cottontown in Sumner County, is ready to punish the cities, too, by passing legislation in 2017 to hold back state transportation funds – $119 million in Davidson County – for municipal governments whose penalties conflict with state law.

99. Facing $60M penalty, Tennessee repeals underage DUI law - Friday, September 9, 2016

NASHVILLE (AP) - Tennessee lawmakers on Wednesday repealed an underage drunken driving law that threatened to cost the state $60 million in road money by running afoul of federal zero-tolerance standards.

100. As long as you’re here, go ahead and kick Durham out - Friday, September 9, 2016

State lawmakers hit the snooze button in July when prospects were high for a special session to oust Rep. Jeremy Durham over a career of carousing.

They’re now getting a wakeup call from Gov. Bill Haslam after federal transportation officials gave the Legislature an Oct. 1 deadline to fix a new underage DUI law or lose $60 million for breaking the feds’ “zero-tolerance” statute. The “disappointed” Haslam is calling for a special session to hold on to the money.