Tennessee’s Republican-led Legislature finished its annual session April 21 without taking action on a gun control plan offered by the GOP governor in the wake of a deadly shooting at a Christian school in Nashville.

Hours later, Gov. Bill Lee announced that he would call lawmakers back for a special session to work “to protect Tennessee communities and preserve constitutional rights.” Lee’s office promised more details soon, including timing and the session’s parameters.

“There is broad agreement that dangerous, unstable individuals who intend to harm themselves or others should not have access to weapons,” Lee says. “We also share a strong commitment to preserving Second Amendment rights, ensuring due process and addressing the heart of the problem with strengthened mental health resources.”

Earlier in the day, Republican lawmakers focused on putting final touches on bills ranging from restrictions on Nashville’s local powers to an expansion of school vouchers to more laws targeting the transgender community. They did not bring up a vote on Lee’s “temporary mental health order of protection” proposal, which aims to keep guns away from people who could harm themselves or others.

Enough Republicans joined gun lobby groups in opposition to keep Lee’s proposal from coming to a vote.

Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton said he wants to get input from across the state.

Some on the other side of the guns debate argue that Lee’s proposed measure didn’t go far enough. House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons, for example, has said he appreciates the governor’s proposal but called the plan “watered down.”

State unemployment drops to 3.4%

New data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development showed the statewide preliminary unemployment rate for March decreased to 3.4% after holding steady at 3.5% for the last five months.

The decrease put the seasonally adjusted rate for March just 0.2% away from Tennessee’s all-time low jobless number of 3.2%.

In a year-to-year comparison, the statewide unemployment rate increased slightly from 3.3% to 3.4%.

Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also decreased in March 0.1% to 3.5%.

Holland & Knight now largest health practice

Holland & Knight has announced the expansion of the firm’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry Group, a cross-disciplinary team of more than 400 experienced attorneys covering virtually every segment of the health care industry.

Following the firm’s March 1 combination with Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, Holland & Knight now boasts the largest health care law practice in the United States, data submitted to Modern Healthcare reveals.

The combined firm has several hundred attorneys who spend the majority of their time working on health care matters ranging from business, regulatory compliance and real estate to litigation, government enforcement and public policy issues.

Baker Donelson honored with public service award

Baker Donelson has received the American Bar Association Section of Litigation’s 2023 John Minor Wisdom Public Service and Professionalism Award.

This national award is presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to the quality of justice in legal communities, ensuring that the legal system is open and available to all.

Baker Donelson also was recognized for creating Free Legal Answers in 2010 and for the Firm’s efforts to provide access to legal representation for those experiencing homelessness. FLA is a website on which anyone, including those who might otherwise not be in the position to receive counsel due to financial or geographic restraints, can receive pro bono legal advice from a volunteer lawyer. Baker Donelson designed the platform to address the justice gap, where it is estimated that low-income Americans do not get any or enough legal help for 92% of their substantial civil legal problems.

Baker Donelson originally created the platform and tested it in Tennessee.

Southern Festival of Books moving for 2023

The Southern Festival of Books will celebrate its 35th anniversary Oct. 20-22 with a move to Bicentennial Mall, Tennessee State Museum and Tennessee State Library.

The annual event which will feature appearances by roughly 150 authors and feature panel sessions, discussions and readings from a wide variety of genres including fiction and nonfiction, young adult literature, poetry, science fiction and mystery. For

Paisley to headline free Nashville July 4 concert

Country musician Brad Paisley will headline Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th.

The downtown event will present one of the country’s largest July 4th fireworks show, which will be synchronized to live music from the Nashville Symphony.

A free Amazon Family Fun Zone will include inflatables and live music. The concert and fireworks show are free and open to the public.

This is the second time Paisley will headline the event. He will be joined by a multi-genre lineup that includes The War And Treaty, singer-songwriter Langhorne Slim and rising Country artist Tiera Kennedy, who will also perform the national anthem. Performances at the Amazon Family Fun Zone will include The Magi, Tommy Howell, Les Kerr & The Bayou Band and Troubadour Blue. Coach (DJ) will entertain between sets.

Tri Star Energy acquires Cox Oil, more stores

Nashville-based Tri Star Energy has acquired Union City-based Cox Oil and its convenience retail brands Little General and Maverick Quick Shop. This acquisition will add more than 50 locations, which will bring Tri Star Energy’s total store count to almost 200 across Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky.

Locally owned and operated, Tri Star Energy’s newly combined roster includes more than 1,500 employees. The 22-year-old company operates retail convenience stores – Twice Daily, Sudden Service and Southern Traders – premium coffee shops (White Bison), commercial fuel programs and wholesale fuel operations in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida and Alabama.

Belmont, Nashville State launch transfer program

Belmont University and Nashville State Community College have announced a newly formed scholarship for Nashville State students. The newly created Bridges to Belmont – Nashville State Transfer Connection program will provide five graduating Nashville State students with a $15,000 scholarship toward a bachelor’s degree from Belmont University.

This new initiative will further expand the University’s Bridges to Belmont Pathway Programs which provide access to Belmont for a variety of students across the city. This expansion will open doors for Nashville State graduates who are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

The deadline for priority consideration is May 15. Apply

Chartwell earns Hilton’s New Build Award

Chartwell Hospitality announced they are the recipient of the 2022 New Build Award for the Conrad Brand for the Conrad Nashville from Hilton. The annual Americas Development Awards recognize the achievements of development partners, owners and hotel teams in the Americas across numerous categories while celebrating the resilient and committed owners and team members who continue to spread cheer and show passion in the hospitality industry.

“We are proud to have been awarded the 2022 New Build Award from Hilton for the Conrad Nashville,” says Will Schaedle, executive vice president of Chartwell Hospitality. “The Conrad Hotel helped transform Midtown into one of the most active development areas in Nashville. We wanted to make this the nicest Conrad in the Hilton system, and we believe we have accomplished that goal.”

The Conrad Nashville is located in the Broadwest city block in Midtown and is Hilton’s first luxury branded hotel in Nashville. The 234-room property featuring 11,000+ square feet of meeting space, a third-level outdoor terrace pool and distinct food and beverage offerings opened at the end of June 2022.

Chartwell Hospitality has previously been awarded New Build of the Year awards for its other Tennessee Hilton properties: Hilton Garden Inn in Nashville (2017), Hilton Franklin-Cool Springs (2018) and Hilton Nashville-Green Hills (2019).

Ingram River Aged expands, relocates

Nashville-based Brown Water Spirits LLC, the maker of the O.H. Ingram River Aged series, announced that thanks to growing demand for its unique, river-aged whiskeys, it has doubled its operations and moved to a larger facility in Columbus, Kentucky.

The expansion includes a second floating barrelhouse which brings total aging capacity to just over 6,000 barrels. The new location can also accommodate more than 15 additional floating barrelhouses. Columbus is directly downriver from Wickliffe, where the Mississippi River runs wild and deep, and where you can easily see 50 feet of water level fluctuation in a season.

Inside the only floating barrelhouses in the world, barrels of O.H. Ingram River Aged whiskey spend their years exposed to the climate and constant motion of the Mississippi River. This unique aging environment combines heritage with innovation. The motion of the river ensures that the whiskey never stops working, creating an extraordinary spirit with robust flavor.

Agriculture Department offers spay, neuter grants

Animal shelters in Tennessee are invited to apply for grants to provide low-cost spay and neuter services. The application period is open until May 12.

“Pet owners can help their dogs and cats lead longer, healthier lives with a simple medical procedure,” State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Beaty says. “Offering grants for low-cost spay and neuter makes the services more affordable for owners to protect their pet against health and behavioral problems. Preventing unplanned litters is less expensive than treating certain health issues or raising a litter of puppies or kittens.”

When you purchase an Animal Friendly - Spay and Neuter Saves Lives specialty license plate, $35 of every plate sold goes to Animal Friendly Grants, a program administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division.