The man believed to be responsible for the Christmas Day bombing that tore through downtown Nashville blew himself up in the explosion, and appears to have acted alone, federal officials said Sunday, Dec. 27.

FEMA confirms tissue samples found at the scene are human remains, and Douglas Korneski, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Memphis field office, said 250 agents, analysts and FBI staff are working the Nashville case.

NASHVILLE — Three people injured in the Christmas Day blast in Downtown Nashville were in stable condition Friday evening, Major John Cooper said, and no further information was available about possible human remains found at the scene.

Affected property owners oppose the design for replacing the Poplar Viaduct that would remove direct access between Scott Street and Poplar Avenue. City and state engineers say keeping the connection would be less safe.

The numbers will be updated twice a week.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee again refused to order a statewide mask mandate Sunday, Dec. 20, instead ordering a statewide limit on indoor public social gatherings of no more than 10 people excluding homes and churches.

As the first COVID-19 vaccinations began in Memphis hospitals Thursday, Gov. Bill Lee offered a message of hope that the pandemic’s end is close but also acknowledged the challenges of Tennessee being in the midst of its worst surge yet.

The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the 62 electoral votes in the four battleground states that would go to President-elect Joe Biden. 

The veteran state legislator will have an office on Capitol Hill in Nashville as part of the governor’s cabinet.

Gov. Bill Lee continued to leave mask mandates in the hands of local officials Tuesday, while Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey estimated a late spring to early summer time frame for widespread vaccination availability.

Mayors from the West Tennessee counties outside Shelby County heard a pitch from Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and others Thursday for a regional mask mandate. Harris says Gov. Bill Lee is unlikely to order a statewide mask requirement. The regional effort will move to one-on-one talks.

The chairman of the Shelby County legislative delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly talked about the issue on The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast. 

Republican Bill Hagerty handily defeated Democratic Memphis environmental activist Marquita Bradshaw Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Lamar Alexander, bringing to an end the surprise run for the seat that Bradshaw began with a primary upset of Nashville attorney James Mackler.

After staying out of the casino business, Tennessee approved mobile sports wagering and the betting is scheduled to go live Sunday, Nov. 1. 

Related Story: Tennessee online sports betting preview: Launch incentives

Data shows transmission happening in suburbs where athletic events are frequent and masks are fewer. 

A preliminary plan for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines prioritizes vulnerable populations and areas hard hit by the virus.

The White House quietly told Tennessee last week that “a statewide mask mandate must be implemented” to curb its growing spread of COVID-19.

A member of Lee’s security detail tested positive Wednesday after saying he did not feel well. An online statement from the governor’s office says Lee has tested negative for the virus but is quarantining “out of an abundance of caution.” Lee said later he continues to serve from quarantine. The First Lady was to be tested later Wednesday.

The opening of hearings on the U.S. Supreme Court nominee included Democrats criticizing the timing of the nomination. Blackburn responded by calling the attacks on the process and Barrett as “paternalistic” and “disrespectful.”

Few House races statewide are expected to see turnover in the Nov. 3 election, but Shelby County has a handful of seats that could shift.

Gov. Bill Lee agrees the state Legislature should review the executive branch’s executive powers during a state of emergency and appears willing to give up some of the office’s authority.

The governor and speakers of the House and Senate are in dispute over the next step for removing the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from the State Capitol.

Gov. Bill Lee’s Administration unveiled $50 million more Wednesday, Oct. 7, in federal COVID-19 relief funds, this time designed to help businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans.

Gov. Bill Lee is taking President Donald Trump’s view of the pandemic, saying people should not fear COVID-19 but “respect” the virus and take steps to avoid it, even though the president has downplayed the importance of wearing masks.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton talked about his plan to strip away the autonomy of the Shelby County Health Department during a visit Monday to the county. He says public health officials should advise mayors, who would make the ultimate decision on pandemic and other health-related measures.