Medical cannabis legislation could reach a House floor vote this year for the first time, leaders say. But running a gauntlet in the Senate is likely to prove more difficult.

The Shelby County mayor contends the proposed rule changes will stop “onerous” permitting requirements while still protecting the Memphis Sand Aquifer, a move he believes will stop legislation designed to undermine county rules.

Democrats say Tennessee’s controlling Republicans took care of Gov. Bill Lee’s permitless carry and anti-abortion initiatives even though a terrible tornado killed people across the state and left a path of destruction.

Hours after Tennessee officials confirmed the state's first case of the coronavirus, one Memphis lawmaker said the state is “absolutely not” prepared to deal with a potential health crisis stemming from COVID-19.

Legislation designed to reduce Shelby County’s control over landowners’ drilling of water wells – a move some believe could threaten the Memphis Sands Aquifer – is being put off for at least a year.

Gov. Bill Lee is forming a Coronavirus Task Force to bolster the state’s efforts to prevent and treat cases of COVID-19, a viral scare sweeping the nation.

A Senate committee recommended passage of legislation enabling people to carry handguns without a state permit, despite hearing from police officers and the parent of a woman whose son was gunned down at an Antioch Waffle House.

With the backing of state Rep. Kevin Vaughan, medical cannabis legislation passed a House subcommittee Tuesday. The measure would set up a state system for clinical treatment and research, according to the bill's sponsor.

Responding to Cyntoia Brown's case, legislation by state Rep. London Lamar of Memphis has passed in the House enabling victims of human trafficking to use it as a self-defense in criminal cases.

Bartlett Republican state Rep. Jim Coley and East Memphis Republican Mark White are two Shelby County GOP lawmakers likely to oppose Gov. Bill Lee's "constitutional carry" legislation, which could put them in the minority among the Legislature's supermajority party.

In a 3-2 decision, the court upheld a 2011 state law capping damages juries can award in personal injury lawsuits, reversing rulings in two lower courts and drawing criticism from a Democratic Memphis lawmaker.

Gov. Bill Lee proposed legislation Thursday to allow “constitutional carry,” watering down the state’s handgun permit system, if not almost eliminating it.

Gov. Bill Lee is expected to make major announcement related to handguns Thursday.

House Education Committee Chairman Mark White is taking a "slow walk" on Gov. Bill Lee's proposed early childhood literacy legislation, a $68 million proposal to tackle poor reading skills among students.

A bill sponsored to stop schools from “shaming” students with heavy meal debt narrowly cleared a major hurdle Wednesday.

James Wiseman played only three games for the Memphis Tigers, but Shelby County lawmakers are still targeting the NCAA and trying to protect student-athletes from exploitation.

House Education Committee Chairman Mark White postponed votes on the confirmation of two of the governor’s appointees to the Tennessee Public Charter Schools Commission after running into opposition on the House floor.

State Rep. London Lamar is gaining momentum to pass legislation enabling students who become pregnant to keep their HOPE Scholarship funds.

The governor’s main initiatives on K-12 education, abortion and family leave are running into obstacles – legislative and legal – in his second year in office.

Republican state Rep. Jim Coley, who is leaving the state House after seven terms, is endorsing John Gillespie in the race to replace him in House District 97.

State legislators try to ease concerns over Memphis Regional Megasite construction plans. 

Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Friday, Feb. 21, searched a Memphis nursing and health care school founded by state Sen. Katrina Robinson as well as her home.

State Rep. Mark White may be changing direction on legislation designed to stop schools from “shaming” students who pile up meal debt by sponsoring his own version of the bill as a Democratic lawmaker battles to overcome a damaging amendment.

The state's Capitol Commission took no vote Thursday on removal of the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust, and the chairman declined to schedule another meeting because of a vacancy on the board and numerous questions.

Secretary of State Tre Hargett is seeking legislation establishing a new set of voter registration rules, including $50 levies for violations, even though a federal judge enjoined the 2019 law because of its criminal and civil penalties.