Local News
Out then in a few short weeks following his retirement announcement, U.S. Rep. Mark Green is now reconsidering the move. Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, a Democrat, previously announced she was seeking Green’s seat. She still says she’s the best candidate for the job whether Green is in or out.
The Tennessee Department of Health now reports five children have died from the flu since the beginning of the flu season. According to the latest weekly state influenza report, five pediatric influenza-associated deaths have been reported in Tennessee since Oct. 1st.
The GOP-led Tennessee House passed a bill that would ban displaying most flags in public school classrooms on Monday after Republicans cut a heated debate short. The bill now goes to the Senate where a final vote could happen as early as this week. The proposal would allow certain flags to be displayed, with exceptions for some scenarios. Among those approved would be the flags of the United States; Tennessee; those deemed protected historical items under state law; Native American tribes; local governments’ armed forces and prisoners of war or those missing in action; other countries and their local governments; colleges or universities; or the schools themselves.
Dozens of volunteers petitioned grocery stores across ten counties in Tennessee over the weekend, collecting signatures in support of the Grocery Tax Bill. The bill, HB2043/SB1943, according to Senator Charlene Oliver and Representative Aftyn Behn, aims to alleviate the burden on families by closing loopholes and ensuring that corporations pay their fair share. Sen. Oliver and Rep. Behn say that by closing loopholes and ensuring corporations pay their fair share, the bill seeks to provide much-needed relief to millions of working-class individuals struggling to make ends meet.