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The Commercial AppealThe Commercial Appeal
Shelby Co. leader sees tax fraud charges; Autopsies detail Task Force deaths

Shelby Co. leader sees tax fraud charges; Autopsies detail Task Force deaths

Also this week, the ACLU of Tennessee made more allegations of intimidation against the Memphis Safe Task Force.
The Knoxville News-SentinelThe Knoxville News-Sentinel
Knox County Sheriff's Office takes steps to expand its ICE partnership

Knox County Sheriff's Office takes steps to expand its ICE partnership

Knox County Sheriff Brent Gibson is moving forward with an expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement's 287(g) program.
The Commercial AppealThe Commercial Appeal
These Memphis restaurants earned perfect health scores in August

These Memphis restaurants earned perfect health scores in August

Tennessee Health Department inspectors performed hundreds of health inspections in Shelby County in August. These 22 restaurants earned perfect scores.
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Knoxville's 2027 Mayoral Race Attracts Early Candidates as Mayor Kincannon Nears Term Limit

Knoxville's 2027 Mayoral Race Attracts Early Candidates as Mayor Kincannon Nears Term Limit

The mayoral race for Knoxville, Tennessee, in 2027 is beginning to take shape, with several individuals announcing their candidacies to succeed term-limited Mayor Indya Kincannon. Mayor Kincannon, first elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, is constitutionally unable to seek another term. Among the early entrants is Amelia Parker, an at-large member of the Knoxville City Council, who has formally declared her intention to run. Parker, a community organizer and human rights advocate, is campaigning on a platform focused on affordability, public safety, mental health services, government accountability, and economic opportunity, aiming for a "Knoxville for All" vision. Another notable candidate is Beau Hawk, a labor leader who recently ran for Knox County mayor and demonstrated significant support within Knoxville city limits. Richard “RC” Lawhorn and Jeff Talman have also filed paperwork to seek the office. The 2027 election marks the first open mayoral race in Knoxville in eight years, and it is official...
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Tennessee Enacts Law Protecting Individuals' Right to Decline Biometric Data for Professional Licensure

Tennessee Enacts Law Protecting Individuals' Right to Decline Biometric Data for Professional Licensure

The 114th Tennessee General Assembly has passed new legislation aimed at protecting individual privacy, specifically concerning biometric data. This new law ensures that individuals who object to providing biometric data for professional licensure are not penalized. Instead, it mandates that alternative identity verification methods must be made available. The legislation seeks to balance personal privacy rights with the need for secure verification standards in professional licensing processes. This move is part of a broader legislative effort in Tennessee to enhance individual rights and protect privacy, which also includes measures to preserve confidentiality in human rights investigations, safeguard medical information from public disclosure, and prohibit AI systems from falsely claiming to be licensed mental health professionals. The law underscores a commitment to consumer protection and honesty in emerging technologies.
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Senator Marsha Blackburn Advocates for Expedited Executions and Electric Chair Reintroduction in Tennessee

Senator Marsha Blackburn Advocates for Expedited Executions and Electric Chair Reintroduction in Tennessee

Senator Marsha Blackburn, the Republican nominee for governor of Tennessee, has expressed her desire to expedite executions and reintroduce the electric chair as a primary method of execution if elected. Blackburn stated that she aims to ensure swift executions for individuals on death row who have exhausted their appeals, providing closure for victims' families. She also suggested that the legislature consider policies to make lethal injection or other execution methods more effective, referencing issues like inmates attempting to dehydrate themselves to hinder IV placement. However, the governor's office does not possess the sole authority to implement these changes, as execution methods are codified in state law and require legislative action. Historically, the electric chair was Tennessee's primary execution method until 2000, when lethal injection became standard, though some inmates sentenced before 1999 can still choose the electric chair.
Nashville TennesseanNashville Tennessean
'Neighbors talking to neighbors.' Concert event seeks to build community

'Neighbors talking to neighbors.' Concert event seeks to build community

Tennessee has a long history of honoring protest music.
Nashville TennesseanNashville Tennessean
Medicare for All won't fix Tennessee's doctor shortage | Opinion

Medicare for All won't fix Tennessee's doctor shortage | Opinion

Nashville is a health care hub but residents face long waits. Real access requires more than just insurance.
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Ramsey County Attorney's Office Clears St. Paul Police Officers in I-94 Shooting Incident

Ramsey County Attorney's Office Clears St. Paul Police Officers in I-94 Shooting Incident

The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office has announced that no criminal charges will be filed against St. Paul police officers Matthew Foy and Byron Treangen III. The decision comes after an investigation into their use of force during a December 21 incident where they shot Elliot Samuels Vaughn on an Interstate 94 ramp. Vaughn, suspected of car theft, fled from officers and reportedly pointed a gun at them. The incident was captured on squad and body cameras, which prosecutors cited as clear evidence supporting the officers' statements and justifying their use of deadly force. Vaughn was hit in the right thigh and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. He has since been charged with first-degree assault against a peace officer, second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, and theft of a motor vehicle, with his jury trial scheduled to begin soon. County Attorney John Choi affirmed his agreement with the office's determination.
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Virginia Law Authorizes Correctional Officers to Make Warrantless Arrests for Specific Offenses

Virginia Law Authorizes Correctional Officers to Make Warrantless Arrests for Specific Offenses

Effective July 1, 2027, Virginia law grants correctional officers the authority to make arrests without a warrant in specific circumstances. This authorization, outlined in § 19.2-81.1 of the Code of Virginia, applies to crimes that directly impact the safety and security of correctional institutions. These offenses include the escape of an inmate, assisting an inmate in escaping, and the delivery of contraband to an inmate. Additionally, correctional officers can make warrantless arrests for any other criminal offense that could disrupt the safety, welfare, or security of the correctional institution's population. This measure aims to empower correctional staff to respond swiftly to threats within their facilities, ensuring the maintenance of order and preventing further criminal activity related to the correctional environment. The law specifies that such arrests are to be conducted in the same manner as provided in § 19.2-81, which generally outlines the procedures for arrests.
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Reason Foundation Webinar Addresses Local Government Funding Through Fines and Fees

Reason Foundation Webinar Addresses Local Government Funding Through Fines and Fees

A recent webinar hosted by the Reason Foundation explored how local governments across the United States generate billions of dollars annually through court fines, fees, and forfeitures. The discussion highlighted concerns that in some jurisdictions, this revenue has become a fundamental component of municipal budgets. When police departments and courts become reliant on citation revenue to finance their basic operations, it can create a conflict between the incentives for public safety and revenue generation. This conflict can have significant consequences for public safety and erode trust in law enforcement. The webinar featured insights from a comprehensive report by the Reason Foundation titled 'Taxation by Citation: A 50-State Data and Policy Report on Local Government Fines and Forfeitures,' which provides an in-depth analysis of this issue. Panelists included Ari Bargil, a senior attorney with the Institute for Justice, and Representative Joseph Gullett of Georgia House District 19, among others, wh...
The Commercial AppealThe Commercial Appeal
Starbucks' Snoopy Bearista Cup is coming. How to get one in Tennessee

Starbucks' Snoopy Bearista Cup is coming. How to get one in Tennessee

Starbucks is launching a new 'Peanuts' collection featuring Snoopy and friends on September 15 at stores nationwide.