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Tennessee Gubernatorial Candidate's Supporter Seeks Investigation into Dark-Money Ads

Tennessee Gubernatorial Candidate's Supporter Seeks Investigation into Dark-Money Ads

A supporter of Tennessee gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn has filed a complaint with the state's campaign finance watchdog, seeking an investigation into a dark-money group running ads against Blackburn. The group, American Exceptionalism Institute, has been accused of failing to file necessary reports with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. The ads, which refer to Blackburn as 'queen pharma mama,' allege her involvement in a 2016 law that reportedly made it difficult for DEA agents to intercept large drug shipments, contributing to the opioid epidemic. The complaint suggests the group exceeded the $5,000 expenditure threshold required for reporting. Blackburn's campaign has labeled the ads as misleading and defamatory.
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First Amendment Challenges in Regulating AI-Generated Deepfakes in U.S. Elections

First Amendment Challenges in Regulating AI-Generated Deepfakes in U.S. Elections

The use of AI-generated deepfakes in political campaigns has raised significant First Amendment concerns in the United States. As AI technology becomes more prevalent in creating political ads, questions arise about the balance between free speech and the potential for misinformation. Recent examples include AI-generated ads in various state elections, which have sparked debates over their impact on public perception and electoral integrity. Some states have enacted laws requiring AI disclaimers, while others have criminalized deepfakes intended to influence elections.
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CPAC Endorses Johnny Garrett for Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District, Boosting Conservative Support

CPAC Endorses Johnny Garrett for Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District, Boosting Conservative Support

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) has officially endorsed Johnny Garrett for Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District. This endorsement is part of a broader support network for Garrett, which includes notable figures and organizations such as the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, U.S. House Majority Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler, Congressman Tim Burchett, Riley Gaines, Clay Travis, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, and the Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters Association. CPAC's endorsement was announced on social media, highlighting Garrett's conservative track record in Nashville and his commitment to the America First agenda alongside President Trump. Garrett expressed his gratitude for the endorsement, emphasizing his dedication to upholding conservative values in Congress.
Nashville Tennessean Nashville Tennessean
Tennessee investigates teacher fired over AI-altered student images

Tennessee investigates teacher fired over AI-altered student images

Nashville teacher Mario Mumphery was fired after students said he altered photos and videos of them with AI and made them "extremely uncomfortable."
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Tennessee Lawyers Accuse Meta of Ignoring Teen Harm Research in Court

Tennessee Lawyers Accuse Meta of Ignoring Teen Harm Research in Court

The state of Tennessee has initiated a trial against Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, accusing it of ignoring internal research that highlighted the negative impact of its platforms on teenagers. The trial, which began in Nashville, is part of a broader legal challenge involving 42 states against Meta. Tennessee's lawsuit, led by Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, seeks financial penalties and demands changes to Instagram's features that are deemed harmful to teens' mental health. The case follows a similar lawsuit in New Mexico, where Meta was ordered to pay $375 million in civil penalties. During the trial, Tennessee's attorneys argued that Meta's features like autoplay and infinite scroll were designed to keep teens engaged, despite internal warnings about their potential harm.
Nashville Tennessean Nashville Tennessean
State Rep. Vincent Dixie has owed IRS $318K for the past 8 years

State Rep. Vincent Dixie has owed IRS $318K for the past 8 years

IRS notices show state Rep. Vincent Dixie, who is running for Congress, owes more than $318,000 in back taxes — and has for eight years.
The Commercial Appeal The Commercial Appeal
SSI payments for August coming early for Tennessee recipients

SSI payments for August coming early for Tennessee recipients

Supplemental Security Income recipients will receive their August payments early as the first falls on a Saturday.
Trendline Trendline
Bill Anderson Honored at 19th ACM Honors for Contributions to Country Music

Bill Anderson Honored at 19th ACM Honors for Contributions to Country Music

Bill Anderson Honored at 19th ACM Honors for Contributions to Country Music
Nashville Tennessean Nashville Tennessean
Middle Tennessee library pushes back on false claims about book challenges: 'This is our livelihood'

Middle Tennessee library pushes back on false claims about book challenges: 'This is our livelihood'

Amid Tennessee's ongoing battle over book bans, one Middle Tennessee library is pushing back against what it calls false narratives.
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Mary Louise Winer, Former Vanderbilt University Administrator, Passes Away at 90

Mary Louise Winer, Former Vanderbilt University Administrator, Passes Away at 90

Mary Louise Winer, Former Vanderbilt University Administrator, Passes Away at 90
Reuters Reuters
Meta disregarded its own research on teen harm, Tennessee tells jury

Meta disregarded its own research on teen harm, Tennessee tells jury

By Diana Novak Jones July 27 (Reuters) - Attorneys for the state of Tennessee told a jury in Nashville on Monday that Meta Platforms' leadership disregarded internal research about its Instagram platform's impact on teenagers as the company sought to maximize profit from young users.
Nashville Tennessean Nashville Tennessean
MNPS high schools to start later on Aug. 11 after years of debate

MNPS high schools to start later on Aug. 11 after years of debate

The 2026-27 school year is at hand, and so are later start times for elementary and high school students across Nashville.