Cameron Sexton

The voter registration deadline for August elections is July 7. The newly seated Metro Nashville Airport Authority board seeks to withdraw from a lawsuit initiated by its previous incarnation over control of the airport, following a state law change altering board appointments.

A new state law transferred control of the Metro Nashville Airport Authority to Republican state leaders, prompting legal challenges from the city seeking to reinstate mayor-appointed board members. Nashville Electric Service appointed Laine Arnold as chief communications officer to address public communication issues during recent crises. A lawsuit over Cheekwood Estate's planned parking garage faces criticism from Councilmember Sandy Ewing for misrepresenting the city's efforts to improve park access.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton appointed John Cheadle, a lawyer for payday lender Advance Financial, to the Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board. Cheadle's firm has sued thousands of Tennesseans over high-interest loans, and Sexton previously sponsored legislation enabling Advance Financial to offer a loan product that removed consumer protections, leading to widespread litigation.

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging Tennessee's law making illegal immigration a state crime, ruling plaintiffs lacked standing. The law, part of the 'Immigration 2026' agenda, was crafted with collaboration from House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Stephen Miller.

A judge temporarily blocked Tennessee from sharing information about 400 seriously ill immigrant children with immigration authorities, following a lawsuit by doctors. The state had sent letters to families under a new law requiring data sharing after June, part of broader immigration restrictions.

Texas took over the Houston school district, leading to significant changes under Superintendent Mike Miles, including teacher reapplication, curriculum overhaul, and extended school hours. Tennessee Republicans cite Houston as a model for potential reforms in Memphis-Shelby County Schools, though critics question the effectiveness of these measures.

Five Tennessee laws from 2026 face legal challenges, including a $10 fee and 2% tax on international money transfers. The Financial Technology Association and ACLU have filed lawsuits arguing the laws violate constitutional provisions, while Tennessee lawmakers aim to expand state control over airport boards and restrict pharmacy benefit managers.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy is challenging two Tennessee laws in court, claiming they target his office and violate the state Constitution. The laws require his office to report on cases from the Memphis Safe Task Force and allow the state attorney general to audit his decisions. The case is being heard by a three-judge panel.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s budget proposal allocates $735,000 to the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition. GOP leaders, including Sen. Marsha Blackburn and House Speaker Cameron Sexton, oppose the funding, citing potential violations of state law and sanctuary city concerns. The mayor’s office and TIRRC defend the funding as necessary to support lawful immigration processes.

The ACLU and National Immigration Law Center filed a federal lawsuit challenging a new Tennessee law that criminalizes illegal immigration, arguing it violates the Supremacy Clause by usurping federal immigration enforcement powers. The law, part of Tennessee's GOP 'Immigration 2026' agenda, would make it a state crime for noncitizens to enter or remain in the state after a federal deportation order.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn challenge Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s request for $735,000 in funding for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), arguing it may violate state anti-sanctuary city laws. TIRRC provides legal services to immigrants, and its director, Lisa Sherman Luna, defends the funding as essential for supporting immigrants navigating the U.S. immigration system.

Memphis charter students are outperforming traditional public schools in math recovery post-pandemic, with Leadership Preparatory Charter School increasing proficiency by over 20 percentage points since 2021 through a flexible, structured curriculum approach. Charter schools in Memphis saw math proficiency double the district-wide average, driven by partnerships with Teach Like A Champion and increased teacher autonomy. A SCORE report highlighted significant growth in charter schools, equivalent to 47 additional learning days annually, as the state prepares to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

Rebecca Paul, CEO of the Tennessee Education Lottery, will retire in 2026 after 23 years, amid scrutiny over her $650,000 salary. Lottery revenue has declined since the legalization of sports gambling, leading Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton to push legislation for board restructuring and public disclosure of her compensation.

Tennessee voters will face three constitutional amendment questions in November 2026, including a property tax ban and changes to bail and victims' rights. A campaign led by Republican leaders supports the property tax ban, while two other amendments would remove bail rights for certain felony charges and enhance judicial involvement for crime victims.

Tennessee lawmakers are campaigning to pass a constitutional amendment banning a state property tax, which has not existed since 1946. The measure, labeled 'Yes on 2,' involves bipartisan groups and county leaders, including Rep. Bob Freeman, who denies being listed as a chairperson. The amendment requires a majority vote in the gubernatorial election to be added to the state Constitution.

David Mansouri, president of Tennessee SCORE, has been appointed to a state-led oversight board for Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The board, appointed by Republican state leaders, will control key district decisions for four years, including budget and superintendent hiring. The local school board may challenge the takeover, arguing it dilutes their authority.

CVS Health sued Tennessee after the state passed a law banning pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning pharmacies, targeting CVS as the only company in Tennessee with both a PBM and physical pharmacies. The law aims to address disparities in drug reimbursement rates between affiliated and non-affiliated pharmacies, with state lawmakers calling it PBM reform. CVS claims the law is unconstitutional and will restrict patient access to medications.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton suspended all 24 House Democrats from committees, citing violations of decorum during a protest against a GOP redistricting vote. Democrats locked arms on the House floor to oppose a map that split the state's only majority-Black congressional district around Memphis into three.

Tennessee's Republican-controlled legislature approved a new congressional map that dismantles the state's majority-Black district, likely securing an all-GOP federal delegation. The move comes after the Supreme Court's ruling on the Voting Rights Act. Tennessee is the first state to finalize a new map after the decision.

Tennessee Republicans unveiled a proposed congressional map that could erase a Democratic seat by slicing into the state's majority-Black district. The new map aims to draw Rep. Steve Cohen out of his Memphis-area seat and divide Maury County, likely delivering a more favorable district to Rep. Andy Ogles. The plan is expected to pass on Thursday.