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(phonefreeschoolsreport.org) The Phone-Free Schools State Report Card gave Tennessee a score of 72.5 for its policy on cell phone use in schools. Tennessee falls into the ‘C’ category because state policy only restricts cell phone use during instructional time, whereas higher-scoring states have enacted bell-to-bell no cell policies. The report notes Tennessee’s strength as “requiring…

(Instagram/Tennessee National Guard) Last, the Memphis Safe Task Force marked one year since its creation, boasting a 35.7% decrease in crime compared to the year prior. The initiative is responsible for 12,747 arrests, 2,160 illegal firearms removed from the streets, and the recovery of 189 missing children. Memphis is now on track to reach a…

As Tennesseans prepare to head to the polls in just under two months, we face a variety of choices, from who we will elect as our next governor to what changes we may make to our Constitution. On the Ballot seeks to highlight some of these choices, with this edition’s focus being Constitutional Amendment #2.  …

(Beacon Center Tennessee) Recent polling shows Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn with a commanding 21-point lead over her Democratic opponent Jerri Green in the race for governor.  The poll, conducted by the Beacon Center of Tennessee in August, shows Blackburn receiving 55% of support from likely voters, while Green received 34% and a generic independent candidate…

(Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library) On Tuesday, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Senator Bo Watson announced their pledge to fully fund Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Tennessee by the state government.  For over 30 years, the Imagination Library has mailed children’s books each month, from birth until age 5, straight to their doorstep. To date,…

(TN Department of Environment & Conservation) On Monday, Governor Bill Lee announced that Tennessee issued its first-ever fusion-specific byproduct license. This license will allow Knoxville-based Type One Energy to begin a new commercial fusion project. The project, which is set to break ground at the TVA’s Bull Run Energy Complex in Clinton, Tennessee, this year,…

(Askar/Adobe Stock) On Wednesday, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced a $17.1 billion settlement with Big Tech giant Meta. Beyond the monetary aspect of the settlement, the terms require Meta to implement a variety of safety features across their social media platforms aimed at protecting children. In the settlement, Tennessee will receive approximately $752 million.…

(dollyparton.com) On Tuesday, country music legend and Tennessee philanthropist Dolly Parton passed away peacefully in Nashville at 80 years of age, following a battle with cancer. Known for her ability to bridge divides, bringing people together through both her classic hits and charitable work, including the Imagination Library, Dolly Parton was one of Tennessee’s most…

Five Tennessee school districts are moving ahead with displaying the 10 Commandments, as well as the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States, in their schools. In May, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a law allowing schools to display the 10 Commandments, along with the aforementioned American founding documents. Local boards of education…