Toby Sells

2 weeks ago | memphisflyer.com | Toby Sells

Backlash to the Tennessee Senate’s passage of a bill to allow school districts to ban undocumented students from schools began as the vote was recorded Thursday — and was from sources as varied as clergy, small business, and, of course, state Democrats. One group called it “madness.”Bills for the move were filed in early February by Tennessee House Majority Leader Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) and state Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson). The bill would challenge the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court Plyler v.

2 weeks ago | memphisflyer.com | Toby Sells

Smokeable cannabis flower, especially the THC it creates when lit, took a critical step toward a ban in Tennessee after a long debate in Nashville Thursday that showed a rare divide among Republican lawmakers. Tennessee House members passed an amendment Thursday that would remove THCA from legal cannabis products in the state. THCA is also banned in a Senate version of the bill now traveling through the committee process.

2 weeks ago | memphisflyer.com | Toby Sells

Last week’s storm affected Mississippi River towns differently, ranging from a mass rescue in West Memphis to “nothing happened at all” in Caruthersville, Missouri. The total damage, however, could cost $90 billion, according to one weather company. The relentless bouts of severe weather began with tornado warnings on Wednesday, April 2nd. Lines of high wind threatened the Mid-South Thursday through Saturday.

3 weeks ago | memphisflyer.com | Toby Sells

The city of West Memphis has petitioned President Donald Trump to rename a portion of the Mississippi River, West Memphis River. “We’re tired of Mississippi getting all the credit,” said Mayor [Marco] McClendon. “It’s time to put West Memphis on the map — literally.”McClendon said the rebranding would come with new signage, tourism campaigns, and possibly a West Memphis River cruise port. NAH! Those West Memphis folks were just having a laugh on April Fool’s Day. And they weren’t alone.

4 weeks ago | memphisflyer.com | Toby Sells

State lawmakers want to take oversight of possible discrimination in federal funding from the Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC) and give it to the Tennessee Attorney General. State agencies have to follow federal rules when they get federal money. One of those rules — Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — disallows discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin. In 2002, then-Governor Don Sundquist, a Republican, created the Title VI Complain Commission.