Tennessee halted the execution of Tony Carruthers after officials failed to find a vein for lethal injection drugs. Carruthers, convicted of a 1994 triple murder, has maintained his innocence and his attorneys raised concerns about the execution process and evidence.
Posts tagged as “Bill Lee”
Rep. Steve Cohen announces he will not seek reelection after Tennessee’s GOP-led redistricting splits his Memphis district, a move he says dilutes Black voting power. Cohen may reconsider if legal challenges to the new map succeed.
Tennessee's Republican legislature approves a new congressional map that splits the state's majority-Black district in Memphis, a move expected to favor Republicans in the 2024 midterms. The redistricting follows a Supreme Court ruling limiting racial gerrymandering protections.
Following a Supreme Court ruling narrowing the Voting Rights Act, Tennessee and Alabama governors call special sessions to redraw congressional maps. Other Southern states consider similar moves ahead of upcoming primaries.
Louisiana suspends its May 16 U.S. House primaries after the Supreme Court invalidates the state's congressional map for racial gerrymandering. Other races, including Senate primaries, will proceed as scheduled.
Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones (D) was silenced during a special session on public safety, prompting criticism of the Republican majority's controversial House floor rules. These rules may be adopted permanently, which could significantly impact the ability of minority representatives to participate in the legislative process. Tuesday, House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R) hinted that the rules may be adopted permanently after meeting with Gov. Bill Lee (R).
Roy Herron, a Tennessee state lawmaker and former chairperson of the state Democratic Party, passed away on Sunday due to injuries sustained in a jet ski accident. He was a champion of education and healthcare, and a strong supporter of the Tennessee Promise. His death has been met with an outpouring of grief from his colleagues and constituents, with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee saying, “He will be remembered for his tireless work on behalf of his constituents and his commitment to making Tennessee a better place.”
A federal judge has ruled that Tennessee's law restricting drag performances in public or where children were present is unconstitutional, striking a blow to efforts in U.S. states to regulate LGBTQ conduct. U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker noted that the First Amendment to the Constitution commands that laws infringing on freedom of speech must be narrow and well defined. This ruling is a victory for LGBTQ rights activists and a reminder of the importance of the First Amendment in protecting freedom of speech, though it is likely to be appealed.