Tennessee
ALEC Urges State to Reform Drug-Free School Zone Laws
"Most Drug-Free Zone laws were established decades ago but have not been reformed despite evidence they're arbitrary and often unnecessarily broad."
Tennessee's Haircut Cops Bust Barbers Who Lack High School Diplomas
Elias Zarate found out the hard way that it's illegal to cut hair in Tennessee, and some other states, without having graduated from high school.
Tennessee Deputy Who Suffered Panic Attack After Firing At Unarmed Man Had Track Record of Lying and Incompetence at Previous Police Department
Deputy Justin M. Johnson should never have been given a badge and a gun.
Memphis Privatizes Its Parks to Get Rid of Confederate Statues
Private spaces are a great way to minimize social conflict.
The Myth of the Playground Pusher
In Tennessee and around the country, "drug-free school zones" are little more than excuses for harsher drug sentencing.
How a Drug-Free School Zone Sent a Tennessee College Student to Prison For 17 Years
Calvin Bryant was a first-time, nonviolent drug offender. Because of his address, he got sent to prison for longer than if he'd committed second-degree murder.
Cop Fires Gun Randomly, Suffers Panic Attack, Is Disarmed by Paramedics, Still Has Job
The unarmed man he shot at is being charged with assault.
Nashville's Future MLS Team Has Two Billionaire Owners; Mayor Wants Taxpayers to Help Fund Stadium Anyway
Mayor Megan Barry used to oppose public subsidies for professional sports, but now she's a cheerleader.
Tennessee Spent $100K in Asset Forfeiture Funds on Catering
Justice Department watchdog to cops: Your banquets don't count as "police activity."
Tennessee Reins In Horse Massage Licensing Laws
Bill approved without a single "neigh," but lawmakers call "woah" on full repeal and plan to trot out new rules next year.
Two Women Challenge Tennessee's Horse Massage Licensing Law in Court
Laurie Wheeler and Martha Stowe were threatened with fines and jail time if they didn't get an expensive, unnecessary license.
Absurd State Licensing Rules Could Send a Woman To Jail Just for Touching a Horse
Of course. State board says she has to go to veterinary school to learn something she already knows and the schools don't teach.
Another Innocent Parent Loses Their Car to Civil Asset Forfeiture
"I work for the state. My job is to take your property from you."
Nashville's Airbnb Regulations Ruled Unconstitutional
City's short-term rental rules are too vague for people to understand, judge says.
Tennessee Cosmetology Board Admits it Doesn't Have Authority To Regulate Tech Companies
Board backs down from "unlawful" and "overzealous" effort to shut down Nashville-based company that connects beauticians with customers.
Tennessee's Cosmetology Board Thinks It Can Regulate a Software Company
Project Belle connects customers with licensed cosmetologists. Competitors have asked state regulators to shut it down.
Nashville Cops Don't Want to Enforce Airbnb Regulations Because They'd Rather Focus on Stopping Actual Crime
City officials want specially-trained police to go door-to-door making sure no one is illegally granting permission for strangers to sleep in their homes.
Nashville Councilwoman: Deciding Who Sleeps in Your Home is a Privilege Bestowed by Government, Not a Right
You can do whatever you want on your own property, as long as the government approves.
Tennessee Taxpayers Forced to Keep Bankrolling Failed Television Show
Millions to keep Nashville on the air after cancellation.
300 Hours Training Required to Shampoo Hair In Tennessee
Three-hundred hours of classes "on the theory and practice of shampooing?" And that's just the start....
Memphis Police Officer Tackles and Arrests Man For Video-Recording Him
Memphis PD's policy clearly states citizens have First Amendment right to record police.
Tenn.'s Discriminatory Counseling Law Protects LGBT Folks from Getting Bad Advice
As a bonus, it also avoids the thorny issue of compelled speech.
Assault Charges for Pregnant Drug Users Set to Stop in Tennessee
Around 100 women have been charged under the 2014 law so far.
Tennessee Latest State to Consider Over-the-Counter Birth Control
States are moving to make contraception more accessible, with the charge being led by Republican men.
Memphis Police to Forward all Fatal Shootings to State Investigative Agency
Fatal shooting earlier this month becomes a hot button issue in the upcoming mayoral election.
Sex Club Rebrands as Church to Thwart Nashville Zoning Laws
Do not deliver us, oh Lord, from temptation...
Man Suing After Tennessee Cop Fractures His Skull
An internal investigation cleared the cop. He resigned and was eventually charged with felony assault by state investigators.
Enhanced Criminal Penalties for Pregnant Women Must End, Groups Urge DOJ
Reproductive-rights and drug-policy groups are calling for an end to the harsher sentencing of pregnant women charged with drug crimes.
