Uphill Battles

County Commissioners and state legislators gathered around a table in the Visit Knoxville office

At a joint meeting, state legislators sound cautionary notes about Knox County Commission priorities.

Scandalous State

Joel Ebert and Erik Schelzig on the floor of the state House of Representatives.

A book by two veteran political reporters recounts a half-century of Tennessee political shenanigans.

Senate Approves Election Bill

Sen. Frank NIceley photo

Knoxville’s process for electing district Council members would change in 2025 under legislation being finalized for the governor’s signature.

Vouchers Move Closer for Knox County

A screenshot shows Sam McKenzie during Wednesday's hearing.

Gov. Bill Lee’s Education Savings Accounts could be available to local eligible families this fall, under a bill headed for passage in the House.

Obscene or Heard?

A drag queen in a white wig singing on stage

With new restrictions on drag shows taking effect next month, the impact of the law on performers and venues remains unclear.

Money Hunt

John Schoonmaker, Sam McKenzie, Terry Hill

Most of Knox County’s requests to the Legislature this year revolve around increased state funding.

Stuck at 3rd?

School desks

Only about 40 percent of Knox County 3rd graders typically read at grade level. A new state law could hold the rest of them back.

Drawing the Line

As late-arriving Census data narrows the redistricting window, citizen groups hope for public input and transparency. History does not give reason to expect much of either.