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Marianna Bacallao

@mariannabac.bsky.social
267 followers 34 following 145 posts

Reporter at @WPLN.bsky.social, Nashville’s @NPR.org station Previously @gpbpolitics, @gpbmacon She/Her 🎙️✨🇨🇺💙💜🩷

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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 21h
The architect of Tennessee’s lethal injection protocol is stepping down as leader of the Department of Correction after a second failed execution this year. wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee correction commissioner steps down after failed execution
The architect of Tennessee’s new lethal injection protocols is stepping down as leader of the Department of Correction after a second failed execution
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
After a second botched execution this year, Marsha Blackburn is calling for Tennessee to "bring back the electric chair." For some on death row, it never left. wpln.org/post/blackbu...
wpln.org
Blackburn calls to 'bring back electric chair' after Tennessee's second failed execution
U.S. Senator and Tennessee governor hopeful Marsha Blackburn is calling for the state to use the electric chair for executions.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is calling for a third-party review to determine what caused Christa Pike’s failed execution. Lee has paused executions, marking the second time he's issued a moratorium while reviewing the state’s execution protocols. wpln.org/post/gov-lee...
wpln.org
Gov. Lee halts execution, orders third-party review following Pike's failed lethal injection
Tennessee's governor is ordering a comprehensive review of Tennessee's second botched execution this year.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A Nashville state senator is suing the GOP leadership that sanctioned her for protesting redistricting. Sen. Charlane Oliver was stripped of pay, a committee assignment and reimbursement for travel. Now, her lawsuit alleges that amounts to retaliation. wpln.org/post/nashvil...
wpln.org
Nashville Democrat sues for GOP 'retaliation' to redistricting protest
A Nashville state senator is suing the GOP leadership that sanctioned her for protesting redistricting. In May, state lawmakers met for a special session
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The Democratic nominee for Tennessee governor is now publicly calling for an independent candidate to drop out of the race. The call comes after the progressive-leaning candidate’s video about Andrew Jackson and mental health sparked controversy among Democratic voters. wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee Dem calls for independent to drop out of governor's race over Andrew Jackson video
Memphis lawyer and City Councilmember Jerri Green went public with her call Wednesday after privately asking the progressive-leaning candidate, Lauren Pinkston, to end her campaign.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Tennessee has gotten a head start on banning certain THC products before a federal ban takes effect nationwide this December. That means the $28B hemp industry could be gone by the end of the year. My latest for the Indicator from @npr.org's @planetmoney.bsky.social: www.npr.org/2026/09/21/n...
npr.org
How Hemp-THC businesses are bracing for a near total ban : The Indicator from Planet Money
Follow us to Tennessee where hemp farmers are already pivoting in the face of a state ban and soon, a looming federal ban on basically all THC-derived hemp products. Will Congress step in to save this...
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Nashville-bound passengers could soon fly into Dolly Parton International Airport. Gov. Bill Lee has taken up a growing push to rename the airport for the late singer. wpln.org/post/nashvil...
wpln.org
Nashville’s airport to become Dolly Parton International with Gov. Lee support
Gov. Bill Lee has taken up a growing push to rename the airport for the late singer.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Dolly Parton's passing has renewed a push to rename Nashville's airport after the iconic singer. Tennessee lawmakers and Nashville council members have signaled their support. But the name change isn't possible under the airport's current policy. wpln.org/post/dolly-p...
wpln.org
Dolly Parton’s death renews push to rename Nashville airport in her honor
Nashville’s airport could become Dolly Parton International under a growing push to rename BNA for the late singer. But an official change would be at
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
In honor of Dolly Parton, Tennessee lawmakers are considering celebrating "9 to 5 Day" on 9/25. It would mark the second holiday for the iconic singer. Earlier this year, Jan. 19 became “Dolly Parton Day” in celebration of her 80th birthday. wpln.org/post/in-hono...
wpln.org
In honor of Dolly Parton, Tennessee could celebrate "9 to 5 Day" on 9/25
Tennessee lawmakers are considering dedicating another day to Dolly Parton. The iconic singer and philanthropist passed away Tuesday at the age of 80.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
President Trump says flags will fly at half-mast for the next week to honor the death of Dolly Parton. A multi-platinum artist and Tennessee philanthropist, Parton has received her flowers from politicians on both sides of the aisle. wpln.org/post/flags-a...
wpln.org
Flags at half-mast for Dolly Parton mourners across the political spectrum
Flags will fly at half-mast for the next week to honor the death of Dolly Parton, who passed away at the age of 80.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80. One of country music’s most singular performers, she was also a philanthropist for early education and healthcare in Tennessee. More from @jewlyhight.bsky.social: wpln.org/post/dolly-p...
wpln.org
Dolly Parton, one of country music's most singular performers, has died at age 80
The artist was a star performer in country music, and went on to become one of the genre's most recognizable and universally adored ambassadors to broader popular culture.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
A ban on certain THC products has cost Tennessee more than $54 million dollars in tax revenue. The state has only collected 3% of what it had anticipated from a new hemp tax. wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee down $54M in hemp tax revenue after THC ban
The state has only collected 3% of what it had anticipated from a new hemp tax.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
A Tennessee senator is threatening legal action after Republican leadership sanctioned her for protesting redistricting. A spokesperson for Senate Speaker Randy McNally calls her protest and potential lawsuit "performative." wpln.org/post/nashvil...
wpln.org
Nashville Democrat challenges sanctions for redistricting protest
A Tennessee senator is threatening legal action after Republican leadership sanctioned her for protesting redistricting.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles has lost the GOP primary for re-election, despite the backing of President Donald Trump. Former Tennessee ag commissioner Charlie Hatcher won with the support of current and former TN governors. wpln.org/post/incumbe...
wpln.org
Incumbent and Trump pick Ogles loses GOP primary for Tennessee District 5
Incumbent Congressman Andy Ogles has lost the GOP primary to Charlie Hatcher, despite the backing of President Donald Trump. A former Tennessee
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Trump-backed TN Sen. Brent Taylor will face TN Rep. Justin J. Person of the "Tennessee Three" for Memphis' former congressional district. Taylor could now flip the seat red post-redistricting. wpln.org/post/trump-b...
wpln.org
Trump-backed state Sen. Taylor to face “Tennessee Three” Pearson for redrawn Memphis district
Two state lawmakers will go head-to-head for Memphis’ former congressional district. Tennessee Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, won the GOP primary and could now flip the seat red under the new District ...
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has won the Republican primary for Tennessee governor. She defeated fellow Washington Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose and state Rep. Monty Fritts. wpln.org/post/blackbu...
wpln.org
Blackburn wins GOP race for Tennessee governor
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has won the Republican primary for governor and now faces Memphis Democrat Jerri Green in the general election.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has endorsed former state ag commissioner Charlie Hatcher in his primary challenge against Republican Congressman Andy Ogles. This marks the second late-race endorsement for Hatcher as internal polling shows a close primary. wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee Gov. Lee endorses Hatcher over incumbent Ogles in GOP primary
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is endorsing former state agriculture commissioner Charlie Hatcher over incumbent Republican Andy Ogles for the new 5th
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Tennessee’s mid-decade redistricting may have boosted Democratic turnout in the primaries. Counties that were split between different congressional districts had the biggest rise in Dem voter turnout during early voting. wpln.org/post/in-tenn...
wpln.org
In Tennessee, Democrat voters outpace GOP in early voting growth
The number of Tennesseans voting early in the Democratic primaries has risen sharply from the last two midterms, outpacing the growth of GOP voters. Both
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Tennessee could get $50 billion in federal money for taking the nation's nuclear waste. The state has places in mind to store the waste, but Gov. Bill Lee won't say where. wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee could get $50B for storing nuclear waste. The state won’t say where it plans to put it
Some of the specific communities that could potentially host a nuclear waste site were redacted from the public-facing version of the state's proposal.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Immigrant advocates say ICE broke its own rules when it arrested a nursing mom in Nashville, separating her from infant daughter. The mother has since been transferred nearly 700 miles away to a Louisiana detention center. wpln.org/post/ice-sep...
wpln.org
ICE separated Nashville mom from infant daughter against its own rules, complaint alleges
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested a nursing mother from her Nashville home without a warrant, according to a complaint by immigrant
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is asking a dark money group to pull an AI-generated attack ad, calling her "the queen pharma mama." It may be the first time Tennessee's ban on AI in political ads will be enforced, as other candidates have skirted the law. wpln.org/post/blackbu...
wpln.org
Blackburn demands dark money group take down AI attack ad
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is threatening legal action against a dark money group for running an attack ad against her using artificial intelligence. In
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Tennessee banned AI from campaign ads. But both Republican frontrunners in the race for the 6th Congressional District have used AI to attack each other. There’s a chance neither will face consequences for violating the new law. wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee banned AI in political ads. Why candidates are using it anyway
This year, Tennessee banned political campaigns from using artificial intelligence in their ads without some sort of disclosure. Two Republican
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Tennessee has officially moved Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway after outcry from Vietnam veterans. For decades, State Route 386 had been designated Vietnam Veterans Boulevard, commemorating 25 Americans who died in the conflict. wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee moves Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway after outcry from veterans
Tennessee officials moved signage for Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway Thursday after outcry from Vietnam veterans. For decades, State Route 386 had been
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has long backed Republican challengers to U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles. Now, he's formally endorsing Ogles' opponent in the Aug. 6 primaries as internal polling shows a tight race between Ogles and former TN ag commissioner Charlie Hatcher. wpln.org/post/polling...
wpln.org
Polling, Haslam endorsement signals close race for Ogles
Former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam is backing a Republican challenger to incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles for the District 5 primary. Haslam endorsed former
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Tennessee's congressional races got a shakeup during redistricting. Some candidates no longer live in the districts they’re running in — and some newcomers have entered the fray. As early voting starts, here's what to know before you head to the polls: wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee redrew its congressional map. Here's who's on your primary ballot.
The candidates for Tennessee's mid-term primaries shifted after redistricting. It's a lot for voters to sort out as they head to the polls.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn refuses to debate her GOP opponents for governor of Tennessee. President Trump is still hesitant to endorse. What that means for the race as early voting starts: wpln.org/post/blackbu...
wpln.org
Blackburn refuses to debate. What that means in Tennessee’s primary for governor
As early voting kicks off in Tennessee’s primary election, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is still considered the Republican frontrunner in the race for
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
President Trump has endorsed state Sen. Brent Taylor in the race for Memphis' redistricted congressional seat. Whoever wins the Republican primary is poised to flip the district red after lawmakers redrew the state's congressional map to favor the GOP. wpln.org/post/trump-e...
wpln.org
Trump endorses state Sen. Taylor in Memphis’ redistricted congressional race
President Donald Trump has endorsed state Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, for the congressional race to replace long-time Democratic Congressman Steve
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Some of the hemp industry’s most popular products will be taken off store shelves in Tennessee starting this week. As the state ban takes effect, farmers and small businesses are having to pivot from their cash crop. wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee hemp farmers pivot as state ban takes effect
Starting Wednesday, some of the hemp industry’s most popular products will be taken off the shelves in Tennessee.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
As costs rise and corporate dollars are down, Nashville Pride is tightening its belt. That means going from a weekend of concerts to a one-day event. Some see the retreat of corporate sponsors as an opportunity for the festival to get back to its roots. wpln.org/post/corpora...
wpln.org
Corporate sponsors didn't come back to Nashville Pride. How the festival is moving forward
As costs rise and support is down, the festival is tightening its belt. That's meant scaling Pride back from a weekend to a one-day event.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Voters in the historically Black neighborhood of North Nashville won't cast ballots in the same congressional race this November. Tennessee’s mid-decade redistricting plan has split the neighborhood near where I-40 initially cut through North Nashville decades ago. wpln.org/post/how-ten...
wpln.org
How Tennessee redistricting mirrors a historic split in Nashville's Black community
Voters in the historically Black neighborhood of North Nashville won’t all cast a ballot in the same congressional race this November. Tennessee’s
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Tennessee’s new congressional map has survived its first legal challenge. The ruling comes hours after an Alabama court struck down its state's mid-decade redistricting plan as "discriminatory." wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee mid-decade redistricting survives first legal challenge
A three-judge panel has upheld Tennessee’s new congressional map, which splits the majority-Black and longtime Democratic stronghold of Memphis across
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
A Nashville judge has cleared Kilmar Abrego Garcia of all charges. The court found that the government’s case against the Maryland man only came after his deportation gained national attention. wpln.org/post/nashvil...
wpln.org
Nashville judge dismisses case against Abrego Garcia as 'vindictive'
A federal judge has cleared Kilmar Abrego Garcia of all charges. The court found that the government’s case against the Maryland man only came after his
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Judges in Tennessee will soon decide whether the state’s new congressional map will stay in effect for the midterm elections.    The court heard arguments today in the first of four legal challenges to the new map. wpln.org/post/first-c...
wpln.org
First challenge to Tennessee’s congressional map heard in court
A three-judge panel will soon rule on whether Tennessee’s new congressional map is constitutional. Judges from West, Middle and East Tennessee heard
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
President Trump's approval rating in Tennessee has fallen to 49%, according to a new Vanderbilt poll. The poll also finds that Gov. Bill Lee is more popular than the candidates running to fill his seat. wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee’s Trump approval rating drops, gubernatorial candidates lag behind outgoing Gov. Lee
President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen in Tennessee as more voters are thinking with their wallets ahead of the midterm elections. Trump’s
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen is ending his re-election campaign after Tennessee Republicans approved President Donald Trump’s mid-decade redistricting plan. State lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have joined the race, hoping to take his spot in Washington. wpln.org/post/u-s-rep...
wpln.org
U.S. Rep. Cohen drops from Tennessee congressional race after redistricting, others join
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen is ending his re-election campaign after Tennessee Republicans approved President Donald Trump’s mid-decade redistricting
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton has taken Democrats off of their committees for the walkout they staged in protest of redistricting last week. (1/2)
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Tennessee Senate Democrats are staging their walkout against congressional maps dividing Memphis. Trump’s redistricting plan now goes to Gov. Bill Lee for his signature.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Chaos just erupted in the Tennessee House as Democrats staged a walkout over redistricting that would split Memphis’s majority-Black voting bloc. Sounds like a firearm was pulled.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Protestors are being cleared from the gallery in the Tennessee House as lawmakers consider new congressional maps dividing Memphis.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Tennessee has unveiled new congressional maps that would split Memphis into three districts and further fracture Nashville into five. If passed, Democrats would lose all representation in the U.S. House. wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee GOP unveils new maps fracturing Memphis and Nashville
Tennessee Republicans unveiled new congressional maps Wednesday morning that would guarantee their party an extra seat in Congress as a special session on
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Tennessee Republicans have voted to ban disruptive members of the public from this week's special session on redistricting, while voting down proposals to give the public more access. The latest on Tennessee's mid-decade redistricting effort: wpln.org/post/hundred...
wpln.org
Hundreds march as Tennessee takes up Trump's redistricting call
Hundreds of protesters gathered at Tennessee's capitol Tuesday as lawmakers began a special session to consider splitting Memphis’s Democratic stronghold
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Protestors outside the Tennessee statehouse, where lawmakers will meet later today to consider new congressional maps that would divide Memphis’s Democratic stronghold.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has just called a special session to consider new congressional maps after pressure from President Donald Trump and Marsha Blackburn. It may be too quick of a turnaround for the GOP to eliminate the state’s lone Democratic seat in time for the midterms.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling has cleared the path for Tennessee Republicans to redistrict another seat in their party’s favor ahead of the November midterms. Memphis Democrats are asking their GOP colleagues to leave the city as is. wpln.org/post/blackbu...
wpln.org
Blackburn calls on Tennessee to eliminate remaining Democratic seat after SCOTUS ruling
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling has cleared the path for Tennessee Republicans to redistrict another seat in their party’s favor ahead of the November
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Reposted by Marianna Bacallao
City Cast Nashville @citycastnash.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Today on City Cast Nashville, it’s our annual roundup of what happened during the state legislative session: the bad, the ugly … and maybe the good? 🦝 @mariannabac.bsky.social from @wpln.bsky.social is here to break it all down. Here or wherever you get your pods:
nashville.citycast.fm
The Tennessee Legislature Just Wrapped. What Bills Got Passed? - City Cast Nashville
The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned for the year last Thursday, and we’re digging into what they actually got done. Joining host Marie Cecile...
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Tennessee has voted to require local law enforcement to sign formal agreements with ICE as part of the Trump administration’s immigration agenda for states. The once voluntary program deputizes local officers to act as ICE agents. wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee law enforcement will be required to partner with ICE
Tennessee lawmakers have voted to mandate local law enforcement agencies across the state to partner with U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement as
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
In Tennessee, state and local aid agencies — like affordable housing projects and public health clinics — will soon have to track the legal status of the people they serve. wpln.org/post/new-man...
wpln.org
New mandates for Tennessee public clinics, local governments to track immigrants
A Tennessee proposal to ban undocumented immigrants from receiving local benefits will now come with reporting requirements for the agencies that deny
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
After approving Tennessee's budget last week, the statehouse is spending its final days in session considering pricey immigration enforcement measures unaccounted for in the budget. wpln.org/post/more-st...
wpln.org
More state troopers, no grocery tax cuts in Tennessee’s $58B budget
Tennessee lawmakers have prioritized school vouchers and law enforcement during a lean budget year.
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Tennessee college students who participate in a walkout could be expelled under the Charlie Kirk Act. The statehouse passed the measure this week, which also bars universities from uninviting a guest speaker based on their opposition to abortion or LGBTQ rights. wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee’s Charlie Kirk Act bans student walkouts, protects conservative speakers
College students who participate in walkouts could be suspended or expelled under a new measure passed by the Tennessee General Assembly on Monday. The
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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
The Tennessee statehouse has passed a trigger law to give the state more control over immigration enforcement if U.S. Supreme Court precedent ever changes. The measure, which now heads to Gov. Bill Lee's desk, would criminalize certain immigration offenses. wpln.org/post/tenness...
wpln.org
Tennessee adds criminal penalties for immigration offenses at White House's behest
The Tennessee General Assembly has passed a measure that would make it a state crime to remain in the U.S. after a final deportation order has been
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