Tennessee Archives

Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee’s ban on medical treatments for transgender minors

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hearing a high-profile culture-war clash, the Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use. The case is being weighed by a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people. The Biden administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer warned a decision favorable to Tennessee also could be used to justify nationwide restrictions on transgender healthcare for minors.… Continue Reading

Witnesses saw an armed group harassing Helene aid workers in a small Tennessee town, sheriff says

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A sheriff says witnesses reported seeing a group of armed people harassing hurricane relief workers in a remote Tennessee community last weekend. Carter County Sheriff Mike Farley said the harassment of Federal Emergency Management Agency workers happened Saturday in the remote community of Elk Mills. No arrests were made, but he says the small group of armed people who showed up were looking to cause trouble. Meanwhile Wednesday, a North Carolina appeared in court for allegedly threatening aid workers in that state. Although there is no indication that the incidents are related, they come with FEMA facing rampant disinformation about its response to Hurricane Helene.… Continue Reading

Helene’s flooding swept away 11 workers at a Tennessee factory. Now the state is investigating

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee state authorities are investigating the company behind a plastics factory where 11 workers were swept away by flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Helene. A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesperson said Wednesday that the agency is investigating allegations involving Impact Plastics at the direction of the local prosecutor. Employees in the factory in the small community of Erwin asserted that they weren’t allowed to leave in time to avoid the storm’s impact. It wasn’t until water flooded into the parking lot and the power went out that the plant shut down and sent workers home. Several never made it.… Continue Reading

Tennessee football’s 10% talent fee opens discussion of how many schools and sports will follow

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Tennessee’s announcement of a 10% talent fee on 2025 football season tickets to help pay players could have been considered inevitable in the still-evolving era of name, image and likeness compensation. Especially with revenue going directly to players likely in the fall of 2025. It nonetheless sent shock waves throughout the sport and could spur other Power Four conference programs to follow suit. The question is whether even diehard fans are willing to absorb another surcharge, though this one could directly impact on-field talent.… Continue Reading

The Smoky Mountains’ highest peak is reverting to the Cherokee name Kuwohi

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) — The highest peak at Great Smoky Mountains National Park is officially reverting to its Cherokee name more than 150 years after a surveyor named it for a Confederate general. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted on Wednesday in favor of a request from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to officially change the name Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi. The Cherokee name for the mountain translates to “mulberry place.” The park says Kuwohi is a sacred place for the Cherokee people and the highest point within the traditional Cherokee homeland. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most visited national park, and Kuwohi is one its most popular sites, with more than 650,000 visitors per year.… Continue Reading