Articles by Jonathan Mattise

Tennessee Lawmakers Explore Limiting Executive Authority During Health Crises

Tennessee lawmakers who have often been critical of government restrictions to curb COVID-19’s spread are suggesting ways to give themselves the power to limit or overturn emergency orders from the governor during future health crises. Amid the worsening pandemic, a …

Tennessee Insurance Head Steps Down After Sexual Misconduct Investigation

A Tennessee insurance commissioner who submitted his resignation last week faced an investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct by one of his department’s employees, records show. According to a Department of Commerce and Insurance investigation summary report, there was “insufficient …

Virus Restrictions on Businesses, Gatherings Lifted in Most Tennessee Counties

Businesses in 89 of Tennessee’s 95 counties will no longer have to adhere to social distancing guidelines, Gov. Bill Lee announced Tuesday, even though cases of COVID-19 in the state have been persistently high. The Republican governor said he would …

Judge Allows Great Smoky Mountains Wildfire Lawsuits to Move Forward

U.S. park officials have failed to show enough was done to keep the public updated as a deadly wildfire spread from Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2016, a judge ruled. The decision earlier this month by U.S. District Judge …

COVID-19 Business Immunity Proposal Flounders in Tennessee

Just a few weeks ago, Tennessee looked like a sure bet to become the latest state to protect businesses and other organizations from lawsuits by people impacted by the coronavirus in the push to reopen the economy. Republican Gov. Bill …

Utility Fined $145K for Submitting Inaccurate Info About Tennessee Nuclear Plant

Federal regulators have fined the nation’s largest public utility $145,000 for submitting incomplete and inaccurate information on a backup system at its Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission notified the Tennessee Valley Authority of the proposed fine regarding …

Tennessee Hand-Held Phone Driving Ban Becomes Law

Drivers in Tennessee could face fines if they’re caught using hand-held cellphones behind the wheel as the new law took effect Monday. The new distracted driving law makes it illegal to drive while holding or supporting a cellphone or mobile …

Family Sues Nashville, Police Officer for $30M Over Fatal Shooting

The family of a black man killed by a Nashville police officer filed a federal lawsuit Monday, naming the city and the white officer who fatally shot the man from behind as he ran with a gun. Attorney Joy Kimbrough …

Federal Appeals Court Reverses Order Requiring Tennessee Coal Ash Cleanup

A federal appellate panel on Monday overturned an order that would have required the nation’s largest public utility to unearth and remove a massive amount of coal ash at one of its Tennessee power plants. In a 2-1 decision, the …

‘TN Together’ Plan to Curb State Opioid Epidemic Takes Effect

Requirements aimed at curbing Tennessee’s opioid epidemic are among more than 150 new laws that kicked in July 1. Many laws take effect on July 1 each year, when a new state budget year begins, and some of the highest …