Beacon Center Report Finds Tennessee High School Graduates Unprepared for Workforce, Calls for Diploma Pathway Reforms

by Kaitlin Housler | Dec 16, 2025 | Education, News, Tennessee, The South

A new report from the Beacon Center of Tennessee warned that the state’s K-12 education system is failing to prepare many students for today’s workforce, despite record-high graduation rates and significant investments in Career and Technical Education (CTE). The...

Exclusive: Senator Blackburn Explains How the GOP Health Plan Puts Money in Americans’ Hands

by Zachery Schmidt | Dec 16, 2025 | News, Policy, Tennessee, The South, TN LEAD

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) told The Tennessee Star in an exclusive interview that the new Republicans’ bill proposal would send money back to Americans rather than to insurance companies. Last week, Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced the Health Care Freedom for...

State Rep. Files Bill to Allow Expectant Mothers with High-Risk Pregnancies to Use Accessible Parking Spaces

by Kaitlin Housler | Dec 16, 2025 | News, Policy, Tennessee, The South

A new bill filed for next year’s session of the Tennessee General Assembly would expand the state’s definition of a “disabled driver” to include expectant mothers who are in their second or third trimester of pregnancy or who have a pregnancy certified as high-risk by...

Pappert: Abrego Garcia Case is Political Effort to Delay Deportation, Not About Due Process

by Kaitlin Housler | Dec 16, 2025 | Justice, News, Tennessee, The Michael Patrick Leahy Show, The South

Tom Pappert, lead reporter at The Tennessee Star, said alleged human smuggler Kilmar Abrego Garcia is mounting a carefully orchestrated public relations campaign to cast himself as a victim, despite years of immigration violations and mounting criminal allegations...

Rutherford County School Board Member Tammy Sharp Seeking Reelection

by Kaitlin Housler | Dec 16, 2025 | Education, Elections, News, Tennessee, The South

Rutherford County School Board Member Tammy Sharp (Zone 1) announced her re-election bid on Monday. Sharp, a Republican, assumed office in 2018 and won re-election to the Board in 2022. She served as the Board’s chairwoman for approximately one year before stepping...

Newly-Elected TN-7 Congressman Matt Van Epps Marks First Full Week in Congress

by Kaitlin Housler | Dec 16, 2025 | News, Politics, Tennessee, The South

Newly-elected Tennessee U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps (R-TN-07) marked his official first full week in Congress last week after his victory in the special general election for the seat earlier this month. Van Epps, who was backed by President Donald Trump in the...