Politics

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A special committee formed to suggest new names for three Memphis city parks mired in controversy has made a recommendation to the City Council.

The committee yesterday proposed new identities for parks that were formerly named in honor of the Confederacy.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A proposal that would dock the welfare payments of Tennessee parents whose children fail in school is dead.

After about a 40-minute debate on the Senate floor Thursday, Republican Sen. Sponsor Stacey Campfield decided to pull the bill so it can be studied over the summer.

Both Republicans and Democrats expressed concern about the legislation, which sought to cut Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits by 30 percent if a child fails to advance to the next grade.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) —  A bill that will limit the way Tennessee law enforcement agencies can use unmanned drone aircraft is advancing in the state legislature.

Drones are a hot topic both in Congress and on the state levels as the technology has rapidly outpaced regulations on the use of remotely piloted aircraft domestically.

The bill's sponsor, Senator Mae Beavers, says the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, as well as the Nashville and Memphis Police Departments are already using drones.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The current session of the Tennessee legislature is moving into its final weeks.

With the Tennessee Republican Party holding a super majority in both chambers of the legislature, a fairly low-key session might have been expected. Instead, a number of contentious issues have roiled the 108th Tennessee General Assembly.