NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Several voter registration organizations are asking a judge to stop Tennessee's new restrictions for signing up voters from taking effect in October, saying the law has already curtailed their ability to enroll voters in communities of color and other historically disenfranchised groups.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE) -- Nashville based Getty Music gets its 2019 “Sing!” Conference for Christian worship leaders underway Monday at Opryland.

Conference hosts Keith and Kristyn Getty’s say they’re expecting 13,000 people to attend. Keith Getty’s says he’s looking forward to the night the entire conference will sing a challenging work together.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Sentencing has been set for a Tennessee man convicted of aggravated assault for severely beating a gay man and bragging about it online.

The Daily News Journal reports Brandon Wiley, of Lewisburg, is set to be sentenced Thursday. Wiley and the victim testified last week about the 2018 attack at a Murfreesboro bar.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A 60-year-old woman is accused of trying to smother her husband with a pillow as he lay in a hospital bed in Tennessee.

Citing arrest records, news outlets report Barbara Jones was arrested Sunday and charged with attempted criminal homicide. She's set to appear in court Wednesday.

Court documents a witness heard a scream from inside a room at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and entered to find Jones removing the pillow from her husband's face.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WMOT/AP) -- Witnesses say Tennessee death row inmate Stephen West quoted scripture when asked for his final words.

West’s execution began at 7:15 p.m. Thursday night. A state spokesperson says he was pronounced dead at 7:27 p.m.

West was convicted in 1987 of the stabbing death of East Tennessee residents Wanda Romines and her teenaged daughter Sheila.

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. will take the weekend off from broadcasting to be with his wife and daughter after the three were in a plane crash landing Thursday near Bristol Motor Speedway.

The 44-year-old television analyst and retired driver was taken to a hospital for evaluation after the crash in east Tennessee. Earnhardt was with wife Amy, 15-month-old daughter Isla, a dog and two pilots.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE) -- Data provided by the state Department of Health suggests Middle Tennessee isn't immune to the state's ongoing epedemic of drug overdose deaths.

Davidson, Cheatham, and Robertson counties all report per capita drug overdose death rates well above the state average of 2.6 deaths per 10,000 residents.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE) -- The Nashville School Board will vote Aug. 27 on a motion to close three Metro schools run by charter operator Knowledge Academy.

The motion was made at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Earlier this year, the Tennessean brought to light a number of problems at the school, including financial irregularities and understaffing.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee won't stop Thursday's execution of an inmate who says his accomplice was the one who fatally stabbed a mother and daughter in 1986.

Lee said in a statement Tuesday he won't intervene after reviewing 56-year-old Stephen West's case.

West was convicted of the kidnapping and stabbing deaths of 51-year-old Wanda Romines and her 15-year-old daughter, Sheila Romines, and of raping the teen.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE)  --  The State of Tennessee has released details regarding funeral arrangements for slain Corrections Department administrator Debra Johnson. 

Officials say Johnson was sexually assaulted and strangled to death this past week on the grounds of the West Tennessee Prison by inmate Curtis Ray Watson. Watson escaped the prison the same day Johnson was found dead. He was recaptured this past Sunday less than ten miles from the prison after an extensive manhunt.