Judge Blocks Age-Verification Law

Tennessee’s age-verification law, known as the Protect Tennessee Minors Act, was scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, but just two days before its implementation, a district court judge temporarily blocked the law.

On Monday, the Western District of Tennessee granted the Free Speech Coalition a motion for a preliminary injunction. 

The law aimed to give parents greater control over their children’s online activity while tightening restrictions on social media accounts and access to adult content.

In the ruling, Chief United States District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman stated: “In its attempt to protect children, the State will unavoidably suppress a large amount of speech that adults have a First Amendment right to give and receive.” 

Flu Numbers ‘Very High’ Across State

Nashville doctors have been working in crowded hospitals over the past few weeks as cases of cold, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have surged.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that for the week ending Dec. 21, Tennessee experienced “very high” levels of respiratory illnesses involving fever, cough, or sore throat. 

While Tennessee’s Health Department data indicates that flu-like illnesses are tracking lower than last season, they remain higher compared to the previous two years.

TN Welcomes First Babies Of 2025

Babies born on Wednesday marked the arrival of 2025’s first newborns—the first members of Generation Beta. Hospitals across Middle Tennessee celebrated this special milestone by sharing heartwarming photos of the newborns.

The earliest reported birth in the region was Willow, born at 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, at TriStar Horizon Medical Center, weighing 7 pounds, 4 ounces. Shortly after, Mason arrived at 12:36 a.m. at TriStar Summit Medical Center, weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces, according to HCA Healthcare.

Maury Regional Health reported its first baby of the year, Jeremiah Mayberry, who was born at 1:20 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 9 ounces, and measuring 19.5 inches long.

Lennox Jeremiah Harris, born at 9:59 a.m. on Jan. 1, was the first baby born in Murfreesboro at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford.

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➤ Knoxville: A South Knoxville railway may soon become a 3.8-mile trail connecting Chapman Highway and Ijams Nature Center. (Watch Video)

➤ Chattanooga: The CHATT Foundation’s winter weather shelter will be open this week as temperatures drop to below freezing. (More)

➤ Cumberland County: More than 20 dogs, including puppies that are only a few weeks old, were rescued on New Year’s Eve from “severely neglectful conditions.” (More)

➤ Madisonville: A high-speed police chase that began in Murray County, Georgia, ended in Madisonville, police reported on Tuesday. (More)

➤ Nashville: Cumberland Park has been renamed to Wasioto Park in recognition of the area’s indigenous history. (More)

➤ Davidson County: A county judge temporarily paused new rules set to go into effect the day after Christmas that hemp stakeholders argued would have upset the industry. (More)

➤ Tennessee Vols former defensive back Eric Berry was inducted into the Peach Bowl Hall of Fame, bringing the number of inductees to 67. (More)

➤ The Memphis Grizzlies won in a New Year’s Day game against the Phoenix Suns despite missing nine players due to injury, including All-Star Ja Morant, who is ‘week-to-week’ with an injured shoulder. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans are on the verge of receiving their highest NFL draft pick since moving to Nashville in 1997. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW

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➤ American Pickers star Mike Wolfe reopened his Nashville location of Antique Archaeology in an unexpected move following a brief closure. (More)

➤ Nashville is set to transform the East Bank with a $1.6 billion mixed-use development near the Titans’ new Nissan Stadium. (More)

➤ State officials have been sued over a law that forbids some foreign individuals and companies from owning land in Tennessee. The legislation was prompted by concerns of Chinese firms buying property in the state. (More)

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➤ Did you know that Tennessee has a new state forest? Wolf River State Forest, featuring 5,477 acres in Fayette County, will open to visitors later this year. (More)

➤ Two Tennessee locations made Southern Living’s “13 Southern Scavenger Hunts for Interactive Sightseers,” including the gnomes of Rock City. (See List)

➤ A new sloth was recently welcomed to the Chattanooga Zoo, complete with adorable pictures. (See Pictures)

Do you like country music? 

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Thursday’s Results:

Have you made any New Year’s resolutions?

1. Yes: 61%
2. No: 39%    

What is Tennessee’s official state butterfly?

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