Citizenship Voter Check Bill Advances

State lawmakers passed a Republican-backed bill requiring election officials to verify voter citizenship using a federal database, sending it to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk.

The measure, approved Monday on a party-line vote, aims to flag potential noncitizen registrations but depends on federal system access by 2028.

Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, warn that the database has shown error rates in past use, potentially misidentifying eligible voters, but supporters say appeals processes will remain in place for those wrongly flagged.

The bill reflects growing national debate over voter integrity and citizenship verification.

AES Receives Record Fines After Deadly Blast

Vols Golfer Tees Off at Masters

University of Tennessee golfer Jackson Herrington will compete in the Masters this week after earning a spot as runner-up at last year’s U.S. Amateur Championship.

The Tennessee native is one of six amateurs in the field at Augusta National and is set to tee off today alongside former champion Angel Cabrera. 

Herrington called the experience a “dream come true,” saying he hopes to prove he belongs while gaining experience from top pros.

If he makes the cut and finishes as the lowest-scoring amateur, he’ll earn a trophy and an invitation to the tournament’s final ceremony.

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➤ Statewide: A new University of Tennessee study, backed by a $1 million grant, will examine how the regional rise of data centers affects energy demand, the environment, and local economies. (More)

➤ Nashville: The city is off to its driest start in nearly 20 years, raising concerns that an early spring drought could linger and impact water conditions through the rest of 2026. (More)

➤ Shelby County: Health officials confirmed the year’s first local human case of West Nile virus and launched mosquito spraying across several ZIP codes to limit further spread. (See Details)

➤ Chattanooga: Residents got a first look at the new Erlanger Park ahead of its opening, capping nearly two years of construction for the Lookouts’ new home. (See Video)

➤ Knoxville: Wheelchair racer Matthew Porterfield will compete in the Knoxville Marathon half-marathon, showcasing nearly three decades of perseverance and encouraging others to stay active despite challenges. (See Video)

➤ Washington County: A black bear was caught on TDOT video swimming across the Nolichucky River before turning around and heading back, giving nearby work crews an unexpected show. (See Bear)

➤ Tennessee State extended men’s basketball coach Nolan Smith through the 2031 season after leading the Tigers to a 23-10 record and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1994. (More)

➤ Knoxville will join the Professional Softball League as an expansion team in 2027, giving the city its first professional women’s sports franchise as seven other teams compete in the league’s inaugural season this summer. (More)

➤ Tennessee lawmakers are considering a bill that allows students at small private schools to play sports at their zoned public school, extending a rule that already exists for homeschooled athletes. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ Apex Bank purchased the 24-story Riverview Tower in downtown Knoxville for about $44 million, returning the landmark building to local ownership. (More)

➤ The Smyrna Depot Farmers Market will reopen on May 9 in Rutherford County, offering fresh produce, local goods, and live music every Saturday through September. (More)

➤ The Peabody Memphis earned Southern Living readers’ recognition as the South’s best classic hotel for a second consecutive year, following major renovations tied to its centennial. (More)

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➤ Gene Wojciechowski, a former journalist and UT alum, returned to Tennessee as a professor and debuted his first novel, All Carry, about a reporter chasing an improbable Masters win as an amateur. (More)

➤ Knoxville photojournalist Wade Payne, who has photographed five U.S. presidents, captured the Artemis II launch at Kennedy Space Center, calling the experience a full-circle moment after watching the moon landing as a child. (More)

➤ Students at a Nashville elementary arts magnet school performed an original musical written by their teacher, with the production built around the school’s theme of achieving greatness one step at a time. (See Video)

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