Christopher Blank

When the I-40 bridge was closed for repairs last June, shutting down a major U.S. transportation artery, Tennessee's U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty called for more federal spending on highways and bridges. This week, they rejected the bill that will bring the needed billions, labeling the funding "socialism."

When Republicans held a recent special session of Tennessee government to combat what they claim to be federal overreach in the fight against COVID-19, a lack of debate and input from constituents brought subsequent criticism to the laws they passed.

More than 16,000 Tennesseans have died of COVID-19, but stemming the pandemic was not why lawmakers returned to Nashville this week for a special session devoted to COVID issues.

A special session of the Tennessee legislature this week ended with more than $800 million in incentives and spending on Ford's new truck plant in West Tennessee. But the state could also be on the hook for TennCare accounting errors.

Tennessee's Republican lawmakers are facing calls from Republican voters to add extra safeguards to voting such as paper ballots, even though the state claims it has one of the most secure systems in the country.

The Memphis Zoo wants more parking. The State of Mississippi wants to own Memphis water. This week political analyst Otis Sanford starts the conversation on how these debates are playing out.

The announcement that Ford Motor Company plans to build a major electric vehicle plant 50 miles east of Memphis is big news for the region.

Consolidating Memphis and Shelby County governments may have its benefits for cutting some red tape and bureaucracy, but political skepticism cuts across party lines.

As the federal government orders companies of 100 employees or more to require vaccinations, Tennessee Republicans consider calling a special session to "deal with" efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Last week Tennessee was No. 1 in the country per capita for new COVID infections and dozens are dying each day statewide.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris will likely run for reelection next year, says political analyst Otis Sanford. But that doesn't mean he won't face opposition. A few potential candidates are exploring runs for that office and the open race for Memphis mayor coming in 2023.