Tennessee
TobyMac’s 21-year-old son, aspiring rapper Truett Foster McKeehan, dies
By Brad Schmitt, Dave Paulson, and Matthew Leimkuhler — October 25, 2019
(USA Today) — McKeehan's cause and manner of death remain under investigation, the Metro Nashville Police Department said. An autopsy will be conducted at the medical examiner's office in Nashville.
Gospel sing-along in Tennessee faces Confederate controversy after photos surface online
By Holly Meyer — July 22, 2019
(USA Today) — Organizers apologized after a parade preceding the Diana Singing, a popular event for 50 years, included a motorized scooter flying the Confederate banner.
Will grace prevail as Tennessee execution looms?
By Shane Claiborne — May 9, 2019
(RNS) — The daughter of Don Johnson has taken up his case not only to save his life, but to set herself free from the violence that has kept her prisoner.
Christians can’t allow the Bible Belt to be the ‘death belt’
By Shane Claiborne — November 1, 2018
(RNS) — Would Tennessee's governor allow a man to be executed this week if he were to come to Friday prayers on death row?
A transgender priest finds a new life helping others on the margins
By Jane Roberts — September 4, 2018
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (RNS) — In the makeshift chapel at Constance Abbey, an Episcopal way station for the homeless here, Mother Gillian Klee restarts her life as a priest, and a woman.
Tennessee carries out its 1st execution in nearly a decade
By Jonathan Mattise — August 10, 2018
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The execution comes a week after Pope Francis revealed new Catholic church teaching that deems the death penalty "inadmissible" under all circumstances.
Two accidentally shot in church while discussing church shootings
By Travis Dorman — November 17, 2017
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (USA Today) — A man accidentally shot himself and his wife at an east Tennessee church on Thursday (Nov. 16) while he was showing off his gun during a discussion on recent church shootings, police said.
‘This movement is evil’: Religious leaders denounce White Lives Matter rallies
By Holly Meyer — October 27, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (USA Today Network ) — Scores of clergy have signed their names to statements opposing the white nationalist groups' values ahead of a protest in Murfreesboro and Shelbyville on Saturday (Oct. 28).
Officials: 1 dead, 7 victims hurt in church shooting
By Kristin Hall — September 24, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A masked gunman entered a church in Tennessee on Sunday and opened fire, killing at least one person and injuring seven others before apparently shooting himself, an official said.
‘In God We Trust’ license plates hit Tennessee pothole
By Kimberly Winston — March 29, 2017
(RNS) Tennessee's attorney general raises constitutional concerns about mandatory license plates.
Dollywood employee finds burned Bible page after wildfires
By RNS staff — November 30, 2016
'O Lord, to thee will I cry: For the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field,' the page reads, according to a picture posted on the finder's Facebook.
Tennessee House fails to override governor’s Bible bill veto
By Joel Ebert — April 20, 2016
Most states require a two-thirds vote to override a gubernatorial veto. Tennessee is just one of six that require a simple majority.
Thou shalt not: Tennessee governor vetoes bill to make Bible state book
By Reuters — April 15, 2016
"My personal feeling is that this bill trivializes the Bible, which I believe is sacred text," the governor said. The bill's sponsors expect the legislature to override the veto.
Christian therapists push back against Tennessee counseling bill
By Jonathan Merritt — April 14, 2016
A Tennessee bill would allow mental health providers to refuse to treat patients based on their religious convictions. But Christian counselors say the bill is discriminatory and unnecessary.
Tennessee bill denying service based on counselor’s beliefs goes to governor
By Reuters — April 13, 2016
It is one of a raft of state measures that critics say discriminates against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender individuals.
