The 114th Tennessee General Assembly wrapped up its legislative session in late April, 2026. ... dozens of new Tennessee laws go into effect on July 1. The laws impact the criminal justice system, immigration, education, the environment and families.
* Underage vaping punishment
Under SB1740/HB1679, anyone under the age of 21 who illegally buys tobacco, hemp, vapor or smokeless tobacco would be required to do 50 hours of community service, complete a prescribed court program, and pay a fine between $10 and $50 for anyone between the ages of 18 and 21.
* Allowing deadly force to protect property
SB1847/HB1802 allows the use of deadly force to protect property in certain situations.
Under the law, property owners would be allowed to use deadly force to prevent trespassing, arson, damage to property, burglary, theft, robbery or aggravated cruelty to animals.
The legislation does not allow the use of deadly force against someone who is facing away from the property owner.
* Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act
HB1822/SB1828 requires public schools and public charter schools to teach about the positive impacts of religion on American history.
The list includes 19 historical subjects schools can use for instruction. Of the 19 suggestions, IMO, these might be acceptable, History of the Pilgrims, George Washington's farewell address, The concept of separating church and state.
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- Open AI escapes, hacks competitor (1 reply)
- Tennessee paying $637 million over 5 years for voucher software program (3 replies)
- Confusion at the Alcoa South Plant (3 replies)
- The Odyssey (1 reply)
- Tennessee: great for business, not so great place to live (1 reply)
- Marsha & China (4 replies)
- AI bubble burst? (2 replies)
- UT paying $2 million to fired professor? (2 replies)
- A bear in Alcoa (1 reply)
- Here are some good Presidents (1 reply)
- Alcoa Hwy construction to extend to 2030 (3 replies)
- Happy 250th, pfft (2 replies)
TN Progressive
- Alcoa property taxes will probably not go up (BlountViews)
- Smith & Wesson not a good fit for Blount County (BlountViews)
- Pellissippi Parkway extension delayed again (BlountViews)
- Blount County early voting record turnout (BlountViews)
- WATCH THIS SPACE. (Left Wing Cracker)
- America As It Is Right Now (RoaneViews)
- A friend sent this: From Captain McElwee's Tall Tales of Roane County (RoaneViews)
- The Meidas Touch (RoaneViews)
- Massive Security Breach Analysis (RoaneViews)
- (Whitescreek Journal)
- My choices in the August election (Left Wing Cracker)
- July 4, 2024 - aka The Twilight Zone (Joe Powell)
TN Politics
- Flood of poll watchers, observers, monitors to descend on midterm voters (TN Lookout)
- Tennessee’s biggest drag show is the 6th District Republican primary (TN Lookout)
- Stockard on the Stump: Congressional candidate says he’ll drop Chinese military stocks (TN Lookout)
- Vance Boelter sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years in killing of Hortmans (TN Lookout)
- Federal court denies restraining order in ACLU lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s new congressional map (TN Lookout)
- US House and Senate split on ending Trump’s war in Iran, as gas prices rise (TN Lookout)
Knox TN Today
- Sunday Conversation (Knox TN Today)
- Community Snapshot (Knox TN Today)
- Avery Mills prepares for comeback after knee surgery (Knox TN Today)
- Daily Connections: Your East Tennessee Guide | July 24-26 (Knox TN Today)
- Something new is coming this weekend (Knox TN Today)
- BattleField Farm + One Five grocery + Bobwhite banded + Hummingbird Festival ++ (Knox TN Today)
- Approximately 20 Vols football players to meet fans at Knoxville Food City (Knox TN Today)
- Close to Home, Far from Ordinary: Summer swimming holes (Knox TN Today)
- Healthy planet, healthy people (Knox TN Today)
- Weekend Scene: Maker Exchange to Blues Cruise (Knox TN Today)
- Zoo Knoxville: Where every visit supports wildlife (Knox TN Today)
- Hiking with Harrington: Summer’s quiet side on Lower Mount Cammerer Trail (Knox TN Today)
Local TV News
- Knoxville Weather: Scattered showers and storms Saturday night (WATE)
- Grainger County Mayor declares state of emergency after flooding (WATE)
- Sheriff's office: Kingsport man arrested after threatening churches (WATE)
- 'A great leader:' East Tennessee leaders remember Claiborne County Mayor Joe Brooks (WATE)
- Claiborne County Mayor Joe Brooks dies after motorcycle crash in Union County (WATE)
- Knoxville Police looking for next-of-kin of woman found dead in mid-July (WATE)
News Sentinel
State News
- Case: There just aren’t enough old friends and grouse hunters - Chattanooga Times Free Press (Times Free Press)
- ‘It’s surreal to watch people you know … and to say we were a part of their World Cup championship run.’ - Chattanooga Times Free Press (Times Free Press)
- Report: Local Group Buying Chattanooga Times Free Press From Arkansas Owners - Chattanoogan.com Breaking News (Times Free Press)
- From the editor: A Times Free Press reporter traveled to Mexico for a story. Here’s why. - Chattanooga Times Free Press (Times Free Press)
Wire Reports
- Influencer killed by husband after she accused him of pedophilia on TikTok - NBC News (US News)
- Cheaper, open and intelligent: Chinese AI models gain ground, as they make inroads in the US - AP News (Business)
- $600M Powerball: Winning numbers for Saturday, July 25, 2026 - ABC10 (Business)
- Nolan Wells’ best friend skipped funeral due to death threats: ‘Wish I could have been there’ - New York Post (US News)
- Morgan Stanley resets Microsoft stock forecast ahead of earnings - thestreet.com (Business)
- Vance, Caine raised concerns about escalating war in Iran, sources say as US pauses consecutive nights of strikes - CNN (US News)
- Cyclospora outbreak dubbed "lettuce-gate" as concerns over parasitic illness spread across U.S. - CBS News (Business)
- Appeals Court Upholds Blocks on Trump Order Restricting Mail Voting - The New York Times (US News)
- Democrats pick new Senate candidate in Maine in aftermath of Platner debacle - The Washington Post (US News)
- 5 standout moments from Trump’s appearance at makeup WHCA dinner - The Hill (US News)
- Hugging Face CEO shares his demands of OpenAI after 'rogue' agent hack: 'It deserves an unprecedented response' - Business Insider (Business)
- Small businesses file lawsuits against Trump’s new sweeping tariffs - AP News (US News)
- Tesla’s Revenue Beat Hid The Number That Actually Sank The Stock - Trefis (Business)
- Fourth firefighter dies from injuries sustained in Knowles wildfire in western Colorado - The Colorado Sun (US News)
- Americans rewire their grocery shopping routines while digesting the biggest price jump in 50 years - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos (Business)
Local Media
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