NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — US Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Metro Police Chief John Drake, the director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, NFL alumni, and others met on Wednesday to discuss ways to combat the trafficking of minority children in Tennessee. "In Tennessee, we certainly have a large issue with human trafficking," said TBI Director David Rausch. According to TBI data, 500 to 600 kids go missing each month in the state and more than half of those are minorities. ? Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts → "There is a target on the bac ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee lawmakers have passed a bill that would criminalize people who transport minors outside of the state if they need an abortion. HB1895 by Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) would make it a Class A misdemeanor if an adult "intentionally recruits, harbors, or transports a pregnant unemancipated minor" anywhere within the state for the purpose of obtaining a "criminal abortion" or for obtaining an abortion-inducing drug for that minor. Additionally, the bill would allow civil actions to be brought against someone who does so "on behalf of the unborn child" by eith ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — State and local leaders are trying to help thousands of children who are forced to be around drugs. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, last year there were more than 38,000 allegations of drug-endangered children reported in Tennessee. The year before, the number was more than 42,000. The National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children defines them as kids who are at risk of suffering physical or emotional harm as a result of legal and/or illegal drug use, possession, manufacturing, cultivation or distribution. "A lot of times it's not necessarily that ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — School districts across Tennessee are now permitted to allow teachers to carry firearms on school grounds, after the passing of HB1202 by Rep. Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville). The bill would permit school districts to allow teachers and staff to be armed during school hours as long as those individuals pass a background check, psychological evaluation and submit their fingerprints to law enforcement, receive 40 hours of special training from law enforcement, and meet the qualifications of the enhanced handgun carry permit. In order to allow the teachers to go armed, both ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — An option for truckers in Tennessee could mean safer roads for all of us and less pollution. It's called vehicle platooning. Officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said vehicle platooning, which began in the state in 2017, could save trucking companies anywhere from five to 10% in fuel costs for 18-wheelers and trucks as they travel along highways while moving freight. "Two vehicles that are connected electronically that are going behind each other in such a short distance that the airflow goes from one vehicle to the next," said Daniel Pallm ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Pride flags and other non-governmental flags will remain in school rooms after the Senate failed to pass a ban on them Tuesday. Lacking the constitutionally required number of votes to pass the Senate, SB1722, brought by Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) failed on the chamber floor by a vote of 13-6—four votes shy of the constitutional majority. According to the state capitol website, bills require at least 17 favorable votes in the Senate to pass. Tuesday afternoon, multiple lawmakers opted not to vote at all, making the bill's passage virtually impossible ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee parents could soon have to pay for their children's crimes under a bill that is heading to Gov. Bill Lee's desk. The Parental Accountability Act would give judges the power to fine parents and legal guardians up to $1,000 after their child's second criminal offense. "This is about accountability and making sure parents know where their loved ones are. For the most part they do, but they're turning a blind eye in some cases," Rep. John Gillespie (R-Memphis), the bill's sponsor said. ? Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts → G ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — After hours of tense debate and impassioned cries, the Tennessee General Assembly gave the final OK for teachers to carry in K-12 schools in Tennessee, prompting fierce outcry from the gallery. Lawmakers and advocates alike debated the issue for over two hours, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle arguing why the measure was or was not necessary before ultimately passing the bill ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The state of Tennessee will receive hundreds of millions of dollars this year as part of a settlement group from a major tobacco company lawsuit. According to the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, the Volunteer State will receive $146.1 million from major tobacco companies that joined the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. Since 1998, the state has received $3.9 billion from the settlement agreement. The landmark case resolved Tennessee's lawsuit against major tobacco companies for violations of consumer protection laws and deceptive marketing practices that caus ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) - We share them from time to time - sketches from police. They're often detailed images of suspects or victims that police need help identifying. You may have seen it on TV or in movies, as a witness sits with the sketch artist and describes everything they can remember, but how does it work in real life? They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. However, in Glen Glenn's case, a drawing is worth closure on a police case. ? Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts → "If somebody has been victimized or if they were a witness to a crime, who i ..read more