NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The ACLU has sent a letter to Governor Bill Lee urging him to veto the so-called "abortion trafficking" bill passed by the state legislature during the last week of the session. "This bill harms young people’s ability to access the support of those they trust when they need it most and is an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment right to free speech and expression," wrote ACLU of Tennessee Policy Director Bryan Davidson. Governor Lee's team did not immediately respond to News 2's request for comment on whether he will sign the bill, but he is expected to. ?&nbs ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — It’s been 13 years since millions of cicadas took over Middle Tennessee. A few have been spotted emerging from the ground in Murfreesboro, and more are on the way. The cicadas emerge from beneath the surface for the adult emergence stage. "They’ll come out of the ground, crawl up on an object usually where they can find a secure place to emerge from the last nymphal exoskeleton, and then they’ll begin to harden their wings and spread those wings. Those will fly to tree canopies usually," said Jason Oliver, Research Professor of Entomology at TSU. "Males will begin to ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed into law SB1641, a bill that provides visitation rights for hospital patients. State lawmakers in favor of the legislation said it serves as a precautionary measure following the COVID-19 pandemic.  Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom News 2 reached out to several area hospitals for comment, but have not yet heard back. The new law will take effect on July 1, 2024 ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – President Joe Biden has signed a bill that could lead to a nationwide TikTok ban. Leaders from parties have warned the social media platform poses a threat to national security. “Americans' personal and private information that they disclose to TikTok falls into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party, and that's not acceptable,” said John Rose, Representative for Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District. The potential TikTok ban came as part of a long-delayed $95 billion foreign aid package. Congress is now forcing the China-based company to sell the platform within ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- Tennessee's legislative session has come to a close, as well as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Several organizations came together in Nashville Sunday for an evening of healing and a discussion of legislation they’d like to see passed next session.  Mothers Over Murder, along with Voices of Black Mothers United, hosted “Healed People Heal People” on Sunday at Rock United Ministries. Community leaders, including Metro Nashville Police Department Cmdr. Anthony McClain and Pastor Terry Wells, were also in attendance.   "It's all about these mothers of mu ..read more

(NEXSTAR) — It can be hard to tell if you rank as middle class, especially when it feels like your paycheck doesn’t go as far as it once did. One government analysis suggests you need at least $10,000 more just to live like you did three years ago. A new report from personal finance site SmartAsset reviewed data from the U.S. Census Bureau as well as the Pew Research Center to determine what it does take — at least on paper — to be considered middle class in all 50 states and 345 of the nation’s largest cities.  The analysis used the Pew Research definition of “middle income,” which says ..read more

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — Buc-ee's, a popular chain of roadside rest stops famous for its Beaver Nuggets, is coming to West Tennessee, according to state Sen. Page Walley (R-Savannah). Walley, who represents Fayette and several other nearby counties, posted the news on Facebook Wednesday, April 24 with the caption, "BUC-EE'S WELCOME TO FAYETTE COUNTY!!! Another great economic and commercial achievement for our District!" "Are you serious?! This is AWESOME!!!" state Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) responded ..read more

As luxury-brand vehicles continue to swell the market, the average price for a new car in the U.S. has modestly declined, signaling an increased desire for consumer affordability after average vehicle prices hit record highs in 2022. Only 9 out of 275 new car models had an average transaction price below $25,000 in February 2024, according to Kelley Blue Book. This is a sharp contrast to three years ago when 29 different vehicles routinely held average transaction prices below that benchmark. Affordability will be key to first-time buyers as auto loan interest rates and car insurance ..read more

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Three VFLs were selected during the 2024 NFL draft. Here's which teams Tennessee's star athletes will be playing for. Jaylen Wright Running Back Jaylen Wright was the first VFL to hear his name called during the draft. Selected by the Miami Dolphins during the fourth round, Wright was the 120th pick overall. According to the NFL, the Dolphins traded up to select Wright in the fourth round of the draft. In exchange, the Dolphins gave the Philadelphia Eagles its third-round pick during next year's draft. Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (20) reacts to scoring a tou ..read more

(The Hill) – More than 250 musicians, including notable figures such as Billie Eilish and Lorde, have signed a letter to Congress calling for concert ticket reform. “We know you are hearing from many people about concert ticketing and its impact on fans,” reads the Thursday letter addressed to Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and ranking member U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). TN legislation protecting artist voices from AI signed into law at Nashville honky-tonk “Predatory resellers should not be more profitable than the people dedicating their lives to their art,” the le ..read more