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5 bills filed in the Tennessee legislature you may not have read yet

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5 bills filed in the Tennessee legislature you may not have read yet


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Lawmakers will return to the Tennessee state capitol the second week of January after a tumultuous year in the legislature in 2023.

In doing so, some legislators have already filed some of their bills for introduction, getting ahead before the deadline by at least a month.

Here are five bills you may not have seen yet.

Free public college tuition for children of disabled veterans

HB 1604 and SB 1576

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Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, proposed a bill that would allow the kids of 100% disabled veterans to attend any Tennessee public higher education institution. Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, is sponsoring the bill in the Senate.

Veterans would have had to have gotten the disability from a service-related injury during a qualifying period of armed conflict, according to the bill’s language. The child attending school would also have to be under 23, and the student would have access to a waiver of tuition, maintenance fees and student activity fees.

If passed the program could start as early as the 2024-2025 school year.

A fiscal note for this bill has yet to be calculated.

How you vote in primaries could change

HB 1616

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This isn’t the first time the legislature has tried to make voters declare a political party before the primary, but the wording of this legislation is certainly different.

Rep. Bryan Richey, R-Maryville, is proposing voters can choose a party or remain unaffiliated before voting for a party primary. No Senate sponsor has taken up the measure.

Unlike bills about partisan voting in the past, those unaffiliated can still participate in primaries.

The designation would be made in the person’s voter file with their county election commission.

Richey proposed the act take effect as soon as it was signed into law.

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No diaper, wipe tax until 2025

HB 1637

Rep. Martin Greg proposed an idea to not tax infant formula, diapers and wipes for a whole year.

The bill outlines the tax-free period would start July 2024 and sunset the last day of June 2025.

Last year, the legislature approved a grocery tax holiday during the fall.

A Senate sponsor has yet to sign on, nor has a fiscal note been calculated.

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Evidence collection for kids accused of crimes

HB 1602 and SB 1577

An idea from Rep. Jesse Chism and Sen. London Lamar would enshrine police to take a video or audio recording for any interviews or interrogations including a child.

The Memphis Democrats would add this to an existing state law relative to interrogating juveniles.

A fiscal note concerning the bill indicates the cost wouldn’t be significant.

If passed, the law would go into effect July 1.

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Undoing the trigger ban on abortion

HB 1626 and SB 1590

Freshman lawmaker Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, filed her first bill in the legislature that would undo the effects of the trigger ban for Tennessee abortion.

Abortion was dialed up to become a hot-button issue in 2023, but The Covenant School shooting and tensions in the legislature placed the topic on a back burner.

Gov. Bill Lee signed off on an incredibly narrow exception in April, which removed affirmative defense for doctors. Early in the abortion conversation, Lee said the law as written was fine as it was, meaning he wasn’t catering to any idea of exceptions. He’s been quiet on the matter since.

Tennessee’s total abortion ban came last summer after the Dobbs decision caused Roe v. Wade to fall in the Supreme Court of the United States. The Republican legislature prepared for the moment. Trigger laws in Tennessee went into effect in less than 30 days following the Human Life Protection Act voted on by the legislature in 2019.

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Sen. London Lamar is co-sponsoring the effort.





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Three NFL Draft Fits for Tennessee Football Cornerback Jermod McCoy

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Three NFL Draft Fits for Tennessee Football Cornerback Jermod McCoy


Tennessee football star Jermod McCoy is the player who will likely hear his name called first from the Tennessee program in the upcoming NFL Draft. There are many teams he would fit well, but these three teams are the teams I believe he is the best fit with at this moment.

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1. Dallas Cowboys

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (DB20) speaks to media members during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a cornerback in the draft class, and they are likely to spend one of their first two picks on one. They are selecting at No. 12 and No. 20 in the draft as of now, and McCoy could hear his name called. He would be joining a decent group of cornerbacks, but he would be an immediate starter, likely alongside a later selection that they make with a cornerback.

It would be shocking if the Cowboys pass on him if they select at 12 and he is still on the board. McCoy would be an immediate starter and would be someone who could shut down a whole side of the field for the Cowboys early in his career.

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2. Miami Dolphins

Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) jogs during warm-ups before a NCAA football game between Tennessee Volunteers and New Mexico State Aggies at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 15, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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The Miami Dolphins is one of the better fits for Jermod McCoy, and it would make the most sense, as the Dolphins could use almost every position after a major haul of their players. They are in a major rebuilding phase and drafting at No. 11 leaves many to believe that McCoy could be in play.

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McCoy would likely be their No. 1 cornerbakc the day he got to the franchise, and would have the chance to dominate the way he did in his one season on the field with the Vols. This selection would depend on who drops out of the first ten selections. If he is one of the better players remaining (highly likely) he very well could hear his name called at pick 11.

3. New York Jets

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Jermod McCoy runs during Tennessee Football Pro Day 2026, at University of Tennessee on March 31, 2026. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The New York Jets have the chance to be very good when it comes to the draft, as they are drafting at both No. 2 and No. 16. I believe they will be looking to get a cornerback with their No. 16 pick, which would make a lot of sense considering they had to get rid of Sauce Gardner.

McCoy would be the perfect replacement, as they could find themselves in one of the better situations on the defensive side of the football. He can shutdown a side of the field, and I would bet that he would be a great fit with the Jets because of that exactly.

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Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children

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Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At a ballpark built for noise, there is space for something quieter.

During the Nashville Sounds’ “Beyond the Label Day,” kids are learning, playing and experiencing baseball in a way that works for them. Autism Tennessee volunteers stepped in to guide kids through sensory play designed to calm and focus.

From spinning toys to textured fidgets, these tools help turn overwhelming moments into manageable ones. Children engaged with the activities, pointing out shapes like a circle, noticing items like candies, and expressing how nice the experience was.

Adam English, general manager of the Nashville Sounds, said making space for everyone is the goal, even as the stadium announcer calls another Sounds strikeout.

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“It’s important for us to raise awareness about autism, but also just make sure that First Horizon Park is an inclusive place for everybody” English said.

The Sounds stadium even has a sensory room for families at every game.

“There’s huge baseball fans that sometimes shy away because of loud crowds and we want to make sure every game out here available” English said.

For Autism Tennessee leaders like Jessica Moore, days like this are about more than awareness. They are about belonging.

“Typically events like this can be super overwhelming… so this is just a way for people to feel like they can come and still be successful” Moore said.

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What are your thoughts on making sports venues more inclusive for all fans? Watch the video to see the sensory room in action, and share your experiences with me at kim.rafferty@NewsChannel5.com.

In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim Rafferty and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.

Checking in on Cole: Gallatin rallies around teen battling brain tumor with prayer vigil

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Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you’ll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.

– Carrie Sharp





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Tennessee baseball vs Ole Miss score, live updates, start time, Game 3

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Tennessee baseball vs Ole Miss score, live updates, start time, Game 3


Tennessee baseball will look to salvage the final game of the SEC series against Ole Miss.

The Vols (25-14, 7-10 SEC) play Game against the No. 23 Rebels (29-11, 10-7) on April 19 (1 p.m. ET, SEC Network+) at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Ole Miss has been on a roll. The 8-1 win on April 18 against the Vols moved the Rebels to eight straight wins. It got an ace-level start from Cade Townsend and a grand slam from Tristan Bissetta to secure Game 2.

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Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA) will start for the Rebels. Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA) will be on the mound for Tennessee.

Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss live updates

What channel is Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss on today?

  • TV channel: SEC Network+
  • Live stream: ESPN app

Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss game times

  • Game 3: April 19 (1 p.m. ET)

Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss probable pitchers

  • Tennessee: LHP Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA)
  • Ole Miss: RHP Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA)



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