NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A new Tennessee law taking effect Jan. 1 will require tattoo artists across the state to complete training designed to help identify and safely report signs of human trafficking, expanding who may be able to recognize victims in everyday settings.

The law, known as the Ink of Hope Act, requires every licensed tattoo artist to complete up to one hour of training when renewing their license. The training focuses on recognizing warning signs of trafficking and how to report concerns without confronting a suspected trafficker or putting a victim at risk.

Why tattoo shops?

Advocates say traffickers sometimes use tattoos as a form of control, branding victims with names, symbols, or dates tied to their trafficker.

“You’re in a very intimate space with someone,” said Tom Chisholm, owner of Bellevue Tattoo Emporium. “You can often tell if someone is getting a tattoo because they want it or because they feel like they have to.”

A 2022 survey of 40 U.S. anti-trafficking organizations found 47% of survivors reported being branded or tagged with a tattoo by their trafficker.

Chisholm says some tattoo requests can raise red flags.

“Certain dates can represent different handlers,” he explained. “It’s essentially a substitute for a name.”

That’s one reason lawmakers targeted the tattoo industry for mandatory training, alongside other professions like health care providers and hair stylists that already receive trafficking awareness education.

Training without confrontation

The training required under the law will be provided by an accredited nonprofit and delivered as a short video. It teaches artists how to recognize potential signs of trafficking and how to report concerns safely to authorities without intervening directly.

The law also includes protections for tattoo artists, shielding them from liability when deciding whether to report suspected trafficking.

At Bellevue Tattoo Emporium, Chisholm has already implemented measures that mirror what the training emphasizes.

He has posted signs at every tattoo station and inside the bathroom explaining a discreet hand signal that victims can use to ask for help and reassuring clients that staff will respond quietly and confidentially.

Tom Chisholm inside his tattoo shop.{ } (Photo by Fox 17 News)

“If someone gives us that signal or whispers that they need help, we know what to do without causing a scene,” Chisholm said. “We can step away and make the call without tipping anyone off.”

One person can make a difference

Survivor advocates say expanding trafficking awareness to more public-facing businesses can help interrupt dangerous situations, especially in places with heavy foot traffic or frequent visitors.

Tennessee Voices for Victims works with survivors across the state and supports laws aimed at earlier intervention.

“Often victims are living in a world of such violence and abuse that they think they can’t get out,” said Verna Wyatt, the organization’s executive director. “But there is support for them.

Wyatt says human trafficking impacts communities statewide, not just large cities, and victims may encounter many people before someone recognizes the signs.

What happens next

The Ink of Hope Act takes effect Jan. 1, making Tennessee one of the first states to require formal human trafficking awareness training specifically for tattoo artists.

Supporters say the goal isn’t to turn artists into investigators, but to give them tools to respond safely if something feels off.

“If you can do one more thing to make this less likely to happen,” Chisholm said, “that’s a really good thing.”

If you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, you can call the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-800-55-TNHTH or 1-800-558-6484.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — As millions of people take to the roads this Christmas Eve, new data from the state of Tennessee shows a promising trend: traffic deaths are down so far this year compared to this time last year.

But safety officials say the numbers also reveal ongoing concerns, particularly involving certain age groups and risky driving behaviors.

With holiday travel in full swing, the state is urging drivers not to let their guard down. While the overall data is moving in the right direction, officials say the details show who remains most at risk on Tennessee roads.

According to state data, Middle Tennessee has recorded 252 traffic fatalities so far this year. That’s down from 265 at the same point last year and significantly lower than 312 in 2023.

The numbers represent nearly a 5 percent decrease from last year and more than a 15 percent drop compared to two years ago.

When broken down by age, however, the data shows mixed results.

Fatal crashes involving teen drivers have increased, rising from 29 last year to 39 so far this year. Crashes involving older drivers — those ages 65 and up — have also climbed, reaching 63 fatalities, the highest total of the past three years.

Looking at driving behaviors, speeding remains one of the deadliest factors on Tennessee roadways, though speed-related fatalities are down compared to last year. Deaths tied to distracted driving have also declined in 2025.

Deadly driving behaviors.{ } (Photo: FOX 17 News)

Pedestrian fatalities are down as well, dropping from 43 last year to 34 so far this year. However, motorcyclist deaths have increased compared to last year, according to the data.

While the overall decline in traffic fatalities is encouraging, officials stress that the holiday season brings heavier traffic, longer drives, and more chances for mistakes. They continue to urge drivers to slow down, stay focused, and make safe choices behind the wheel as Christmas travel continues.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – The new year could bring drastic, new oversight to Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

When the state legislature reconvenes for the new session next month, Republicans are laser-focused on passing legislation that allows the state to take over MSCS.

Action News 5 talked to the local GOP leader behind the renewed push to find out what’s changed since last year’s takeover effort failed. During the previous legislative session, the House and Senate versions of the plan differed, and lawmakers could not reach a consensus.

Representative Mark White of Memphis is now proposing that instead of forming an advisory council to guide the Memphis-Shelby County School Board, the state should form a management board—a panel of education experts from Shelby County.

White says they’ll be handpicked by the governor and speakers of the House and Senate. This group will have a lot more power to tell the local school board what to do, and it will have the power to pick a new director of schools.

“What we’re trying to do is break down the bureaucracy in a decades-old system,” Rep. White told Action News 5 during a Zoom interview on December 23.

He says he is more determined than ever before to put people, chosen exclusively by Republicans, in charge of educating 100,000 students in a Democratic-majority city.

“We’re gonna put in some really first-class people, and we need to make it worth their time,” said White. “[So] that they can come in, much like there’s a model going on down in Houston where they’ve done this, and after two years, they do not have any failing schools.“

But veteran school board member Michelle McKissack points to the failure of the ASD, the Achievement School District, as an example of why the state seizing control of Memphis schools won’t work.

Tennessee took over 30 of the lowest-performing MSCS schools in 2012. A decade later, research suggests ASD did not improve student performance, and may have actually led to worse test scores in the high schools.

Commissioner McKissack told Action News 5 in a statement:

“If our priority is students and helping them, then a state takeover does not do that. I believe it will lead to more instability in the district with more change in leadership with a managing board that has no real connection or accountability to the community.

We are playing whack-a-mole with what the problem is…from shortening the terms of five board members to a state audit of the school district. The state has succeeded in getting all nine seats on the next ballot and an audit is still underway. At the bare minimum, the state should let all of that play out to see what the next steps should be.”

MSCS Commissioner Towanna Murphy also sent a statement to Action News 5.

“It is disconcerting to learn that the state continues to pursue takeover efforts. This matter is unrelated to the termination of our former superintendent. The motivation behind this action appears to be financial gain and authority. The state’s previous attempt at control was marked by significant failures.

The potential impact on our children is substantial, and it’s concerning this seems to be of little consequence. Despite our collaborative efforts to find a mutually beneficial solution, our schools are thriving without state intervention.

We believe it would be in the best interest for the state to focus on their own responsibilities, however the prospect of a $2 billion budget appears to be a driving factor. Ultimately this appears to be more about personal interests and less about the well-being of our children.”

Rep. White says in a district where three out of four students cannot read on grade level, and only 20% can do math at grade level, the state’s priorities will include:

• Increasing literacy rates by the 3rd grade
• Boosting math scores
• Plus streamlining and modernizing MSCS buildings

“I don’t want this school legislation to divide people. I want it to bring people together. Because it’s that important for the young people in our community,” said White. “We can do this, and we have a golden opportunity right now to do a better job for the future of our city.”

State lawmakers return to Nashville for the start of the new session on January 13.

Action News 5 reached out to Interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond’s administration for comment, and did not get a response by our Tuesday night deadline.

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