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Tennessee lawmakers expelled for gun protests victorious in special primary elections

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Tennessee lawmakers expelled for gun protests victorious in special primary elections


Two Tennessee state lawmakers who were expelled from the state legislature earlier this year for protesting gun violence on the House floor easily won their special primary elections on Thursday.

State Rep. Justin Jones ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in his Nashville-area district, while state Rep. Justin Pearson sailed to victory over challenger David Page in the Democratic special primary for his Memphis-area district.

Pearson garnered more than 94 percent of the votes, according to Decision Desk HQ.

“The first wave of votes are in and WE WON!!!” Pearson tweeted. “We are now officially the Democratic candidate for the General Election in District 86!! #PeoplePower did this!! Let’s keep going!!!”

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The Tennessee House of Representatives, which is controlled by a Republican supermajority, voted to expel Jones and Pearson from the chamber in early April. 

The pair and a third Democratic lawmaker, state Rep. Gloria Johnson, led chants from the House floor, after protesters descended on the Tennessee Capitol to call for action in the wake of a shooting at a Nashville elementary school that left three 9-year-old students and three adults dead.

Notably, the two expelled lawmakers are Black, while Johnson, who narrowly survived her own expulsion vote, is white.

“What we saw in Tennessee yesterday was an attack on democracy and very overt racism, as you can see that the two youngest Black lawmakers were kicked out, but our colleague, my dear sister, Gloria Johnson, a white woman, was not,” Jones said at the time.

Both Jones and Pearson were reinstated by local officials in their respective districts. However, they are currently serving on an interim basis until the special general election, which is set to be held in early August. 

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Jones will face off against Republican Laura Nelson, who similarly ran unopposed in the Republican special primary, while Pearson will take on Independent Jeff Johnston.

The trio, which was dubbed the “Tennessee Three,” met with President Biden at the White House in the wake of the expulsion votes.

“What the Republican legislature did was shocking. It was undemocratic,” Biden said at the time, adding, “You’re standing up for our kids, you’re standing up for our communities.”

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Tennessee

President Biden approved emergency declaration for Tennessee, federal disaster assistance

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President Biden approved emergency declaration for Tennessee, federal disaster assistance


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — President Biden has approved federal disaster assistance by issuing an emergency declaration in Tennessee.

With Tropical Storm Helene’s impact causing significant flooding and other issues across the state, the declaration will allow for more money and resources to help with the aftermath.

It also authorizes FEMA to coordinate the relief efforts in the community and keep everyone safe from further catastrophe as best as possible.

Specific counties mentioned include Cocke, Hawkins and Washington, along with Carter, Johnson and Unicoi counties.

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Middle Tennessee schools score 2024 National Blue Ribbon for academic excellence

There are a lot of great schools in our area. Congratulations to four schools in the mid-state that were awarded National Blue Ribbons for Academic Execellence. The were among six in Tennessee to receive that honor. They were among 356 schools across the United States to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education!

-Lelan Statom

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Tennessee

Officer who helped with rescue of Tennessee hospital patients says it was 'organized chaos'

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Officer who helped with rescue of Tennessee hospital patients says it was 'organized chaos'


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Patients and staff were stranded on the roof of an eastern Tennessee hospital that was flooded due to Hurricane Helene. Three members of the rescue team join Top Story to discuss the daring operation.



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Dozens saved in East Tennessee as floodwaters overcome a hospital

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Dozens saved in East Tennessee as floodwaters overcome a hospital


EAST TENNESSEE (AP) — Patients and their caregivers sought shelter Friday on a Tennessee hospital’s roof after flooding caused by Hurricane Helene drove them from the building’s interior and conditions made rescue efforts difficult.

The dramatic scene at Unicoi County Hospital near the North Carolina border was one of several that played out across the southern U.S. in Helene’s wake, as flooding caused by its storm surge and rain sent thousands of police officers, firefighters, National Guard members and others on rescue missions. Hundreds were saved, but at least 40 died.

Unicoi County Hospital tried to evacuate 11 patients and 43 others Friday morning after the Nolichucky River overflowed its banks and flooded the facility, but the water was too treacherous for boats sent by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The decision was made to take everyone to the roof.

“The water there simply came up faster with more debris than was safe to operate in the rafts to ferry from a dry point back to the hospital,” said Patrick Sheehan, Tennessee’s emergency operations director.

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After other helicopters failed to reach the hospital because of the storm’s winds, a Virginia State Police helicopter was able to land on the roof. Three National Guard helicopters with hoist capabilities were on the way, officials said.

“We ask everyone to please pray for the people at Unicoi County Hospital, the first responders on-scene, the military leaders who are actively working to help, and our state leaders,” said Ballad Health, the hospital’s owner, on social media.

Middle Tennessee schools score 2024 National Blue Ribbon for academic excellence

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There are a lot of great schools in our area. Congratulations to four schools in the mid-state that were awarded National Blue Ribbons for Academic Execellence. The were among six in Tennessee to receive that honor. They were among 356 schools across the United States to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education!

-Lelan Statom





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