Tennessee
US appeals court dismisses suit challenging Tennessee anti-drag law
A US appeals court on Thursday dismissed a challenge to a Tennessee law that restricts drag performances, reversing a lower court’s decision that blocked the law from taking full effect.
The US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit found that the plaintiff did not have standing in the case, dismissing the plaintiff’s challenge to the law’s constitutionality.
Judge Nalbandian wrote in the majority opinion that in order to show standing, a plaintiff must demonstrate an injury that is “fairly traceable to the challenged conduct of the defendant” and “is likely to be redressed by the requested relief.” The court found that the plaintiff, a theater organization called Friends of George’s (FOG), failed to demonstrate that it performed the kinds of drag shows that are prohibited by the law.
The Adult Entertainment Act (AEA) prohibits the performance of “adult cabaret entertainment” in public or in the potential presence of minors. “Adult cabaret entertainment” is defined as “adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors… and that feature topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators, or similar entertainers.”
Judge Nalbandian wrote that the state’s supreme court already interpreted the phrase “harmful to minors” and limited it to materials that “lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for a reasonable 17-year-old minor.”
FOG described its performances as an “art form” similar to Shakespeare and Ancient Greek theater and said it aimed “to stick around the PG-13 area in writing” rather than be “too risqué.” The court therefore found that FOG did not “demonstrate that its shows are arguably adult-oriented performances that lack serious value for a reasonable 17-year-old” and that the plaintiff “cannot rely on the argument that the statute might be misconstrued by law enforcement.”
The district court last year held that the AEA violated the First Amendment and was unconstitutionally vague, blocking District Attorney General Steven Mulfroy from enforcing it in Shelby County. Judge Mathis on Thursday agreed with the district court, writing in his dissent that the AEA restricted free speech and therefore violated the First Amendment.
Supporters of the AEA emphasized the importance of preventing the “sexualization” of minors, claiming drag performances in public spaces included behavior that was inappropriate for children. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti also supported the decision, stating that “Tennessee’s ‘harmful to minors’ standard is constitutionally sound and Tennessee can absolutely prohibit the exhibition of obscene material to children.”
FOG, however, said it was “shocked and disappointed” by the court’s decision on Thursday. The organization stated:
Instead of addressing the constitutionality of Tennessee’s drag ban, today’s ruling has left us and thousands of others in the LGBTQ+ community dangerously in limbo, with no clear answers as to how this ban will be enforced and by whom. The only thing that is clear about this law is that it’s firmly rooted in hate and defies the will of the majority of Tennesseans.
In February, the Tennessee city of Murfreesboro settled with the ACLU and agreed to pay $500,000 for the harm caused by its anti-drag ordinance and policy. The Human Rights Campaign found in 2023 that Tennessee had enacted more anti-LGBTQ+ laws than any other state in the country since 2015, making the state “increasingly hostile and unlivable for LGBTQ+ Tennesseans.” The ACLU is currently tracking 40 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the state for the 2024 legislative session.
Tennessee
Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival
The Tennessee Volunteers are looking to land many of the nation’s best players in the transfer portal to replace the players who have already announced they are transferring away from Tennessee. One of the players they lost very early on to the portal, and his plans of entering the portal is Boo Carter.
Carter is someone who has quickly made a name for himself, as he played for the Vols as a freshman. He also played for the Tennessee Vols this past season before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Carter entered the portal and left an announcement on his X page for those interested. Here is what was said.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful 2 years. Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward!-Boo Carter”
Boo Carter Visits Vanderbilt
Now that the portal is here, he has started to hear from many teams, including a team many anticipated to be in the picture. The Vols DB heard from the Vanderbilt staff and is now reportedly visiting them. This is a school where many of his friends go currently, and a school that has been doing well, but it is no secret that this is one of the Vols’ biggest rivalries.
He is undecided on a possible commitment somewhere, but the reports have started to indicate that the Commodores are a team to watch moving forward. This will be one to watch for the Vols, as there is a good chance they may see Carter next season.
“Dynamic athlete who quickly made an impact on defense and special teams as a true freshman … Earned the starting STAR position and shined while becoming a dangerous weapon as a punt returner as a true freshman in 2024 … Saw action as a slot receiver as well during 2025 spring practices … Early enrollee in January 2024 who participated in Citrus Bowl practices and spring practice before his true freshman season … Has compiled 63 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one interception on defense in his career … Dynamic punt returner who averages 16.0 yards per return in his career … Played in 21 career games and made five starts,” the Tennessee Vols athletics website stated.
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Tennessee
Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target
The Tennessee Volunteers have been looking to land the best of the best when it comes to the transfer portal, and they have been targeting the best, but as of recently, all it has been is a bunch of swings and misses.
The Vols have missed yet again, as they have failed to land one of their top targets on their board when it comes to the college football transfer portal at a position that they currently need more than any. That position is the cornerback position, which is one that they need very badly.
The player that they failed to land in this go-around is Troy cornerback Jaquez White. White is one of the better players that the portal has seen at the position, as he was easily named as a top portal target for many. He was seriously looking at Tennessee, and the Vols were ready to bring him in, but instead, he has opted to commit to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies have done a decent job in the portal thus far, but their portal class has definitely improved following the addition of White.
Whether this is a money thing or the Vols just couldn’t do enough convincing, the point is that they have missed on guys left and right recently. The vision isn’t clear, but fans are hopeful that it will be soon.
Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.
Jaquez White’s 2025 Season
“Earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors … Ranked third in the league (seventh nationally) with 14 total passes defended and fourth (15th nationally) with 11 pass break ups … Started 12 games and played in all 14 contests … Returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in Troy’s victory over Louisiana; added interceptions against Nicholls and in Sun Belt Championship Game at James Madison … Finished season with 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack … Sack came in Troy’s win over South Alabama; added five tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass break up in the game … Season-best seven tackles against Memphis … Broke up four passes in win at ULM and had a pair at Southern Miss … Troy’s top-rated defender per PFF with an 87.6 rating … Played 879 defensive snaps, second most on the team … Third-rated cornerback in the country (min. 700 snaps) per PFF and fourth-rated cover corner … Held opponents to a 54.5 reception percentage (36-of-66).”
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Tennessee
Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal
Tennessee defensive lineman Josh Schell has entered the transfer portal, he announced on social media on Jan. 6.
Schell had a short stint at Tennessee after transferring from Grand Valley State in April. He played all 13 games and made one tackle in the 2025 season.
Schell played more than 100 snaps, mostly on special teams. He never cracked the rotation on the defensive line.
Schell spent three seasons at Grand Valley State, including a redshirt year, and one season at Tennessee. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder is from Camden, New Jersey. His best college season was 2024 at Grand Valley State, when he played 13 games and recorded 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
He was also a pitcher on the Grand Valley State baseball game in the 2023 season.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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