Bill Haslam

8 Stories

Clemency Is Granted in High-Profile Murder Case

Cyntoia Brown killed a man at age 16 after being forced into prostitution in Tennessee

(Newser) - Cyntoia Brown, the Tennessee woman whose case sparked outrage when she was sentenced to life in prison for what she says was a killing in self-defense when she was 16, won't be spending decades behind bars after all. Gov. Bill Haslam on Monday granted the now-30-year-old Brown a full...

Tenn. Schools May Soon Have to Show 'Cornerstone of Freedom'

Bill to prominently display national motto of 'In God We Trust' now on Gov. Haslam's desk

(Newser) - It's up to Bill Haslam now whether one of America's most famous mottos ends up prominently displayed in his state's schools. The Tennesseean reports a bill is headed toward the Tennessee governor's desk to call for the conspicuous display in schools of the "In God...

Tennessee Lawmakers: We Want Bible as State Book

It's up to Gov. Haslam whether bill is 'unconstitutional,' 'sacrilegious,' or neither

(Newser) - Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has a bill coming his way that has the Bible nominated as the official state book, a move critics say would be both "unconstitutional and sacrilegious," per Nashville Public Radio . The state Senate approved the holy tome 19-8 Monday night, which could make Tennessee...

Tennessee Makes It Illegal to Get High While Pregnant
Tennessee Makes It Illegal
to Get High While Pregnant
in case you missed it

Tennessee Makes It Illegal to Get High While Pregnant

Doing so could land you in jail, starting in July

(Newser) - Starting July 1, if you're pregnant and use drugs while living in Tennessee, you can be charged with a crime for causing harm to your unborn baby. Gov. Bill Haslam signed the controversial law yesterday, the Tennessean reports. Civil and reproductive rights groups had opposed it, saying it would...

Tennessee Overwhelmingly Passes Free College Bill

Bill Haslam to sign proposal offering free 2-year schooling

(Newser) - Soon, every high school graduate in Tennessee will be able to afford at least some further education. The state's House overwhelmingly passed the "Tennessee Promise" bill Tuesday night; it offers graduates a two-and-a-half-year free ride to any qualifying associate's degree or technical certificate program, the Tennessean reports....

State Troopers Arrest Nashville Occupiers—Again

Judge throws out warrants for a second time

(Newser) - Repeating their effort from the night before, Tennessee state troopers collared more than two dozen Occupy protesters in Nashville last night—and a Nashville judge tossed the warrants for the second straight time. Magistrate Tom Nelson said today he could "find no authority anywhere for anyone to authorize a...

Tennessee Kills Law That Protected Gay Job Applicants

Governor signs bill forbidding local governments from making new rules

(Newser) - Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has signed a law forbidding local governments from creating their own anti-discrimination laws—like, for example the recent Nashville measure banning employers from discriminating against gay and lesbian applicants. A Haslam spokesman says the Republican governor had mixed feelings about “telling local governments what to...

Lynch Wins 4th Term as NH Governor

 GOP Grabs 
 10 Democratic 
 Governorships 
republican governors

GOP Grabs 10 Democratic Governorships

Also, Nikki Haley wins in South Carolina

(Newser) - Republicans captured governorships that had been held by Democrats in Michigan, Tennessee, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Ohio, Iowa, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. In other big races, Nikki Haley won in South Carolina, Jan Brewer won in Arizona, and Harry Reid's son lost in Nevada. GOP highlights below; see Democratic highlights...

8 Stories