Blaise Gainey
Blaise Gainey is a Political Reporter for WPLN News. He is the youngest of three siblings, husband and father of two. He previously held the State Government Reporter position for WFSU News in Tallahassee. He is from Apopka, Fla., and graduated from The School of Journalism at the Florida A&M University. He previously worked for The Florida Channel and WTXL-TV. He is excited to move to another capital and report on state government. In his spare time, he enjoys watching sports, outdoor activities and enjoying family time.
Follow Blaise Gainey on Twitter: @BlaiseGainey
Email Blaise Gainey at bgainey@wpln.org
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State lawmakers agreed on a $52.8 billion budget Thursday. Of that, more than $1.5 billion could be put aside for businesses that are expected to request refunds under the state’s previous franchise tax rules, and a school choice bill. -
Tennessee youth, parents and teachers voiced their opposition to a bill that would allow school staff to carry guns on campus — without notifying parents or students — on Monday morning. -
Leaders of the Tennessee House and Senate say they are meeting privately to discuss compromises on two main bills that came directly from Gov. Bill Lee. But in public, negotiations haven’t yet drawn the chambers any closer together. -
The Tennessee Senate began session Tuesday afternoon with a full gallery of parents and students ready to make their voices heard in dissent of a bill to arm teachers. As debate began on SB 1325 guests in the gallery began to snap and cheer when they agreed with points made by Democratic legislators. The main one: that more guns is not the answer. -
It’s often difficult for Democrats to get bills passed — let alone heard — in the Tennessee General Assembly. This week, Democratic lawmakers accomplished the feat twice. -
Tennessee is facing a stark increase in gun violence. With more than 1,500 people killed by gunfire in 2021, Tennessee is now No. 10 in the nation for firearm mortality per capita. But that’s not stopping state lawmakers from passing bills to expand access to guns. -
A measure backed by Gov. Bill Lee would allow Tennessee's Department of Tourist Development to make deals without making the public aware, and it has now passed the Senate. -
Current law allows local Tennessee law enforcement agencies to report to the federal government when they arrest a person that is unauthorized to be in the United States. A bill heading to the governor would require it.
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Firearms have become the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S., as calls for gun reform have grown louder. Here in Tennessee, Republicans in charge have ignored them. -
Legislation known as the Flag Bill has passed the House and has made it to the last stop in the Senate, but it may never get a vote.
