Jonathan Mattise

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A panel of federal appeals judges has ruled that Tennessee can begin enforcing a law that requires pornographic websites to verify their visitors’ age. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals panel's decision Monday came as the issue heads to the U.S. Supreme Court for oral arguments Wednesday over a similar Texas law.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee says he is pardoning 43 people who have served out their sentences in what he says is “very different” than President Joe Biden’s recent wave of commutations. Lee’s latest clemency moves are nearly double his next highest total for a single year.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has conceded defeat on his push to enact universal school vouchers this year, acknowledging there was “not a pathway for the bill” after months of Republican infighting. Lee said Monday that he was disappointed but promised to renew school voucher talks next year.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican lawmakers and Gov. Bill Lee have approved hundreds of laws in Tennessee this year. Many of the statutes take effect Saturday, including measures on health care for transgender children, police accountability and school safety. Notably, the first proposal introduced by lawmakers is a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. A federal judge has blocked part of it, preventing the state from enforcing a ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors. The judge has allowed the ban on gender-affirming surgeries for youth to take effect. Separately, Republicans have passed legislation to stop public schools and universities from requiring employees to take implicit bias training.