Textbook commission decisions ahead
Anika ExumHi, everyone. Tennessean reporter Anika Exum here. Happy almost Thanksgiving! 🦃
Wherever you are or wherever you're headed this week, have a warm, safe and love-filled holiday. From us at The Tennessean and our network newspapers, I'd like to say THANKS for your continued support. I hope this holiday brings you the tastiest food and the sweetest memories with loved ones.
In the meantime, though, I'm bringing you a gathering of stories before you hopefully go offline for the holiday. It's a light load of news this week, but it's one with some big impacts.
Let's get to it.
Deadline nears for state textbook commission
As we near the 2023 legislative session at Tennessee's capitol, The Tennessean's Melissa Brown gives an update on the Tennessee Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission as it navigates a controversial new law giving the politically appointed body power to issue blanket bans on challenged books.
The deadline is quickly approaching for the commission to issue statewide guidance for schools surrounding "age-appropriate" materials, as well as an appeals process for local decisions on contested books available to Tennessee public school children.
In a meeting last week, commission members debated their powers and responsibilities concerning the law and heard from librarians who said complaints against libraries have historically been rare.
State Supreme Court strikes down heavy sentences for juveniles
As of Friday, Juveniles convicted of first-degree murder no longer face a mandatory 51-year sentence, The Tennessean's Mariah Timms reported.
Tennessee's mandatory sentence for juveniles had been the strictest in the country by more than 10 years. A person convicted of first-degree murder had to serve at least 51 years of a 60-year "life" sentence before being eligible for parole.
The ruling found that under the Eighth Amendment, applying the heavy sentence to a juvenile without the potential for judicial discretion amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. Judges can now adjust sentences for juveniles convicted of first-degree murder. The ruling also opens the door for the legislature to review the criminal code, should lawmakers wish to lay out a new, constitutional sentencing scheme for juvenile defendants.
A 2019 investigation by The Tennessean, cited in Friday's ruling, found there were more than 100 incarcerated Tennesseans serving life sentences for crimes committed as children. The law, out of step with the rest of the nation, gained attention through the case of Cyntoia Brown.
How suburban expansion is impacting Clarksville schools
Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle reporter Marissa England has been following ongoing work to expand the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System just north of Nashville as its student population expands, like many of Nashville's surrounding suburban counties and school districts.
At the Nov. 15 school board meeting, a school capacity report showed that numerous school buildings are bursting at the seams. A high school is currently in the works for Clarksville residents, as well as several new sidewalk projects. They are projected to help ease overcrowding in schools and increase safety outside. Stay tuned as England follows the progress of capital projects.
Extra credit
- ICYMI from Tennessean politics reporter Adam Friedman: Tennessee State University faced questions from state senators about whether the historically Black university should have been able to predict its student housing shortage.
- WATCH: Reporter Seyna Clark and opinion columnist LeBron Hill help you create the perfect Thanksgiving plate with some of Nashville's best soul food restaurants. Watch on our site or on YouTube.
- LISTEN: One of my favorite local podcasts Brown Mama Bear hosted Belmont student Keidron Turner, who discussed his upbringing and schooling in Pulaski, Tennessee, and his passion for advocating for a more inclusive community and retelling of history.
- READ: Inside Nashville columnist Brad Schmitt tells the story of the adoption of 18-year-old Taylor Hart DuRard, the abuse he endured for years and how he and his adoptive parents now work hard to give foster teens hope.
That's all for now, folks! As always, don't forget to subscribe. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. 😊
With gratitude,
Anika