The Friday NashVillagerseems to have a theme this spring: What were our state legislators up to this week?
Our lawmakers are busy during spring on Capitol Hill (the one in Nashville, not in D.C.). This year, many of those bills are related to immigration — specifically, aligning with the Trump administration’s immigration agenda.
WPLN’s Marianna Bacallao has been following one such bill that would remove judges from the bench who refuse to comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE has been arresting some people showing up for court in Middle Tennessee.
Shelby Webb, a paralegal and Spanish interpreter, testified against the statehouse measure, saying it would deter defendants, witnesses and victims alike from coming to court.
Legal advisors for the legislature say that the bill won’t change much, because there’s already a process to investigate judges who break the law.
The bill now moves to the Senate, having already passed the House.
WHAT TO KNOW
Credit: Emily Siner / WPLN News (file)One non-immigration bill that our newsroom has been following is about the use of deadly force to prevent property crimes.
In Tennessee, you’re allowed to kill someone in self-defense. But you’re not allowed to kill someone in the case of property crime, like theft or trespassing.
That could soon change, reports WPLN’s Cynthia Abrams.
This proposed bill would permit Tennesseans to shoot another person, for example, to prevent arson or robbery.
The bill moved forward this week, including an amendment clarifying that deadly force must be the last resort. “You have to reasonably believe that you can’t protect your property otherwise. We’re not shooting the pizza man,” said Rep. Kip Capley, R-Summertown,
Attorney Stephen Crump, who has worked on cases like the killing of Trayvon Martin in Florida, testified against the bill: “Somebody stepping into your ditch or stepping into you yard, somebody turning around in your driveway, would authorize the use of deadly force.”
Tennessee last updated the deadly force law in 2021, when it made it easier for people who had acted in self-defense to prove they were immune from lawsuits.
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MORE TO KNOW
- Tennessee’s Supreme Court is not sending you texts or emails. The state’s highest court has issued a warning that there’s texting or email scam that claims to be from that court, relating to outstanding parking or toll violations. The message also includes links to a fake website. State courts do not send text messages or emails out regarding past due tickets. If you do receive one of these scam messages: ignore it, report it, and then delete it.
- The Nissan Plant in Smyrna is starting production of a new model of its luxury vehicle Infiniti. WPLN intern Seth Thorpe checked out an event there over the weekend for the new Infiniti QX65, a luxury crossover SUV. A Nissan spokesperson says this vehicle only increases production in Middle Tennessee at the plant but also retains relationships with suppliers in the community. The new cars will be available at retail outlets starting this summer.
- A coalition that supports local news outlets is launching with a goal of filling information gaps in our community. Press Forward Middle Tennessee, housed in the Community Foundation, is the local initiative of a nationwide philanthropic movement to strengthen local media. The local chapter’s first project will be a survey of residents across 40 counties that seeks to learn about information gaps. Insights will guide future investments and partnerships. Two Nashville Public Radio, Mack Linebaugh and Jesse Strauss, are serving on Press Forward’s steering committee. [WPLN]
FROM WNXP
What: The annual VIVA Spring Festival is a free, family-friendly event celebrating the Latin communities in Middle Tennessee through food, music, art and cultural dances.
“People are going to experience about six different variety of food trucks with a diverse culinary cuisine and also arts and culture that represent not only the Latino community, but the immigrant community that calls Nashville home,” said Conexión Americas co-executive director Martha Silva.
Where: Centennial Park
When: Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m. – 4 pm.See more weekend events
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