Tennessee Republicans plan to use the special legislative session beginning Monday to push new laws that complement President Trump's hard-line immigration policies. Why it matters: The special session allows lawmakers to fast-track approval for a sprawling Trump-inspired immigration bill introduced on Jan.

Gov. Bill Lee surprised many when he inserted an "illegal immigration agenda" into his proclamation for a special legislative session that will focus primarily on a controversial private school voucher proposal and disaster relief for counties struggling to recover from Hurricane Helene.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced that he will call a special session to implement President-elect Trump's immigration agenda and a school choice bill.

The nation’s largest teacher union and the country’s most conservative governor agree on keeping smartphones out of the classroom.

DeSantis said in a post on the social platform X that he was glad lawmakers were considering many of his ideas, but called their proposed legislation ''substantially weaker.'' The

Among other things, legislative leaders want to remove the governor’s ability to declare state of emergencies over immigration.

DeSantis has suggested he would veto the legislation rolled out on Monday by leaders of the Florida Legislature.

A special session primarily developed around Gov. Bill Lee's signature education voucher proposal will now also include prominent immigration issues.

Flags across the U.S. are currently at half-staff in recognition of the death of former President Jimmy Carter. DeSantis’ move to briefly raise the flags on Jan. 20 at the Florida Capitol and other state buildings mirrors decisions made by governors in several other states following complaints from Trump.

After calling a special session, set to begin Monday, DeSantis could get a stern rebuke from his GOP colleagues.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican Gov. Bill Lee on Wednesday doubled down on his efforts to enact universal school vouchers throughout Tennessee by ordering the GOP-dominant Statehouse to pause their regular legislative duties and focus on passing a bill that would allow families to use public dollars for private school tuition.

The decision to fly flags at full-staff during Trump's inauguration diverges from President Joe Biden's order that flags remain at half-staff for 30 days to honor Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024. DeSantis' move aligns with at least seven other Republican-led states who have ordered flags be flown at full-staff for Inauguration Day.