A resolution to expel Knoxville District 90 Democratic Representative Gloria Johnson from the State House of Representatives has been filed following her removal from committee placements after her involvement in gun violence protests at the state capitol on Thursday, March 30.

Johnson’s removal and expulsion resolutions come alongside Representative Justin Jones’s, D-Nashville, removal from his committee appointments for his involvement in the protests.

Johnson Tweeted on Tuesday morning, asking people to be at the state Capitol on Thursday.

Representative Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, was also censured, however he had no committee placements to be removed from. Additionally, the representatives had their ID badges to get into the legislature deactivated.

No damage was done to the capitol, and no arrests were made according to Tennessee Highway Patrol officials.

The protests followed the Covenant school shooting in Nashville on March 27 that left six dead, three of whom were children under 10 years old.

On April 3, students from colleges and other schools around Nashville left the classroom and marched to the Tennessee Capitol to demand action from the state’s politicians.

Monday’s march made its way to the Capitol steps, after which youth activists, survivors, and families of shooting victims took turns speaking.

Protestors and state representatives alike expressed anger and concerns over Governor Bill Lee’s proposed legislation, claiming what the governor proposed isn’t enough.

“The need to put an armed security guard in every school is a result of the real problem. It is NOT a solution to the problem,” House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons said. “I am appalled that Governor Lee would rather militarize our schools and make our children feel imprisoned in their own learning environment than reach across the aisle to pass common sense gun safety legislation.”

Story courtesy of WVLT

Tennessee officials have proposed new actions and legislation aimed to increase school safety in public and private schools, Governor Bill Lee announced on Monday.

Lee announced that the legislation would include funding to place an armed security guard at every Tennessee public school and provide more mental health resources for Tennesseans.

“There is nothing more important than our students safely returning home each day,” said Lee.

The amended legislation would enact an accountability plan to make sure all exterior school doors are locked. The amended HB322/SB274 would also require private security guards to receive active shooter training before being posted to a school, every school district to establish threat assessment teams and every public and private school to develop annual safety plans that would include an incident command drill.

Lee and other legislature also proposed several budget amendments as listed below.

• $30 million to expand a statewide homeland security network with 122 agents serving students at both public and private schools
• $140 million to establish a School Resource Officer (SRO) grant fund to place a trained, armed security guard at every public school
• $20 million for public school security upgrades
• $7 million for private school security upgrades
• $8 million for additional school-based behavioral health liaisons across the state

House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons released a statement after Lee’s announcement.

It’s been a whole week since The Covenant School shooting, and Bill Lee has yet to utter the word “gun.” This fact evidences a political cowardice that plagues our Capitol and threatens every community.

The need to put an armed security guard in every school is a result of the real problem. It is NOT a solution to the problem.

I am appalled that Governor Lee would rather militarize our schools and make our children feel imprisoned in their own learning environment than reach across the aisle to pass common sense gun safety legislation.

We, as Democrats, remain committed to pushing legislation such as “red flag laws” and to encourage responsible gun ownership, and we hope our Republican legislative colleagues will work with us on these efforts. Hopefully, they will demonstrate the courage that is so sorely lacking in the governor’s office.House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons

Story courtesy of WVLT

The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency says the body of a missing kayaker has been found.

In the sixth boating fatality this year, 31 year-old Benjamin Thomen’s body was found yesterday.

He was reported missing Saturday while camping with three others on one of the islands at Dale Hollow Resevior. He was last seen when he left to paddle to the Willow Grove Marina for supplies. His kayak was found yesterday and his body was found in 13 feet of water near Big Goat Island. He was not wearing a life jacket. The incident remains under investigation.

The Knoxville Police Department is investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a motorcycle on Western Avenue.

It happened Wednesday night near University Avenue. Police believe the motorcycle was driving west on Western Avenue when it was rear-ended by a vehicle, believed to be a silver or a light-colored sedan, that drove away from the scene.

The motorcyclists was taken to the hospital where he has died from his injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.