By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Lookout readers.
The recent brouhaha over the yanking of the book “Roots” from Knox County school library shelves and subsequent re-shelving shone a light on Tennessee’s Age Appropriate Materials Act, a measure passed in 2022 and update in 2024.
Passage of the act has resulted in the removal of more than 2,000 book titles from libraries since it was first passed, with 1,600 title being pulled in 2025 alone.
The issue that arose in Knox County points to holes in the law, including the provision that a single passage considered to be inappropriate for kids, whether they be first graders or high school seniors, can be enough for a school committee to ban the volume in question.
Senior Reporter Sam Stockard reports this morning two Knox County lawmakers are prepared to offer a bipartisan effort to make the law a bit more reasonable.
Plus: one of several lawsuits challenging new congressional maps drawn by Republicans bites the dust as Democratic plaintiffs voluntarily dropped the suit.
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
After the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Roots” was pulled from Knox County school library shelves, Sen. Richard Briggs says he will sponsor a bill to clarify Tennessee’s Age Appropriate Materials Act. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Sam Stockard
Republican state Sen. Richard Briggs says Tennessee’s library book review law needs to be cleaned up to stop groundbreaking books such as “Roots” from being taken off school shelves.
NEWS AND NOTES
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Google, SpaceX Reach $30B Rent Deal for Colossus Compute Space | Memphis Flyer
FEATURED ON THE LOOKOUT
Democrats who filed suit against Tennessee’s redistricting have voluntarily withdrawn their legal challenge. Two other federal challenges remain ongoing. Pictured: Republicans unveil a first look of the redrawn map on May 6, 2026, a day before it was adopted. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Anita Wadhwani
Tennessee Democrats have voluntarily dismissed a federal lawsuit challenging a Republican-led redistricting process that carved majority-Black, majority Democratic Memphis into three U.S. House districts.
COMMENTARY
Tennessee’s U.S. Sens. Bill Hagerty’s and Marsha Blackburn’s phone records were examined by the FBI after the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot to look for communications with President Donald Trump. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Mark Harmon
The genesis of the now-defunct Trump administration law fare "slush fund" has roots in Tennessee: U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty supported a 2025 plan to end a government shutdown that also included a provision
COMMENTARY
John Cole’s Tennessee: Old Faithful, Tennessee style
Old Faithful, Tennessee style: U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles has become known for his regular eruptions on Muslims, immigrants and recently, on LGBTQ+ people.
ICYMI
At a Tennessee hospital, a nurse stole fentanyl and AI missed it, state records say | Brett Kelman and Darius Tahir, KFF Health News
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