Tennessee

Herman Cain expressed his opposition to a proposed Tennessee mosque, rekindling the controversy surrounding its construction as well as sharia fears.

The presidential contender made it clear to reporters that he does not agree with the construction of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro.

"It is an infringement and an abuse of our freedom of religion," Cain said of the center's construction on Thursday, according to The Associated Press. more >>

At Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, Tenn., free speech can get quite costly.

Prohibited from speaking about his faith and handing out free religious literature, Mark Dew, a student at the college, was told he would have to pay a fee to witness on campus.

Campus police had shut him down, accusing him of “solicitation” even though he wasn’t selling anything and was acting without amplification, without impeding student traffic, and in a positive and conversational manner, according to the Alliance Defense Fund. more >>

Country music star and "Celebrity Apprentice" finalist Trace Adkins lost his Brentwood, Tenn., home to a devastating fire Saturday afternoon, but no injuries were reported.

“The home Trace Adkins shares with his family has been lost in a fire that began early Saturday evening. Thankfully, Mr. Adkins, his wife Rhonda and their three daughters are unharmed,” said a statement on the singer’s website Sunday.

“The blaze spread rapidly but was quickly contained and did not spread to any other homes.” more >>

Governor Bill Haslam signed into law the Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act on Monday, reversing an ordinance passed by the Nashville/Davidson County Metro Council on April 5 of this year requiring contractors with the city to agree to follow the government’s rules barring discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgendered people.

The Haslam administration recently completed their first legislative session in the governor’s first term. A former mayor of Knoxville, Tenn., and executive with Pilot Oil Corporation, his family’s business, Haslam initially expressed concerns about telling local governments what to do.

In a statement issued by Haslam’s spokesman, David Smith said, “Ultimately, the governor felt the Metro ordinance went farther than federal law in regulating business policies.” more >>

One state representative is doing all that he can to curb the talk on gays and lesbians in public schools.

Labeled as the “don’t say gay” bill by opponents, Senate Bill 49 – which prohibits the teaching of homosexuality to elementary and middle school students – passed 19-11 in the Senate on Friday, after the main sponsor added an amendment limiting its range.

The original bill, backed by Republican Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville), prohibited the teaching of or furnishing of materials on human sexuality other than heterosexuality in public school grades K-8. more >>

The Memphis Grizzlies were seeded eighth in the Western Conference heading into the NBA playoffs, but they surprised nearly everybody when they knocked off number one seed San Antonio in six games, which prompted rookie point guard Greivis Vasquez to give God the credit for keeping the team focused and together.

“I think this is all God,” Vasquez told Baptist Press recently. “We are probably not the most talented team in the NBA, but the best thing about this team is how we handle situations. The guys are so humble and hungry. We’ve got good chemistry. We play together, and that is what God is all about, keeping people together.”

Expressing himself in English also wasn’t so easy. When the 24-year-old came to America from Venezuela as a teenager, his English wasn’t the best, which sadly led to some unkind comments. more >>