Tennessee Republicans are eyeing Oct. 27 as the tentative start date for a special session aimed at loosening COVID-19 restrictions in the state, The Tennessean reports. According to a message obtained by the paper, the session would extend into the week of Nov. 1. Senate Republicans had been cool to the idea, but after Gov. Bill Lee called for a special session to approve incentives for Ford Motor Company, Senate Speaker Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, voiced support for the fall session. 

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, said today that Republican members may sit on their hands rather than vote for a $500 million incentive package for Ford’s massive investment in West Tennessee if there is not going to be another special session on COVID-19 mandates. Gov. Bill Lee has called a special session for the week of Oct. 18 to address issues related to the Ford deal, The Tennessee Journal reports. Sexton, who has been calling for a special COVID-related session, said lawmakers may also want to consider whether businesses should be liable for workers who get sick after being required to get vaccinated.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee today extended an executive order allowing parents to opt their children out of local school mask mandates through Nov. 5, the Tennessean reports. The move comes despite the fact that his administration faces a federal civil rights investigation and multiple legal challenges against the original order. Executive Order 84, issued on Aug. 16, is set to expire on Oct. 5. It has been temporarily blocked in three counties — Knox, Shelby and Williamson. Lee also announced today that he is calling for a special legislative session on Oct. 18 to deal with “next steps" for the recently-announced Ford vehicle and battery plant at the Memphis Regional Megasite.

A federal jury today found state Sen. Katrina Robinson, D-Memphis, guilty of four counts of wire fraud, The Tennessee Journal reports. The jury deliberated for five hours. After federal Judge Sheryl Lipman dismissed 15 counts that prosecutors had sought to bring against Robinson, the jury was left to consider five: one count of wire fraud related to $2,326 paid to an artist through a booking agent, one count of wire fraud related to $1,158 that went to a wedding makeup artist, and three counts of wire fraud related to fraudulent representations in her 2017, 2018 and 2019 annual performance reports. The jury acquitted Robinson of any wrongdoing with regard to the 2018 report. Sentencing is scheduled for January.

State Sen. Katrina Robinson, D-Memphis, took the stand in her own defense yesterday as the final witness during the federal wire fraud and embezzlement case against her, the Daily Memphian reports. Federal authorities claim Robinson misspent about $600,000 in federal grant funding intended to help students at her business, The Healthcare Institute. “I have been dragged through the mud by the federal government when the federal government knew good and well that I did not do that,” Robinson testified. U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman last week dismissed 15 of the 20 charges against Robinson, saying the government had failed to prove its case on those counts. Prosecutors will begin cross-examination of Robinson on Wednesday.

Tennessee state Sen. Katrina Robinson will no longer face 15 of 20 federal charges of fraud and embezzlement, the Commercial Appeal reports. Federal Judge Sheryl Lipman filed a motion to dismiss the charges Sunday, rejecting a defense request to dismiss all charges. Lipman was expected to issue an oral ruling today. The trial then is expected to continue tomorrow with the five remaining charges. Robinson has been accused of misusing $600,000 in federal funding meant for scholarships.

Parents from across the state spoke with legislators today about a bill that would require those reporting child abuse to identify themselves and allow those accused to petition the court for that information, the Tennessean reports. Sponsored by Rep. Clay Doggett, R-Pulaski, and Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, House Bill 908/Senate Bill 1014 requires those who report child abuse, neglect and sexual abuse to disclose their names and contact information to the Department of Children's Services (DCS). That information would be kept confidential at the person’s request, but the accused can petition the court for the identity of the person who reported them. A judge could then release that information if there is “good cause shown.” Advocates for the measure say it would prevent false claims of child abuse stemming from a grudge, but DCS cautioned lawmakers that abolishing the anonymous reporting system might deter honest callers who fear retaliation by the accused. The TBA also opposes the legislation. 

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, has named a special committee to oversee the ongoing redistricting process ahead of 2022 elections, Nashville Post reports. The committee will be chaired by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, with vice chairs Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, and Senate Minority Caucus Chair Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis. The committee also includes Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, Majority Caucus Chair Ken Yager, R-Kingston, Minority Leader Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, and Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon. In related news, the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has launched a new online dashboard that gives county government officials and residents a better understanding of how county commission districts must change in response to the 2020 U.S. Census. Mainstreet Nashville has more about that resource.

There is a renewed push for a special session to ban mask and vaccine mandates in Tennessee after President Joe Biden announced new vaccine requirements, WATE reports. Previous calls for a special session fell silent after Gov. Bill Lee issued an executive order allowing parents to opt their children out of school mask mandates. Some Republican lawmakers say it is time to respond to the new federal COVID guidelines and examine Gov. Lee’s emergency powers. 

Republican businessman and conservationist Greg Vital yesterday won the special election to fill the seat of the late Rep. Mike Carter in House District 29, the Chattanoogan reports. Vital collected 3,884 votes, while his opponent, DeAngelo Jelks, received 964 votes. The Chattanooga Police Department is currently investigating Jelks after rape charges were filed against him days before the election by a member of his campaign staff. Jelks yesterday admitted to an affair with the staffer, but maintained it was a consensual relationship.