CapitolPressTN

Covering the Tennessee General Assembly since 1796.

[CapitolPressTN @CapitolPressTN]

Say it ain't so!

[Kimberlee Kruesi @kkruesi]

Hi! So *professional news* alert: I am excited to say that I've accepted a position in AP's Rhode Island buro. I am going to miss Tennessee terribly (a truly beautiful, newsy state), but a chance to help cover New England has been a dream for so long.

Someone give me coat recs!

[CapitolPressTN @CapitolPressTN]

@ElliottStephenB @MetroPressCorps If you’ve got beef we’re vegetarian

[CapitolPressTN @CapitolPressTN]

We are going to miss you, Chris! We can’t wait to FOIA your emails.

[Bob Mueller @bobmuellerwkrn]

News 2 Capitol Hill Reporter Chris O’Brien leaves us today after terrific work during the last several Legislative Sessions. Chris will be missed as he begins his new job with the State.
Best of luck on the new chapter.

[Erik Schelzig @schelzig]

In blatant violation of @CapitolPressTN rules, there may have been some cheering in the press box as our colleague Joe Gregory, a photojournalist for WKRN and WTVF for the last 40 years, was honored on the House floor.

[CapitolPressTN @CapitolPressTN]

Our name is the Tennessee Capitol Press Corps and we like to party

[Adam Friedman @friedmanadam5]

The Lookout was denied access to the House floor, something we've regularly had access to in the past, including during the special session held four months ago. Neither @stockard_sam nor I was on the "approved" list.

[Melissa Brown @itsmelissabrown]

Meanwhile, House leadership has established ticket access for the West gallery, with lawmakers seemingly able to give out one spectator ticket. There’s no apparent written policy, members of the public were turned away unawares.

West Gallery sits mostly empty as House gavels in

[Blaise Gainey @BlaiseGainey]

So I just got onto the TN House Floor for the first day of session. But there's stricter guidelines to who is allowed on the floor. There's a book with members of the @CapitolPressTN members in it so that they can be sure no one not in it is allowed.

[CapitolPressTN @CapitolPressTN]

Disappointing start to day one of session. House officials have created a binder full of “approved” media that can access the House floor. It is not a complete list and caused a few headaches. If you’re a member of credentialed press having an issue, please contact Kim Kruesi

[CapitolPressTN @CapitolPressTN]

Congrats to former @CapitolPressTN member @bystellayu!

[Caleb Hemmer @CalebHemmer]

Curiosity got the best of me and I made a trip to the Legislative Security desk to ask "How many guns have you checked and allowed in this week?" The answer surprised even me.

An est. 25-30 firearms were allowed into our building during the first two days(in one entrance).🧵

[Phil Williams @PhilNvestigates]

Statement from Tennessee Capitol Hill Press Corps: “We do not endorse using the media as an excuse to prevent the public from watching their representatives at work.”

[CapitolPressTN @CapitolPressTN]

For those interested, here is the letter that the Tennessee Capitol Hill Press Corps sent to House leaders today on media access in the House gallery:

[Erik Schelzig @schelzig]

We’re thrilled, naturally, to get on the cover of the @NashvilleScene this week. But nothing will ever match Action @AndySher1’s turn on the front in 1993.

[CapitolPressTN @CapitolPressTN]

Congrats, Marta!

[Mila Koumpilova @MilaKoumpilova]

Proud to see @Chalkbeat so well-represented on the list of @EdWriters awards finalists:
- @kalynbelsha for beat reporting
- @marta_w_aldrich + our amazing data team for visual storytelling
- our national curriculum wars coverage for news
- @ByJasonGonzales for the Eddie Prize

[CapitolPressTN @CapitolPressTN]

Current and former @CapitolPressTN members gather in an undisclosed location.

[Kimberlee Kruesi @kkruesi]

Sometimes a long week means getting with your people (⁦@SergioMarBel⁩ ⁦@natalie_allison⁩)

[Vivian Jones @Vivian_E_Jones]

Some personal news: Today is my first day as state house reporter @Tennessean. I’m thrilled to join @itsmelissabrown and to work with the talented team led by @duanegang.

[CapitolPressTN @CapitolPressTN]

Attention Capitol corps reporters: If you cannot currently get on the House or Senate floors please contact chairman Kim Kruesi. Credentialed reporters are still allowed in press areas.

[CapitolPressTN @CapitolPressTN]

Congrats!