AP / Hardeman County (Miss) Sheriff's Department

Tennessee Kidnap-Murder Suspect Thinks Girls Are His, Says Mother-in-Law

Adam Mayes, hunted by police for alleged murder and kidnapping, may believe he fathered two of the children he abducted.

Laurence Mouton / Getty Images

Tennessee Passes Abstinence-Based “Gateway Sexual Activity” Bill

Hugging? You better not be doing that in Tennessee.

Woman with Sonogram

Drug Addiction, ‘Personhood’ and the War on Women

Why critics say a law meant to protect kids from meth addicts is being used to limit women’s rights.

Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

How Colleges Really Make Admissions Decisions

Plus, news on pepper-spraying police, questioning science and accidental admissions

Sukree Sukplang / Reuters

Reading While Eating for February 23: Do It Yourself

Whether it’s a movie-caliber bank robbery or a cool snow design, Thursday’s links showcase DIY masterpieces.

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Taxing Jack: Tennessee County Seeks Levies from Famed Distillery

Moore County, Tenn. is suffering even while its most historic resident, Jack Daniel, and his eponymous distillery continue to rake in profits. So what’s a little tax to help keep the area in business?

Courtesy PETA

Tennessee Veggie Lover’s Vanity License Plate Banned for ‘Vulgarity’

A Tennessee woman just wanted to share her love of vegetarian eating. The state thought she was expressing her love for a more explicit activity.

G Fiume / Getty Images

Pat Summitt’s Toughest Opponent Yet: Early Onset Dementia

Pat Summitt is the winningest coach in the history of college basketball, men’s or women’s — she has 1,071 of them. When she announced that she had been diagnosed with the early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s type, on Tuesday, a sense of sadness swept across the sports world.

Erik Schelzig / AP

Just Like High School: Tennessee Lawmaker Carves Initials Into State House Desk

Remember that time that you got really bored in class and carved your initials into the desk? Well, it turns out that’s not such a good idea if you are a member of the government. And if the desk is in the state House chamber.

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‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill May Ban Tennessee Teachers From Discussing Homosexuality

Because if you don’t talk about something, it doesn’t exist, right?