SUMMARY: Big Freedia, known for her inclusive, bass-heavy bounce music, will headline Nashville Pride with a new twist: a gospel album titled *Pressing Onward*. Collaborating with singer-songwriter Parson James and producer Tony Esterly, she blends traditional gospel themes with her signature energy, creating welcoming, spiritually direct music that embraces all identities. James, who struggled with alienation from church due to his queer identity, found working with Freedia a safe and healing exploration back to gospel roots. Their song “Take My Hand” explicitly invites everyone to join, reflecting Freedia’s vision of an inclusive, joyous spiritual experience. She’ll showcase both bounce and gospel at Pride.

Read the full article

The post Big Freedia is going to take Nashville Pride to the club … and to church appeared first on wpln.org

SUMMARY: Jill Garcia’s release remains uncertain following a federal detention hearing in Nashville. Judge Barbara Holmes set pretrial release conditions, including monitoring and staying with his brother, but clarified she lacks authority over ICE actions. Garcia was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and flown back to face federal charges related to alleged human smuggling after a 2022 traffic stop. The government’s evidence was criticized, and the judge ordered Garcia’s release pending trial—though ICE plans immediate detention due to his immigration status. The DOJ and defense dispute where Garcia would be housed if released. Garcia remains in U.S. Marshals custody awaiting further decisions.

The national debate on immigration has been focused on Garcia after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador.

Source

SUMMARY: The ACLU of Tennessee has filed a lawsuit on behalf of seven Metro Council members against a new state law making it a felony for elected officials to vote in favor of sanctuary city policies. The complaint argues the law violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments and the Speech and Debate Clause, which protects legislators’ official actions. Legal experts and some lawmakers express concerns about free speech and democratic principles. Republicans defending the bill say it enforces existing bans on sanctuary policies. Key provisions of the law will take effect July 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026. The Attorney General’s office is reviewing the lawsuit.

Read the full article

The post Lawsuit challenges state law that criminalizes elected officials who vote for sanctuary city policies appeared first on www.wkrn.com