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80-Year-Old Lynn McFarland on Why She Wouldn’t Leave Her Seat

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Eighty-year-old Lynn McFarland was arrested and carried out of a Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee meeting at the Tennessee State Capitol on April 1 after the group passed a bill that would give power to local school boards to deny enrollment to undocumented students or charge them tuition to attend. Tennessee State Troopers carry Lynn McFarland, 80, out of a Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee on April 1. Photo by Alvine

McFarland said when she showed up to protest that day, she didn’t plan on planting herself in a seat and getting physically removed by Tennessee State Troopers. But the thought of cooperating with punishing children was enough to make her stay in her seat when protestors were asked to leave the gallery. A small group stayed in their seats when asked to leave, but eventually also left their seats.

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News Briefs

News Briefs

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OHS Monitoring Federal Funding Challenge

In January, Nashville was awarded more than $11.8 million from the U.S. The Department of Housing And Urban Development to fund the FY 2024 Continuum of Care Program. As incoming President Donald Trump announced a funding freeze in his first days in office, organizations reliant on funding to serve vulnerable populations scrambled to understand how to proceed. While a temporary restraining order halted the funding freeze, the risk for similar actions or a continuation of Trump’s initial freeze are high. Across Tennessee, organizations that work in homelessness were awarded more than $40 million to help folks in various ways on a path toward housing. The Metro Office of Homeless Services says they’re working with community partners to ensure collaboration on using the funds.

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News Briefs

News Briefs

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Metro Cold Weather Shelter Opens 11 Days in First MonthFrom Nov. 1 through March, Metro operates overflow shelters to help support the city’s shelter needs during cold weather. The operation complements partnerships with the Nashville Rescue Mission, Room In The Inn, Launch Pad, and Oasis. Overflow shelters open at or below 32°F for three consecutive hours, and are based on capacity and funding. People are encouraged to use long-term shelters like the Mission before seeking the emergency overflow shelter, and decisions about opening are typically made by noon the day before the shelters open.

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We Remember

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At the 2024 Homeless Memorial on Dec. 14, more than 110 people were remembered in a ceremony downtown honoring those who died from the homeless community.