FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tennessee Families Deserve Dignity — New Bill Protects Victims from Livestreamed Evictions

Nashville, TN — When a family is evicted, their belongings are often placed on the curb, exposed and vulnerable. In recent incidents, private individuals have livestreamed eviction proceedings in real time, broadcasting families — including children — during one of the most traumatic moments of their lives.

House Bill 2041, sponsored by State Representative Antonio Parkinson, seeks to end this practice.

The legislation prohibits private participants in eviction proceedings from livestreaming or broadcasting the service of civil process in real time or near-real time without the express written consent of the individual being served or a court order. Law enforcement officers performing official duties are not restricted.

Real-time livestreams can expose:

· Children caught on camera without consent

· Medical information and prescriptions visible to the public

· Personal belongings placed at the curb

· Exact location and timing of the eviction

When a livestream acts as a real-time signal, it creates the risk that unscrupulous viewers may arrive and take personal property from the curb — victimizing families a second time.

“This bill is about dignity, safety, and common sense,” said State Rep. Parkinson. “Eviction is a legal process — not entertainment content.”

HB 2041 does not prohibit recording entirely. It simply prevents real-time broadcasting during active service unless there is consent or court authorization. The bill carries no significant fiscal impact to the state.

Tennessee families deserve privacy and protection — especially at their most vulnerable moment.

For more information or interview requests, contact:
Ken Jobe
901-237-0606
Ken.Jobe@capitol.tn.gov

 Credit: WBIRAuthor: WMC StaffPublished: 6:22 PM EST January 5, 2026

MEMPHIS, Tenn. —  A Tennessee lawmaker says residents should be able to grow marijuana at home as the state’s 2026 legislative session approaches.

State Representative Antonio Parkinson released his legislative agenda for the upcoming 2026 session, which includes a bill that would allow Tennesseans to grow marijuana. He is naming it the Freedom to Farm Act.

If passed, the legislation would allow one adult in each household to grow 15 marijuana plants on their property.

“Five adult plants, five intermediate plants, and five budding plants, so they can continue to have the supply of marijuana that they need personally. Whether it is for medical purposes or whatever,” said Parkinson, who represents Tennessee District 98.

Parkinson said he wants people to access what they need without taxes added, like in other states that have legalized marijuana to some extent.

“And for them to be able to grow it and supply themselves and not depend on our healthcare system and not depend on government or anyone else and to keep government and our tax system out of their business,” Parkinson said.

The legislation would still make it illegal to sell and distribute marijuana, but legal to possess marijuana that individuals have grown themselves.

Parkinson said the legislation will be strict. Those who choose to grow marijuana will need certified cards, and seeds will only be bought at the state co-op.

“If you are caught violating any rules. You will be prosecuted criminally, and you will never be able to take part in this opportunity again,” Parkinson said.

Parkinson’s announcement comes after President Donald Trump ordered marijuana to be reclassified from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. The process for the change is still underway, and the timeline for when the change will be final could take months.

“So, I expect pushback. But I also look at the timing of things. My colleagues tend to follow the lead of President Trump, and with him lowering the class for marijuana, then maybe they will follow his lead and be on board with this,” Parkinson said.

He added that this legislation will be significant for people suffering from various illnesses.

“I am not a marijuana smoker, but I do know there is some medical benefits to those individuals who suffer from debilitating diseases, medical issues, PTSD,” Parkinson said.ave you opened a new location, redesigned your shop, or added a new product or service? Don't keep it to yourself, let folks know.

Kirsten Fiscus

Nashville TennesseanSept. 12, 2023Updated Sept. 13, 2023, 5:15 p.m. CT

A bill proposed during the 2022 legislative session aimed at protecting against paternity fraud is making the rounds on social media.

State Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis, said he filed HB 2698 after talking with a constituent who was ordered to continue paying child support despite learning after five years that the child he believed to be his was not.

The bill proposed that an unmarried man would be required to take a DNA test proving paternity before he could sign the voluntary acknowledgement of paternity and have his name on the birth certificate.

Here is what we know about the bill and where it stands.

No.

The bill was filed at the beginning of the 2022 legislative session, and passed through one subcomittee before being deferred and placed on the Civil Justive Committee's calendar three times.

Ultimately, the bill was deferred to summer study where it died.

The bill was filed in the 112th Tennessee General Assembly, which concluded its business in 2022.

Yes.

Parkinson filed a similar bill to HB 2698 during the 2023 legislative session, under the current 113th Tennessee General Assembly.

HB 253/SB 331 was signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee on April 24. The law says that anyone who establishes a person as the biological parent of a child with intent to deprive the actual biological parent from their parental rights is guilty of a crime.

The law makes this specific form of fraud a Class B misdemeanor.

The law does make exceptions for children conceived as a result of rape, if the child has been or in the process of being adopted or the victim of the offense was the defendant's spouse at the time of the offense.

The 2023 law left out the DNA testing requirement for unwed fathers.

Parkinson also passed a separate bill in 2022, HB 2699 that did remove a five-year statute of limitations to challenge an acknowledgement of paternity on the basis of fraud, duress or mistake.omers have questions, you have answers. Display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.

By Joel Moore and Jared ThomasPublished: Jan. 3, 2026 at 5:05 PM CST

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The Memphis Police Department has arrested and charged a couple accused of stealing the home of a deceased person.

On the evening of Nov. 19, an officer at the Raines Station received a walk-in complaint from a woman who said the house of her deceased mother, located on Delta Road, had been taken through a questionable transfer.

The woman identified herself as a child of the property owner, who has reportedly been deceased since 2019.

According to the MPD report, the woman told investigators that an individual she does not know allegedly filed an affidavit as to heirs with the Shelby County Register’s Office claiming to be a child of the deceased owner.

That person is said to have subsequently executed a quitclaim deed that transferred the property to a woman later identified as Shterrya Cooksey, one of the suspects.

Upon further investigation, officers developed two suspects in connection with the property transfer: the transferee listed in the reports as Shterrya Cooksey and a second suspect, Paul Dowdy.

Cooksey and Dowdy are now both in custody and are being held on bond; Dowdy’s bond is set at $150,000 while Cooksey’s bond is set at $5,000.

The case has angered residents in the South Memphis community where the alleged fraud occurred; Action News 5’s Jared Thomas spoke with Rep. Antonio Parkinson and neighbors of the deceased homeowner.

“It makes me angry, it makes me almost livid,” said Allison Conley, a resident on Delta Road. “What gives you the right to just take something you didn’t work for?”

Deantye Bacon, another resident, said the case surprised him.

“It surprises me a little bit because it’s like never thought something like that would happen around at least in this neighborhood,” Bacon said.

Cases like this are why State Representative Antonio Parkinson is pushing for changes to Tennessee law, where it doesn’t require a photo ID when transferring property.

“This is a families biggest investment in most cases and it is their gateway to generational wealth,” said Parkinson, who represents District 98.

Parkinson said it’s a growing problem the country is facing.

“There are people that are literally scanning the obituaries to see who has died coming up with fraudulent quit claim deeds and literally stealing property from families,” he said.

The National Association of Realtors says these scams are becoming more common in central cities and suburban areas. The Northeast has the highest percentage at 92 percent, while the South and West are tied at 59 percent and the Midwest at 53 percent.

The case has left some residents concerned about their own property.

“It does make me worry because I don’t want stuff like that happening to my house being frauded over,” Bacon said.

Conley said she wishes people would redirect their efforts.

“I wish people would put all of this motivation that they put toward fraud and stealing people property towards doing something good in the world,” she said.

by: Melissa Moon

Posted: Oct 8, 2025 / 09:24 PM CDT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee State Representative Rep. Antonio Parkinson is asking Governor Bill Lee for help to get rid of the long lines and congestion at the Shelby County Clerk’s Office.

Parkinson says he had reached out to the Governor to see if he is willing to have the online vehicle tag renewal portal opened permanently for all tag renewals, regardless of whether they are more than three months past due for renewal.

“I inquired about it last week to the Department of Revenue, to understand why. They said that the reason they do not allow it after three months is because it’s considered a new registration. Maybe we need to revisit that consideration and look at giving people an opportunity to still renew, even if it’s a late renewal,” said Rep. Parkinson (D-Memphis). “It could be a permanent change or specifically tied to the surge.”

Last week, Clerk Wanda Halbert said in a social media post that she has noticed ‘BEYOND LONG LINES’ in the past two weeks.

County clerk’s office says ‘pack your patience’ as lines get long

The recent uptick came just as the Memphis Safe Task Force began making arrests. Drivers told WREG, both on and off camera, that the increased law enforcement presence has them on high alert.

Halbert said she spoke to a mother who was waiting in line with her baby because a law enforcement agency pulled her over for expired tags.

“The surge is not causing the lines; it’s people procrastinating or not making it a priority that is causing the lines to double, right. But people want to know that they are in compliance, and it shouldn’t be a burden for people to be able to come into compliance with the laws,” said Parkinson.

Rep. Parkinson said when citizens fail to renew their tags, everyone suffers. He said money collected from the renewal fees also goes to the state and local governments.

“Right now, cars are being towed away. People don’t want to be pulled over and face fines,” Parkinson said.

Parkinson’s Facebook post about his call to the governor’s office has been liked hundreds of times, with some residents suggesting the clerk’s office open its doors on Saturday.

Parkinson said he is still waiting to hear back from the governor about his request.rs into loyal ones.

Kat Lonsdorf

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Carnell Vann Jr., trims a fade on an early morning client at his barber shop in the northern neighborhood of Frayser. As he sprays a can of hairspray for the finishing touches, he remembers his younger sister Marlanda.

"She was a lovable person. She just liked to love on people," he says with a smile.

Marlanda was buried this past weekend, after someone shot into her car while she was driving last month. Vann says the bullet went in near one ear and out the other side. She was 47.

Vann says violence, particularly gun violence, happens almost daily in this neighborhood. Memphis has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country, according to FBI data – and although those numbers have been declining recently, Vann says it hasn't felt that way.

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"They try to come up with a solution, but none of the solutions work," he says. "I'm hoping this solution right here works."

Vann is talking about President Trump's federal intervention to fight crime in Memphis, which began this week and is set to include more than a dozen federal policing agencies and the National Guard. And while troops are expected in the next two weeks, according to local officials, federal agents have already made nearly 100 arrests, according to the White House.

The skyline of downtown Memphis, Tennessee, US, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

The task force is part of Trump's broader strategy to deploy National Guard troops and increase federal law enforcement presence in cities, particularly those led by Democrats. Memphis is the first such effort in a Republican-led state. And while many in the city are wary, they're also worn out from the violence, and ready to set politics aside if it means the city gets some help.

"People are tired," says Tennessee state Rep. Antonio Parkinson, a Democrat.

He says this federal task force — and the National Guard deployment — isn't something he would have asked for, but he strongly believes in making the most of it.

"That's always been my position," Parkinson says. "I don't care what they throw at us, we will always take the lemons and make the best tasting lemonade that you've ever tasted out of it. And that's honestly the spirit of Memphis."

Details about the federal operation are still vague, even as it's begun. Trump has said it will be a replica of an ongoing operation in Washington, D.C., where a surge in federal law enforcement along with National Guard troops has been in effect for more nearly two months.

While the Guard has been largely beautifying city parks and patrolling federal property, the White House says law enforcement officers there have made more than 2,000 arrests. An NPR analysis of arrest data found that a majority of the offenses were misdemeanors, and a sizable number were immigration-related.

Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee — who supports Trump's plan and requested the National Guard — has said the rollout will be slow, and it will last weeks, maybe months.

Rep. Parkinson says he recently met with Gov. Lee — something he does often — to voice his concerns about the federal intervention and advocate for long-term investment in resources for the city. But he's had some fellow Democrats tell him he shouldn't be working with Republicans.

"Why on God's earth would you not want to be at the table with them?," he says. "Because either you're at the table with them to be able to have input into what's going on, to protect your people, or you just let them go in based on all of their assumptions."

That's not to say everyone in Memphis is on board. Many have been protesting, arguing that the federal deployment is unnecessary, and that the city needs more funding to address poverty, jobs and education.

But those protests have been muted, especially compared to those in other cities facing National Guard deployments.

Thaddeus Johnson, a former high-ranking Memphis police officer and senior fellow for the Council on Criminal Justice, says he's trying to maintain a sense of cautious optimism about the federal task force.

"We know that task forces that collaborate with local authorities, it really works," he says. "And I think Memphis does have an opportunity to kind of be a laboratory, to be a model where state, federal and local authorities can work together."

Memphis Democratic Mayor Paul Young and Police Chief Cerelyn "CJ" Davis have repeatedly said that federal agencies will be working in close partnership with the local police. And Johnson, who was born and raised in Memphis, points out that the situation in the city has been getting better, partially because some federal resources have been there for several months. But, Johnson says, it still needs help.

"So we would be remiss and unwise if we say that we don't want to see how we can work with additional resources, even if it means being a political feather in the hat of a polarizing administration," Johnson says.

But, he says, the people need to see a real and lasting benefit from it, which he says could be a challenge once Memphis is without the federal taskforce.

Britney Thornton is a county commissioner, representing several predominantly Black neighborhoods in Memphis. She recently voted in favor of a Shelby County resolution to stop the National Guard from coming. That resolution ultimately failed. A similar one failed in the Memphis City Council as well.

She says she thinks, at least at the county level, that there were concerns over what it would mean to stand up against the governor, and ultimately Trump.

"I think the thought is that if this force is coming, then you can get more with honey than vinegar," she says.

She says it was a hard vote for her, because her constituents were split on the matter.

"I was conflicted every step of the way," Thornton says. "But you know, when you unpack both sides, you really understand both sides want peace."

Thornton doesn't love the idea of the National Guard or more federal agents being in the city because she worries it could be bad for her community, if innocent people are swept up in arrests. But she says she's aware it's a bit of an experiment and that it could end up being positive.

"People here are always going to give you that first chance. And then, after that, it is going to be Memphis," she says with a laugh – meaning if you break people's trust, they will react.

But Thornton says for now she, and many others in the city, will wait, and hope for the best.