Nashville, Tennessee--°F
MyFireflyTwitterFacebookYouTubeInstagram
Tennessee FireflyShining a light on education & government in Tennessee
News
Latest NewsEducation coverage across TennesseeThe WireShort, timestamped updatesLive CoverageElection nights and session daysBeatsFollowable topic streamsOn The Fly PodcastConversations from the newsroomOur NewslettersThe Signal, The Beam and the Friday FlickerNewsletter ArchiveEvery issue we have ever sentEducation CalendarKey dates and deadlines
For Families
Find Your SchoolLook up your district by ZIP codeSchool GradesA-F state report cardsTest Scores & DataACT, graduation and college-going ratesSchool BoardsTrack your district's boardClosings & DelaysReal-time school statusSummer CampsDay, overnight, sports, arts · every TN countySchool Choice GuidePublic, charter, magnet and more
Money & Policy
School FundingHow TISA funds Tennessee schoolsCapitol LiveLegislative session coverageEducation BillsTrack bills moving through the legislatureLegislatorsWho represents your districtDocumentsSource-document library
2026 Election
Race OverviewThe 2026 governor's raceCandidatesWho's runningEducation StancesWhere they stand on schoolsCampaign FinanceFollow the moneyPollsLatest pollingRace NewsLatest campaign coverage
Regions
All RegionsNashvilleMemphisKnoxvilleChattanoogaTri-CitiesClarksvilleJacksonMurfreesboro
About
About UsOur mission and teamContactGet in touchPitch BoardSuggest a story we should coverPress KitLogos and media resourcesEthics & StandardsHow we reportCorrectionsOur corrections policy and logDevelopersOpen-data API
Subscribe Free
Tennessee education news, simplified · Subscribe to The Signal →
Tennessee Firefly

Shining a light on education & government in Tennessee

Independent journalism focused on Tennessee education policy, news, and the stories that matter to students, parents, and educators across all 95 counties.

3 free newsletters · Tennessee Firefly

Tennessee education, three ways.

Tuesday briefing. Thursday deep-dive. Friday mixtape. All three free.

The Signal·The Beam·Friday Flicker

Free, always. One-click preference center in every email. Keep all three, or trim to the cadence that fits.

News

  • Latest News
  • The Wire
  • Live Coverage
  • Beats
  • On The Fly Podcast
  • Our Newsletters
  • Newsletter Archive
  • Education Calendar

For Families

  • Find Your School
  • School Grades
  • Test Scores & Data
  • School Boards
  • Closings & Delays
  • Summer Camps
  • School Choice Guide

Money & Policy

  • School Funding
  • Capitol Live
  • Education Bills
  • Legislators
  • Documents

2026 Election

  • Race Overview
  • Candidates
  • Education Stances
  • Campaign Finance
  • Polls
  • Race News

Regions

  • All Regions
  • Nashville
  • Memphis
  • Knoxville
  • Chattanooga
  • Tri-Cities
  • Clarksville
  • Jackson
  • Murfreesboro

About

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Pitch Board
  • Press Kit
  • Ethics & Standards
  • Corrections
  • Developers

© 2026 The Tennessee Firefly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

PrivacyStandardsRSS

Made with ❤️ in Tennessee

Built by Long Drive

Blackburn proposes statewide school cell phone ban — The Friday Flicker #10 | Tennessee Firefly
← Newsletter archive

The Friday Flicker · Issue #10

Blackburn proposes statewide school cell phone ban

Saturday, July 25, 2026 · Sent to 3,193 subscribers

Marsha Blackburn Proposes Expanding State Law With “Bell-to-Bell” Cell Phone Ban
Marsha Blackburn Proposes Expanding State Law With “Bell-to-Bell” Cell Phone Ban

This week, we take a look at how gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn plans to expand upon the state's ban on cell phones in school.

We also dive into why teacher unions are backing one candidate in the House District 78 GOP primary and why Memphis-Shelby County Schools is recommending approval for two public charter school applications.

The Lead

Marsha Blackburn Proposes Expanding State Law With “Bell-to-Bell” Cell Phone Ban

By Firefly Staff

Though some criticized the proposal as duplicative of 2025 legislation, the ban addresses an important nuance in the law.

Read the full story →

Also in this issue

  • Why Are Teacher Union Bosses Backing John Louallen in Tennessee House Race?

    Louallen’s Education Freedom Scholarship opposition and TEA endorsement have become key issues in the House District 78 Republican primary.

    Firefly Staff

  • Bo McCawley Sides with Democrats on Key Education Issue in GOP Primary

    McCawley faces school choice supporter Andy Swafford in the House District 31 primary.

    Sky Arnold

  • Memphis-Shelby County Schools Recommends Approval for Two Public Charter Schools

    School board members are scheduled to vote on Urban Dove I and II next week.

    Jacob Holley

  • Changes Designed to Support ‘Good-Paying, In-Demand’ Careers Approved

    The Tennessee Higher Education Commission voted to update higher education funding.

    Sky Arnold

  • On the Fly: The Gate School's Burrus Cox Explains How His Discussion-Based Middle School Would Serve Students

    The Metro Nashville Board of Education will vote on The Gate School's application on Tuesday.

That's all for this week. We'll continue to follow these and other stories next week. Thanks for reading, and have a good weekend.

The Friday Flicker

← Previous The Friday FlickerSchool Choice Divides Candidates in East Tennessee GOP PrimaryNext The Friday Flicker →LEAD Students Find Useful 'Thought Partner' in AI

Want this in your inbox? Subscribe to The Friday Flicker →

View the original email →