Is holding hands gateway sexual activity?

Tennessee Senate Bill 3310, which would subject instructors who promote or condone "gateway sexual activity" to a $500 fine, has drawn national attention. So, what really is gateway sexual activity? Does it, for example, cover hand-holding? How about sitting on someone's lap?

By Tom Humphrey :: Published on Thursday, May 10th, 2012 at 12:35 p.m.

Does the EPA really want to regulate farm dust?

U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher, a farmer in rural Crockett County, continues to sound warnings about the possibility of the Environmental Protection Agency focusing on regulation of "farm dust." He did so most recently at a forum in Dyersburg, so we decided to look into Fincher's specific claims and determine if the EPA really was concerned about dust kicked up at rural farms.

By Bartholomew Sullivan :: Published on Monday, April 30th, 2012 at 7:47 a.m.

Did these marijuana claims go up in smoke?

The Truth-O-Meter takes a look back at some recent fact-checks concerning marijuana. Our partners at PolitiFact Georgia rounded up a few of the more interesting PolitiFact items.

By Eric Stirgus :: Published on Thursday, April 26th, 2012 at 12:26 p.m.

Fact-checking a pair of claims on crime

The killing of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., has driven politicians of all stripes to make claims about firearms and crime. Here is a look at two of them.

By Louis Jacobson :: Published on Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 at 8:33 a.m.

No shortage of energy claims -- true and otherwise

Our partners at PolitiFact National recently featured some of the more recent and interesting energy-related claims, and PolitiFact Tennessee has plans to use our rulings and those of our national and state partners for a package in conjunction with Earth Day.  

By Molly Moorhead :: Published on Thursday, April 12th, 2012 at 9:02 a.m.

The flood of falsehoods about the health care law

With claims about the health care law still flying -- and with the U.S. Supreme Court now pondering whether the Affordable Care Act is constitutional -- PolitiFact National reached into its archives for a collection of rulings made about it.    

By Martha M. Hamilton :: Published on Thursday, April 5th, 2012 at 11:08 a.m.

Rhetoric rises over payment advisory board

When Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives voted March 22 to eliminate a a Medicare payment advisory board – a vote the Associated Press noted was really just "symbolic" – the rhetoric was flying. Some representatives went a good deal farther than Tennessee’s own Marsha Blackburn, who nonetheless floated a statement about the Independent Payments Advisory Board taking "control" of health care decisions away from patients – and that we’ve ruled False. Most news organizations wrote something similar to the AP about the vote – the Republiucans actually want the IPAB around as an issue through the November elections. It’s worth taking a closer look at the various statements that have been made and consider the actual statutory power IPAB does or does not have.

By Zack McMillin, Bartholomew Sullivan :: Published on Monday, April 2nd, 2012 at 2:10 p.m.

Checking the facts on Santorum and his speech near Knoxville

Our national partners at PolitiFact.com put Rick Santorum claims from a speech near Knoxville, Tenn., before last week's Super Tuesday primary to the Truth-O-Meter as part of a continuing series fact-checking the stump speeches of the presidential candidates.

By Becky Bowers :: Published on Monday, March 12th, 2012 at 11:42 a.m.

Lamar Alexander's wind claim: Is it for the birds?

For Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, there are lots of reasons to loathe wind power. The East Tennessean loves his unobstructed mountain views and much prefers the consistently reliable power output from nuclear reactors. And lately he has been claiming that wind turbines lead to a yearly slaughter of birds. His claim about turbines being "a Cuisinart in the sky" for birds reflects at least one estimate, but others show lower numbers. And there's this -- among manmade hazards, wind turbines play a tiny role in bird deaths.

By Michael Collins :: Published on Friday, March 9th, 2012 at 4:00 a.m.

Super Tuesday guide: Finding truth in the attacks

As 10 states prepare to vote on Super Tuesday, here’s PolitiFact’s guide to the multimillion-dollar ad blitz. With the field down to four Republican contenders, campaigns and super PACs are attacking their opponents with hot-button allegations about supporting Planned Parenthood, Obamacare and even Nancy Pelosi.

By Becky Bowers :: Published on Sunday, March 4th, 2012 at 8:32 a.m.

Super Tuesday preview: GOP claims you may have heard, may hear again

With the GOP presidential primary just more than a week away, we know some Tennesseans may be just tuning in. Others may have already heard it all before. But which claims are true? Which are the most misleading? With help from our partners, PolitiFact Tennessee presents a preview of GOP talking points that may proliferate in the run up to the March 6 primary.

By Bartholomew Sullivan :: Published on Sunday, February 26th, 2012 at 12:00 a.m.

Bergmann attacks EPA, says it arrests for infractions that make "no sense"

Count Memphis's perennial 9th Congressional District Republican candidate, Charlotte Bergmann, among those Republicans targeting the Environmental Protection Agency for overreach in how it enforces of the nation's laws aimed at protecting the environment. A statement on her website claims the EPA has been making arrests and cosing small businesses over what she characterizes as nonsense enforcement "to anyone but the EPA." We thought we would take a closer look.  

By Bartholomew Sullivan :: Published on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 at 9:15 a.m.

Examining 'Don't Say Gay' bill sponsor's claims about AIDS, gay men, risks of sexual activity

State Sen. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, caused quite a stir with controversial assertions about origin of AIDS, risks of gay sex vs. straight sex and much more. We put one claim on the Truth-O-Meter on Friday, but wanted to share what our research turned up on some of the others, as well.

By Zack McMillin :: Published on Sunday, February 5th, 2012 at 4:00 a.m.

Headed to week three, raring to go

Keep sending those suggestions, and thanks for all the early support and encouragement.

By Zack McMillin :: Published on Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 9:07 a.m.

Introducing PolitiFact's Haslam-O-Meter

Our new feature will track and rate the campaign promises of Gov. Bill Haslam.

By Steve Ahillen :: Published on Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 at 4:00 a.m.