let's do this

Here's the link. But the text of the article is below, cuz the webpage is riddled with ads.

Article text:

A new law is cracking down on who can obtain a driver’s license in Tennessee.

State lawmakers say the concerns are people getting behind the wheel without the proper documentation and the safety of Tennessee drivers.

Under current Tennessee Law, a person can register a vehicle without a valid driver’s license. According to the state, acceptable forms of identification include a check stub and a work ID. For proof of residency, a person can use a utility bill and bank statements.

Representative Kip Capley’s HB 1708 will now require proof of U.S. citizenship or of being a lawful resident of the United States before issuing a registration of a vehicle or a license plate.

Tennessee Representative Michele Reneau told Local 3 News that this is needed to protect Tennesseans on the roads.

“This is just an important step in tightening the noose around this illegal immigration issue,” said Reneau. “It's really important for the safety of Tennesseans to be able to make it as difficult as possible, and hopefully that discouragement by not being able to get that license will discourage them from driving.”

A section of the bill will also require a person to be able to read and speak the English language for the written examination.

SB 1889 says if an applicant for a driver’s license is unable to speak or read the English Language, they will be administered a written exam in another language. The applicant would receive a restricted license and must return to retake the test in English.

“Anyone could, in fact, get a driver's license, but it would be a restricted license for the first year, and then they would have up to one year to come back and take the test in written English…and that's really just important, because our road signs are in English,” said Rep. Reneau.

The state currently offers the test in five languages, including English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and German.

Chattanooga Immigration lawyer, Terry Olsen, tells Local 3 News this law will put the state back in history.

“I would just like everyone to understand that I think that we're changing 30 years of growth,” said Olsen.

He disagrees with the claim that drivers must be able to read and speak English to safely drive. Olsen says traffic/driving signals are based on colors and internationally known.

Olsen says this law will potentially hurt Tennessee economically and its relationships with international businesses. He cited several international companies, such as Volkswagen, that may have workers and executives from another country.

“When you have companies looking where to locate, they look at factors…Trade teams look at schools, education, quality of life movement, and part of that movement and quality of life would be driving, and so when you have a culture in the U.S. that's about cars, and we don't have where you can take a train or a bus or can walk somewhere, it really reduces these factors,” said Olsen.

Rep. Reneau reassures that this law will ensure public tax dollars are going to citizens, and the main focus is to ensure our roads are safe.

The bill was signed by Governor Bill Lee on May 7th, 2026.

Never take a drink from a stranger. Want them to buy you a drink? Great, you order it and take it from the bartender. Let them pick up the tab.

Never leave a drink unattended. And "unattended" includes within arms length of someone you do not know. Keep that shit in your hand.

Having to spend another $15-20 on a drink cuz you walked away from yours sucks, but getting fucking spiked sucks a whole lot more.

If at all possible, go out with friends, not alone. If you do go out alone, adhere to #1-3 very closely. And if you do go out alone, tell someone ahead of time what your plans are.

We were at a local bar full of regulars, a small space with a historically great community vibe. Did not matter.