Earlier this month, Gov. Bill Lee's administration denied access to documents recommendations made by 22 state agencies on how to improve service in Tennessee's rural areas.

The administration denied The Tennessean's request, citing "deliberative process." 

This week, we take a look back at the legal origin of deliberative process in the Volunteer State with our guest, Deb Fisher, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government.

On this week's episode, we sit down with Brett Kelman, The Tennessean's health care reporter, for a discussion about health care in the Volunteer State. 

We also break down former Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty's entrance into the Republican primary for Tennessee's open U.S. Senate race. 

And finally, we discuss the results of Nashville's mayoral race while and later chat with Sam Hardiman, the Commercial Appeal's city hall reporter about the ongoing race to be the next mayor of Memphis.

On this episode, we sit down with Rep. Jeremy Faison to discuss how he ended up running for caucus chairman and whether there can truly be unity within the GOP caucus while encouraging members to be themselves. 

Faison also shares his thoughts on transparency while defending closed caucus meetings and his future involvement in the medical marijuana movement. 

And finally, Faison, who earlier this year was injured after a car accident, shares his belief about the government's role regarding safety and seatbelts.

On this week's episode we analyze the special session and the decision by the 73-member GOP caucus to close its latest meetings.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton was formally elected and sworn in as the chamber's top post, Rep. David Byrd survived an expulsion effort and the lower chamber's Republican caucus held three closed-door meetings in two days to discuss "family" matters.

The Tennessee legislature will convene this week for its 60th extraordinary session. On this episode, we sit down with legislative librarian Eddie Weeks to look back at Tennessee's rich history of special legislative sessions.

Weeks gives an overview of the more intriguing and notable extraordinary sessions, including the time there was a murder inside the state Capitol. 

And usual, we cover the latest news of the week and preview the upcoming special session.

Week after week this legislative session, Kristina Richardson made the six-hour round trip trek from her home in Hardin County to the Tennessee state Capitol. She joined a small handful of other women that has launched a grassroots effort over the last year to oust Rep. David Byrd from the House of Representatives.

Richardson talks with us about the group's plans for the future, and what other lawmakers they have their eyes on.

On this week's episode, you'll also hear from Knoxville News Sentinel Reporter Tyler Whetstone about the state of the city's mayoral election, for which early voting is ongoing through Aug. 22. Election Day is Aug. 27.

Glen Casada is no longer speaker of the House of Representatives. He formally resigned last week, marking the end of a tumultuous seven-month period. 

On this episode, we discuss what's next for the House as it looks to move forward from Casada's time as its leader and recap the news of the week.

We also talk with The Tennessean's Adam Tamburin about a recent conversation he had with former Gov. Bill Haslam, just days ahead of the release of Cyntoia Brown, and we sit down with Stephanie Teatro, co-executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, about recent issues ranging from immigration raids to the dismissal of Tennessee's lawsuit over refugee resettlement.

On this episode, we talk with Sexton, who has served in the legislature since 2011, about a wide range of issues, including potential staff and committee changes and the future of school vouchers once he becomes speaker. 

Later, we sit down with Williamson County reporter Elaina Sauber, who recently published a deep dive story on former state Senator and Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron.

House Republicans selected Rep. Cameron Sexton to be their nominee for speaker during a Wednesday morning caucus meeting. On this episode, we break down the caucus vote and what it means for the House going forward. 

You'll also hear directly from Sexton on a handful of issues as he spoke to reporters immediately after being named the GOP nominee. 

We also analyze the resignation of Rep. Bill Sanderson, R-Kenton, who announced his plans to stop down hours before the caucus meeting.

On this episode, we break down all the latest developments with the U.S. Senate race in Tennessee, including President Donald Trump's early endorsement of Hagerty and Haslam's decision to not run.

In addition, we examine the reactions to Gov. Bill Lee's decision to sign a proclamation honoring former Confederate general and early Ku Klux Klan leader Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Later, we sit down with The Tennessean's Metro reporter Yihyun Jeong about the state of this year's Nashville mayoral race.