@paigepfleger.bsky.social
WPLN’s criminal justice reporter • Investigating guns, domestic violence + juvenile justice with ProPublica's Local Reporting Network • Tell me a secret: Paige@wpln.org
Pinned
How a Gap in Tennessee’s Probation System Leaves Domestic Violence Victims in Danger
Probation officers pause in-person visits and home searches for offenders facing an arrest warrant. That reduced supervision can last for months — in one case it was over a year. Six mothers died duri...
www.propublica.org
Temptress Peebles called Nashville’s probation office for help. Her ex was on probation and had an arrest warrant. But until police served that warrant, probation stopped in-person oversight. 10 days after that call, she was dead. 🧵 1/7
Reposted
NEW: Tennessee has one of the highest rates of gun-related homicide. A blind spot in the state's probation department appears at a time when experts say offenders are a danger to domestic violence victims, @wpln.bsky.social and @propublica.org found.
How a Gap in Tennessee’s Probation System Leaves Domestic Violence Victims in Danger
Probation officers pause in-person visits and home searches for offenders facing an arrest warrant. That reduced supervision can last for months — in one case it was over a year. Six mothers died duri...
www.propublica.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:58 PM
NEW: Tennessee has one of the highest rates of gun-related homicide. A blind spot in the state's probation department appears at a time when experts say offenders are a danger to domestic violence victims, @wpln.bsky.social and @propublica.org found.
Reposted
Roughly 1 in 4 domestic violence homicide victims in Tennessee’s five biggest cities were allegedly shot by someone who was legally barred from having a gun. @paigepfleger.bsky.social @wpln.bsky.social @mariamelba.bsky.social
How a Gap in Tennessee’s Probation System Leaves Domestic Violence Victims in Danger
Probation officers pause in-person visits and home searches for offenders facing an arrest warrant. That reduced supervision can last for months — in one case it was over a year. Six mothers died duri...
www.propublica.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Roughly 1 in 4 domestic violence homicide victims in Tennessee’s five biggest cities were allegedly shot by someone who was legally barred from having a gun. @paigepfleger.bsky.social @wpln.bsky.social @mariamelba.bsky.social
Reposted
NEW: Tennessee has one of the highest rates of gun-related homicide.
A blind spot in the state's probation department appears at a time when experts say offenders are a danger to domestic violence victims, @wpln.bsky.social and @propublica.org found.
A blind spot in the state's probation department appears at a time when experts say offenders are a danger to domestic violence victims, @wpln.bsky.social and @propublica.org found.
How a Gap in Tennessee’s Probation System Leaves Domestic Violence Victims in Danger
Probation officers pause in-person visits and home searches for offenders facing an arrest warrant. That reduced supervision can last for months — in one case it was over a year. Six mothers died duri...
www.propublica.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:59 PM
NEW: Tennessee has one of the highest rates of gun-related homicide.
A blind spot in the state's probation department appears at a time when experts say offenders are a danger to domestic violence victims, @wpln.bsky.social and @propublica.org found.
A blind spot in the state's probation department appears at a time when experts say offenders are a danger to domestic violence victims, @wpln.bsky.social and @propublica.org found.
Temptress Peebles called Nashville’s probation office for help. Her ex was on probation and had an arrest warrant. But until police served that warrant, probation stopped in-person oversight. 10 days after that call, she was dead. 🧵 1/7
How a Gap in Tennessee’s Probation System Leaves Domestic Violence Victims in Danger
Probation officers pause in-person visits and home searches for offenders facing an arrest warrant. That reduced supervision can last for months — in one case it was over a year. Six mothers died duri...
www.propublica.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Temptress Peebles called Nashville’s probation office for help. Her ex was on probation and had an arrest warrant. But until police served that warrant, probation stopped in-person oversight. 10 days after that call, she was dead. 🧵 1/7
Reposted
Shocking story. How a Gap in Tennessee’s Probation System Leaves Domestic Violence Victims in Danger, by @paigepfleger.bsky.social @wpln.bsky.social @mariamelba.bsky.social
How a Gap in Tennessee’s Probation System Leaves Domestic Violence Victims in Danger
Probation officers pause in-person visits and home searches for offenders facing an arrest warrant. That reduced supervision can last for months — in one case it was over a year. Six mothers died duri...
www.propublica.org
November 11, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Shocking story. How a Gap in Tennessee’s Probation System Leaves Domestic Violence Victims in Danger, by @paigepfleger.bsky.social @wpln.bsky.social @mariamelba.bsky.social
Reposted
Join us next month in Philadelphia to learn about: The Public Health Approach to Gun Violence Prevention • Preventing Further Harm to People Harmed by Gun Violence • Trauma-Informed Reporting • Solutions Journalism • Peace Journalism • Putting Ideas in Practice www.pcgvr.org
Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting – Collaborating with journalists, researchers and the survivor community to advance more empathetic, ethical and impactful journalism across the nation
Group discounts and individual support now available. Visit: PCGVR.org/solutions
www.pcgvr.org
September 6, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Join us next month in Philadelphia to learn about: The Public Health Approach to Gun Violence Prevention • Preventing Further Harm to People Harmed by Gun Violence • Trauma-Informed Reporting • Solutions Journalism • Peace Journalism • Putting Ideas in Practice www.pcgvr.org
Reposted
When you register to attend the Gun Violence Prevention Reporting National Certification conference next month in Philadelphia, you will also be invited to claim a free one year (professional or associate) membership in the Association of Gun Violence Reporters. PCGVR.org
September 1, 2025 at 1:32 PM
When you register to attend the Gun Violence Prevention Reporting National Certification conference next month in Philadelphia, you will also be invited to claim a free one year (professional or associate) membership in the Association of Gun Violence Reporters. PCGVR.org
Reporters who witnessed the execution said that Byron Black, who had a heart implant, seemed to be in distress during the execution and said “it’s hurting so bad.” They said Black was breathing and moaning more than previous executions. wpln.org/post/tenness... @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social
Tennessee executes Byron Black despite worries about his heart implant
The state of Tennessee carried out the execution of Byron Black on Tuesday morning. The 69-year-old was convicted of killing his girlfriend and her
wpln.org
August 5, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Reporters who witnessed the execution said that Byron Black, who had a heart implant, seemed to be in distress during the execution and said “it’s hurting so bad.” They said Black was breathing and moaning more than previous executions. wpln.org/post/tenness... @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social
Reposted
In rural Tennessee, 16 middle schoolers waiting for cheerleading practice to start made a TikTok video seeming to role play a school shooting.
The sheriff's office charged every single one with a crime.
www.propublica.org/article/soci...
The sheriff's office charged every single one with a crime.
www.propublica.org/article/soci...
Middle School Cheerleaders Made a TikTok Video Portraying a School Shooting. They Were Charged With a Crime.
Social videos, memes and retweets are becoming fodder for criminal charges in an era of heightened responses to student threats. Authorities say harsh punishment is necessary, but experts say the crac...
www.propublica.org
July 28, 2025 at 1:13 PM
In rural Tennessee, 16 middle schoolers waiting for cheerleading practice to start made a TikTok video seeming to role play a school shooting.
The sheriff's office charged every single one with a crime.
www.propublica.org/article/soci...
The sheriff's office charged every single one with a crime.
www.propublica.org/article/soci...
Byron Black is asking Tennessee's governor to commute his death sentence based on his intellectual disability. In 2021 death row inmates gained the right to petition the court for a determination on their disability, but Black's lawyers say he was since denied that chance wpln.org/post/timelin...
Timeline: Tennessee is planning its first lethal injection in years. How did the state get here?
On Thursday, Tennessee plans to carry out its first execution since 2019 by means of lethal injection. It's the fourth scheduled execution date since 2020 for
wpln.org
July 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Byron Black is asking Tennessee's governor to commute his death sentence based on his intellectual disability. In 2021 death row inmates gained the right to petition the court for a determination on their disability, but Black's lawyers say he was since denied that chance wpln.org/post/timelin...
Reposted
JUST IN: The Supreme Court upholds Tennessee law that bars gender-affirming care for minors.
Supreme Court upholds Tennessee law that bars gender-affirming care for minors
At issue was a Tenneessee law that bars minors from accessing gender-affirming care as they transition from their sex assigned at birth.
n.pr
June 18, 2025 at 2:23 PM
JUST IN: The Supreme Court upholds Tennessee law that bars gender-affirming care for minors.
Reposted
That superintendent, Richard L. Bean, recently announced he'll be stepping down from the facility that bears his name. @paigepfleger.bsky.social and @mariamelba.bsky.social looked into how Bean was able to hold on to his position for decades:
How the Head of an Embattled Tennessee Youth Detention Center Held on to Power for Decades
Richard L. Bean remained in his perch as the superintendent of the juvenile detention center that bears his name despite scandals, investigations and the use of seclusion to punish children.
www.propublica.org
June 16, 2025 at 4:25 AM
That superintendent, Richard L. Bean, recently announced he'll be stepping down from the facility that bears his name. @paigepfleger.bsky.social and @mariamelba.bsky.social looked into how Bean was able to hold on to his position for decades:
Reposted
John Oliver wasn't done with ProPublica & @wpln.bsky.social.
Later in the episode he talked about @paigepfleger.bsky.social's 2023 profile of a TN youth center superintendent who illegally locked kids alone in their cells.
www.propublica.org/article/knox...
Later in the episode he talked about @paigepfleger.bsky.social's 2023 profile of a TN youth center superintendent who illegally locked kids alone in their cells.
www.propublica.org/article/knox...
June 16, 2025 at 4:25 AM
John Oliver wasn't done with ProPublica & @wpln.bsky.social.
Later in the episode he talked about @paigepfleger.bsky.social's 2023 profile of a TN youth center superintendent who illegally locked kids alone in their cells.
www.propublica.org/article/knox...
Later in the episode he talked about @paigepfleger.bsky.social's 2023 profile of a TN youth center superintendent who illegally locked kids alone in their cells.
www.propublica.org/article/knox...
You’ll see a familiar byline on the next episode of @lastweektonight.com ❣️
June 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
You’ll see a familiar byline on the next episode of @lastweektonight.com ❣️
“He’s just been allowed to go unchecked,” said state Rep. Sam McKenzie of Knoxville. “It was just a bad situation compounded by a rubber-stamp board that really was trying to protect him, and not protect our children.” www.propublica.org/article/rich... @wpln.bsky.social @propublica.org
How the Head of an Embattled Tennessee Youth Detention Center Held on to Power for Decades
Richard L. Bean remained in his perch as the superintendent of the juvenile detention center that bears his name despite scandals, investigations and the use of seclusion to punish children.
www.propublica.org
June 9, 2025 at 3:22 PM
“He’s just been allowed to go unchecked,” said state Rep. Sam McKenzie of Knoxville. “It was just a bad situation compounded by a rubber-stamp board that really was trying to protect him, and not protect our children.” www.propublica.org/article/rich... @wpln.bsky.social @propublica.org
Reposted
How the head of an embattled Tennessee youth detention center held on to power for decades despite multiple investigations, the use of seclusion
wpln.org/post/how-the... @paigepfleger.bsky.social @wpln.bsky.social
wpln.org/post/how-the... @paigepfleger.bsky.social @wpln.bsky.social
How the head of an embattled Tennessee youth detention center held on to power for decades
Richard L. Bean remained in his perch as the superintendent of the juvenile detention center that bears his name despite scandals, investigations, and the use of seclusion to punish children.
wpln.org
June 9, 2025 at 2:05 PM
How the head of an embattled Tennessee youth detention center held on to power for decades despite multiple investigations, the use of seclusion
wpln.org/post/how-the... @paigepfleger.bsky.social @wpln.bsky.social
wpln.org/post/how-the... @paigepfleger.bsky.social @wpln.bsky.social
Reposted
"His former secretary, his personal lawyer, the judge for whom he served as a campaign treasurer and a pallbearer of his wife’s casket all sat on the board over time as voting members."
A maddening story by @paigepfleger.bsky.social & @mariamelba.bsky.social
A maddening story by @paigepfleger.bsky.social & @mariamelba.bsky.social
NEW: Only three board members had the power to remove Richard L. Bean as superintendent of the Tennessee juvenile detention center that bears his name.
And for decades, those positions have been held down by his closest friends and allies.
With @wpln.bsky.social
And for decades, those positions have been held down by his closest friends and allies.
With @wpln.bsky.social
How the Head of an Embattled Tennessee Youth Detention Center Held on to Power for Decades
Richard L. Bean remained in his perch as the superintendent of the juvenile detention center that bears his name despite scandals, investigations and the use of seclusion to punish children.
www.propublica.org
June 7, 2025 at 5:31 PM
"His former secretary, his personal lawyer, the judge for whom he served as a campaign treasurer and a pallbearer of his wife’s casket all sat on the board over time as voting members."
A maddening story by @paigepfleger.bsky.social & @mariamelba.bsky.social
A maddening story by @paigepfleger.bsky.social & @mariamelba.bsky.social
Many of the board members were his friends — his former secretary, his personal lawyer, a pallbearer for his wife’s casket. Others didn’t know they were listed as board members until we called them for this story. My latest with @mariamelba.bsky.social: www.propublica.org/article/rich...
How the Head of an Embattled Tennessee Youth Detention Center Held on to Power for Decades
Richard L. Bean remained in his perch as the superintendent of the juvenile detention center that bears his name despite scandals, investigations and the use of seclusion to punish children.
www.propublica.org
June 7, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Many of the board members were his friends — his former secretary, his personal lawyer, a pallbearer for his wife’s casket. Others didn’t know they were listed as board members until we called them for this story. My latest with @mariamelba.bsky.social: www.propublica.org/article/rich...
Reposted
Richard L. Bean remained in his perch as the superintendent of the juvenile detention center that bears his name despite scandals, investigations and the use of seclusion to punish children.
@paigepfleger.bsky.social @mariamelba.bsky.social w/ @wpln.bsky.social
@paigepfleger.bsky.social @mariamelba.bsky.social w/ @wpln.bsky.social
How the Head of an Embattled Tennessee Youth Detention Center Held on to Power for Decades
Richard L. Bean remained in his perch as the superintendent of the juvenile detention center that bears his name despite scandals, investigations and the use of seclusion to punish children.
www.propublica.org
June 7, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Richard L. Bean remained in his perch as the superintendent of the juvenile detention center that bears his name despite scandals, investigations and the use of seclusion to punish children.
@paigepfleger.bsky.social @mariamelba.bsky.social w/ @wpln.bsky.social
@paigepfleger.bsky.social @mariamelba.bsky.social w/ @wpln.bsky.social
Reposted
#ICYMI: A 2023 investigation by WPLN News and ProPublica found that Bean was illegally locking kids up alone in cells. A new scandal has forced his resignation.
The Head of a Tennessee Youth Detention Center Will Step Down After “Loss of Confidence” in His Leadership
A 2023 investigation by WPLN News and ProPublica found that Richard L. Bean was illegally locking kids up alone in cells. A new scandal has forced his resignation.
www.propublica.org
June 7, 2025 at 1:16 PM
#ICYMI: A 2023 investigation by WPLN News and ProPublica found that Bean was illegally locking kids up alone in cells. A new scandal has forced his resignation.
Reposted
NEW: Only three board members had the power to remove Richard L. Bean as superintendent of the Tennessee juvenile detention center that bears his name.
And for decades, those positions have been held down by his closest friends and allies.
With @wpln.bsky.social
And for decades, those positions have been held down by his closest friends and allies.
With @wpln.bsky.social
How the Head of an Embattled Tennessee Youth Detention Center Held on to Power for Decades
Richard L. Bean remained in his perch as the superintendent of the juvenile detention center that bears his name despite scandals, investigations and the use of seclusion to punish children.
www.propublica.org
June 7, 2025 at 1:16 PM
NEW: Only three board members had the power to remove Richard L. Bean as superintendent of the Tennessee juvenile detention center that bears his name.
And for decades, those positions have been held down by his closest friends and allies.
With @wpln.bsky.social
And for decades, those positions have been held down by his closest friends and allies.
With @wpln.bsky.social
Reposted
Only one county juvenile detention center in Tennessee is governed by a board of trustees. Through scandals and state write-ups, it kept one man in power for decades. wpln.org/post/how-the...
How the head of an embattled Tennessee youth detention center held on to power for decades
Richard L. Bean remained in his perch as the superintendent of the juvenile detention center that bears his name despite scandals, investigations, and the use of seclusion to punish children.
wpln.org
June 7, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Only one county juvenile detention center in Tennessee is governed by a board of trustees. Through scandals and state write-ups, it kept one man in power for decades. wpln.org/post/how-the...
Reposted
NEW: How the Head of an Embattled Tennessee Youth Detention Center Held on to Power for Decades @paigepfleger.bsky.social @mariamelba.bsky.social w/ @wpln.bsky.social
How the Head of an Embattled Tennessee Youth Detention Center Held on to Power for Decades
Richard L. Bean remained in his perch as the superintendent of the juvenile detention center that bears his name despite scandals, investigations and the use of seclusion to punish children.
www.propublica.org
June 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
NEW: How the Head of an Embattled Tennessee Youth Detention Center Held on to Power for Decades @paigepfleger.bsky.social @mariamelba.bsky.social w/ @wpln.bsky.social
Only three board members had the power to remove Richard L. Bean as superintendent of the Tennessee juvenile detention center that bears his name. And for decades, those positions have been held down by his closest friends and allies. www.propublica.org/article/rich... @mariamelba.bsky.social
How the Head of an Embattled Tennessee Youth Detention Center Held on to Power for Decades
Richard L. Bean remained in his perch as the superintendent of the juvenile detention center that bears his name despite scandals, investigations and the use of seclusion to punish children.
www.propublica.org
June 7, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Only three board members had the power to remove Richard L. Bean as superintendent of the Tennessee juvenile detention center that bears his name. And for decades, those positions have been held down by his closest friends and allies. www.propublica.org/article/rich... @mariamelba.bsky.social
Reposted
@paigepfleger.bsky.social has been on this from the downbeat- honest investigative journalism doing its job!🙌
NEW: A 2023 investigation by @wpln.bsky.social and ProPublica found that Richard L. Bean was illegally locking kids up alone in cells.
A new scandal has forced his resignation.
By @paigepfleger.bsky.social
A new scandal has forced his resignation.
By @paigepfleger.bsky.social
The Head of a Tennessee Youth Detention Center Will Step Down After “Loss of Confidence” in His Leadership
A 2023 investigation by WPLN News and ProPublica found that Richard L. Bean was illegally locking kids up alone in cells. A new scandal has forced his resignation.
www.propublica.org
June 3, 2025 at 1:58 AM
@paigepfleger.bsky.social has been on this from the downbeat- honest investigative journalism doing its job!🙌