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The Animal Control Advisory Board in Campbell County held their first meeting Tuesday night since closing the county's only shelter amid scandal.More >> The Animal Control Advisory Board in Campbell County held their first meeting Tuesday night since closing the county's only shelter amid scandal.More >> Knoxville city officials and business owners met Tuesday night to discuss the future of Cumberland Avenue.More >> Knoxville city officials and business owners met Tuesday night to discuss the future of Cumberland Avenue.More >> City of Knoxville and World's Fair Park leaders will meet Tuesday evening to discuss the future of Knoxville's most iconic park.More >> City of Knoxville and World's Fair Park leaders will meet Tuesday evening to discuss the future of Knoxville's most iconic park.More >> KNOXVILLE (WATE) – We're just a few months away from football season. But already there's been a lot of interest in season tickets and Vol memorabilia. The idea of a new coach has injected a renewed optimismMore >> We're just a few months away from football season. But already there's been a lot of interest in season tickets and Vol memorabilia. The idea of a new coach has injected a renewed optimism for the future of UT football.More >> A wet spring and a wet start to summer are adding up to a serious problem for area cattle farmers.More >> A wet spring and a wet start to summer are adding up to a serious problem for area cattle farmers.More >> Three Pilot Flying J employees pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to charges of conspiracy and wire fraud.More >> Three Pilot Flying J employees pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to charges of conspiracy and wire fraud. Kevin Wallace Clark, Jay Stinnett, and Holly Radford pleaded guilty in exchange for providing information in the case.More >> The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has come to a close and the Tennessee Highway Patrol has released numbers on its enforcement efforts around the site.More >> The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has come to a close and the Tennessee Highway Patrol has released numbers on its enforcement efforts around the site.More >> George Thomas is challenging his conviction and sentence after his latest retrial.More >> George Thomas is challenging his conviction and sentence after his latest retrial.More >> A group that helps raise money for the University of Tennessee met for the first time since one of its executives were arrested on child porn charges.More >> A group that helps raise money for the University of Tennessee met for the first time since one of its executives were arrested on child porn charges.More >> Madisonville police have made four arrests in the theft of a local American flag.More >> Madisonville police have made four arrests in the theft of a local American flag.More >>
By LUCAS L. JOHNSON II
Associated Press
NASHVILLE (AP) - Tennessee recently enacted a pro-abstinence sex education law that is among the strictest in the nation. The law was spurred by a classroom demonstration involving a sex toy.
The most-debated section of the bill bars educators from promoting so-called "gateway sexual activity." But supporters seemed too squeamish during floor debate to specify what that meant, so critics soon labeled it the "no holding-hands bill."
One thing missing from the debate in the Legislature was a discussion of whether the law signed by Republican Gov. Bill Haslam last month really would help reduce Tennessee's high teenage pregnancy rate.
Experts say it won't. They say it leaves teenagers inadequately educated about sexuality and prevention of pregnancy and disease.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
