Anita Wadhwani
@anitawadhwani.bsky.social
Reporter, Tennessee Lookout. Nashville.
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
“Oh God. I wasn’t even expecting this. I really thought that nothing was going to happen. It’s only me and my sisters” said Elizabeth Leao, 21
Leao's mom was detained at the Robertson County courthouse after appearing in traffic court. She's now in ICE custody.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/24/i...
Leao's mom was detained at the Robertson County courthouse after appearing in traffic court. She's now in ICE custody.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/24/i...
ICE’s latest focus in Tennessee: traffic court • Tennessee Lookout
In Robertson County, Tennessee federal law enforcement agencies are arresting en mass immigrants appearing in court for traffic violations.
tennesseelookout.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
“Oh God. I wasn’t even expecting this. I really thought that nothing was going to happen. It’s only me and my sisters” said Elizabeth Leao, 21
Leao's mom was detained at the Robertson County courthouse after appearing in traffic court. She's now in ICE custody.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/24/i...
Leao's mom was detained at the Robertson County courthouse after appearing in traffic court. She's now in ICE custody.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/24/i...
The government called Delmar Gomez the "worst of the worst" but the 38yo Christian singer only has traffic violations on his record
Gomez & his brother were detained as part of Trump's Memphis Safe Task Force. Gomez remains in custody; his brother was deported.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/25/c...
Gomez & his brother were detained as part of Trump's Memphis Safe Task Force. Gomez remains in custody; his brother was deported.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/25/c...
Christian Singers Caught In Deportation Net, One Branded ‘Worst of Worst’ • Tennessee Lookout
On the night of Oct. 8, a man named Delmar Gomez drove to pick up his younger brother from a mechanic’s shop on Lamar Avenue. He never came home. On the return trip, law enforcement officers with the ...
tennesseelookout.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The government called Delmar Gomez the "worst of the worst" but the 38yo Christian singer only has traffic violations on his record
Gomez & his brother were detained as part of Trump's Memphis Safe Task Force. Gomez remains in custody; his brother was deported.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/25/c...
Gomez & his brother were detained as part of Trump's Memphis Safe Task Force. Gomez remains in custody; his brother was deported.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/25/c...
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
As a national focus turns to the Tennessee special election, PACs tied to Democratic donors have spent almost $1.8 million in the race to help Aftyn Behn. Republican-tied PACs have spent $2.3 million on Matt Van Epps.
@friedmanadam5.bsky.social
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/25/s...
@friedmanadam5.bsky.social
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/25/s...
Super PACs have now spent $7 million in Middle TN U.S. House special election with a week to go • Tennessee Lookout
With one week until the Dec. 2 special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, the money is pouring in, signaling both parties think the race is competitive. Former Tennessee General Ser...
tennesseelookout.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:50 PM
As a national focus turns to the Tennessee special election, PACs tied to Democratic donors have spent almost $1.8 million in the race to help Aftyn Behn. Republican-tied PACs have spent $2.3 million on Matt Van Epps.
@friedmanadam5.bsky.social
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/25/s...
@friedmanadam5.bsky.social
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/25/s...
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
Federal Judge Eli Richardson has declined to block ongoing book bans at one of Tennessee’s largest school districts before a full trial next year. From @itsmelissabrown.bsky.social with @chalkbeat.org.
Federal judge won’t block Tennessee district book bans before trial • Tennessee Lookout
A federal judge has declined to block ongoing book bans at one of Tennessee’s largest school districts before a full trial next year.
tennesseelookout.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Federal Judge Eli Richardson has declined to block ongoing book bans at one of Tennessee’s largest school districts before a full trial next year. From @itsmelissabrown.bsky.social with @chalkbeat.org.
“They took my mom"
Five people were detained after showing up to a Tennessee traffic court Wednesday, including Yanim Lopez.
Lopez, 38, has been in US since she was 6
“I want to bawl my eyes out, but I’ve got to stay calm for my little sister,” her son said
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/24/i...
Five people were detained after showing up to a Tennessee traffic court Wednesday, including Yanim Lopez.
Lopez, 38, has been in US since she was 6
“I want to bawl my eyes out, but I’ve got to stay calm for my little sister,” her son said
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/24/i...
ICE’s latest focus in Tennessee: traffic court • Tennessee Lookout
In Robertson County, Tennessee federal law enforcement agencies are arresting en mass immigrants appearing in court for traffic violations.
tennesseelookout.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:58 PM
“They took my mom"
Five people were detained after showing up to a Tennessee traffic court Wednesday, including Yanim Lopez.
Lopez, 38, has been in US since she was 6
“I want to bawl my eyes out, but I’ve got to stay calm for my little sister,” her son said
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/24/i...
Five people were detained after showing up to a Tennessee traffic court Wednesday, including Yanim Lopez.
Lopez, 38, has been in US since she was 6
“I want to bawl my eyes out, but I’ve got to stay calm for my little sister,” her son said
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/24/i...
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
U.S. border agents are set to descend on communities in southeast Mississippi as part of "Swamp Sweep," an operation with a goal of arresting 5,000 people in southern Mississippi and Louisiana.
www.mississippifreepress.org/border-agent...
www.mississippifreepress.org/border-agent...
Border Agents Target Mississippi Communities in ‘Swamp Sweep’
Border agents are set to conduct a major immigration crackdown called "Swamp Sweep,” targeting immigrants in southeast Mississippi and Louisiana.
www.mississippifreepress.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:06 PM
U.S. border agents are set to descend on communities in southeast Mississippi as part of "Swamp Sweep," an operation with a goal of arresting 5,000 people in southern Mississippi and Louisiana.
www.mississippifreepress.org/border-agent...
www.mississippifreepress.org/border-agent...
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
The hardest day of my council career was the day I put the smallest flower arrangement on the smallest casket. That was Felipe’s son. It still haunts me.
I can not imagine what this family has to continue to endure. This country lacks humanity in more ways than one. Abolish ICE.
I can not imagine what this family has to continue to endure. This country lacks humanity in more ways than one. Abolish ICE.
Felipe Mendez lost his wife & son when tornadoes swept through Nashville in '23
A May traffic stop landed him in ICE custody, where the single dad was given a choice: "self-deport" or lose his surviving 2 sons to state custody
Story by John Partipilo & @friedmanadam5.bsky.social
bit.ly/49v0U1T
A May traffic stop landed him in ICE custody, where the single dad was given a choice: "self-deport" or lose his surviving 2 sons to state custody
Story by John Partipilo & @friedmanadam5.bsky.social
bit.ly/49v0U1T
A tornado and an immigration sting. The start and end of a life in Nashville. • Tennessee Lookout
Caught in an immigration sting, Felipe Mendez was ordered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave the U.S. or lose his children.
tennesseelookout.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
The hardest day of my council career was the day I put the smallest flower arrangement on the smallest casket. That was Felipe’s son. It still haunts me.
I can not imagine what this family has to continue to endure. This country lacks humanity in more ways than one. Abolish ICE.
I can not imagine what this family has to continue to endure. This country lacks humanity in more ways than one. Abolish ICE.
Judge: Tennessee National Guard allowed in Memphis while state appeals her finding that Gov. Bill Lee violated the law in deploying them
tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tenne... @friedmanadam5.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tenne... @friedmanadam5.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
Tennessee National Guard allowed in Memphis while state appeals • Tennessee Lookout
Gov. Bill Lee’s deployment of the Tennessee National Guard in Memphis will continue as the state appeals the ruling.
tennesseelookout.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Judge: Tennessee National Guard allowed in Memphis while state appeals her finding that Gov. Bill Lee violated the law in deploying them
tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tenne... @friedmanadam5.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tenne... @friedmanadam5.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
Top ICE official elaborates on plan to send Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia
He has asked to be sent to Costa Rica, which has agreed to accept him as a refugee
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/21/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
He has asked to be sent to Costa Rica, which has agreed to accept him as a refugee
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/21/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
Top ICE official elaborates on plan to send Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia • Tennessee Lookout
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials detailed to a federal judge plans to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia.
tennesseelookout.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Top ICE official elaborates on plan to send Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia
He has asked to be sent to Costa Rica, which has agreed to accept him as a refugee
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/21/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
He has asked to be sent to Costa Rica, which has agreed to accept him as a refugee
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/21/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
Felipe Mendez lost his wife & son when tornadoes swept through Nashville in '23
A May traffic stop landed him in ICE custody, where the single dad was given a choice: "self-deport" or lose his surviving 2 sons to state custody
Story by John Partipilo & @friedmanadam5.bsky.social
bit.ly/49v0U1T
A May traffic stop landed him in ICE custody, where the single dad was given a choice: "self-deport" or lose his surviving 2 sons to state custody
Story by John Partipilo & @friedmanadam5.bsky.social
bit.ly/49v0U1T
A tornado and an immigration sting. The start and end of a life in Nashville. • Tennessee Lookout
Caught in an immigration sting, Felipe Mendez was ordered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave the U.S. or lose his children.
tennesseelookout.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Felipe Mendez lost his wife & son when tornadoes swept through Nashville in '23
A May traffic stop landed him in ICE custody, where the single dad was given a choice: "self-deport" or lose his surviving 2 sons to state custody
Story by John Partipilo & @friedmanadam5.bsky.social
bit.ly/49v0U1T
A May traffic stop landed him in ICE custody, where the single dad was given a choice: "self-deport" or lose his surviving 2 sons to state custody
Story by John Partipilo & @friedmanadam5.bsky.social
bit.ly/49v0U1T
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
Health experts are alarmed as Republicans degrade the country’s pivotal HIV programs — and break promises made during Trump’s first term.
America’s most basic HIV protections are in danger as a decade of progress unravels
Health experts are alarmed as Republicans degrade the country’s pivotal HIV programs — and break promises made during Trump’s first term.
19thnews.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Health experts are alarmed as Republicans degrade the country’s pivotal HIV programs — and break promises made during Trump’s first term.
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
Months after Felipe Mendez and his family came to Tennessee from Guatemala to find opportunity, a tornado killed his wife and toddler. After being caught in a May immigration sting while leaving work, he was told he could leave voluntarily or lose his kids. Story from @friedmanadam5.bsky.social.
A tornado and an immigration sting. The start and end of a life in Nashville. • Tennessee Lookout
Caught in an immigration sting, Felipe Mendez was ordered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave the U.S. or lose his children.
tennesseelookout.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Months after Felipe Mendez and his family came to Tennessee from Guatemala to find opportunity, a tornado killed his wife and toddler. After being caught in a May immigration sting while leaving work, he was told he could leave voluntarily or lose his kids. Story from @friedmanadam5.bsky.social.
Under new EPA rule, protections would dry up for wetlands in Tennessee, Mississippi River basin
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/20/u... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/20/u... @tennesseelookout.com
Under new EPA rule, protections would dry up for wetlands in Tennessee, Mississippi River basin • Tennessee Lookout
Wetlands across the Mississippi River basin may lose federal protection under a rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
tennesseelookout.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Under new EPA rule, protections would dry up for wetlands in Tennessee, Mississippi River basin
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/20/u... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/20/u... @tennesseelookout.com
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
A measure that would include the Ten Commandments in a list of “historical documents” was passed out of an Ohio Senate committee Tuesday. Ohio public schools will be required to display at least some of the documents in each classroom of each school. ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/11/19/o...
Ohio Senate committee passes bill that lists Ten Commandments as 'historical document' • Ohio Capital Journal
A measure that would include the Ten Commandments in a list of “historical documents” was passed out of an Ohio Senate committee on Tuesday.
ohiocapitaljournal.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:47 PM
A measure that would include the Ten Commandments in a list of “historical documents” was passed out of an Ohio Senate committee Tuesday. Ohio public schools will be required to display at least some of the documents in each classroom of each school. ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/11/19/o...
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee vows to appeal ruling that found his unilateral deployment of the National Guard to Memphis violates state law.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t... @tennesseelookout.com
Tennessee governor to appeal ruling against Guard in Memphis • Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee will appeal a ruling requiring the state to remove the National Guard from Memphis as part of a police action.
tennesseelookout.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee vows to appeal ruling that found his unilateral deployment of the National Guard to Memphis violates state law.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t... @tennesseelookout.com
“Removing the National Guard does not remove the fear. It does not unbreak the families. It does not undo the trauma. And it does not stop the ongoing actions of the Task Force that created the crisis we are in in the first place.”
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/19/s... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/19/s... @tennesseelookout.com
Shelby County mayor: ‘The military should not be used against Tennesseans’ • Tennessee Lookout
“The military should not be used against Tennesseans,” said Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris about the Tennessee National Guard in Memphis.
tennesseelookout.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
“Removing the National Guard does not remove the fear. It does not unbreak the families. It does not undo the trauma. And it does not stop the ongoing actions of the Task Force that created the crisis we are in in the first place.”
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/19/s... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/19/s... @tennesseelookout.com
“Memphians know their city is facing a violent crime emergency that the state must address, and we’re confident higher courts will ultimately recognize this as well," statement by Gov. Bill Lee's office said.
Tennessee to appeal ruling against Guard in Memphis
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t...
Tennessee to appeal ruling against Guard in Memphis
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t...
Tennessee governor to appeal ruling against Guard in Memphis • Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee will appeal a ruling requiring the state to remove the National Guard from Memphis as part of a police action.
tennesseelookout.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM
“Memphians know their city is facing a violent crime emergency that the state must address, and we’re confident higher courts will ultimately recognize this as well," statement by Gov. Bill Lee's office said.
Tennessee to appeal ruling against Guard in Memphis
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t...
Tennessee to appeal ruling against Guard in Memphis
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t...
Members of Democratic caucus press ICE for answers on detainment of pregnant women
They asking for ICE to immediately release any detained immigrants who are pregnant.
alabamareflector.com/2025/11/18/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social
They asking for ICE to immediately release any detained immigrants who are pregnant.
alabamareflector.com/2025/11/18/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social
Members of Democratic caucus press ICE for answers on detainment of pregnant women | Alabama Reflector
The letter argues that ICE’s own regulations do not require pregnant, postpartum or nursing immigrants to be detained and detainment should only occur if the release is “prohibited by law or exception...
alabamareflector.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Members of Democratic caucus press ICE for answers on detainment of pregnant women
They asking for ICE to immediately release any detained immigrants who are pregnant.
alabamareflector.com/2025/11/18/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social
They asking for ICE to immediately release any detained immigrants who are pregnant.
alabamareflector.com/2025/11/18/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social
Full SNAP benefits should be available to Tennesseans by Thursday
wpln.org/post/full-sn... @wpln.bsky.social @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social
wpln.org/post/full-sn... @wpln.bsky.social @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social
Full SNAP benefits should be available to Tennesseans by Thursday
After weeks of delays, about 700,000 Tennesseans are starting to get their full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits. The Tennessee Department of
wpln.org
November 18, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Full SNAP benefits should be available to Tennesseans by Thursday
wpln.org/post/full-sn... @wpln.bsky.social @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social
wpln.org/post/full-sn... @wpln.bsky.social @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social
A Nashville judge late yesterday temporarily blocked the National Guard from Memphis
Other recent court filings laid out their partial price tag:
$26M in salaries/benefits (1000 troops x one year)
$5,178,816 for hotels
$1,123,875 for meals
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/f... @tennesseelookout.com
Other recent court filings laid out their partial price tag:
$26M in salaries/benefits (1000 troops x one year)
$5,178,816 for hotels
$1,123,875 for meals
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/f... @tennesseelookout.com
Feds ink millions of dollars in contracts to feed, house National Guard in Memphis • Tennessee Lookout
The federal government has entered millions of dollars of contracts to purchase food and lodging for the Tennessee National Guard in Memphis.
tennesseelookout.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
A Nashville judge late yesterday temporarily blocked the National Guard from Memphis
Other recent court filings laid out their partial price tag:
$26M in salaries/benefits (1000 troops x one year)
$5,178,816 for hotels
$1,123,875 for meals
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/f... @tennesseelookout.com
Other recent court filings laid out their partial price tag:
$26M in salaries/benefits (1000 troops x one year)
$5,178,816 for hotels
$1,123,875 for meals
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/f... @tennesseelookout.com
A Nashville judge on Friday evening temporarily blocked the National Guard deployment in Memphis
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/17/j... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/17/j... @tennesseelookout.com
Judge temporarily blocks National Guard deployment in Memphis • Tennessee Lookout
A Davidson County chancellor on Monday temporarily blocked Gov. Bill Lee from continuing to deploy the Tennessee National Guard in Memphis.
tennesseelookout.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:13 PM
A Nashville judge on Friday evening temporarily blocked the National Guard deployment in Memphis
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/17/j... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/17/j... @tennesseelookout.com
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
Wrote about Todd Snider, East Nashville and how the more things change, the more they change.
www.dontrocktheinbox.com/something-go...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com/something-go...
Something good comes along, then it’s gone: Farewell, Todd Snider.
When I moved to East Nashville in 2012, legend had it that if you wanted to find Todd Snider, all you had to do was go to Drifter’s BBQ in Five Points, and he’d be there at the bar. Nashville always h...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Wrote about Todd Snider, East Nashville and how the more things change, the more they change.
www.dontrocktheinbox.com/something-go...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com/something-go...
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
We found that many voucher schools basically gave themselves discretion over which students with disabilities they could/would accommodate.
Many often explicitly banned LGBTQ+ students and some threatened expulsion for “immorality,” comparing queerness to bestiality.
Many often explicitly banned LGBTQ+ students and some threatened expulsion for “immorality,” comparing queerness to bestiality.
Tennessee voucher schools often exclude LGBTQ+ students and those with disabilities from inclusivity policies, citing religion and bandwidth.
✏️: Lillian Avedian and @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social
✏️: Lillian Avedian and @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social
LGBTQ+, disabled students face exclusion from private schools - Nashville Banner
Some Tennessee private schools receiving state-funded vouchers exclude LGBTQ+ students and those with disabilities, raising concerns about discrimination.
nashvillebanner.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:49 PM
We found that many voucher schools basically gave themselves discretion over which students with disabilities they could/would accommodate.
Many often explicitly banned LGBTQ+ students and some threatened expulsion for “immorality,” comparing queerness to bestiality.
Many often explicitly banned LGBTQ+ students and some threatened expulsion for “immorality,” comparing queerness to bestiality.