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New STEM center at Whitehaven High blends science, art and inspiration - TSDMemphis.com

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 20h

New STEM center at Whitehaven High blends science, art and inspiration

For years, leaders in the Whitehaven community dreamed of giving local students a state-of-the-art science and technology facility. On Wednesday, that vision became reality as Memphis-Shelby County…

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 22h

The Fair Housing Council of Metropolitan Memphis finds Black renters are consistently treated differently than white renters. “Tests that were performed in neighborhoods with housing (in) good physical condition… were more likely to show evidence of differential treatment." mlk50.co/46KvFyf

ICE Plans to Boost Social Media Surveillance Using Contractors

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 1d

A contractor would use sites like Facebook, Instagram and X—and possibly online commercial, law enforcement and federal government databases—to generate leads about “individuals who pose a danger to national security, risk public safety or otherwise meet ICE enforcement priorities.”

ICE plans to use a hub in Vermont to bolster its digital surveillance capabilities as the agency ramps up operations across the country.

Planned Parenthood closes a Memphis clinic after Trump administration stops Medicaid payments • Tennessee Lookout

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Reposted by MLK50: Justice Through Journalism

Tennessee Lookout @tennesseelookout.com · 2d

Planned Parenthood has temporarily closed one of two Memphis clinics as a result of a federal appeals court decision that allowed the Trump administration to block patients from using Medicaid as their insurance at the reproductive health provider.

Planned Parenthood has temporarily closed one of two Memphis clinics as a result of a federal appeals court decision.

tennesseelookout.com

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 2d

Justin J. Pearson, known for his environmental activism and his expulsion from the Tennessee Statehouse over gun control advocacy, is now seeking to challenge a longstanding U.S. congressman mlk50.co/473XBvR

State Rep. Justin J. Pearson to challenge U.S. Congressman Steve Cohen

State Rep. Justin J. Pearson, seen here in a 2023 constituent meeting at the Tennessee State Capitol, announced his intention to run for U.S. Congress. Photo by Andrea Morales / MLK50 State Rep. Ju…

The term promises to be hugely consequential and focused in large part on how much power the Constitution gives to the president.

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 3d

During Sickle Cell Month, Memphis doctors and advocates cite strides and challenges in care.
mlk50.co/4nzrF9I

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 3d

A cell a little larger than a king-sized mattress. A concrete shelf as a bed. A thin mat, and an itchy blanket. No pillow. In the corner, a metal toilet and sink. Two narrow windows. This is solitary confinement in Shelby County’s juvenile detention center: mlk50.co/4gThDxJ

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 3d

Supreme Court term will tackle executive power, executive power and executive power

What it feels like when federal forces come to town

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 4d

“Many mechanisms of know-your-rights information are limited to systems that respect rights and obey laws, and we’re in a very different place right now. There are other ways that we need to be readying our communities to be prepared for this moment," says one organizer.

Scenes from Washington D.C. since the National Guard deployment. Photos by Sara Duran for MLK50 The National Guard and 13 federal agencies have arrived in Memphis, as part of President Donald Trump…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 4d

ICE is arresting more undocumented immigrants in the Memphis area. Some worry it’s only the beginning. mlk50.co/3ITjMwE

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 5d

The most severe consequence of solitary confinement is suicide. One parent says his son became suicidal last winter after being isolated in Shelby County’s juvenile detention center. In 2024, the Sheriff recorded 14 suicide attempts, after reporting none the year before.
mlk50.co/4gThDxJ

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 6d

At MLK50, truth isn’t just our mission — it’s our responsibility to Memphis. Every investigation we publish is a stand against injustice, a step toward the beloved community Dr. King dreamed of. Subscribe to MLK50’s newsletter and get Memphis-rooted news.

Visit the post for more.

What it feels like when federal forces come to town

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 6d

A community organizer from Washington D.C. – where military forces have been since August – shares their experience living where “it feels like a quiet, surprise occupation.”

Scenes from Washington D.C. since the National Guard deployment. Photos by Sara Duran for MLK50 The National Guard and 13 federal agencies have arrived in Memphis, as part of President Donald Trump…

Surge in ICE arrests around Memphis fueled by people who haven’t committed any crimes

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 6d

President Trump promised his mass deportation campaign would target the "worst of the worst" people & make Americans safer, but nearly half the arrests recorded in the Memphis area since January have been of people who've not committed any crime, according to data analyzed by MLK50 mlk50.co/3ITjMwE

A procession of people praying for peace in Memphis makes its way around Gaisman Park while police control traffic on April 19. The group mostly consisted of Spanish-speaking churches from Memphis’…

2025: Amber Sherman Amber Sherman. Photo by Kevin Wurm/MLK50/CatchLight Local/Report for America Inspired by a similar program launched by the national news outlet Mother Jones, MLK50: Justice Thro…

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 6d

Meet MLK50's first creator-in-residence. Local policy organizer Amber Sherman will serve as an educator and will develop short-form civic education pieces that help illuminate policy and government accountability mlk50.co/3IVQhKD

Creator In Residence

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 7d

Children as young as 13 incarcerated in Shelby County’s juvenile detention center are frequently held in solitary confinement for 23 hours or more at a time, for periods of weeks or months, according to more than two dozen sources who spoke with MLK50. mlk50.co/4gThDxJ

Know your rights with law enforcement, military troops

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 7d

Legal experts have emphasized that if the National Guard comes to Memphis, you have the same rights as before.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump created a task force of several federal and state agencies charged with “end(ing) street and violent crime in Memphis.” It will include the mobilization of th…

Sickle cell care is better. Accessing good care is still challenging.

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 8d

Doctors and advocates note miraculous strides in sickle cell disease – and ways the illness remains on the margins of medicine.

Patient Alexis Tappan, 29, with her parents at Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. Photo by Lucy Garrett for MLK50. Alexis Tappan has a college degree, a full-time jo…

Free The 901 coalition forms to oppose recent federal intervention in Memphis

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 8d

Free The 901 is a coalition of organizations ‘rooted in the belief that real safety comes from investing in people, not punishment.’ They’re opposing the National Guard’s deployment to Memphis with community support, text updates, protests and more.

More than 150 marched with the Free the 901 protest on Saturday and made their way to Memphis City Hall on Adams Avenue. Photo by Andrea Morales / MLK50 Rallying around the cry of “opportunity, not…

No school, no fresh air and isolated

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 9d

After starting a fight with another kid in Shelby County’s juvenile detention center, David was put in “the hole.” For the next three months, his entire world was a cell less than half the size of a parking space. No school, and almost no time with other people.
mlk50.co/4gThDxJ

David spent eight months incarcerated at the Youth Justice and Education Center. Center portrait by Kevin Wurm / MLK50 / CatchLight Local / Report for America; Image of the Shelby County Youth and …

Riders still have questions after Memphis names trustees to oversee MATA

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 24d

“... it’s all good for you to say we are the city and this is the city’s money, but how involved are you gonna be in the day-to-day operations of MATA without disturbing the power of the actual board?” asked bus rider Allison Donald.

Council Chairman J. Ford Canale (right) chats with Council Attorney Allan Wade (second from right) during a private attorney-client session as seen through the glass panes in the committee room at …

Many questions, few answers after Trump says troops are coming to Memphis

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 27d

‘I do not support the National Guard’ deployment, says Young, but mayor hopes to have say in how guardsmen operate in the city. mlk50.co/47GMyup

After President Donald Trump announced on Fox News Friday that he plans to send the National Guard into Memphis, city leadership and legal experts were both left with questions. In an i…

‘We are far down this road of losing our democracy,’ says Harris as leaders mull sending troops to Memphis

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 28d

‘We are far down this road of losing our democracy,’ says Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris as President Trump and Gov. Bill Lee mull sending National Guard to Memphis. mlk50.co/4pelWHr

National Guard armored vehicles were lined up along Riverside Drive in May 2020. Gov. Bill Lee, like 29 other state governors at the time, called on National Guard troops to “maintain order” in the…

How did MSCS cut teacher vacancies by hundreds compared with last year?

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MLK50: Justice Through Journalism @mlk50.com · 28d

As of Sept. 4, 220 of the district’s new teacher hires are not fully licensed, instead holding conditional permits that expire in three years. But gaining licensure comes with high costs, including exams and additional schooling.

One Memphis-Shelby County Schools official says it’s because of a bolstered HR team. But the district also relies on virtual and conditionally licensed educators to fill the gaps.