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Tennessee Lookout
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Independent, nonprofit news site dedicated to cover Tennessee government, policy and politics. Send tips to @[email protected].
Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the department on Monday for trying to demote Kelly’s retirement rank and pay after he appeared in a video where he and other lawmakers told service members they didn’t need to follow illegal orders.
Arizona US Sen. Mark Kelly sues Hegseth over penalties for 'illegal orders' video • Tennessee Lookout
Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the department on Monday for trying to demote Kelly’s.
tennesseelookout.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Monday morning, state Rep. Aftyn Behn announced she will not run again for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District after a strong play in December's special election -- but should she have, writes columnist @brucebarry.bsky.social
Whither Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District  in the midterms? • Tennessee Lookout
State Rep. Aftyn Behn, a Nashville Democrat, turned out Democratic voters, and possibly Republican ones, in a December 2025 special election.
tennesseelookout.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Tennessee is one of 11 states that have expressed an interest in giving more power to the Department of Justice in saying who is eligible to vote. From @stateline.org
Trump’s DOJ offers states confidential deal to remove voters flagged by feds • Tennessee Lookout
The U.S. Department of Justice has sent confidential draft agreements on voter data sharing to more than a dozen states, part of the Trump administration’s effort to obtain unredacted voter rolls,…
tennesseelookout.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
In a few moments, Gov. Katie Hobbs will give her 4th State of the State speech to the #azleg, which is beginning its annual session today.

More than any speech she's given, it will set the tone for her 2026 re-election bid.

Follow this thread for the speech and my observations!
January 12, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Nearly four years after explosive allegations first surfaced about a Sean Williams, a Johnson City serial rapist who preyed on women and children without consequence, a civil lawsuit brought by his victims has neared its conclusion. @anitawadhwani.bsky.reports.
'Finally seen’: years-long Johnson City serial rapist lawsuit nears end  • Tennessee Lookout
A civil lawsuit brought by victims of Sean Johnson, a Johnson City serial rapist who preyed on women and children, has neared conclusion.
tennesseelookout.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
Nearly four years after explosive allegations first surfaced about a Johnson City serial rapist who preyed on women and children without consequence, a civil lawsuit brought by his victims has neared its conclusion.

via @tennesseelookout.com
‘Finally seen’: years-long Johnson City serial rapist lawsuit nears end
Nearly four years after explosive allegations first surfaced about a Johnson City serial rapist who preyed on women and children without consequence, a civil lawsuit brought by his victims has neared…
www.newsfromthestates.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
Takeaways for 2026 from that December special election in the 5th Congressional District: my latest column up today at @tennesseelookout.com.

tennesseelookout.com/2026/01/12/w...
Whither Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District  in the midterms? • Tennessee Lookout
State Rep. Aftyn Behn, a Nashville Democrat, turned out Democratic voters, and possibly Republican ones, in a December 2025 special election.
tennesseelookout.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Columbia’s City Council on Thursday approved water rate hikes of up to 20% per year over the next five years to fund a new $520 million intake on the Duck River and a new water treatment plant. From @cstephenson.bsky.social.
Columbia Council approves water rate hike of up to 150% over next 5 years for new infrastructure • Tennessee Lookout
Columbia City Council on Thursday approved water rate hikes of up to 20% per year over the next five years to fund a new $520 million intake.
tennesseelookout.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
Coal ash contains 26 toxins including ones that cause cancer, are heavy metals or are radioactive. The workers’ training materials mentioned risks from arsenic and silica but not other risks from other materials like lead, cobalt, uranium, radium, lithium or molybdenum. @tennesseelookout.com
Nearly two decades after TVA coal ash spill, pain lingers for families of cleanup workers • Tennessee Lookout
Nearly two decades after a massive TVA coal ash spill, families of the workers who cleaned up the toxic waste still cope with effects.
tennesseelookout.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Commentary of the week, from Rev. Earle Fisher, pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Memphis.
Democracy didn’t break overnight—2026 will reveal if Memphis lets it die • Tennessee Lookout
A crisis of faith in democratic values among Black Memphians requires a commitment to deepening civic engagement, writes Rev. Earle Fisher.
tennesseelookout.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
🔥 sheryl crow calls out @govbilllee for intentionally letting kids go hungry
January 11, 2026 at 5:02 AM
A pair of blockbuster cases to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court could carry far-reaching implications for transgender rights, even as the Trump administration during the past year has rolled out a broad anti-trans agenda targeting everything from sports to military service.
Landmark cases on transgender athletes at the US Supreme Court put trans rights on the line • Tennessee Lookout
A pair of blockbuster cases to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court could carry far-reaching implications for transgender rights,
tennesseelookout.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:33 PM
ICYMI: Memphis Democratic Rep. Gabby Salinas filed a bill Thursday that would designate schools and churches as safe havens from Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Memphis lawmaker wants to make safe havens from ICE • Tennessee Lookout
Memphis Rep. Gabby Salinas is proposing a bill to make schools and churches safe havens from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
tennesseelookout.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:47 PM
The U.S. House approved a bipartisan bill Thursday to resurrect the enhanced tax credits that expired at the end of last year for people who purchase their health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace. From @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
US House backs extension of health insurance subsidies after Dems force vote • Tennessee Lookout
The U.S. House approved a bill to resurrect enhanced tax credits for people who buy health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
tennesseelookout.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:27 PM
From our colleague @maxnesterak.bsky.social with @minnesotareformer.com: Minnesota prosecutors are asking the public for evidence in the killing of a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman by an ICE agent on Wednesday after the Trump administration froze local law enforcement out of the investigation.
Minnesota begins collecting evidence into ICE shooting following ousting by feds • Tennessee Lookout
Minnesota prosecutors are asking the public for evidence in the killing of a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman by an ICE agent on Wednesday.
tennesseelookout.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Commentary: With a couple of exceptions, Tennessee lawmakers usually hasty with 'thoughts and prayers' remained silent on the shooting of Minneapolis woman Renee Good by an ICE agent, while U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles called for Nashville's mayor to be arrested. From Editor @jhollymc.bsky.social.
Editor's notebook: Tennessee’s federal reps fail in response to ICE shooting • Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee lawmakers, usually quick with thoughts and prayers, mostly remained silent after the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
tennesseelookout.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:45 PM
From Senior Reporter Sam Stockard: More than eight months after postponing a bill allowing school districts to refuse enrollment to children without legal immigration status, House sponsor and Majority Leader William Lamberth still awaits word on whether it could jeopardize federal funding.
Stockard on the Stump: Immigrant student bill remains in limbo • Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee House Majority Leader William Lamberth said he may revive a bill allowing the state to deny public education to immigrant kids.
tennesseelookout.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
Hundreds of people attended a vigil in Nashville’s Centennial Park for the woman shot and killed in Minneapolis on Wednesday by an ICE agent.

via @tennesseelookout.com
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/hund...
Hundreds gather at Nashville vigil to mark death of Renee Good
Hundreds gathered in Nashville’s Centennial Park to mark the violent death of Renee Nicole Good, the 37-year-old mother of three who was killed Wednesday by an ICE agent on a residential Minneapolis s...
www.newsfromthestates.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
Hundreds gather at Nashville vigil to mark the death of Renee Good and call out ICE
“Until we get them out of our communities, the violence will continue to escalate.”

tennesseelookout.com/2026/01/09/h... @tennesseelookout.com
Hundreds gather at Nashville vigil to mark death of Renee Good • Tennessee Lookout
Hundreds gathered in Nashville’s Centennial Park to mark the violent death of Renee Nicole Good, who was killed Wednesday by an ICE agent.
tennesseelookout.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
In the wake of an ICE-related shooting death, a Memphis lawmaker is proposing legislation that would make schools and churches safe havens from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

via @tennesseelookout.com
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/memp...
Memphis lawmaker wants to make safe havens from ICE
In the wake of an ICE-related shooting death, a Memphis lawmaker is proposing legislation that would make schools and churches safe havens from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
www.newsfromthestates.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Hundreds gathered in Nashville’s Centennial Park to mark the violent death of Renee Nicole Good, the 37-year-old mother of three who was killed Wednesday by an ICE agent on a residential Minneapolis street in view of horrified onlookers. From @anitawadhwani.bsky.social.
Hundreds gather at Nashville vigil to mark death of Renee Good • Tennessee Lookout
Hundreds gathered in Nashville’s Centennial Park to mark the violent death of Renee Nicole Good, who was killed Wednesday by an ICE agent.
tennesseelookout.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
Mississippi House Speaker Jason White held an unusual invite-only press conference in his office on Monday, excluding both the Mississippi Free Press and Mississippi Today.

When MFP's @heatherharrison.bsky.social asked him about it today, he said he did it "to get my side out there."

Full story:
The Mississippi Speaker’s Invite-Only Q&A Excluded MFP. He Says He Did It ‘To Get My Side Out There’
Mississippi House Speaker Jason White was “looking to get (his) side out there” on school choice issues when he held an invite-only Q&A.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 9, 2026 at 1:55 AM
Federal agents reportedly shot and injured two people in east Portland on Thursday afternoon, according to the Portland Police Bureau. From
@jmshumway.bsky.social with @oregoncapitalchronicle.com.
Federal agents shoot two people in Portland, police say • Tennessee Lookout
Federal agents reportedly shot and injured two people in east Portland on Thursday afternoon, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
tennesseelookout.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
DEVELOPING: Police say federal agents shoot two people in Portland this afternoon, the day after an ICE officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis.

buff.ly/eFpUt2h
Federal agents shoot two people in Portland, police say • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Federal agents shot and injured two people in east Portland on Thursday afternoon, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:35 AM
A day after a Minneapolis woman was shot by an ICE agent in her vehicle. Tennessee Democratic Rep. Gabby Salinas filed a bill to make schools and churches safe havens from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
Memphis lawmaker wants to make safe havens from ICE • Tennessee Lookout
Memphis Rep. Gabby Salinas is proposing a bill to make schools and churches safe havens from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
tennesseelookout.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:43 PM