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Editor’s column: The role of conservatives in denying equity to Black Americans
The approach of the federal holiday recognizing Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and work means this is a good time to think about the difference in equality and equity for Black Americans and the role conservatives play in the fight for equity. Equality offers all groups the same opportunities and resources without recognizing that […]
Commentary: A backsliding democracy and a civil war in the making.
The day Joe Biden was declared winner of the 2020 presidential election, my husband asked me why I wasn’t happier: He thought I’d be in a good mood. When Biden had taken the oath of office, I told him, I might — just might — feel a smidge of relief. You couldn’t have followed politics […]
Nashville judge vacates 1987 convictions for child rape and murder
A Nashville judge has vacated the convictions of a couple in the rape and murder of a 4-year-old child in 1987. Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton ruled in favor of Joyce Watkins and Charlie Dunn, both of whom had always proclaimed their innocence. Watkins served 27 years in prison before being paroled in October 2015 and […]
The year in photos: Part Two
In our second gallery of photographs that defined 2020, we share works by photojournalists John Partipilo and Karen Pulfer Focht on topics including the environment, families with special needs children and immigration issues. While 2021 wasn’t characterized by the same type of demonstrations that marked 2020, the year nonetheless had its share of demonstrations by […]
Tennessee’s biggest stories of 2021
The second year of the COVID-19 pandemic meant that issues related to it stayed at the top of the news, from debates over masking and corporate vaccine requirements to whether Tennessee’s medical board can punish physicians for giving out incorrect medical information about COVID. But with three special sessions in addition to the regular legislative […]
2021: The year in photos
Great writing and excellent photojournalism go together like peas and carrots, and the Tennessee Lookout has the good fortune to work with excellent writers and photographers. 2021 was a lesser sibling to 2020, our launch year. If the latter gave us the opportunity to cover Black Lives Matter protests, COVID test sites and bombings, the […]
Game changer: Metro Council members propose $70 million for city’s economic development office
Three members of Nashville’s Metro Council are proposing a $70 million infusion into the Office of Economic and Community Development, to be appropriated from American Rescue Plan funds. The funds would be used for economic development in disadvantaged communities with an emphasis on North Nashville and to provide resources for the Nashville Small Business Recovery […]
Commentary: This Christmas, be a Who
The Christmas season can be an emotional and introspective time of year for many, those of us who miss family or loved ones, for instance. In spite of the bright lights and festive parties, it can be too easy to dwell on the negative. But a couple of days ago, John Partipilo made me reconsider […]
Biden inspects Western Kentucky tornado damage
President Joe Biden visited Dawson Springs, Kentucky on Wednesday as part of a tour of areas damaged by powerful storms over the weekend. Photojournalist John Partipilo was also in Dawson Springs, documenting the devastation. Former Kentucky governor Steve Beshear, father of current Gov. Andy Beshear, hails from the small town, where 12 people died in […]
Slow recovery begins from West Tennessee, Kentucky storms
Formerly known to most Tennesseans as the home of the late governor Ned Ray McWherter, Dresden, Tennessee joins the roster of towns known by name nationally for the devastation caused by tornadoes: Xenia, Ohio. Greensburg, Kanas. Joplin, Missouri. Mayfield, Kentucky and now, Dresden. The north side of the town’s Main Street was flattened, including City […]
Tornadoes devastate West Tennessee and Kentucky
At least four people in Tennessee are dead after tornadoes ripped through northwest Tennessee and Kentucky early Saturday morning. The National Weather Service confirmed seven tornadoes touched down in Tennessee but haven’t confirmed if the same tornado damaged Tennessee and Kentucky. In Weakley County, Dresden was hard hit, as was Newbern in Dyer County. Tornadoes […]
Environmental sustainability gains ground in Nashville redevelopment
When Nashville Mayor John Cooper gave an update Wednesday on the redevelopment of historic Second Avenue following the Christmas 2020 bombing, he talked of revitalization plans that wouldn’t have happened were it not for the incident — a making of lemonade from life’s lemons scenario. Among the improvements Cooper discussed were creation of an integrated […]