Politics
“Zip-Tie Guy” Arrest Spotlights Nashville MAGA Protest Scene
WASHINGTON — The arrest and charging of a Tennessee man for allegedly breaching the Capitol and running wild in the Senate chamber carrying zip-tie restraints with a holster on his hip has spotlighted a Nashville scene of pro-Trump activists, some of whom appear to have attended the ill-fated Wednesday insurrection in the nation’s capital. The […]
Commentary: Personal responsibility? Any Tennessee Republican leader ready?
“Personal responsibility” is a favorite slogan for Tennessee Republican political leaders. Until it comes to their own words and actions. After the mob attack on the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday Tennessee GOP leaders issued their obligatory statements of condemnation. U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty said: “Yesterday was a shocking day of lawlessness… Last […]
FBI raids homes, legislative offices; Three legislative staff members placed on leave
The FBI raided the legislative offices and homes of state lawmakers as well as current and former aides, multiple sources confirmed to the Tennessee Lookout. The raids were first reported by the Tennessean. State Rep. Glen Casada, state Rep. Robin Smith, newly elected state Rep. Todd Warner and former Casada aide Cade Cothren were among […]
How Tennessee leaders responded to uprising at U.S. Capitol
Members of Tennessee’s Congressional delegation called for peace following insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday during a Senate debate about whether to certify the presidential election results. Congress members and their staff reported being safe following a dramatic scene in which armed protesters stormed the Senate chambers, overrunning the Capitol police following a rally […]
Legislature could push school districts to bring students back to school
Set for a January special session to cure education ills, the Tennessee General Assembly could take steps to encourage districts to bring students back into classrooms despite pandemic precautions, likely using funding incentives. Tennessee is to receive $1.2 billion, with upwards of $900 million going to its 147 school districts, from the latest round of […]
Memphis’s Community Legal Center names Jerri Green interim executive director
Attorney and former candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives Jerri Green will serve as the Interim Executive Director of the Community Legal Center in Memphis, the organization announced Monday. In a written statement, the CLC said, “We are confident Jerri will provide strong leadership and continuity during this time of transition as the CLC searches […]
Nashville’s lone legislative Republican exits stage left
Sen. Steve Dickerson’s November loss to Democratic Senator-elect Heidi Campbell meant Nashville and Davidson County’s legislative delegation has no Republicans fully representing the county. Dickerson, elected in 2012, became known for supporting issues typically thought of as progressive, including voter registration and medical marijuana —as well as his guitar playing and tweets about “The Mandalorian.” […]
Commentary: Tennessee congressional delegation in destructive denial
Just hours before he would take the oath of office as a U. S. Senator from Tennessee, Bill Hagerty made another pledge, one of loyalty to the deranged notions of Donald Trump to challenge documented results of the 2020 presidential election. Hagerty, like Sen. Marsha Blackburn and nearly all of our state’s Republican members of […]
2020 was a huge taker
‘Twas the night before the new year, the last few minutes of 2019 and I had stayed awake way past my bedtime to enjoy my birthday. Trump was freshly impeached, and it felt like an early birthday present. My family and I made plans for all things we would do in the New Year and […]
Tennesseans on the move: who to keep an eye on in 2021
A year like 2020, replete with drama in politics, health care, education and civil rights, gives public leaders the chance to shine or flop. With the year near to passing in our collective rear view mirrors, the staff of the Tennessee Lookout brings your attention to a handful of Tennesseans in politics, education, health care […]
The year in photos: September-December
Politics and pandemic consumed our photojournalists for the latter portion of the year. When President Donald Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court, Memphis photojournalist Karen Pulfer Focht went to Barrett’s alma mater, Rhodes College, to get images from Justice Barrett’s college years. Focht also got what may will be one of […]
The year in photos: May-August 2020
No matter how well-crafted a written story, superb art work always makes the story better and in 2020, there have been no shortage of opportunities for our talented crew of photojournalists to show off their professional chops. Less than a month after the Tennessee Lookout launched in May, John Partipilo attended the May 30 “I […]