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Congressional Dems urge a more robust Biden on the campaign trail, but few openly revolt
WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress called on President Joe Biden to prove to voters that he is up for another four years in the Oval Office, though many in interviews pledged to stick with him as the presumptive nominee as they returned to the Capitol on Monday following the Fourth of July recess. Questions over […] The post Congressional Dems urge a more robust Biden on the campaign trail, but few openly revolt appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
State spending $350 million to bolster Liberty Bowl and FedEx Forum in Memphis
Head over heels for big-time sports, the state of Tennessee is pouring hundreds of millions into stadium projects in an effort to lure big events and improve the game-day experience for fans, including those attending Liberty Bowl and FedEx Forum games in Memphis. Not only did the Legislature provide $500 million in bonds for a […] The post State spending $350 million to bolster Liberty Bowl and FedEx Forum in Memphis appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation
President Joe Biden pledged Monday to stay in his race for reelection, even after a weekend in which a growing number of Democrats asked for him to withdraw and a key U.S. House Republican called for an investigation into the president’s doctor. In a letter to congressional Democrats, Biden argued that the calls for him […] The post Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
U.S. Appeals Court upholds Tennessee former state Sen. Brian Kelsey’s guilty plea
The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals will not allow former Memphis state Senator Brian Kelsey to rescind his guilty plea for campaign finance violations, upholding his 21-month prison sentence. Two years ago, Kelsey pleaded guilty to directing a secret plan to funnel over $100,000 from his state campaign account to boost his failed bid […] The post U.S. Appeals Court upholds Tennessee former state Sen. Brian Kelsey’s guilty plea appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
Beware of false appeals to the American people
Perhaps you’ve noticed the habit of U.S. politicians of all stripes to reference “the American people.” For some it is close to a nervous vocal tic. Pressed on any point, they will assert with certainty and bravado that the American people take the position they are advocating, or demand the policy they support. There is […] The post Beware of false appeals to the American people appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
Living in limbo: DCS places kids indefinitely in group homes awaiting “evaluations”
The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, already facing a class action lawsuit over its treatment of disabled kids, is placing children with no known disability diagnoses for months at a time in privately-run group homes designed to support adults with disabilities, according to child advocates. The homes serve as way stations before appointments open up […] The post Living in limbo: DCS places kids indefinitely in group homes awaiting “evaluations” appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows
Clinic closures in the wake of the Dobbs decision and questions about the legality of emergency contraceptives, including disinformation that some are abortion drugs, may have contributed to a sharp drop in the rate of prescriptions for contraceptives in states with the most restrictive abortion bans, according to a University of California Los Angeles study. […] The post Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
Biden in first TV interview since debate denies medical condition: ‘It was a bad episode’
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday in his first televised interview since the presidential debate defended his reelection bid and rejected calls that he should step aside amid growing anxiety among some Democrats about his mental and physical state. The 22-minute interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos came as some lawmakers and other prominent […] The post Biden in first TV interview since debate denies medical condition: ‘It was a bad episode’ appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
Stockard on the Stump: Government immunity stretches from D.C. to Tennessee
First, the Tennessee Attorney General told us state election laws for felons don’t apply to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump because the presidency isn’t a state office. Then, the Supreme Court — in its infinite wisdom (idiocy) — determined the United States presidency has wide immunity to criminal prosecution in its official capacity. In other […] The post Stockard on the Stump: Government immunity stretches from D.C. to Tennessee appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
Editor’s notebook: There’s no patriotism in calling the U.S. a “failing country.”
Last week’s presidential debate has unleashed a veritable tsunami of introspection and public teeth gnashing after President Joe Biden turned in a disastrously befuddled performance and former President Donald Trump managed to get through the 90-minute event apparently without ever telling the truth. Many, many journalists and pundits have for a week taken apart the […] The post Editor’s notebook: There’s no patriotism in calling the U.S. a “failing country.” appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
More states consider voter ID laws amid conflicting research on their impact
Nevada voters may decide in November whether they should join three dozen other states in requiring voters to present valid identification before casting a ballot. And Maine may not be far behind, as the push for voter ID requirements grows nationwide despite conflicting studies over their effects. Conservative organizers in Nevada say they have gathered […] The post More states consider voter ID laws amid conflicting research on their impact appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
Texas U.S. House member calls for Biden to withdraw amid debate fallout
WASHINGTON — Texas U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett called for President Joe Biden to withdraw as the Democratic nominee Tuesday, becoming the first congressional Democrat to do so after Biden’s poor performance in last week’s presidential debate that has sent the party reeling four months before the November presidential election. Biden has acknowledged a shaky debate […] The post Texas U.S. House member calls for Biden to withdraw amid debate fallout appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
If Tennessee was its own country, it would have the 9th highest incarceration rate in the world
Editor’s note: A previous version misstated how many people were in Tennessee jails and prisons. Tennessee has one of the highest rates of people put in jail or prison, a report released by the Prison Policy Institute found. With more than 55,000 people in local jails or state and federal prisons, Tennessee has the […] The post If Tennessee was its own country, it would have the 9th highest incarceration rate in the world appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
Trump NY sentencing delayed after U.S. Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling
WASHINGTON — A New York judge agreed Tuesday to delay the criminal sentencing of former President Donald Trump in the state hush money case after Trump claimed the U.S. Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision absolves him. New York Justice Juan Merchan, who oversaw the case, ordered the delay until Sept. 18 so the court could […] The post Trump NY sentencing delayed after U.S. Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
New laws puts responsibility on Tennessee kids for stopping their own abuse
I’m sitting in a virtual room with a few attorneys discussing how we can support young people’s access to health care without running afoul of the new law criminalizing adults supporting minors who access abortion,when someone says, “Well, the law doesn’t prevent kids from educating their peers on abortion. Why don’t we just train them?” […] The post New laws puts responsibility on Tennessee kids for stopping their own abuse appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
Killing of Belmont University student spurs new Tennessee mental competency law
Reacting to the death of a Belmont University student killed by a stray bullet, Tennessee lawmakers passed a measure this year that would allow judges to commit offenders to a mental health facility if they’re deemed incompetent to stand trial. The law is one of several new measures that took effect Monday, July 1, designed […] The post Killing of Belmont University student spurs new Tennessee mental competency law appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
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Now more than ever, tough and fair journalism is important. The Tennessee Lookout is your watchdog, telling the stories of politics and policy that affect the people of the Volunteer State. Our investigative reporters and journalists explain what’s happening, why it’s happening, and who it helps or hurts. We expose the relationships between politics, people and policy and we hold the powerful accountable. You can count on us for hard-hitting stories and incisive commentary on health care, hospital closures, mental health and addiction treatment, education, criminal justice reform and environmental issues. We are a nonprofit and all of our content is free for sharing. Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. Tennessee Lookout retains editorial independence.
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