Anita Wadhwani
@anitawadhwani.bsky.social
Reporter, Tennessee Lookout. Nashville.
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
We found that many voucher schools basically gave themselves discretion over which students with disabilities they could/would accommodate.
Many often explicitly banned LGBTQ+ students and some threatened expulsion for “immorality,” comparing queerness to bestiality.
Many often explicitly banned LGBTQ+ students and some threatened expulsion for “immorality,” comparing queerness to bestiality.
Tennessee voucher schools often exclude LGBTQ+ students and those with disabilities from inclusivity policies, citing religion and bandwidth.
✏️: Lillian Avedian and @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social
✏️: Lillian Avedian and @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social
LGBTQ+, disabled students face exclusion from private schools - Nashville Banner
Some Tennessee private schools receiving state-funded vouchers exclude LGBTQ+ students and those with disabilities, raising concerns about discrimination.
nashvillebanner.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:49 PM
We found that many voucher schools basically gave themselves discretion over which students with disabilities they could/would accommodate.
Many often explicitly banned LGBTQ+ students and some threatened expulsion for “immorality,” comparing queerness to bestiality.
Many often explicitly banned LGBTQ+ students and some threatened expulsion for “immorality,” comparing queerness to bestiality.
“The expanding scope of this indefinite military occupation underscores the urgent need for injunctive relief” wrote lawyers challenging Tennessee National Guard deployment to Memphis, in late Friday court filing
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/14/h... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/14/h... @tennesseelookout.com
Hundreds more National Guard headed to Memphis even as judge weighs request for temporary injunction • Tennessee Lookout
Hundreds more members of the Tennessee National Guard are expected to arrive in Memphis over the next few days.
tennesseelookout.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:51 PM
“The expanding scope of this indefinite military occupation underscores the urgent need for injunctive relief” wrote lawyers challenging Tennessee National Guard deployment to Memphis, in late Friday court filing
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/14/h... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/14/h... @tennesseelookout.com
Tennessee Voucher School Policies Often Exclude LGBTQ+ Students, Those with Disabilities nashvillebanner.com/2025/11/17/t... @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social @nashvillebanner.bsky.social
LGBTQ+, disabled students face exclusion from private schools - Nashville Banner
Some Tennessee private schools receiving state-funded vouchers exclude LGBTQ+ students and those with disabilities, raising concerns about discrimination.
nashvillebanner.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Tennessee Voucher School Policies Often Exclude LGBTQ+ Students, Those with Disabilities nashvillebanner.com/2025/11/17/t... @sarahgracetaylor.bsky.social @nashvillebanner.bsky.social
Dozens of Tennessee hardwood companies join industry plea for federal relief from tariff hardships tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/17/d... @cstephenson.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
Dozens of TN hardwood companies join industry plea for federal relief from tariff hardships • Tennessee Lookout
Nearly 40 Tennessee hardwood companies are among hundreds of U.S. hardwood operators asking for relief from tariff-induced economic hardship.
tennesseelookout.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Dozens of Tennessee hardwood companies join industry plea for federal relief from tariff hardships tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/17/d... @cstephenson.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
Federal Border Patrol agents arrested 81 people in immigrant neighborhoods across the Charlotte, North Carolina, area on Saturday. An immigrant rights group said it was the largest single-day tally for immigrant arrests in the state’s recent history.
U.S. Border Patrol Arrested 81 People in Charlotte, N.C.
Federal Border Patrol agents hit the streets again on Sunday, their second day in a city home to a growing population of immigrants. It remains unclear how long they will stay.
nyti.ms
November 16, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Federal Border Patrol agents arrested 81 people in immigrant neighborhoods across the Charlotte, North Carolina, area on Saturday. An immigrant rights group said it was the largest single-day tally for immigrant arrests in the state’s recent history.
This should say that up to *210* more National Guard personnel are heading to Memphis, bringing the Guard total to about 350. The Guard will join 1000+ state and federal law enforcement, including ICE, who have spent weeks issuing traffic tickets and detaining people. @tennesseelookout.com
As a judge weighs issuing a temporary injunction to stop the National Guard from patrolling Memphis, Gov. Bill Lee has decided to send even more - adding up to 250 more Guard personnel to the 140-180 currently serving as part of Trump's Memphis Safe Task Force.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/14/h...
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/14/h...
Hundreds more National Guard headed to Memphis even as judge weighs request for temporary injunction • Tennessee Lookout
Hundreds more members of the Tennessee National Guard are expected to arrive in Memphis over the next few days.
tennesseelookout.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:56 PM
This should say that up to *210* more National Guard personnel are heading to Memphis, bringing the Guard total to about 350. The Guard will join 1000+ state and federal law enforcement, including ICE, who have spent weeks issuing traffic tickets and detaining people. @tennesseelookout.com
As a judge weighs issuing a temporary injunction to stop the National Guard from patrolling Memphis, Gov. Bill Lee has decided to send even more - adding up to 250 more Guard personnel to the 140-180 currently serving as part of Trump's Memphis Safe Task Force.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/14/h...
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/14/h...
Hundreds more National Guard headed to Memphis even as judge weighs request for temporary injunction • Tennessee Lookout
Hundreds more members of the Tennessee National Guard are expected to arrive in Memphis over the next few days.
tennesseelookout.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:43 PM
As a judge weighs issuing a temporary injunction to stop the National Guard from patrolling Memphis, Gov. Bill Lee has decided to send even more - adding up to 250 more Guard personnel to the 140-180 currently serving as part of Trump's Memphis Safe Task Force.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/14/h...
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/14/h...
“As of today, approximately 140–180 Tennessee National Guard personnel are on the ground in Memphis. Over the next few days, we anticipate the total presence will increase to roughly 350."
dailymemphian.com/section/metr...
dailymemphian.com/section/metr...
100+ more National Guard members coming to Memphis
Between 140 and 180 more members of the Tennessee National Guard are being deployed to the city, the Memphis Police Department said.
dailymemphian.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:45 PM
“As of today, approximately 140–180 Tennessee National Guard personnel are on the ground in Memphis. Over the next few days, we anticipate the total presence will increase to roughly 350."
dailymemphian.com/section/metr...
dailymemphian.com/section/metr...
Tennessee House, Senate speakers disagree with Trump pardons of former Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff, convicted on political corruption crimes. tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/14/t... @tennesseelookout.com
Tennessee House, Senate speakers disagree with Trump pardons • Tennessee Lookout
Two top Tennessee lawmakers disagree with President Donald Trump’s pardon of former House Speaker Glen Casada on a corruption conviction.
tennesseelookout.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Tennessee House, Senate speakers disagree with Trump pardons of former Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff, convicted on political corruption crimes. tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/14/t... @tennesseelookout.com
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
A former Cincinnati Children’s Hospital chaplain was detained by ICE and held for 73 days. Tomorrow, on the Stories From The States podcast, he will share his story with host @fitzsimon.bsky.social.
www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stor...
#FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism
www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stor...
#FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism
November 13, 2025 at 6:15 PM
A former Cincinnati Children’s Hospital chaplain was detained by ICE and held for 73 days. Tomorrow, on the Stories From The States podcast, he will share his story with host @fitzsimon.bsky.social.
www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stor...
#FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism
www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stor...
#FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
Harold Wayne Nichols, sentenced in the rape and murder of a college student, declined to choose between lethal injection or electric chair. The default is lethal injection, which has had a troubling history in TN
wpln.org/post/tenness... @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social @wpln.bsky.social
wpln.org/post/tenness... @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social @wpln.bsky.social
Tennessee schedules next lethal injection as questions linger about the last one
The next man scheduled for execution in Tennessee — Harold Wayne Nichols — has officially declined to choose a method of execution. He had two options:
wpln.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Harold Wayne Nichols, sentenced in the rape and murder of a college student, declined to choose between lethal injection or electric chair. The default is lethal injection, which has had a troubling history in TN
wpln.org/post/tenness... @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social @wpln.bsky.social
wpln.org/post/tenness... @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social @wpln.bsky.social
Tennessee is now among the states with the largest expansion of agreements btw local/state law enforcement and ICE: 48.
Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Act sweetens these deals by allocating funding to pay for officer salaries & equipment.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/13/t... @tennesseelookout.com
Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Act sweetens these deals by allocating funding to pay for officer salaries & equipment.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/13/t... @tennesseelookout.com
Tennessee partnerships with ICE multiply as feds offer $14B in incentives nationwide • Tennessee Lookout
In Tennessee, 48 local and state law enforcement agencies ave signed onto 287(g) agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
tennesseelookout.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Tennessee is now among the states with the largest expansion of agreements btw local/state law enforcement and ICE: 48.
Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Act sweetens these deals by allocating funding to pay for officer salaries & equipment.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/13/t... @tennesseelookout.com
Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Act sweetens these deals by allocating funding to pay for officer salaries & equipment.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/13/t... @tennesseelookout.com
Tennessee safety commissioner wants more state troopers to cover posts patrolling Memphis. As part of Trump convened Memphis Safe Task Force, 300 troopers have been sent to Memphis tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/12/s...
Safety commissioner wants more state troopers to cover posts patrolling Memphis • Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee’s Department of Safety and Homeland Security asks for 100 state troopers to fill gaps left by a Memphis law enforcement surge,
tennesseelookout.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Tennessee safety commissioner wants more state troopers to cover posts patrolling Memphis. As part of Trump convened Memphis Safe Task Force, 300 troopers have been sent to Memphis tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/12/s...
Tennessee to start distributing partial payments of SNAP for November tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tenne... @friedmanadam5.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
Tennessee to start distributing partial payments of SNAP for November • Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee officials will begin distributing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, giving recipients 65% of November funds.
tennesseelookout.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Tennessee to start distributing partial payments of SNAP for November tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tenne... @friedmanadam5.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
President Donald Trump pardoned Kingsport Republican U.S. Rep Diana Harshbarger’s husband, amid a string of Tennessee-related clemencies issued last week.
Trump issues pardon for husband of East Tennessee U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger • Tennessee Lookout
President Donald Trump pardoned Kingsport Republican U.S. Rep Diana Harshbarger’s husband, amid a string of Tennessee clemencies.
tennesseelookout.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:27 PM
President Donald Trump pardoned Kingsport Republican U.S. Rep Diana Harshbarger’s husband, amid a string of Tennessee-related clemencies issued last week.
Shutdown battle ebbs, but Trump won’t give up trying to withhold full SNAP benefits tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/11/r... @tennesseelookout.com @fischler.bsky.social
Shutdown battle ebbs, but Trump won’t give up trying to withhold full SNAP benefits • Tennessee Lookout
The Trump administration continued Monday to press the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn lower court decisions full benefits for SNAP benefits.
tennesseelookout.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Shutdown battle ebbs, but Trump won’t give up trying to withhold full SNAP benefits tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/11/r... @tennesseelookout.com @fischler.bsky.social
President Trump pardons the husband of Tennessee Republican Congresswoman Dana Harshbarger
www.wjhl.com/news/local/p...
www.wjhl.com/news/local/p...
www.wjhl.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
President Trump pardons the husband of Tennessee Republican Congresswoman Dana Harshbarger
www.wjhl.com/news/local/p...
www.wjhl.com/news/local/p...
Nashville judge rejects one of the state’s arguments for refusing to disclose the identities of Tennessee Highway Patrol officers involved in immigration enforcement but asked to hear additional arguments before making a final ruling.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/11/n... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/11/n... @tennesseelookout.com
Nashville judge to hold new hearing on state’s request to withhold immigration records • Tennessee Lookout
A Nashville judge has rejected one a state legal arguments for refusing to disclose the identities of Tennessee Highway Patrol officers.
tennesseelookout.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Nashville judge rejects one of the state’s arguments for refusing to disclose the identities of Tennessee Highway Patrol officers involved in immigration enforcement but asked to hear additional arguments before making a final ruling.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/11/n... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/11/n... @tennesseelookout.com
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
As an off-cycle special election, turnout in the special election primary for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District race was down significantly compared to the 2024 General Election -- but Democratic turnout was comparable to Republican, giving Democrats hope. @friedmanadam5.bsky.social reports.
Turnout was down 75% in Middle TN U.S. House special election, particularly in GOP strongholds • Tennessee Lookout
Turnout in the special election primary for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District race was down compared to the 2024 General Election.
tennesseelookout.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
As an off-cycle special election, turnout in the special election primary for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District race was down significantly compared to the 2024 General Election -- but Democratic turnout was comparable to Republican, giving Democrats hope. @friedmanadam5.bsky.social reports.
"Experts said the new guidelines greatly expand the list of medical conditions to be considered and give visa officers more power to make decisions about immigration based on an applicant’s health status."
kffhealthnews.org/news/article... @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article... @kffhealthnews.org
Immigrants With Health Conditions May Be Denied Visas Under New Trump Administration Guidance - KFF Health News
The Trump administration has directed visa officers to consider common health ailments, including obesity and diabetes, when would-be immigrants seek visas to enter the U.S.
kffhealthnews.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:13 PM
"Experts said the new guidelines greatly expand the list of medical conditions to be considered and give visa officers more power to make decisions about immigration based on an applicant’s health status."
kffhealthnews.org/news/article... @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article... @kffhealthnews.org
“We have a faith that God will provide, that He loves us & supports the work we do," said one TN food pantry director.
“But the human side of me looks at our shelves sometimes and the eyes of people we serve and it’s hard. It is scary.”
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/10/t... @tennesseelookout.com
“But the human side of me looks at our shelves sometimes and the eyes of people we serve and it’s hard. It is scary.”
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/10/t... @tennesseelookout.com
Tennessee food pantries see surge in demand as uncertainty over SNAP continues • Tennessee Lookout
Food banks across Tennessee report an uptick in demand as the Trump administration continues enforce a freeze on full SNAP payments.
tennesseelookout.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:38 PM
“We have a faith that God will provide, that He loves us & supports the work we do," said one TN food pantry director.
“But the human side of me looks at our shelves sometimes and the eyes of people we serve and it’s hard. It is scary.”
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/10/t... @tennesseelookout.com
“But the human side of me looks at our shelves sometimes and the eyes of people we serve and it’s hard. It is scary.”
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/10/t... @tennesseelookout.com
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
ICYMI: Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff reportedly received presidential pardons Thursday, just weeks after being sentenced to prison for government corruption convictions, according to news reports.
Former Tennessee Speaker Casada, ex-chief of staff reportedly pardoned • Tennessee Lookout
Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff reportedly received presidential pardons Thursday. .
tennesseelookout.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:40 PM
ICYMI: Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff reportedly received presidential pardons Thursday, just weeks after being sentenced to prison for government corruption convictions, according to news reports.
Federal/local task forces aren't unusual. But officials were vague about the number of federal officers involved, how visible they would be in communities and whether they will do immigration enforcement.
The focus, they said, will be on cartels, drugs, gangs
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/06/f...
The focus, they said, will be on cartels, drugs, gangs
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/06/f...
Feds form 'Homeland Security Task Force' in Nashville, among several other major U.S. cities • Tennessee Lookout
Federal officials on Thursday announced the formation of a Nashville-based Homeland Security Task Force to combat gangs and drug trafficking.
tennesseelookout.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Federal/local task forces aren't unusual. But officials were vague about the number of federal officers involved, how visible they would be in communities and whether they will do immigration enforcement.
The focus, they said, will be on cartels, drugs, gangs
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/06/f...
The focus, they said, will be on cartels, drugs, gangs
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/06/f...
Feds form ‘Homeland Security Task Force’ in Nashville, among several other major U.S. cities
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/06/f... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/06/f... @tennesseelookout.com
Feds form 'Homeland Security Task Force' in Nashville, among several other major U.S. cities • Tennessee Lookout
Federal officials on Thursday announced the formation of a Nashville-based Homeland Security Task Force to combat gangs and drug trafficking.
tennesseelookout.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Feds form ‘Homeland Security Task Force’ in Nashville, among several other major U.S. cities
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/06/f... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/06/f... @tennesseelookout.com