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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].
"The state is taking sides in that it is pushing one set of ideas over another, so there’s no balance that is being promoted generally,” said David Kanervo, retired political science professor at Austin Peay State University.
Tennessee will partner with conservative nonprofit founded by Charlie Kirk • Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee leaders announced Friday the state will partner with Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
tennesseelookout.com
December 13, 2025 at 1:19 AM
The U.S. Senate in long-anticipated votes failed to advance legislation Thursday that would have addressed the rising cost of health insurance, leaving lawmakers deadlocked on how to curb a surge in premiums expected next year.
US Senate hits stalemate on solution to spiraling health insurance costs • Tennessee Lookout
The U.S. Senate deadlocked on a measure addressing how to curb the rising cost of health insurance expected next year.
tennesseelookout.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Tennessee state leaders announced on Friday morning that the state will partner with Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit founded by the late Charlie Kirk. (Originally published by @timesfreepress.bsky.social.)
Tennessee will partner with conservative nonprofit founded by Charlie Kirk • Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee leaders announced Friday the state will partner with Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
tennesseelookout.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Nashville car magnate and political donor Lee Beaman is distancing himself from a federal investigation into the campaign finance filings of U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles.
Stockard on the Stump: Beaman disassociates from Ogles’ shady campaign report • Tennessee Lookout
Republican donor Lee Beaman found his nomination to the Tennessee Valley Authority board stymied by his ties to U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles.
tennesseelookout.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:27 PM
"Lee Beaman is an unacceptable candidate for the TVA Board of Directors, and we’re hopeful that his removal from the agenda today is a sign that the committee is taking a closer look and will ultimately halt his confirmation process," said Appalachian Voices in a statement.
Beaman’s TVA confirmation vote postponed in Senate panel • Tennessee Lookout
A Senate committee has postponed a vote on GOP-megadonor Lee Beaman's appointment to the Tennessee Valley Authority board.
tennesseelookout.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
“What most struck me is the brutality and physical violence involved in every story,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “This is stuff that should be unrecognizable as America. It should make everyday Americans outraged.”

By @nicolefoy.bsky.social
Immigration Agents Have Often Grabbed and Mistreated Citizens, Congressional Investigators Find
Prompted by ProPublica’s reporting, an investigation by Senate Democrats documented the experiences of nearly two dozen citizens wrongly detained by immigration agents, contradicting the Trump adminis...
www.propublica.org
December 11, 2025 at 11:00 PM
A federal judge in Maryland Thursday ordered the Trump administration to “immediately” release Kilmar Abrego Garcia from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, but it’s unclear if the Department of Homeland Security will follow the judicial order. @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social reports.
Trump administration disputes court order for release of Abrego Garcia from ICE custody • Tennessee Lookout
A federal judge in Maryland Thursday ordered the Trump administration to “immediately” release Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
tennesseelookout.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Just in from @cstephenson.bsky.social: Ford Motor Co. and Korean company, SK Oval, have ended their partnership to build an electric battery plant in West Tennessee. SK On will take over but there is no date set for production to start.
Ford, SK On plan to end BlueOval SK joint venture; SK On will operate Tennessee battery plant • Tennessee Lookout
South Korean battery manufacturer SK On and Ford Motor Company announced plans to end their joint U.S. battery factory venture Thursday.
tennesseelookout.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:54 PM
The Tennessee Supreme Court on Wednesday shot down a lower court's ruling that maps of state House and Senate districts redrawn in 2022 are unconstitutional, ruling that plaintiffs failed to prove harm. From @cstephenson.bsky.social and Sam Stockard.
Tennessee Supreme Court upholds 2022 state legislative redistricting • Tennessee Lookout
The Tennessee Supreme Court vacated a lower court’s ruling that a 2022 state Senate map was unconstitutiona.
tennesseelookout.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
In one instance, TDOC’s press release mistakenly refers to Nichols as “inmate Smith,” appearing to confuse the man with Oscar Smith, who was executed in May.
December 11, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
“To the people I’ve harmed, I’m sorry.” Thirty-seven years after he was sentenced to death for the 1988 rape and murder of Karen Pulley, Harold Wayne Nichols was executed by the state of Tennessee on Thursday morning.

✏️ @iamstevenhale.bsky.social
Execution of Harold Wayne Nichols in Tennessee - Nashville Banner
Harold Wayne Nichols was executed for the 1988 rape and murder in 198of Karen Pulley. His final statement offered remorse and love for his family.
nashvillebanner.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Since the Dec. 2 special election in Tennessee's Congressional District 7, Democrats have been relitigating the outcome and speculating a more moderate candidate could have won. But is that reality? Editor @jhollymc takes apart the arguments.
Editor's notebook: Democrats pointing fingers over Congressional District 7 lack realism • Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee Democrats engage in a circular firing squad over the outcome of the special election in Congressional District 7.
tennesseelookout.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:06 PM
A Tennessee Comptroller’s Office investigation found that the Weakley County Circuit Court clerk improperly signed petitions to expunge criminal records for someone who was not eligible for expungement under Tennessee law. @cstephenson.bsky.social reports.
Comptroller finds Weakley Co. Court Clerk sought improper expungements • Tennessee Lookout
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office found that the Weakley County Circuit Court clerk improperly signed petitions to expunge criminal records.
tennesseelookout.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
The TVA confirmation vote of former Nashville auto magnate Lee Beaman hit a wall this week amid questions about two Washington, D.C. rowhouses he owns and ties to embattled U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles.
Beaman’s TVA confirmation vote postponed in Senate panel • Tennessee Lookout
A Senate committee has postponed a vote on GOP-megadonor Lee Beaman's appointment to the Tennessee Valley Authority board.
tennesseelookout.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works has postponed a vote on GOP-megadonor Lee Beaman's appointment to the Tennessee Valley Authority board.

via @tennesseelookout.com
Beaman’s TVA confirmation vote postponed in Senate panel
The TVA confirmation vote of former Nashville auto magnate Lee Beaman hit a wall this week amid questions about two Washington, D.C. rowhouses he owns and ties to embattled U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles.The…
www.newsfromthestates.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
What was meant to be a discussion over the future of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission became a broader debate on development.
Hamilton County commissioners debate split zoning commission | Chattanooga Times Free Press
Commissioner Gene-O Shipley, R-Soddy-Daisy, framed the debate Wednesday evening as county commissioners discussed a plan to split a board responsible for zoning recommendations into two bodies — one for Chattanooga and one for the rest of Hamilton County.
www.timesfreepress.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
Via Jennifer Shutt: U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson committed Wednesday to hold a vote next week on a package of health care bills, but didn't say which bills would be included or whether they had the GOP votes to pass. https://ow.ly/Uggb50XH84c
December 11, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Just in: The Tennessee Supreme Court vacated a lower court’s judgment that a 2022 state Senate map was unconstitutional, ruling that a voter in a misnumbered Davidson County district lacked standing to challenge the map. The 2022 redistricting stands. Via @cstephenson.bsky.social & Sam Stockard.
Tennessee Supreme Court upholds 2022 state legislative redistricting • Tennessee Lookout
The Tennessee Supreme Court vacated a lower court’s ruling that a 2022 state Senate map was unconstitutiona.
tennesseelookout.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:17 AM
From the federal beat: A second federal judge in New York on Wednesday granted a U.S. Department of Justice request to unseal grand jury records in the case against the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. @ashleymurray.bsky.social reports.
Another judge grants request to unseal Epstein grand jury files • Tennessee Lookout
A federal judge in New York granted a U.S. Department of Justice request to unseal grand jury records in the case against Jeffrey Epstein.
tennesseelookout.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
Updated w/ details on bipartisan discharge petition that could force a House floor vote to extend enhanced ACA marketplace tax credits

www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-h...
US House GOP promises vote on reducing health care premiums, but few specifics disclosed
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson committed Wednesday to hold a vote next week on a package of bills that he said would lower health insurance premiums for hundreds of millions of Americans...
www.newsfromthestates.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Update from last week: a vote to approve Nashville mega-GOP donor Lee Beaman's nomination to the Tennessee Valley Authority board has been postponed. Stand by for full story.
Car magnate Beaman draws fire during TVA board confirmation hearing • Tennessee Lookout
A U.S. senator questioned whether former car magnate Lee Beaman is fit to serve on the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors.
tennesseelookout.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Tennesseans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will no longer be able to use the funds to purchase soda and sugary processed foods after Trump administration officials approved the state’s waivers , which were requested by Gov. Bill Lee. @cstephenson.bsky.social.
Feds approve Tennessee’s SNAP waivers excluding soda, sugary foods from benefits • Tennessee Lookout
Tennesseans who get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will no longer be able to use funds to buy sugary processed foods.
tennesseelookout.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
Via Jennifer Shutt: U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley is ratcheting up pressure on the Food and Drug Administration to finish a study into medication abortion and change its prescribing guidelines, writing in a letter to Commissioner Marty Makary Wednesday that the pace of the review is “totally unacceptable.”
Missouri Sen. Hawley amps up pressure campaign on FDA chief to limit medication abortion | Alabama Reflector
The letter from Hawley came just one day after leading anti-abortion groups called on President Donald Trump to fire Marty Makary.
alabamareflector.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Tennessee Lookout
Tennesseans are increasingly turning to tele-health with out-of-state providers to obtain abortions, a new report released by the Society of Family Planning says.

via @tennesseelookout.com
Report: after abortion ban, Tennesseans increasingly rely on telehealth to terminate pregnancies
Tennesseans obtained abortions during the first half of 2025 primarily through telehealth visits with healthcare providers in states where the procedure remains legal.
www.newsfromthestates.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM