Anita Wadhwani
@anitawadhwani.bsky.social
Reporter, Tennessee Lookout. Nashville.
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
U.S. border agents are set to descend on communities in southeast Mississippi as part of "Swamp Sweep," an operation with a goal of arresting 5,000 people in southern Mississippi and Louisiana.
www.mississippifreepress.org/border-agent...
www.mississippifreepress.org/border-agent...
Border Agents Target Mississippi Communities in ‘Swamp Sweep’
Border agents are set to conduct a major immigration crackdown called "Swamp Sweep,” targeting immigrants in southeast Mississippi and Louisiana.
www.mississippifreepress.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:06 PM
U.S. border agents are set to descend on communities in southeast Mississippi as part of "Swamp Sweep," an operation with a goal of arresting 5,000 people in southern Mississippi and Louisiana.
www.mississippifreepress.org/border-agent...
www.mississippifreepress.org/border-agent...
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
The hardest day of my council career was the day I put the smallest flower arrangement on the smallest casket. That was Felipe’s son. It still haunts me.
I can not imagine what this family has to continue to endure. This country lacks humanity in more ways than one. Abolish ICE.
I can not imagine what this family has to continue to endure. This country lacks humanity in more ways than one. Abolish ICE.
Felipe Mendez lost his wife & son when tornadoes swept through Nashville in '23
A May traffic stop landed him in ICE custody, where the single dad was given a choice: "self-deport" or lose his surviving 2 sons to state custody
Story by John Partipilo & @friedmanadam5.bsky.social
bit.ly/49v0U1T
A May traffic stop landed him in ICE custody, where the single dad was given a choice: "self-deport" or lose his surviving 2 sons to state custody
Story by John Partipilo & @friedmanadam5.bsky.social
bit.ly/49v0U1T
A tornado and an immigration sting. The start and end of a life in Nashville. • Tennessee Lookout
Caught in an immigration sting, Felipe Mendez was ordered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave the U.S. or lose his children.
tennesseelookout.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
The hardest day of my council career was the day I put the smallest flower arrangement on the smallest casket. That was Felipe’s son. It still haunts me.
I can not imagine what this family has to continue to endure. This country lacks humanity in more ways than one. Abolish ICE.
I can not imagine what this family has to continue to endure. This country lacks humanity in more ways than one. Abolish ICE.
Judge: Tennessee National Guard allowed in Memphis while state appeals her finding that Gov. Bill Lee violated the law in deploying them
tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tenne... @friedmanadam5.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tenne... @friedmanadam5.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
Tennessee National Guard allowed in Memphis while state appeals • Tennessee Lookout
Gov. Bill Lee’s deployment of the Tennessee National Guard in Memphis will continue as the state appeals the ruling.
tennesseelookout.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Judge: Tennessee National Guard allowed in Memphis while state appeals her finding that Gov. Bill Lee violated the law in deploying them
tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tenne... @friedmanadam5.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tenne... @friedmanadam5.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
Top ICE official elaborates on plan to send Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia
He has asked to be sent to Costa Rica, which has agreed to accept him as a refugee
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/21/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
He has asked to be sent to Costa Rica, which has agreed to accept him as a refugee
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/21/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
Top ICE official elaborates on plan to send Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia • Tennessee Lookout
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials detailed to a federal judge plans to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia.
tennesseelookout.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Top ICE official elaborates on plan to send Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia
He has asked to be sent to Costa Rica, which has agreed to accept him as a refugee
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/21/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
He has asked to be sent to Costa Rica, which has agreed to accept him as a refugee
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/21/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social @tennesseelookout.com
Felipe Mendez lost his wife & son when tornadoes swept through Nashville in '23
A May traffic stop landed him in ICE custody, where the single dad was given a choice: "self-deport" or lose his surviving 2 sons to state custody
Story by John Partipilo & @friedmanadam5.bsky.social
bit.ly/49v0U1T
A May traffic stop landed him in ICE custody, where the single dad was given a choice: "self-deport" or lose his surviving 2 sons to state custody
Story by John Partipilo & @friedmanadam5.bsky.social
bit.ly/49v0U1T
A tornado and an immigration sting. The start and end of a life in Nashville. • Tennessee Lookout
Caught in an immigration sting, Felipe Mendez was ordered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave the U.S. or lose his children.
tennesseelookout.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Felipe Mendez lost his wife & son when tornadoes swept through Nashville in '23
A May traffic stop landed him in ICE custody, where the single dad was given a choice: "self-deport" or lose his surviving 2 sons to state custody
Story by John Partipilo & @friedmanadam5.bsky.social
bit.ly/49v0U1T
A May traffic stop landed him in ICE custody, where the single dad was given a choice: "self-deport" or lose his surviving 2 sons to state custody
Story by John Partipilo & @friedmanadam5.bsky.social
bit.ly/49v0U1T
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
Health experts are alarmed as Republicans degrade the country’s pivotal HIV programs — and break promises made during Trump’s first term.
America’s most basic HIV protections are in danger as a decade of progress unravels
Health experts are alarmed as Republicans degrade the country’s pivotal HIV programs — and break promises made during Trump’s first term.
19thnews.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Health experts are alarmed as Republicans degrade the country’s pivotal HIV programs — and break promises made during Trump’s first term.
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
Months after Felipe Mendez and his family came to Tennessee from Guatemala to find opportunity, a tornado killed his wife and toddler. After being caught in a May immigration sting while leaving work, he was told he could leave voluntarily or lose his kids. Story from @friedmanadam5.bsky.social.
A tornado and an immigration sting. The start and end of a life in Nashville. • Tennessee Lookout
Caught in an immigration sting, Felipe Mendez was ordered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave the U.S. or lose his children.
tennesseelookout.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Months after Felipe Mendez and his family came to Tennessee from Guatemala to find opportunity, a tornado killed his wife and toddler. After being caught in a May immigration sting while leaving work, he was told he could leave voluntarily or lose his kids. Story from @friedmanadam5.bsky.social.
Under new EPA rule, protections would dry up for wetlands in Tennessee, Mississippi River basin
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/20/u... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/20/u... @tennesseelookout.com
Under new EPA rule, protections would dry up for wetlands in Tennessee, Mississippi River basin • Tennessee Lookout
Wetlands across the Mississippi River basin may lose federal protection under a rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
tennesseelookout.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Under new EPA rule, protections would dry up for wetlands in Tennessee, Mississippi River basin
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/20/u... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/20/u... @tennesseelookout.com
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
A measure that would include the Ten Commandments in a list of “historical documents” was passed out of an Ohio Senate committee Tuesday. Ohio public schools will be required to display at least some of the documents in each classroom of each school. ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/11/19/o...
Ohio Senate committee passes bill that lists Ten Commandments as 'historical document' • Ohio Capital Journal
A measure that would include the Ten Commandments in a list of “historical documents” was passed out of an Ohio Senate committee on Tuesday.
ohiocapitaljournal.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:47 PM
A measure that would include the Ten Commandments in a list of “historical documents” was passed out of an Ohio Senate committee Tuesday. Ohio public schools will be required to display at least some of the documents in each classroom of each school. ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/11/19/o...
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee vows to appeal ruling that found his unilateral deployment of the National Guard to Memphis violates state law.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t... @tennesseelookout.com
Tennessee governor to appeal ruling against Guard in Memphis • Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee will appeal a ruling requiring the state to remove the National Guard from Memphis as part of a police action.
tennesseelookout.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee vows to appeal ruling that found his unilateral deployment of the National Guard to Memphis violates state law.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t... @tennesseelookout.com
“Removing the National Guard does not remove the fear. It does not unbreak the families. It does not undo the trauma. And it does not stop the ongoing actions of the Task Force that created the crisis we are in in the first place.”
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/19/s... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/19/s... @tennesseelookout.com
Shelby County mayor: ‘The military should not be used against Tennesseans’ • Tennessee Lookout
“The military should not be used against Tennesseans,” said Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris about the Tennessee National Guard in Memphis.
tennesseelookout.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
“Removing the National Guard does not remove the fear. It does not unbreak the families. It does not undo the trauma. And it does not stop the ongoing actions of the Task Force that created the crisis we are in in the first place.”
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/19/s... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/19/s... @tennesseelookout.com
“Memphians know their city is facing a violent crime emergency that the state must address, and we’re confident higher courts will ultimately recognize this as well," statement by Gov. Bill Lee's office said.
Tennessee to appeal ruling against Guard in Memphis
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t...
Tennessee to appeal ruling against Guard in Memphis
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t...
Tennessee governor to appeal ruling against Guard in Memphis • Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee will appeal a ruling requiring the state to remove the National Guard from Memphis as part of a police action.
tennesseelookout.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM
“Memphians know their city is facing a violent crime emergency that the state must address, and we’re confident higher courts will ultimately recognize this as well," statement by Gov. Bill Lee's office said.
Tennessee to appeal ruling against Guard in Memphis
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t...
Tennessee to appeal ruling against Guard in Memphis
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/t...
Members of Democratic caucus press ICE for answers on detainment of pregnant women
They asking for ICE to immediately release any detained immigrants who are pregnant.
alabamareflector.com/2025/11/18/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social
They asking for ICE to immediately release any detained immigrants who are pregnant.
alabamareflector.com/2025/11/18/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social
Members of Democratic caucus press ICE for answers on detainment of pregnant women | Alabama Reflector
The letter argues that ICE’s own regulations do not require pregnant, postpartum or nursing immigrants to be detained and detainment should only occur if the release is “prohibited by law or exception...
alabamareflector.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Members of Democratic caucus press ICE for answers on detainment of pregnant women
They asking for ICE to immediately release any detained immigrants who are pregnant.
alabamareflector.com/2025/11/18/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social
They asking for ICE to immediately release any detained immigrants who are pregnant.
alabamareflector.com/2025/11/18/r... @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social
Full SNAP benefits should be available to Tennesseans by Thursday
wpln.org/post/full-sn... @wpln.bsky.social @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social
wpln.org/post/full-sn... @wpln.bsky.social @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social
Full SNAP benefits should be available to Tennesseans by Thursday
After weeks of delays, about 700,000 Tennesseans are starting to get their full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits. The Tennessee Department of
wpln.org
November 18, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Full SNAP benefits should be available to Tennesseans by Thursday
wpln.org/post/full-sn... @wpln.bsky.social @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social
wpln.org/post/full-sn... @wpln.bsky.social @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social
A Nashville judge late yesterday temporarily blocked the National Guard from Memphis
Other recent court filings laid out their partial price tag:
$26M in salaries/benefits (1000 troops x one year)
$5,178,816 for hotels
$1,123,875 for meals
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/f... @tennesseelookout.com
Other recent court filings laid out their partial price tag:
$26M in salaries/benefits (1000 troops x one year)
$5,178,816 for hotels
$1,123,875 for meals
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/f... @tennesseelookout.com
Feds ink millions of dollars in contracts to feed, house National Guard in Memphis • Tennessee Lookout
The federal government has entered millions of dollars of contracts to purchase food and lodging for the Tennessee National Guard in Memphis.
tennesseelookout.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
A Nashville judge late yesterday temporarily blocked the National Guard from Memphis
Other recent court filings laid out their partial price tag:
$26M in salaries/benefits (1000 troops x one year)
$5,178,816 for hotels
$1,123,875 for meals
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/f... @tennesseelookout.com
Other recent court filings laid out their partial price tag:
$26M in salaries/benefits (1000 troops x one year)
$5,178,816 for hotels
$1,123,875 for meals
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/18/f... @tennesseelookout.com
A Nashville judge on Friday evening temporarily blocked the National Guard deployment in Memphis
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/17/j... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/17/j... @tennesseelookout.com
Judge temporarily blocks National Guard deployment in Memphis • Tennessee Lookout
A Davidson County chancellor on Monday temporarily blocked Gov. Bill Lee from continuing to deploy the Tennessee National Guard in Memphis.
tennesseelookout.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:13 PM
A Nashville judge on Friday evening temporarily blocked the National Guard deployment in Memphis
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/17/j... @tennesseelookout.com
tennesseelookout.com/2025/11/17/j... @tennesseelookout.com
Reposted by Anita Wadhwani
Wrote about Todd Snider, East Nashville and how the more things change, the more they change.
www.dontrocktheinbox.com/something-go...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com/something-go...
Something good comes along, then it’s gone: Farewell, Todd Snider.
When I moved to East Nashville in 2012, legend had it that if you wanted to find Todd Snider, all you had to do was go to Drifter’s BBQ in Five Points, and he’d be there at the bar. Nashville always h...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Wrote about Todd Snider, East Nashville and how the more things change, the more they change.
www.dontrocktheinbox.com/something-go...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com/something-go...
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