By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Lookout readers:
When the Collective Good Immigrant Pantry started in July 2025 as a grassroots food pantry, volunteers were serving about eight families per week. Then, the Memphis Safe Task Force, a conglomeration of federal and state agencies deployed by President Donald Trump and Gov. Bill Lee, launched and demand grew as immigrant families began to fear leaving their homes.
More than a year later, the pantry is still operating at a crisis level.
“What we didn’t know was that we were building an emergency response system that families were still going to desperately need more than a year later, and the crisis didn’t end when the headlines stopped,” Jessica Miller, co-founder of the Collective Good told reporter Cassandra Stephenson.
Miller said she hopes that people do not “become accustomed to suffering.”
In other news:
The final day. Today is the final day of the early voting period prior to Tuesday’s midterm election. Not sure who’s on the ballot? Check out the Lookout’s 2026 Voter Guide, below.
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
The Collective Good Immigrant Pantry, a project of Indivisible Memphis, has seen a spike in requests for food since a federal law enforcement task force arrived in the city. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Cassandra Stephenson
One year into the deployment of the Trump administration’s Memphis Safe Task Force, volunteers with the Collective Good Immigrant Pantry, a food pantry that operates out of garages and spare rooms to provide food and necessities, have seen a surging need as more immigrant families fear leaving their homes to shop.
ELECTION 2026
Sen. Brent Taylor, the Republican nominee for the 9th Congressional District, said allegations he sent nude pictures in the past were “youthful indiscretions.” (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Sam Stockard
Republican congressional candidate and state Sen. Brent Taylor, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, dismissed accusations he sent nude pictures as “youthful indiscretions.” But a Democratic colleague says she was not surprised by the allegations, calling Taylor “crass” and a “bully.”
NEWS AND NOTES
Judge denies attempt by Trump’s DOJ to exclude 20,000 California ballots from vote count | Jonathan Shorman, States Newsroom
Courts to decide fate of Trump’s latest push to control voting as Election Day nears| Jonathan Shorman, States Newsroom
Green and Pinkston speak after gubernatorial forum. Here are the biggest takeaways | Gary Davis, MTSU Seigenthaler News Service
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
Gov. Bill Lee, pictured taking questions from reporters earlier this month, on Wednesday questioned the state’s implementation of new rules denying driver’s licenses to immigrants authorized to live and work in the United States. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Tennessee Gov. Lee questions state rules denying licenses to immigrants legally able to work in U.S.
by Anita Wadhwani
Gov. Bill Lee said Wednesday he is seeking more information about new rules imposed by state driver’s license administrators that have prevented immigrants legally authorized to work in the United States — including so-called “Dreamers” — from obtaining or renewing a Tennessee driver’s license.
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
Gov. Bill Lee has singed an order extending the use of tax-exempt dyed diesel by Tennessee farmers through the end of 2026. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Cassandra Stephenson
Tennessee farmers and loggers will be allowed to use tax-exempt diesel — usually limited to off-road vehicles — on public roads through the end of the year, Gov. Bill Lee announced Tuesday.
COMMENTARY
John Cole’s Tennessee: Exit polls say. . . ?
John Cole’s Tennessee: Exit polls say . . .? Tennessee voters in several counties are reporting voting machines are changing their votes, provoking uncertainty.
ICYMI
COMMENTARY
What the town kept and what it couldn’t lend | Kabal Briar
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