By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Lookout readers:
Tuesday, the 21st day of September, marked the onset of fall, Wednesday saw cooler temperatures in Tennessee and political junkies watching the tick tock till Election Day are tuned in to ad wars and oppo brawls.
Witness the latest salvo in the 9th Congressional District.
The historically Democratic-held, Memphis-based district got sliced six ways to Sunday during a May special legislative session and Shelby County Republican Sen. Brent Taylor wasted no time jumping in, where’s he’s facing Democratic darling, Rep. Justin J. Pearson.
Sam Stockard reports the generically-named Three Star PAC is out with an ad blasting Taylor for what the group says is support of data centers.
The PAC’s website has no information about who leads it or is funding it.
In other news:
Not to be outdone! Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, the Democratic nominee for the 5th Congressional District, is out with a new ad slamming his opponent, GOP nominee Charlie Hatcher, for Hatcher’s alleged support of data centers.
“T for Texas . . .” One of country music’s first stars, Jimmie Rodgers, also known as The Singing Brakeman, yodeled “T for Texas, T for Tennessee,” but this weekend in Knoxville, the T will also stand for Trump. President Donald Trump will attend the gridiron matchup between the University of Tennessee, aka, The Real UT, and the University of Texas.
As if UT’s Neyland Stadium isn’t enough of a mess during home games, Vols fans should prepare for extra traffic delays to accommodate the presidential motorcade, Secret Service swarms and every Tennessee GOP politician jockeying to get close to the Prez.
Or will they? NewsChannel 5 chief investigative reporter Phil Williams pointed out on social media that 5th Congressional District Republican nominee Charlie Hatcher, who was endorsed by Trump in August, has removed the phrase “Pro-Trump” from his website.
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
A dark money PAC has released an ad accusing Sen. Brent Taylor, left, of taking money from AI companies and pushing data centers. Taylor is the GOP nominee for the 9th Congressional District, facing off against Democratic nominee, Rep. Justin J. Pearson. (Photos: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Sam Stockard
A Democrat-backing political action committee is getting into the 9th Congressional District race with an ad accusing Republican Sen. Brent Taylor of taking campaign cash from artificial intelligence companies and passing data center legislation.
NEWS AND NOTES
‘Judge skeptical of White House ban of 3 news outlets but holds off on ruling for now| Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Judge suggests Trump’s most recent birthright citizenship orders may require new lawsuit | Ariana Figueroa, States Newsroom
Democrats, experts call for revocation of school voucher program under adoption by states | Shauneen Miranda, States Newsroom
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
A Meta data center in Gallatin, Tennessee, was opened in 2024. Meta is one of a number of companies employing artificial intelligence that are lobbying the Tennessee General Assembly. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)(Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Adam Friedman
Joining companies such as Amazon, Axon Enterprises, Google and Flock Safety, America’s leading artificial intelligence companies started lobbying in Tennessee this year amid growing backlash to data centers and cameras using the technology.
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
A federal judge in Nashville on Wednesday denied a motion to enjoin the Tennessee Highway Patrol from conducting traffic stops in tandem with ICE. Pictured: a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer and two Homeland Security Investigations officers search a vehicle during a traffic stop on Lamar Ave. in Memphis, Tennessee on Oct. 7, 2025.(Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Anita Wadhwani
In a swift ruling, issued one day after a court hearing, U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger denied a request for a preliminary injunction that would prevent the Tennessee Highway Patrol from conducting pretextual traffic stops in tandem with federal immigration agents.
COMMENTARY
John Cole’s Tennessee: Obstacles in the path
John Cole’s Tennessee: “A really effective gerrymander,” said Erin Covey of the Cook Political Report, speculating a recent redistricting put Tennessee Democratic congressional candidates at a disadvantage.
ICYMI
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