By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Lookout readers:
Immigrant kids in Tennessee are once more at the mercy of oppressive policies designed to weed out folks who moved to America from other countries.
Senior Reporter Anita Wadhwani reports a nonprofit legal clinic that represents immigrant children in the state without a parent or legal guardian is closing in Memphis and Nashville after losing federal funding.
In November, the Trump administration gave Mid-South Immigration an ultimatum: turn over personal information about the kids the clinic served, ranging from infants to teens, or no more money. The move forces children to appear in court by themselves.
And from Sam Stockard, a rundown of major candidate endorsements as the sand runs out of the hourglass prior to the August 6 primary.
In other news:
Calling in the big kahuna. U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, a Republican, will host a tele- town hall with President Donald Trump tonight at 5:30 p.m. CDT. The move comes amid reports the 5th Congressional Republican primary between Ogles and former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher is tightening.
Trump has already endorsed Ogles and the last time he endorsed a Republican candidate in a close election, he phoned in for Matt Van Epps in December’s Congressional District 7. Van Epps won his election by about 9%.
Early voting? Not sure who’s on the ballot? Check out the Tennessee Lookout Voter Guide, which offers information about every gubernatorial, U.S. Senate and U.S. House candidate running in the August 6 primary.
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
About 800 low-income immigrant children will lose legal representation in Tennessee as the Trump administration withholds funding from a West Tennessee organization. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Anita Wadhwani
Hundreds of immigrant children in Tennessee will soon lose access to their attorneys, placing them at heightened risk for deportation, as a result of the Trump administration’s decision to withhold legal grant payments and end long-time contracts.
NEWS AND NOTES
Administration asks US Supreme Court to uphold sweeping Trump order restricting vote-by-mail |Jacob Fischler, States Newsroom
Trump urges US Senate to hold off on August recess until SAVE America Act passes | Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Crime continues historic decline as homicide rates approach century lows | Amanda Watford, Stateline
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
Tennessee congressional and gubernatorial candidates are benefitting from big name endorsements, including, clockwise from left, state Rep. Justin Pearson, Sen. London Lamar, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles. (Photos: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Sam Stockard
Political endorsements and independent spending are ramping up as congressional candidates wrangle for votes in the closing days of the Aug. 6 primary, with candidates leverage support from elected officials — including President Donald Trump.
ICYMI
Lee signs onto Trump data center cost protection pledge as local communities push for regulation | Cassandra Stephenson and Anita Wadhwani
Federal court denies restraining order in ACLU lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s new congressional map | Cassandra Stephenson
ICYMI
Tennessee’s biggest drag show is the 6th District Republican primary | Chris Sanders
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