By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Lookout readers.
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen has never been a shrinking violet.
Throughout his career in elected office, starting as a state senator in 1983, Cohen has spurred strong opinions — both pro and con — but has never pulled his punches. In 2019, the Memphis Democrat brought a bucket of fried chicken to a U.S. House Judiciary Committee meeting as implication then-Attorney General William Barr, a no-show for the committee, was too chicken to appear.
Cohen recently announced his retirement after the Tennessee General Assembly redrew the 9th Congressional District, but he’s not going quietly. Senior Reporter Anita Wadhwani reports Cohen fired off a letter to Gov. Bill Lee, asking him to rethink a move requiring families of critically ill children to submit to immigration checks or lose health coverage.
Cohen called the policy “repulsive” and “inhumane.”
Rose calls for Memphis intervention. U.S. Rep. John Rose, a candidate for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, is the latest GOP lawmaker to call for a shakeup in Shelby County government after the federal indictment of Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer on public corruption charges.
In hot pursuit. A poll released on Wednesday by Impact Research, which is headed by Obama pollster John Anzalone, shows Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, a Democrat, trailing incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles by six percentage points in the Congressional District 5 race.
I scream, you scream. City Cast Nashville on Wednesday reported ConeCept in East Nashville has made Food and Wine’s list of best new ice cream shops. The outlet also republished a list of best ice cream shops in Nashville. Got a favorite place for scoops in other Tennessee towns? Drop us a line at [email protected].
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, photographed during a May special legislative session, has asked Gov. Bill Lee to dial back a move requiring immigration checks for the families of children with critical health issues. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Anita Wadhwani
Tennessee U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen on Wednesday urged Gov. Bill Lee to revoke a state directive that requires the reporting of approximately 400 sick or disabled children enrolled in a public health program to a state immigration enforcement division. In a letter to Lee, Cohen called the directive “morally repulsive” and “inhumane.”
NEWS AND NOTES
Lawmakers demand info on Trump use of national park fees to pay for D.C. repairs | Amelia Twyman, States Newsroom
FEMA nominee pressed on whether Trump favors disaster funding requests from GOP states | Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
The U.S. Department of Defense has asked for a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the NAACP over Elon Musk’s xAI plants in Memphis. (Photo: Karen Pulfer Focht for Tennessee Lookout)
by Sam Stockard
The U.S. Department of Justice is asking a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the NAACP against Elon Musk’s xAI plants in Memphis and Mississippi, saying they are critical to the country’s defense efforts.
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
A report released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in June 2026 ranks Tennessee near bottom in measures of child well-being.(Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Anita Wadhwani
Tennessee experienced a sharp decline in measures of child well-being in recent years, according to a state-by-state assessment of federal economic, educational, census and health data analyzed yearly by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
ICYMI
Tennessee soybean farmers get morale boost from better prices, but future remains ‘daunting’ | Cassandra Stephenson
Tennessee pharmacies sell potent Ivermectin, led by anti-vaccine doctor who’s taken ‘bucketloads’ | Brett Kelman and Rachana Pradhan, KFF Health News
COMMENTARY
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