By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning and TGIF, Lookout readers:
This morning, we acknowledge the 25th anniversary of the attacks on the U.S., when planes commandeered by hijackers with the terrorist group Al Qaida crashed into New York City’s World Trade Centers and the Pentagon, while a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers charged the hijackers.
More than 2,900 people died on Sept. 11, 2001 in the largest loss of life by terrorist attack in U.S. history, exceeding the 2,400 killed in the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese military.
That day in 2001 changed life for Americans, including the creation of a surveillance infrastructure that continues to evolve. Amanda Watford with our sibling outlet, Stateline, reports.
And in a personal essay, Tim Lambert, editor of the Pennsylvania Capital Star, another sibling outlet, writes about the Pennsylvania site where United Airlines Flight 93 went down: the crash site was on land Lambert’s family had owned for more than 70 years.
Since 2001, he has been the steward of the story of the land, befriending the families of those who died there and helping keep the memories of their brothers, daughters, loved ones, alive.
In other news:
Blackburn pooh-poohs debates. After Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerri Green on Wednesday challenged her Republican counterpart, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, to a series of debates, WSMV Channel 4 in Nashville caught up with Blackburn to ask for her response.
Blackburn told Channel 4 she wouldn’t “give air to a socialist candidate.”
Green, a graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Georgetown University Law Center, is a member of the Memphis City Council, the interim Shelby County Public Defender, and a married of mother of three.
Blackburn also refused to debate her two Republican primary opponents, U.S. Rep. John Rose and state Rep. Monty Fritts. Wonder if they are “socialists” too.
The Big D. Among the Tennessee Republicans attending President Donald Trump’s midterm convention in Dallas this week is former agriculture commissioner and GOP nominee to the 5th Congressional District Charlie Hatcher.
Correction: Thursday, we misspelled Metro Councilmember Clay Capp’s name. It is ‘Capp,’ not ‘Capps.’
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
Matthew Szalaj, right, an aide to Memphis Mayor Paul Young, was selected over Kyler Gilkey to replace retiring Rep. Joe Towns of Memphis on the November ballot for House District 84. Gilkey came in second to Towns in the August primary. (Gilkey photo: submitted; Sjalaj: Shelby County Commission)
by Sam Stockard
The term “one man, one vote” is taking on new meaning in Memphis where, in the haste to fill a vacant seat, a lone member of the Shelby County Democratic Party selected the next state representative for House District 84.
NEWS AND NOTES
Trump plan to send $5K to every adult projected to cost $1.2T and ‘explode’ the deficit | Ashley Murray, States Newsroom
At midterm convention, Trump pledges cash to voters if Republicans hold Congress | Ashley Murray, States Newsroom
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
The Tennessee Department of General Services received a waiver to keep the bidder for redeveloping 10 acres of state parking lots confidential. The bidder will also receive an option to renovate the James K. Polk Building, pictured above. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Adam Friedman
The Department of General Services has requested a waiver to speed up the process of choosing a master developer for state-owned land near the Tennessee Capitol, with one lawmaker expressing concerns the department is trying to steer the project to a single bidder without a competitive process.
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
Estefany Maria Rodríguez Florez, a reporter for the Spanish-language news outlet Nashville Noticias, was arrested by ICE March 4 south Nashville. (Photo: Courtesy of Nashville Noticias)
by Anita Wadhwani
A federal judge has dismissed a petition by a Nashville Spanish-language news reporter that alleged her detention by federal immigration agents this year was an unconstitutional retaliation for her critical reporting on immigration raids.
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
Charlie Hatcher, left, said he is open to a debate with fellow 5th Congressional District candidate Chaz Molder, right. (Photos: John Partipilo, left, and Brad Vest, right, for Tennessee Lookout)
by Cassandra Stephenson
Columbia Mayor and Democratic candidate Chaz Molder on Thursday morning formally challenged Republican competitor Charlie Hatcher, a farmer and former Tennessee agriculture commissioner, to a series of three debates across the district. Hatcher said he is open to the idea.
ICYMI
COMMENTARY
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