By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Lookout readers:
When the members of Gov. Bill Lee’s Transportation Modernization Board voted unanimously to award the contract for Lee’s toll-lane project — couched under the term “choice lanes” — more than one observer (including journalists) looked askance at the selection.
The consortium, led by Spanish-based multinational infrastructure Ferrovial, won because it offered $25 million in concessions to the state — a whopping amount, especially given two other contenders for the project only offered around $7 million each. One of these things was, indeed, not like the others.
Sam Stockard reports the deal has raised eyebrows in the finance community, as Swiss-based UBS has downgraded Ferrovial stock, citing “higher risks” and “underwhelming returns.”
In other news:
Speaking of underwhelming: U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps, the Republican serving Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, got roasted by locals on Tuesday when an email poll asked if constituents would support “having a data center built in the central Tennessee area?”
Tennessee has three Grand Divisions: East, Middle and West. Central? No such thing. One wag opined his degree from Middle Tennessee State University should perhaps be attributed to “Central Tennessee State University.”
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
Members of Tennessee’s Transportation Modernization Board awarded a contract to build toll lanes from Southeast Nashville to Murfreesboro to a transportation group headed by Ferrovial, a Spanish firm whose stock has been downgraded for its role in the project. (Photo: Sam Stockard/Tennessee Lookout)
by Sam Stockard
An international bank downgraded the stock for Spanish construction firm Ferrovial, a key player in the DriveTN group that won the bid for Tennessee’s I-24 toll lane project, citing “higher risks” associated with a promised payment to the state that dwarfed competitors’ efforts to win the job.
NEWS AND NOTES
US House clears spending stopgap backed by Trump that averts government shutdown | Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
US Supreme Court lets Trump move ahead with his White House ballroom project | Ashley Murray, States Newsroom
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
Volunteers with Vecindarios 901 said they witnessed about 100 people detained during a raid on a Memphis bar on Aug. 30, 2026. (Photo: Courtesy of Vecindarios 901)
by Anita Wadhwani
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 121 immigrants during a raid on the El Corralón nightclub in Memphis during the early hours of Sunday morning, according to a news release Tuesday by the Department of Homeland Security.
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
The lone star tick, responsible for most U.S. cases of alpha-gal, aggressively pursues humans and other hosts in search of a blood meal. (Photo Courtesy of Lauren Bishop/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
by Elizabeth L. Cline, Arkansas Times
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 450,000 people have contracted tick-borne alpha-gal syndrome since 2010 — a number than may be grossly underestimated. The Tennessee Department of Health has received around 484 reports since July 2025.
COMMENTARY
Upon news of her death, fans honored Dolly Parton on Augus5 25, 2026, leaving flowers on her star at the Music City Walk of Fame in downtown Nashville. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Saralee Terry Woods
The late Dolly Parton was a role model for women as a tough but ethical businesswoman, earning respect from CEOs and musicians alike. She had the reputation for being trustworthy and was so good with musicians that when musicians talked about how great she was to work with, people listened.
ICYMI
Tennessee cattlemen brace for beef market unrest after Trump announced tariff-free imports | Cassandra Stephenson
Some Memphis businesses push back against Memphis Safe Task Force | Anita Wadhwani
Trousdale Turner prison guards to turn on body cams | Sam Stockard
Thanks for reading The Daily Lookout. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.