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A new report covered in the Tennessee Lookout by by journalist Anita Wadhwani reveals a major shift in how people across the country—and...

Blog Post by Nashtivists Giving our presentation about the Maternal Health Crisis in TN to the Hendersonville Rotary Club on Wednesday,...

Imagine being pregnant, excited — maybe nervous — and then being told by your doctor: “I won’t treat you because you’re not married.”...

A new report highlights major changes coming to health care access for immigrant families in Tennessee—and the potential consequences are serious. Beginning in October, thousands of refugees and asylum seekers will lose TennCare coverage due to new federal policy. At the same time, state officials are considering whether to end long-standing access to publicly funded prenatal care for pregnant immigrants without legal status—care Tennessee has provided for more than 20 years.

A new investigative report from ProPublica and the Tennessee Lookout takes a hard look at how political influence helped keep a struggling sports gambling company afloat—and who benefited. The article details how Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton intervened as regulators scrutinized Action 247, an online sportsbook tied to Advance Financial, a payday lending company known for charging triple-digit interest rates. The two businesses shared owners, storefronts, and custome

Tennessee has made some progress in reducing infant deaths—but not enough. A new report from the Tennessee Department of Health shows the state’s infant mortality rate remains 16% higher than the national average , with Black families experiencing loss at twice the rate of white families . The data highlights persistent disparities tied to access to prenatal care, maternal health, and preterm births. Regional differences are stark, with some parts of West Tennessee seeing the

An important story is unfolding in Tennessee—and it deserves your attention. Earlier this month, reporting by Anita Wadhwani revealed that Governor Bill Lee declined to opt Tennessee into the federal Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) program, turning away more than $84 million in federal funding  that has historically helped feed over 700,000 Tennessee children  during the summer months when school is out. Despite weeks of public urging from county mayors, faith leaders, educators, and

Across the country, states are stepping up to address the maternal health crisis through comprehensive Momnibus legislation  — coordinated policy packages designed to tackle maternal mortality, morbidity, and inequities in care. The new report, State Momnibus Scan: Charting the Future of Maternal Health  (October 2025), by Amani Echols, Lorena Bonet Velazquez, and Marla Guerra  of the National Partnership for Women & Families , provides a detailed look at where and how this w

Each year, billions of federal dollars flow into Tennessee — shaping the state’s budget, public services, and economic stability. But as federal spending priorities evolve, so too does the outlook for Tennessee’s finances and the people who depend on federally funded programs. In a recent virtual discussion hosted by The Sycamore Institute , Mandy Spears , Executive Vice President, unpacked what current and proposed changes in federal spending could mean for Tennessee . Drawi

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade  in 2022, more than 400 people have been charged with pregnancy-related crimes, according...

A recent federal appeals court decision has restored vital protections for pregnant Texas state employees, reaffirming the...

Imagine using a legal substance to manage severe morning sickness—then being labeled a child abuser. That’s exactly what happened to...

As attacks on reproductive rights escalate across the country, a powerful coalition of Democratic leaders is fighting back—with facts,...

A new Trump administration proposal could cut or eliminate disability benefits for 7,500 Tennesseans  — just for living with family who...

A sweeping new law signed by former President Donald Trump on July 4 is poised to reshape Tennessee’s economic and social landscape—but...

In the years since maternal deaths surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. continues to stand out globally — and not in a good way....

A major legal decision just protected access to reproductive health care for millions. On July 28, 2025, a federal judge issued a...

As the centennial of the Scopes “Monkey Trial” arrives, it’s worth revisiting the courtroom clash in Dayton, Tennessee that sparked a...

If you care about public education, especially in Oak Ridge, you need  to read Ashley Craven’s latest post: “This Was Supposed to Be a...

Author: Lorena O'Neil, News from the States Last week a New York doctor and the mother of a teen in Louisiana were accused of providing...