Tennessee

Editor's notebook: Drugstore cowboys and the Alamo – Tennessee Lookout

Published

2 years ago

February 1, 2024

Editor's notebook: Drugstore cowboys and the Alamo – Tennessee Lookout

I typically don’t answer phone calls from unrecognized numbers and thought twice one night last week when a local, but unidentified number, popped up — until I noted it was tagged, ‘robocall.’

In an election cycle, you can’t be sure which politicians are calling, so I picked up to hear Tennessee’s senior senator in a cheerful recording: “Hey there! This is Sen. Marsha Blackburn. Today, I’m hosting a live telephone town hall . . . we’re going to talk about the crisis at the southern border, rising inflation and threats we face from America’s adversaries.”

Did I want to click one to participate? Oh, you bet I did.

The majority of the callers wanted to ask questions about security at the U.S.-Mexico border; they weren’t what I would have asked, but there’s no shame in asking.

There is, however, shame in being a U.S. senator perpetuating stereotypes for fear and exploiting the status of immigrants for the sake of politics.

In one of three polls Blackburn ran during the call, she asked, “Do you believe our nation’s veterans should wait at the back of the line while the VA (Veterans’ Administration) prioritizes illegal immigrants?”

As in most falsehoods, there’s a grain of truth, which Blackburn managed to inflate and contort.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn. (Photo: John Partipilo)

In July, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement provided its annual analysis to Congress of the health care costs for migrants and asylum-seekers in detention. The report provides data on health issues identified and treated in ICE detention centers — tuberculosis, influenza and pneumonia, COVID-19, pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and mental health conditions.

The VA, however, has nothing to do with treating any of those and according to the report, only processing medical reimbursements for ICE.

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t think we need a better mechanism for managing immigration but the problems extend far beyond the border, as we need to improve and expedite how migrants are processed legally and how they’re treated. That’s long been the case, no matter which party is in the White House.

But practical immigration reform is not what Blackburn’s talking about. Instead, Blackburn and other Tennessee Republicans use immigration policies and immigrants to whip up fear and outrage without strategizing about humane solutions. It’s a blatant play for votes.

During the 2018 midterm elections, then-President Donald Trump talked of migrant caravans converging on the U.S. in what he labeled an “invasion.” The predicted “invasion” didn’t materialize, and as a 2023 report from the Baker Institute of Public Policy notes, most migrant caravans that started after 2020 haven’t made it to the U.S.

As Mark Twain said, never let facts get in the way of a good story — Blackburn isn’t the only Tennessee Republican guilty of hyperbole on the subject of immigration and the border.

Several Tennessee lawmakers were compelled to make statements of support for Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott after a Jan. 22 U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing the Border Patrol to cut razor wire placed in a small stretch of the Rio Grande by the Texas National Guard to deter migrant river crossings. Placement of the wire actually impeded border agents from patrolling the area.

Tennessee’s political drugstore cowboys whooping about the Alamo and states’ rights contribute nothing to the debate about immigration and peddle fear for the sake of votes.

Gov. Bill Lee joined other Republican governors in signing a statement accusing the U.S. of “attacking” Texas and asserting the state’s “constitutional right to self-defense.”

Not to be outdone, House Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, made an impassioned speech on the House floor and followed with a tweet invoking the Tennessee statesman David “Davy” Crockett, who left the Volunteer State only to lose his life at the Alamo.

Citing a historical incident that ended in the death of every American participant might not be the best analogy. And talk of states’ rights superseding the federal government? We went down this road less than 200 years ago and that ended with the deaths of more than 600,000 Americans.

Even the most gracious and welcoming of us realize the need for policies to manage the flow of immigrants into the U.S. But razor wire and allowing migrants to drown is inhumane, and in reality, it’s impossible to imagine how to fund or build a physical wall across the nearly 3,000 acres that constitute our southern border — much less hire enough border agents to secure it.

Like many of the country’s serious issues, managing the border and creating better immigration systems require serious analysis and complex solutions. Adding nothing to the dialogue are Tennessee’s drugstore cowboys whooping about the Alamo and states’ rights — especially when so many Tennesseans lack services to which our lawmakers continually turn a blind eye.

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Tennessee

Furman beats East Tennessee State for SoCon title, NCAA berth

Published

12 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Furman beats East Tennessee State for SoCon title, NCAA berth

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Cooper Bowser had 21 points and 11 rebounds as No. 6 seed Furman beat top-seeded East Tennessee State 76-61 on Monday night to secure the Southern Conference tournament title and an NCAA tournament bid.

Furman (22-12) won its eighth SoCon title in program history and first since defeating Chattanooga in 2023.

Tom House added 13 points off the bench for Furman and Alex Wilkins, who scored a career-high 34 to help rally from an 11-point halftime deficit in the semifinals, scored 12. Bowser was 9-of-12 from the field to help the Paladins shoot 51%.

Brian Taylor II scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half for ETSU (23-11), which was in the title game for the second time in three seasons. Blake Barkley added 14 points and Jaylen Smith had 10.

House made Furman’s sixth 3-pointer of the first half to extend the lead to 37-27 with four minutes left. The Paladins led 42-35 at the break.

Wilkins’ steal and fast-break dunk extended Furman’s lead to 72-61 with 2:11 left and Bowser added a hook shot in the lane on their next possession for a 13-point lead.

ETSU went 2-of-7 from the field over the final five minutes to halt a comeback attempt. The Buccaneers finished 3-of-16 from 3-point range and 10 of 18 at the free throw line.

The Buccaneers were trying for their first NCAA bid since 2020.

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Titans free agency: Tennessee signing offensive weapons to help QB Cam Ward, bolstering coach Robert Saleh’s defense, reports say

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Titans free agency: Tennessee signing offensive weapons to help QB Cam Ward, bolstering coach Robert Saleh’s defense, reports say

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Let the spending spree begin. The NFL offseason is now in full swing as free agents are beginning to sign with new homes throughout the league ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in April.

The Tennessee Titans are among the top franchises with the most cap space in the league.

Latest: Tennessee Titans reportedly trade young defensive tackle for Pro Bowl defensive end from New York Jets

Previous: Tennessee Titans release center Lloyd Cushenberry

Below is a look at the free agents and moves the Titans have reportedly made:

Cornerback Alontae Taylor – three-year $60 million deal
Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott – three-year $45 million deal
Defensive tackle John Franklin-Meyers – three-year $63 million deal
Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky – two-year deal
Tight end Daniel Bellinger – three-year $24 million deal
Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson – four-year $70 million deal
Long snapper Morgan Cox – re-signed one-year deal

Before the free-agency frenzy, the Titans released center Lloyd Cushenberry and also reportedly traded away defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat for Pro Bowl defensive end Jermaine Johnson.

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TN Lottery Cash 3 Evening, Cash 4 Evening winning numbers for March 8, 2026

Published

2 days ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

The Tennessee Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Cash 3 numbers from March 8 drawing

Evening: 1-8-7, Wild: 8

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from March 8 drawing

Evening: 1-0-9-7, Wild: 7

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Tennessee Jackpot numbers from March 8 drawing

10-19-30-33-35

Check Daily Tennessee Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 8 drawing

01-31-32-45-52, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Tennessee Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Tennessee Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket, a copy of a government-issued ID and proof of social security number to P.O. Box 290636, Nashville, TN 37229. Prize claims less than $600 do not require a claim form. Please include contact information on prizes claimed by mail in the event we need to contact you.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID and proof of social security number to any of these locations:

Nashville Headquarters & Claim Center: 26 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214, 615-254-4946 in the (615) and (629) area, 901-466-4946 in the (901) area, 865-512-4946 in the (865) area, 423-939-7529 in the (423) area or 1-877-786-7529 (all other areas in Tennessee). Outside Tennessee, dial 615-254-4946. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Knoxville District Office: Cedar Springs Shopping Center, 9298 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922, (865) 251-1900. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Chattanooga District Office: 2020 Gunbarrel Rd., Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 308-3610. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Memphis District Office: Chiles Plaza, 7424 U.S. Highway 64, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133, (901) 322-8520. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://tnlottery.com/.

When are the Tennessee Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Cash4Life: 9:15 p.m. CT daily.
Cash 3, 4: Daily at 9:28 a.m. (Morning) and 12:28 p.m. CT (Midday), except for Sunday. Evening game daily, seven days a week, at 6:28 p.m. CT.
Daily Tennessee Jackpot: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Tennessee Cash: 10:34 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Powerball Double Play: 10:30 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Tennessean editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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