Tennessee
US immigration authorities arrest Spanish-language news reporter in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a reporter for a Spanish-language news outlet in Tennessee but agents didn’t have a warrant, according to court documents filed by this week her lawyer.
Estefany Rodriguez Flores, a reporter for Spanish-language news outlet Nashville Noticias who has done stories critical of ICE, was arrested Wednesday during a traffic stop and is being detained by ICE’s enforcement and removal operations, according to documents filed in federal court in Nashville. Her lawyers called for her immediate release.
Rodriguez, a Colombian citizen, entered the U.S lawfully and has been living in the U.S. for the past five years, court records filed by her lawyer show. She has a valid work permit, and she has applied for political asylum and legal status though her husband, who is a U.S. citizen.
Rodriguez was with her husband in a marked Nashville Noticias vehicle when it was surrounded by several other vehicles and she was taken to a detention center, the news outlet said in a statement.
ICE did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.
ICE scheduled a meeting with Rodriguez on her case but it was rescheduled twice, first because the office was closed during a winter storm and the second time because an agent couldn’t find her appointment in the system, her lawyers said in court documents.
A new meeting was then set for March 17.
When she was arrested, Rodriguez was not shown any arrest warrant, only an immigration document telling her to appear before ICE. Her lawyer, Joel Coxander, has spoken to an ICE agent who indicated that there was no arrest warrant for her at the time of her arrest, her lawyer said in court documents.
Rodriguez joined Nashville Noticias in 2022, covering social, family, health, police and immigration issues, the news outlet’s statement said.
“She needs to reunite with her young daughter and husband to continue her legal process within the framework permitted by law,” the statement said.
Read the full statement:
“Official Statement from Nashville Noticias Regarding the Detention of Our Colleague Reporter Estefany Rodríguez by ICE Agents
On March 4, Estefany Rodríguez, a reporter for Nashville Noticias and Univision 42 Nashville, was with her husband, Alejandro Medina III, outside the gym located at 2615 Murfreesboro Pike, when the vehicle they were traveling in (marked with the Nashville Noticias logo) was surrounded by several other vehicles. Several men got out and demanded that our colleague be taken into custody for reasons that the legal team will specify at a later date.
Estefany Rodríguez was taken to a detention center.
Estefany Rodríguez holds a degree in journalism from Colombia, her native country, where she has worked for several years at various news outlets. She joined the Nashville Noticias team in 2022, covering social, family, health, police, and immigration issues.
Nashville Noticias LLC expresses its respect for the laws of the United States and hopes that this situation will be resolved favorably for our colleague so that she can be released soon, as she needs to reunite with her young daughter and husband to continue her legal process within the framework permitted by law. Her legal team at MIRA Legal, as well as the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Coalition (TIRRC), are providing legal representation in the case and will have details on the progress and responses from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Tennessee Federal Court.
Nashville Noticias will also be providing updates on its social media platforms and website, nashvillenoticias.com.
We trust in the justice system of the United States of America.
Respectfully,
Nashville Noticias LLC
March 5 2026″
A position group that has stability at the top but questions behind the starter is running back. DeSean Bishop returns as the unquestioned starter after a dominant redshirt-sophomore year, but both the pieces behind him a year ago that split the load have departed.
Now, it’ll be a battle for reps between young returners Daune Morris and Justin Baker and Tulane transfer Javin Gordon. Tennessee has rotated up to three backs a game, as well, making a chance for two to be in a game-by-game position to contribute.
Bishop, the star of the room, has expectations that he could play his way into an NFL draft pick this upcoming year. This past season, he took 182 carries for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns. That was good for a really strong average of 5.9 yards per tote.
More From RTI: Tennessee Left Off Eight-Team List of SEC College Football Playoff Contenders
Gordon, the Tulane transfer, joins after his true freshman year with the Green Wave. While it wasn’t at the SEC level, he was very productive, posting 128 carries, 516 yards and five touchdowns.
Morris and Baker return after limited roles. Morris was the fourth back, meaning he got more run than Baker when injuries did occur. He finished his freshman year with 35 carries, 133 yards and a touchdown while also returning punts. Baker took 14 carries for 43 yards.
“It’s huge because you look at the production, you got a guy that understands what he’s walking into in terms of seeing it week in and week out in terms of the caliber of teams that we’re going against,” Tennessee running backs coach DeRail Sims said in the spring about Bishop returning. “His understanding of what it’s like when the game’s on the line and having to go out there and make plays in all three facets of the game, in running the ball, the protection piece, and the passing game. So it’s huge having Bish back.”
The other pieces of the running back room are three-star freshman Will Rajecki and redshirt-senior Hunter Barnes.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WSMV) – Traffic on Interstate 24 will be impacted Sunday as Middle Tennessee Electric crews conduct electrical line work.
MTE said crews will be performing electrical line work across I-24 near Exit 76 in Murfreesboro Sunday, June 28.
“The project will require one full interstate traffic stoppage and multiple rolling roadblocks beginning at sunrise,” MTE said. “The work is expected to take approximately five to six hours to complete.”
MTE said Guardian Traffic Control will assist with traffic management.
The work could be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Copyright 2026 WSMV. All rights reserved.
BRISTOL, Tenn. (WCYB) — Kids in Bristol got the chance to climb in some of their favorite trucks on Saturday.
Bristol Parks and Recreation hosted “Big Truck Day” at Bristol Tennessee City Hall.
The event included some of the kids’ favorite big trucks, a Bristol Motor Speedway pace car, face paint, and free popsicles.
Organizers say it’s great for kids to be able to see who’s behind those big trucks.
Parks and recreation officials say you can keep updated with their events on their Facebook page by clicking here.
-
Pennsylvania3 minutes ago10 Best Small Towns In Pennsylvania For A Crowd-Free Summer
-
Rhode Island8 minutes agoVideo: Massive great white shark feeds on dead whale off the coast of Rhode Island
-
South-Carolina15 minutes agoSouth Carolina pitcher Will Craddock announces transfer to SEC program
-
South Dakota18 minutes agoTeam South Dakota gets strong performances at National Junior High Finals Rodeo
-
Tennessee23 minutes ago2026 Tennessee Football Position Preview: Running Backs | Rocky Top Insider
-
Texas30 minutes agoSisters, friend charged in Texas mom’s stabbing death
-
Utah33 minutes agoUtah Mammoth Announce 2026 Development Camp Roster | Utah Mammoth
-
Vermont38 minutes agoCommentary | Eric Peterson: Time is running out for Vermont
