Marianna Bacallao

Tennessee can execute man despite medical complications, state supreme court rules Tennessee is moving forward with executing a man on death row next week, despite concerns that a heart implant may prolong his death or worsen his pain.

Tennessee is moving forward with executing a man on death row next week, despite concerns that his heart implant may prolong his death.

wpln.org/post/tenness...

Nashville will see a rise in ICE agents under Trump’s budget plan During a Friday visit to Nashville, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that ICE will be sending more officers to the city.

Nashville will see more ICE agents, says DHS Secretary Kristi Noemi. During a visit to Nashville, she also said it isn’t up to her if ICE deports Kilmar Abrego Garcia for a second time while he’s awaiting trial in Tennessee. wpln.org/post/nashvil...

Abrego Garcia’s path to release is uncertain. Here’s the latest from a Nashville courthouse. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man wrongly deported to El Salvador in March, will remain in jail for at least another week over fears that releasing him could

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongly deported to El Salvador in March, will remain in jail for at least another week over fears that releasing him could trigger a second deportation.

A Nashville judge is expected to rule soon on what's next for Abrego Garcia.

wpln.org/post/abrego-...

LGBTQ Tennesseans are fleeing the state. Hear from those who chose to stay Anti-LGBTQ legislation passed in Tennessee has life-long natives leaving their home state for bluer pastures. But others are determined to stay.

Anti-LGBTQ legislation passed in Tennessee has life-long natives leaving their home state for bluer pastures. Others are determined to stay.

Hear why:

wpln.org/post/lgbtq-t...

The final episode of WPLN’s 4-part series “The Country In Our Hearts” is out now!

WPLN’s @rosegilbert.bsky.social reports that a new wave of Kurds are coming to America. But today, America is a nation in turmoil.

Abrego Garcia to return to ICE custody, could be deported before trial Kilmar Abrego Garcia will soon be back in ICE custody, more than three months since his wrongful deportation to El Salvador.

A federal judge has delayed Abrego Garcia's release by a few days, but when he is released, he'll be quietly transferred to ICE custody. Prosecutors say there's a chance he'll be deported before his trial.

wpln.org/post/abrego-...

Homeland security is outside the federal courthouse in Nashville where Kilmar Abrego Garcia is expected to be released from jail.

The Maryland man was wrongly deported to El Salvador in March.

ICE is expected to arrest Abrego Garcia upon his release.

Homeland security is outside the federal courthouse in Nashville where Kilmar Abrego Garcia is expected to be released from jail.

The Maryland man was wrongly deported to El Salvador in March.

ICE is expected to arrest Abrego Garcia upon his release.

Religious, immigrant groups sue Tennessee over law on 'harboring' immigrants A new Tennessee law that would impose criminal penalties for housing immigrants without legal status. The lawsuit hopes to block the law before it takes effect July 1.

A new Tennessee law would make it a felony to house someone who doesn't have legal status.

Religious leaders and immigrant advocates are suing to block the law before it takes effect, arguing that it could apply to immigrants who have citizenship.

wpln.org/post/religio...

Nashville police uncover new details in Civil Rights bombing cold case MNPD’s nearly year-long investigation into bombings by the KKK points to the identity of a possible suspect in the attack on Z. Alexander Looby's home.

A Nashville police investigation points to the identity of a possible suspect in the attack on civil rights attorney Z. Alexander Looby's home in 1960.

But police say that it would take a confession or direct eye witness testimony to truly solve the bombings.

wpln.org/post/nashvil...

SCOTUS upholds Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care The Supreme Court has upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors, a stunning setback to transgender rights.

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care.

Now, transgender kids in half of all U.S. states will not be able to access the care. It has many contemplating a move out of the Volunteer State.

wpln.org/post/trans-k...

My latest for RNS & @npr.org:

Why the Catholic bishop of Nashville told Catholics they don't have to attend Mass The Diocese of Nashville has told Catholics that they do not have to attend Mass if they fear for their safety. That's in response immigration actions taken by the Trump administration in the city.

In response to ICE raids, the Diocese of Nashville has told its congregants they’re not obligated to attend Mass on Sunday “if doing so puts their safety at risk.”

great reporting here from @mariannabac.bsky.social

www.npr.org/2025/06/13/n...

Man wrongly deported to El Salvador pleads not guilty to smuggling charges in Nashville After months of being detained in an El Salvadoran prison, Abrego Garcia’s path to release is uncertain. He pleaded not guilty to smuggling charges Friday.

LIVE UPDATE: After months of being detained in an El Salvadoran prison, Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s path to release is uncertain.

A federal judge in Nashville will soon rule on whether he has a right to bail. Even if he does, he could remain in ICE custody indefinitely.

wpln.org/post/man-wro...

Man wrongly deported to El Salvador pleads not guilty to smuggling charges in Nashville Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleaded not guilty to charges of human smuggling in a Nashville federal courthouse Friday morning.

LIVE: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, has pleaded not guilty to human smuggling charges. A federal judge in Nashville will determine if he will be released on bail.

Live updates below:

wpln.org/post/man-wro...

Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty. The rest of the hearing will focus on whether he will be granted bail.

Outside a federal courthouse in Nashville this morning, where Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, will be arraigned.

Abrego Garcia has spent the last three months in an El Salvadoran prison. Today will determine if he’s detained until trial.

Nashville Masses are emptier as the threat of deportations looms Trump's immigration crackdowns have had a chilling effect on Nashville's Spanish-speaking parishes.

ICE activity in Nashville has had a chilling effect on Mass attendance.

Tennessee's bishops say they're concerned that a lack of due process for those detained has caused "widespread fear" in their parishes.

wpln.org/post/nashvil...

Tennessee Congressman Mark Green to leave office months after re-election A special election will determine who represents Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District after Rep. Green retires.

Tennessee Rep. Mark Green will be leaving office shortly into his fourth term and @mariannabac.bsky.social reports a special election will fill the 7th Congressional District.
wpln.org/post/tenness...

U.S. Republicans probe Nashville mayor, allege ‘chilling effect’ on ICE Two U.S congressional committees are looking into Nashville’s response to federal immigration activity.

Two U.S congressional committees are looking into Nashville’s response to a series of ICE raids, alleging that the mayor's policies “threaten to chill immigration enforcement” in the city.

Nashville can't institute sanctuary policies because of a state ban.

wpln.org/post/u-s-rep...

As Tennessee pastors and politicians clash over Trump's immigration agenda, their congregations are divided As evangelical Christians continue to support President Donald Trump, church leadership is taking issue with his immigration policies.

President Trump's immigration agenda has put Tennessee pastors and politicians at odds.

Evangelical congregations have continued to back Trump, but how they view immigration policy is more complicated.

wpln.org/post/as-tenn...

ICE to pay Nashville ‘a lot of attention’ after mayor decries raids The Trump administration’s ‘border czar’ said congress has opened an investigation into O’Connell’s response — and implied an escalation in enforcement.

The Trump admin's "border czar" says Nashville could see multi-agency raids in the future — and Mayor Freddie O'Connell could be the subject of a congressional investigation after the mayor criticized ICE operations.

wpln.org/post/ice-to-...

Nashville families impacted by a series of ICE raids in the past few days still don’t know where their loved ones are.

Lawyers are having similar problems finding those detained.

wpln.org/post/my-mom-...

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee uses first veto to strike down probation changes Lee vetoed a measure that would give the state more power to reject parole requests.

Gov. Bill Lee has vetoed a bill for the first time in his six-year career as Tennessee’s top official. WPLN's @mariannabac.bsky.social reports the governor made an exception for a measure that would have given the state more power to reject parole requests.

Nashville police whistleblower indicted over Covenant School records A Metro Nashville police whistleblower has been indicted for stealing documents related to the Covenant School shooting, according to the Tennessee Bureau of In

A Nashville police whistleblower has been indicted over documents related to the Covenant School shooting.

MNPD alleged that the former officer leaked the assailant's journal last year — after he claimed the department had a pattern of discrimination.

wpln.org/post/nashvil...

State and local officials clash over Nashville ICE raid Mayor Freddie O’Connell has decried the wide-scale arrests of South Nashville drivers Saturday night. But, the office is limited in how it can respond.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell is decrying a large-scale ICE raid on the city's immigrant neighborhoods.

State lawmakers have limited how he can respond, after years of rising tension between Nashville Democrats and Tennessee Republicans.

wpln.org/post/state-a...

Trump nominates Tennessee attorney to federal appeals court, marking first judicial pick of second term Whitney Hermandorfer has the led the Tennessee AG’s Strategic Litigation Unit, where she defended the state’s near-total abortion ban.

Trump has chosen from Tennessee AG's office for his first judicial pick of his second term.

Whitney Hermandorfer has defended the state’s near-total abortion ban and successfully challenged Biden administration policies for LGBTQ students.

wpln.org/post/trump-n...

ICE arrests several drivers in Nashville, and protesters question Metro's involvement Several drivers in South Nashville were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Saturday night, sparking outrage from activists and politician

ICE detained several drivers in South Nashville Saturday night. The mayor's office decried the arrests and is seeking the names of those taken into ICE custody.

wpln.org/post/ice-arr...

A nationwide effort to deny K-12 students an education based on #immigration status failed this year — but Tennessee Republicans are already looking to revive the effort next year.

My latest for NPR:

Southern Baptist Convention membership declines while baptisms rise Fewer people identify as Southern Baptists, and fewer churches are a part of the Nashville-based denomination, according to an annual report.

Fewer people identify as Southern Baptists, and fewer churches are affiliated with the Nashville-based denomination, according to an annual report.

But the Southern Baptist Convention has made gains in baptisms and weekly church attendance.

wpln.org/post/souther...