News from the South - Tennessee News Feed
Trump authorizes U.S. military to begin occupation of federal land along southern border
by Ariana Figueroa, Tennessee Lookout
April 13, 2025
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump late Friday signed a memorandum directing several agencies to start militarizing a stretch of the southern border, an escalation of the administration’s use of the U.S. military amid its immigration crackdown.
The move, which The Washington Post first reported last month, could potentially put U.S. military members in direct contact with migrants, a possible violation of federal law.
The memo directs the Interior Department to allow the Defense Department to have jurisdiction over portions of federal land known as the Roosevelt Reservation, excluding any Native American reservations.
By creating a military buffer zone that stretches across the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona, California and New Mexico, it means any migrant crossing into the United States would be trespassing on a military base, therefore allowing active-duty troops to hold them until U.S. Border Patrol agents arrive.
National and military experts have raised concerns that giving control over the land to the military could violate the Posse Comitatus Act, an 1878 law that generally prohibits the military from being used in domestic law enforcement.
The Friday memo instructs its “phased” implementation within 45 days, and says it could be expanded over time.
The memo is directed at the secretaries of the departments of Defense, Interior, Agriculture and Homeland Security.
“The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past,” according to the memo.
Friday’s announcement comes ahead of a report that is due to Trump by April 20 from the secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security with recommendations on whether or not to use the Insurrection Act of 1807 to aid in mass deportations.
The memo states: “At any time, the Secretary of Defense may extend activities under this memorandum to additional Federal lands along the southern border in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor, and other executive departments and agencies as appropriate.”
The memo also says that it’s part of an executive order Trump earlier this year signed, “Clarifying the Military’s Role in Protecting the Territorial Integrity of the United States.”
That executive order is one of five that lay out the use of military forces within the U.S. borders and extend other executive powers to speed up the president’s immigration crackdown.
Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com.
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News from the South - Tennessee News Feed
TSU reaches agreement to reallocate $96 million for university operations
SUMMARY: Tennessee State University (TSU) has reached an agreement with the state to reallocate \$96 million for operational needs over the next three years. The funding, originally designated for deferred maintenance, is part of a \$250 million allocation approved in 2022 for infrastructure upgrades. An additional \$55 million will support key projects, including campus electrical upgrades and new agricultural science buildings. TSU leaders praised the deal for ensuring financial sustainability and improving student experiences. The move follows recent governance changes and long-standing underfunding. State officials expressed confidence in TSU’s leadership and affirmed their commitment to the university’s future growth and success.
The post TSU reaches agreement to reallocate $96 million for university operations appeared first on wpln.org
News from the South - Tennessee News Feed
Bombs, meth, guns found inside Memphis home, police say
SUMMARY: Memphis police found bombs, drugs, guns, and counterfeit cash during a drug search at a home on Spotswood Drive near the University of Memphis campus. The Major Violators Unit served a warrant Thursday morning and discovered four guns, nearly half a kilo of marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, meth, and 79 ecstasy pills. They also found improvised explosive devices testing positive for ammonium nitrate, a common bomb ingredient, in the dining room. The Secret Service and ATF were called in for assistance. One man, David Dehabier, dressed in full plate armor, was arrested on drug and firearm charges. The investigation is ongoing.
Memphis Police said they found homemade bombs during a drug search at a home in East Memphis. It happened Thursday morning on Spottswood Avenue, just off the University of Memphis campus. READ MORE: https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/homemade-bombs-found-during-drug-search-in-east-memphis/article_dba31f49-5e2c-4791-b58f-4136e770310e.html
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News from the South - Tennessee News Feed
AM Forecast (6/17): Warm and a bit breezy today with scattered showers and storms this afternoon and
SUMMARY: Today will be warm and breezy with scattered afternoon and evening showers and storms, some lingering overnight into Wednesday morning. Showers and storms will return Wednesday afternoon. Thursday, a cold front moves in with a weakening line of thunderstorms overnight into Thursday morning, followed by more storms in the afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center has placed the area under a level 1 risk for isolated strong storms, mainly with gusty winds. After Thursday’s trough, a high-pressure ridge will build, bringing the first 90-degree highs of 2025 this weekend, with heat indices feeling like triple digits. This heat wave may last into next week.
Rain chances stay elevated through Thursday, then the first heat wave of the year begins this weekend. Highs in the 90s could feel like the triple digits
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