Two Democratic governors--both thought to be contenders for the 2028 presidential nomination-- are spending money and time in Tennessee to boost the party’s U.S. House candidates ahead of the November midterm election. @friedmanadam5.bsky.social reports.

In a release to media, Christa Pike’s attorneys say she is now “conscious and speaking” almost a week after the state of Tennessee failed to execute her by lethal injection.

In the South, Black birth workers are fighting poor birthing outcomes to create a better maternal health ecosystem. ✍️ @ejturner02.bsky.social

Spivey, who was by Pike’s side during the preparation for lethal injection, says executioners struggled to get IV access. He says he counted 7 needles used, including one that appeared bent when it was pulled out.

Nashville Banner reporter Steven Hale, describing how prison officials kept drawing the curtain to hide how badly they were botching this: “A lot of this execution — or attempted execution, whatever it was — happened when we could not see what was going on.”

I got back home a bit ago from Tennessee's execution of Christa Pike. We sat in the witness room for nearly 2 and a half hours as she received two rounds of pentobarbital. She was taken away in an ambulance shortly after that and I can't say for sure if she is dead or alive at this moment.

A lawyer for Christa Pike confirmed to the Banner that she had been administered both doses of pentobarbital and was still alive. It appears the State of Tennessee has another botched lethal injection.

Two different letters sent by faculty at Belmont’s Medical School have raised questions about recent decisions at the school about admissions, personnel and grading. ✍️ @genuinehumandk.bsky.social

In response to our reporting, Susan Collins has mustered a defense that is full of incorrect and misleading claims. We’ve reviewed FBI evidence, examined thousands of pages of records and interviewed dozens of people. Here are the receipts.