Good morning, Nashville. Rather than causing prison overcrowding, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office claims that the controversial 287(g) program has left hundreds of cells vacant. Under the program, local law enforcement may have any undocumented immigrants they arrest deported, and so far, they’ve deported around 8,000. Though it’s pretty common to see empty cells around this time of year, Sheriff Daron Hall attributes the overall decline in imprisonment to 287(g) and estimates that it’s saving taxpayers around $300,000 per week. Extra cell space is also rented out to neighboring counties and the US Marshal’s office. Opponents of the program argue that it encourages racial profiling and arrests for minor offenses intended to target undocumented immigrants, in addition to perpetuating a distrust of law enforcement in immigrant communities.

• Ice ice baby. As you can see, it’s not really snowing outside! The forecast still calls for some sort of frozen precipitation this afternoon and over the weekend with the possibility of a tiny bit of snow by tomorrow morning.
• Parents these days. A fight broke out a Maplewood High School women’s basketball game a few days ago, leading to the suspension of 10 students. Two parents were also banned from the school when they jumped into the brawl.
• Bits & pieces. MTSU set a new enrollment record of nearly 25,000 this year … It would be in your best interest to avoid White Bridge Road like the plague this weekend … News Channel 5 sounds the alarm about radon … There was a diamond heist in Green Hills last night, and by “diamond heist,” we mean someone ran into Genesis Diamonds, grabbed some merchandise and ran out.

Photo by Brian Quigley.

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