AGP Executive Report

Dolly Parton Tribute: Massachusetts lawmakers want to declare Sept. 25 “9 to 5 Day” to honor Parton’s legacy, tying her workplace anthem to her long-running support for LGBTQ+ communities. Local Community Support: Nashville’s Metro Social Services is hosting a “Hope & Help” Community Connect event Sept. 15 (12–3 p.m.) with case managers, resource referrals, and limited food boxes for families facing hardship. Youth & Education: A new look at climate impacts shows extreme weather is disrupting school for millions of students nationwide, with heat and storms increasingly forcing closures. Everyday Comfort: A survey finds bras are the hardest clothing item for women to find a “perfect fit,” with many Tennesseans reporting they want to take them off quickly after getting home. Sports & Community Pride: The Chickasaw Trails Invitational drew thousands of runners, with local standouts earning top finishes in tough, muddy conditions. Public Safety Tragedy: Three Memphis-area daycare employees were indicted in the death of 6-year-old Winter Jones after she was left in a van in extreme heat. Arts & Culture: Hammonds House Museum will open “NU AFRICANS” (Sept. 18–Dec. 13), spotlighting Afrofuturism-inspired portraits by Maurice Evans and Grace Kisa. Health & Education Funding: Tennessee Tech alum Syd Byrd’s family is establishing a nursing scholarship endowment to support students with financial need. Healthcare Quality: Joint Commission and NAHQ announced 2026 CPHQ scholarships, including one for Mental Health Cooperative in Tennessee.

Titans Season Opener Fallout: Robert Saleh’s debut ended in a 23-10 loss to the Jets, with Cam Ward missing key throws and Tennessee’s offense finally scoring late—fans booed early and often at Nissan Stadium. Local Sports & Community Pride: Middle Tennessee beat Tennessee Tech 2-0 behind goals from Ania Denham and Valentina Navetta, while Nashville’s MLS side drew Inter Miami 2-2 as the league’s big names kept the spotlight on Music City. Dolly Parton’s Tennessee Impact: Dolly Parton license plates are surging in Ohio to fund the Imagination Library, and Tennessee’s own Parton tributes keep rolling—from airport renaming momentum to local literacy support. Culture & Music Loss: Punk rock guitarist Cheetah Chrome of Dead Boys died at 71, remembered as an “architect” of the movement. Faith, Family, and Debate: Blount Pride went on despite protest activity, and postpartum support is getting renewed attention as Catholic leaders argue the Church should show up for new mothers. Safety & Accountability: A 6-year-old died after being left on a hot school bus in Memphis; daycare workers and a driver face serious charges.

NASCAR & Local Sports: Joey Logano won the pole for Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway, with the race set for about 2:10 p.m. CT on USA Network and MRN radio in Nashville. Bluegrass & Culture: Lindsay Lou is spotlighting the women behind bluegrass’ biggest songs, challenging the “no mother of bluegrass” myth and tracing how credit and copyright shaped what gets remembered. Community & Family Safety: In Memphis, daycare workers and a bus driver were arrested after a 6-year-old autistic girl was left in a scorching van for hours and died; prosecutors say the child’s internal temperature hit 109F. Local Life & Learning: Mt. Juliet High is putting Tennessee’s classroom cellphone ban into practice by storing devices during instruction, with phones allowed during hall passes and lunch. Memphis Music Scene: United Festival: Cumbia en el Río returns to Beale Street Landing for Hispanic Heritage Month with food, vendors, kids’ activities, and a cumbia dance-off. Public Safety Tech Glitch: Unicoi County’s 911 system is having intermittent phone issues; officials urge residents to save a backup number in case calls don’t go through.

Bourbon & Music in the Rain: The 3rd Annual NC Bourbon & Spirits Festival still rolled on despite an hour-and-a-half storm, with local side-stage acts, food trucks, and a main-stage lineup headlined by fast-rising country star Alexandra Kay and Brett Young. Mid-South Health Watch: Doctors warn that Alpha-Gal Syndrome—triggered by Lone Star tick bites—can make some people react dangerously to red meat, with Tennessee and nearby states flagged as high-risk areas. Memphis HBCU Pride: The Southern Heritage Classic filled Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium and Tiger Lane with HBCU tradition, tailgates, and music, even as the matchup shifted. MLS Rivalry Drama: Lionel Messi scored again, but Inter Miami and Nashville SC played to a 2-2 draw after a late Sam Surridge equalizer. Nashville Airport Dolly Move: The Nashville Airport Authority has started the formal process to rename Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton, with next steps expected soon. Statewide Safety & Justice: A Murfreesboro-focused trafficking operation led to arrests tied to alleged illicit massage businesses across multiple Tennessee cities.

Dolly Parton in Tennessee sports: The Vols are honoring the late icon with a special 2026 helmet decal, plus “My Tennessee Mountain Home” in-game moments as Tennessee heads to Georgia Tech. Local education & community growth: Austin Peay State University set an all-time enrollment record for Fall 2026, driven by a record freshman class and a growing military-affiliated student population. Music & culture on the move: HPPR announced a folk tour stop featuring banjo maestro Kelly Hunt, with dates across Kansas and Oklahoma. Arts & destination vibes: Asheville is set to host the PGA TOUR again for the first time in 84 years, bringing major TV exposure and big local spending. Health & public trust: A Tennessee voter survey finds broad support for strong vaccine policies as federal guidance is reviewed. Family-friendly fair fun: The Nashville Fair returns with America’s 250th anniversary theme and free tickets for Davidson County students. Tech & privacy debate: Officials are pushing to restrict automated license plate reader cameras, arguing mass surveillance concerns while law enforcement warns of crime-solving limits.

Immigration Enforcement: ICE says it arrested “worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens, including people convicted of child indecent assault, rape, deadly-weapon assault, and heroin distribution, as officials mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Public Safety & Health: WeGo Transit is proposing a new Antioch bus route plus faster service on existing lines, aiming to connect riders to jobs, shopping, and schools. Local Crime & Justice: A statewide undercover operation targeting illicit massage businesses led to 10 arrests, including charges tied to prostitution and trafficking, with an East Brainerd spa among the sites. Community & Care: Tennessee WIC continues nutrition support for eligible families, offering food benefits, breastfeeding help, and referrals through local health departments. Education & Culture: ETSU received a $15 million gift from the Phil and Martha Bachman Foundation, with naming for the College of Arts and Sciences and support for scholarships and facilities. 9/11 Remembrance: Tusculum University is hosting a new exhibit on the attacks and their aftermath, inviting visitors to reflect on how they’ll remember 9/11. Arts & Lifestyle: Nashville’s airport board voted unanimously to begin the process of renaming the airport after Dolly Parton.

Dolly Parton’s Legacy, Nashville Style: The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority unanimously backed a process to rename Nashville International Airport in Parton’s honor, with officials stressing no immediate change and more public input ahead. Music & Community: A first posthumous Dolly Parton song, “Bound To Ride,” has been released, and her family’s Imagination Library work remains a major part of her cultural footprint. Remembering 9/11: MTSU hosted a 25-years-later remembrance panel, while Tennessee communities marked the anniversary with ceremonies and reflections on what unity should mean now. Local Culture & Arts: A library is set to host “Higher Learning,” an art show focused on the Black experience, and Portland-area theater highlights bold, genre-bending fall programming. Health & Everyday Life: Lifeline Blood Services listed donors from a Paris drive and announced another bloodmobile stop at TCAT Henry/Carroll on Sept. 22. Sports: Lindenwood women’s rugby begins NIRA play in Hendersonville against Queens, and MTSU volleyball returns home for its first home series of the season.

Dolly Parton in Nashville: Dolly’s SongTeller Hotel and Life of Many Colors Museum are set to open Sept. 29, with her filmed voice guiding guests through the story—reservations open Sept. 14. Community & culture: Blount County keeps Parton’s literacy legacy alive through the Imagination Library, sending thousands of books monthly to kids. Public health & safety: Memphis and Shelby County restaurant inspections highlight new top scores and specific food-safety fixes needed at low-scoring spots. Civic life: NAACP and Stand Up Nashville hosted a data center town hall in Nashville, with residents pushing for protections as facilities impact air, water, and noise. Local governance: In Memphis, residents packed a meeting over millions in xAI-related tax revenue still held back, arguing over transparency and where the money should go. Remembering 9/11: A 3.43 Memorial Walk in Rutherford County honors the 343 firefighters who died on Sept. 11, with first responders leading the message of “never forget.” Sports & inspiration: Chris Johnson shared an emotional ALS letter to his children, while MTSU women’s soccer topped Evansville 3-1.

Country Music & Community: Country star Brian “Nashville” Duckworth, one-third of the Taylor Made trio, died at 56, remembered for his family band roots and “Truck Boss” nickname. Music City Culture: Nashville Zoo canceled its annual Zoolumination lantern festival after visa denials for Chinese artisans tied to the event partner, echoing similar cancellations elsewhere. Local Giving: Titans DT Jeffery Simmons is launching “Sacks for Forever Homes,” pledging $1,980 per sack to help single parents with stable housing through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville. Arts & Events: AmericanaFest returns with an Oklahoma-focused slate in Nashville, plus festival guides spotlighting must-see shows and queer-rooted country voices. Civic Life & Rights: In Memphis, an ACLU filing says the Memphis Safe Task Force is retaliating against an activist who recorded immigration and law enforcement activity. Education & Policy: A new report warns Tennessee’s lottery-funded scholarships face shrinking proceeds even as demand rises. Family-Friendly Fun: Knoxville’s Tennessee Valley Fair is back at Chilhowee Park Sept. 11–20 with rides, food, and agricultural events.

Arts & Community: Nashville’s BRAND-SIDE 2026 conference spotlights how in-house creative teams build culture, with sessions and speakers focused on collaboration and brand stewardship. Local Education & Youth: Knox County leaders and mental health experts warn that school threats are serious felonies, urging parents to talk with kids about the real consequences. Public Health & Safety: ACLU says Memphis Safe Task Force agents are retaliating against an activist who records immigration and law enforcement activity, with a court hearing set for Sept. 23. Culture & Music: Julien Baker is teasing a first solo record in five years, with Nashville show clues tied to her new era. Tennessee Spotlight (Philanthropy): Dolly Parton’s legacy continues to ripple through Tennessee and beyond, including renewed attention on her Imagination Library impact and family reflections after her death. Sports: Texas A&M released its 2027 SEC softball slate, including a March 12-14 home series vs. Tennessee.

9/11 Commemoration: Portland will unveil a new permanent Sept. 11 memorial for the 25th anniversary, with a dedication ceremony set for 5:30 p.m. at the Southern Occasions Event Center, featuring city leaders and an Air Force veteran. Deaf Culture Spotlight: Maine marks Sept. 20-26 as Deaf Culture Week, kicking off with the 35th Annual Tea in Celebration of Deaf Culture Week on Sept. 17 at the State House in Augusta. Music & Meaning: Margaret Glaspy releases a video for “Martin Luther King Jr.” ahead of an extended tour, pairing contemplative songwriting with a message of love and unity. Tennessee Education & Early Literacy: Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Chairman Bo Watson pledge state funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in the 2027 budget to expand access for every Tennessee child. Local Culture & Tourism: Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel and Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville are set to open together on Sept. 29, bringing new live venues and an immersive museum experience to Music City. Community & Faith: A life story obituary for Carol Denise Morgan of Dyersburg highlights decades of local business, family devotion, and community ties.

Local Health & Safety: Memphis doctors are urging people to recognize sepsis fast, warning an infection can turn life-threatening within hours and calling out who’s most at risk. Immigration & Family Life: After a Berclair ICE raid, an immigration attorney says delays in Tennessee’s immigration court system can stretch bond hearings and leave families—especially parents—stuck in limbo. Community & Learning: Pellissippi State’s Hardin Valley campus is reopening and renovating key spaces as enrollment rises, with new arts, tech, and student-life upgrades. Culture & Books: Knox County literacy group Friends of Literacy highlights “Literacy To Go” and the gap in home books for kids in poverty. Arts & Entertainment: Nashville’s Carly Pearce and Riley Green share the story behind their duet “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay,” plus behind-the-scenes details from the music video shoot. Sports & Local Pride: Tusculum University marks its 232nd birthday with Charter Day celebrations tied to Greeneville College’s historic roots. Public Health Watch: A major Salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry flocks has grown to more than 1,000 cases across 46 states and Puerto Rico.

Maternal Health Watch: A new nationwide study flags Tennessee as the state with the highest maternal mortality rate among those with published data, at 41.1 deaths per 100,000 live births—nearly four times California’s rate—renewing calls for prevention and better care. School Meals & Equity: ProCare Therapy’s 2026 State of School Lunch Report ranks Vermont No. 1 for school meal access and reach, spotlighting how breakfast and lunch programs can keep kids fueled and learning. Community Care & Philanthropy: Chili’s is pledging $150 million over 15 years to St. Jude, building on decades of guest- and team-driven fundraising. Local Spotlight: MTSU Athletics launches “Live in the Boro,” a new concert series starting Nov. 5 with Bailey Zimmerman and Waka Flocka Flame. Culture & Literacy: A mobile book bus program in Macon County is expanding with local business donations, bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library-style literacy support to neighborhoods and events. Public Safety: A former Van Buren County deputy is charged after a missing 15-year-old was found safe in White County, with investigators citing license-plate camera tracking.

Titans Culture Shift: Tennessee’s offensive line is leaning into a tougher, more unified “no pushovers” mindset under coaches Carmen Bricillo and Isaac Williams, after a camp incident showed how quickly teammates are expected to back each other. Community & Care: A Duck River rescue story spotlights two Tennesseans who jumped in seconds to save a man swept downstream, then worked with family until help arrived. Health Watch: Mid-South doctors say respiratory viruses are already rising heading into fall—flu is low, but common cold viruses and COVID-19 are showing up. Cancer Research Through Football: Vols linebacker Arion Carter turns his $427 NCAA-related story into a pledge of $427 per tackle for cancer research. Local Lifestyle Events: Knoxville’s Smart Yards and Friends Festival returns Sept. 12 at UT Gardens, teaching native plants, composting, and stormwater-friendly yard care. Dolly Parton Legacy: In Milan, the Ritz Theater is running “Steel Magnolias” showings with proceeds benefiting Imagination Library, while Parton’s sister Stella calls out “AI garbage” and urges respect.

Community Choir: Chattanooga’s new Kaleidoscope Choir is building a “third space” for the queer community, welcoming singers of any experience level and aiming to be more than work or home. STEM for Kids: A 13-year-old Nashville student’s “Allergy Spoon” uses a color-changing design to flag food allergens, earning finalist buzz in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Public Health & Tech: Meta’s $17B settlement over teen-focused platform addiction is prompting MTSU students to weigh new protections against whether they’ll actually be enforced. Local Culture & Events: Clarksville’s fall guide maps out concerts, fairs, and family events through Veterans Day. Arts & Heritage: The Metal Museum is opening its doors in Overton Park, marking a major new chapter for the city’s creative scene. Sports & Community Pride: Ole Miss’ late win over Louisville in Nashville’s Music City Kickoff put a spotlight on the region’s game-day energy. Philanthropy: The Greenhouse Project’s online silent auction launches Sept. 7 ahead of its Grateful Harvest Dinner fundraiser.

College Football (Music City Kickoff): Ole Miss edged Louisville 41-38 in Nashville as Lucas Carneiro drilled a 48-yard winner as time expired, turning a sloppy start into a late-game shootout. Student Life & Money: Borrowers are seeing student loan bills jump after SAVE was shut off for many, with the new Repayment Assistance Plan adding more uncertainty for families planning around monthly payments. Local History & Labor Day: Murfreesboro and Rutherford County are leaning into Labor Day’s roots, including how the “Heart of Tennessee” nickname traces back to a 19th-century geographic center calculation. Cheerleading at The World Games: The International Cheer Union says Coed Premier cheer will join The World Games in 2029, building on cheer’s 2025 debut. Arts & TV Buzz: HBO Max’s “The Pitt” led early Emmy wins, including a guest acting trophy for Ernest Harden Jr. Travel Convenience: TSA PreCheck members can now access airport gates without tickets at 13 U.S. airports via a new Gateside pass. Road-Trip Culture: A guide spotlights Tennessee’s most haunted places for Halloween-season travel.