AGP Executive Report

Local Arts & Community: Athens Community Theatre announced auditions for “Ragtime,” with performances set for Feb. 19–28 and auditions Oct. 26–27 at The Arts Center. Performing Arts: Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s pay-what-you-will “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” drew a full lawn crowd at Centennial Park, with repurposed set pieces helping bring the forest to life. Culture & Music: AMERICANAFEST returned to Nashville Sept. 15–19, spotlighting roots music with 200+ artists and 50+ industry panels across the city. Civic Life: Blount County groups and churches are teaming up for a “Get Out to Vote Rally” Sept. 26 at St. Paul AME Zion Church, aiming to boost turnout ahead of midterms. Public Safety & Privacy: Coopertown is removing license plate reader cameras after privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns, ending a contract with Flock Safety. Education & Care: UTC will consolidate Little Miss Mag Early Learning Center into its Brown and Battle Academy sites, saying no children will lose access. Business & Growth: Bradley County faces a lawsuit over data center regulations after a New York-based developer challenged the rules passed earlier this year. Sports & Lifestyle: UT fans lined up for a Roller Rabbit x UT pajama pop-up, while Tennessee golf’s senior championships begin this week at Druid Hills Golf Club.

Dolly Parton Day in Tennessee’s orbit: Nashville’s Kuhn Rikon is marking Sept. 25 with a one-day Rainbow COLORI® knife sale, donating 100% of proceeds to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library—plus California has officially set Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day. Nashville culture + ideas: The Thiel talks series kicks off Sept. 28 with Peter Thiel framing AI through a biblical “Antichrist” lens, drawing attention to how tech is shaping politics and faith. Community support for women: Wooden It Be Lovely is celebrating its new space and continuing mission helping women in recovery through furniture restoration and jobs. Local education spotlight: MTSU’s Constitution Week reading events are bringing students and the public together to read the U.S. Constitution. Health + safety at home: A Save A Lot–sold bacon-and-cheddar chips recall warns of undeclared soy, a big deal for anyone with allergies. Sports + campus buzz: UT’s 865 Neyland entertainment district is launching as a student-life magnet, while NASCAR’s Bristol Night Race saw a post-race brawl between Ryan Blaney and Carson Hocevar.

Dolly Parton’s Legacy: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill requiring Sept. 25 to be proclaimed “Dolly Parton Day,” spotlighting her music, literacy work, and philanthropy—especially the Imagination Library. Local Arts & Culture: Plateau Creative Arts Center debuts “Drawn to Color,” a new watercolor exhibition by Donna Cronce, with a free Oct. 2 reception. Community & Faith: Memphis faith leaders are renewing calls to end the Memphis Safe Task Force as its one-year mark nears, framing it as an “occupation” affecting immigrant families. Education & Inclusion: Metro Nashville schools are leaning into co-teaching to support English learners, pairing general-education and English-learner teachers to boost student success. Sports & Community Pride: Knoxville’s Knox County Rescue diver Nick Rose shares how he’s turned a fear of confined spaces into public safety diving. Quick Hits: A Loudon County high-speed chase ended when a driver crashed into the Tennessee River; and a Dolly Parton-themed corn maze is drawing attention after her death.

Nashville & Music: Nashville SC clinched a playoff spot with a 3-0 home win over the Chicago Fire, powered by Sam Surridge’s opener and goals from Cristian Espinoza and Hany Mukhtar. Sports & Culture: The AFCA Coaches Poll reshuffled after Ole Miss beat LSU 32-24, knocking Lane Kiffin’s Tigers out of the top 10 while Florida surged into the rankings at No. 22. Local Justice: A Nashville man, Brandon Muse, was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, with the judge ordering the term to run concurrently with prior state time. Arts & Community: Variety – the Children’s Charity of Eastern Tennessee raised $410,500 at its sold-out golf tournament, including support for its Kids on the Go! mobility program. Faith & Family: Religious gatherings were listed for both South Cuyahoga County and Rutherford County, with confession and adoration events scheduled across the week. Education & Lifestyle: A West Memphis district is rolling out a tech pathway with Google and CodeCrew, aiming to move more students from high school straight into job-ready skills.

College Football (SEC rivalry): Lane Kiffin’s LSU return to Ole Miss ended in boos and a 32-24 loss as Trinidad Chambliss threw for 363 yards and led the Rebels to a late win. MLS & Local Sports: Nashville SC became the first MLS team to clinch a playoff berth, beating Chicago Fire 3-0 behind Brian Schwake’s clean sheet and goals from Surridge, Espinoza, and Mukhtar. Memphis Culture: The Memphis Zoo named two Sumatran tiger cubs after community votes—Boneka (Dolly Parton) and Kari (Tim Curry)—tying the new arrivals to their Indonesian roots. NASCAR & Tennessee Spotlight: Joey Logano slipped through for a wild Bristol Night Race win, while the weekend also honored Kyle Busch with special M&M’s paint on Ty Gibbs’ car. Community & Family Events: Townsend’s Peaceful Side Social brought a family-friendly Oktoberfest with craft beer, German food, and kids’ activities. Faith & Public Life: Hamilton County school board members approved Ten Commandments displays, with Republicans supporting and Democrats opposing. Outdoor & Lifestyle: TWRA opened applications for 2026 early-season WMA waterfowl hunts (Sept. 23–Oct. 13).

Nashville Culture & Identity: A new feature explores what it means to be Latine in the South, spotlighting how people like Athens senior Bella Espinoza navigate heritage, language, and belonging in rural Tennessee. LGBTQ+ Community: AmericanaFest’s Queer Roots returns at East Nashville’s Lipstick Lounge, with performers like Jaimee Harris and Mary Gauthier leaning into roots storytelling and queer history. Family Fun: Custom House Museum and Cultural Center’s Family Art Saturday brings sunflower printmaking to Clarksville on Sept. 26, designed for kids 3+ and their caregivers. Faith + Film: Jewell R. Powell’s faith-based “A Christmas Journey” lands in theaters Nov. 7, with additional church and campus screenings planned, including Memphis. Sports (Nashville): Vanderbilt women’s soccer rolls past Texas A&M 5-0 at home, setting up big matchups ahead. Arts & Media: Converse apologizes for an ad backlash tied to KKK/lynching symbolism. Public Safety & Tech: A Tennessee woman sues Fargo after a facial-recognition arrest error led to months of custody. Local Lifestyle: Nashville airport renaming for Dolly Parton becomes a rare bipartisan win—an example of government “just working.”

Local Government: Chattanooga appointed Kirsten Ert Acuff as Deputy Chief Operating Officer, bringing budgeting, infrastructure, and stormwater experience from her time as Lakesite’s city manager. Public Safety & Mobility: Nashville is considering banning right turns on red at 59 intersections to cut pedestrian injuries and deaths, with the proposal tied to Vision Zero and school-zone safety. Community & Family Support: Madison County launched “Foster Friendly Madison County,” pairing foster families with discounts, church support teams, and local leaders. Health & Care: A national “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” spotlight highlights the ongoing need for children’s beds, with the nonprofit expanding to hundreds of chapters nationwide. Culture & Home: Knoxville author J.R. Greene is bringing “My Magic Tux” to Cruze Farm Dairy, blending Tennessee football nostalgia with a children’s book and a special ice cream treat. Arts & Music: East Nashville’s AmericanaFest set features British soul singer MT Jones at The 5 Spot. Food Safety: Saratoga Potato Chips recalled J. HIGGS Loaded Bacon and Cheddar bags in multiple states due to an undeclared soy allergen.

Local Education & Workforce: Douglas County schools are pushing summer jobs for students as a real-world workforce starter, not “trivial” work—while also touting teacher raises tied to financial progress. Community Culture: Trousdale’s second annual FCE Fall Fashion Show & Luncheon sold out, with local clubs recognized nationally for leadership. Arts & Entertainment: Nateland (Nashville’s clean-comedy incubator) promoted Adrian Kulp to EVP, expanding its “farm system” for comics. Music & Faith: Nashville country singer Karen Waldrup says her divorce’s “awful” season fueled new faith-centered songs. Local Sports & Pride: Trousdale County Saddle Club brought home more than 30 placings at the state horse show in Lebanon. Public Safety & Justice: Memphis-area serial-killer case coverage returns nationally as former Albion resident Bruce Mendenhall’s crimes are featured on Oxygen. Tennessee Politics: Voters are still waiting on a governor debate ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Tech & Power: TVA’s proposed transmission line raises concerns about archaeological impacts in Cherokee homeland areas. Entertainment Spotlight: Dolly Parton’s legacy continues to ripple through Tennessee and beyond, including major tributes tied to NASCAR Bristol.

Child Safety & Accountability: Memphis-area records say three daycare workers falsified required bus checks the day 6-year-old Winter Jones died after being left on a hot van; all three face charges including criminally negligent homicide and tampering. Local Governance & Civil Liberties: Memphis City Council is increasingly muting public comments during meetings, including criticism tied to ICE actions and street renaming. Community & Culture: Trousdale County Fair hosted its first Ms. Tennessee Senior America Pageant, spotlighting senior women’s leadership and community service. Health & Research: UTC researchers received a U.S. design patent for a wearable, nonsurgical tremor device aimed at helping people with essential tremor. Tech, Energy & Community Impact: A new report examines how data centers affect housing, jobs, and quality of life—an issue that’s especially live in the Chattanooga region. Arts & Storytelling: A Chattanooga author describes why she crawled into caves to write “Ruby Falls,” blending local history with a murder mystery. Public Life: Hamilton County election officials approved Nov. 3 ballots and early voting sites; registration deadline is Oct. 5.

Local Health Access: Walmart is piloting a pharmacist-led “Health Ambassador” role in Lexington, Tennessee, aiming to connect rural shoppers with health goals and services beyond the pharmacy counter. Scam-Proofing for Seniors: OpenAI and AARP launched free in-person ChatGPT training in Nashville to help older adults spot suspicious messages and avoid costly scams. Music & Community Spotlight: Dollywood Foundation announced “Give Like Dolly Day” on Sept. 25, tying Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to local giving efforts. Cultural Celebration in Music City: Nashville is rolling out “Dolly Day,” a citywide kindness-and-philanthropy event on Sept. 25 with major country stars supporting library and literacy programs. Sports Culture Watch: UNC’s Steve Belichick resigned after an internal review found “disregard” for program values, a reminder that culture issues are now front-page sports news. Tech + Everyday Life: A new push in the U.S. House would steer data-center power costs toward the facilities themselves, fueling the ongoing debate over energy, bills, and growth.

Community Music & Tourism: Beatles at the Ridge returns Saturday, Sept. 19, in Walnut Ridge with a free day of live tribute acts, vendors, food, a car show, and kids’ activities—headlined by the Liverpool Legends at 7 p.m. Pop Culture & Local Spotlight: Brad Pitt walked the Franklin red carpet for Paramount’s “Heart of the Beast” premiere at FirstBank Amphitheater, with Nashville and Hollywood figures in attendance. Health & Safety: Michigan AG Dana Nessel announced a $384 million Medicaid fraud settlement with Abbott over alleged infant formula compliance failures, underscoring pressure on big manufacturers to protect babies. Civic Life & Care: In the face of a nationwide blood shortage, Mercy Health and the American Red Cross held a blood drive where donors stressed that giving is quick—and lifesaving. Local Justice: Shelby County jurors found Cassell Hunt Jr. guilty of multiple child sex crimes, including rape and continuous sexual abuse. Child Safety Update: In Memphis, the third daycare employee charged in the death of 6-year-old Winter Jones posted bond and was released after bail was cut in half. Arts & Heritage: Doc Holliday Festival in Griffin blended Wild West reenactments with local history education, including stories of Southern-born figures who shaped the American West. Faith & Recovery: A Middle Tennessee woman continues collecting donations for The Next Door Recovery, saying the need is constant for women entering treatment. Dolly Parton Culture Wave: CMA and ABC announced a two-hour Dolly Parton tribute special airing Oct. 21, with proceeds supporting Imagination Library.

Immigration & Community Safety: Nashville residents packed Metro Council to oppose a planned national ICE coordination center, citing mass arrests and asking officials to protect everyone in the city. Local Governance: Shelby County Mayor Mickell Lowery announced his first five administrative appointments, aiming to build a team that reflects “One Shelby.” Culture & Music (Dolly Parton): The Country Music Association will air a live, two-hour Dolly Parton tribute special on Oct. 21, filmed at Belmont’s Fisher Center, with performances, stories, and proceeds tied to Imagination Library. Arts & Community Events: The Nashville Greek Festival returns Sept. 25–27 with Byzantine tours, live music, dancing, and family-friendly Greek food. Lifestyle & Travel: BNA ranked sixth among large airports for customer satisfaction in a new J.D. Power study, with local food and retail spotlighted. Public Health & Giving: Pilot’s Heart Walk fundraising milestone tops nearly $11.5 million for the American Heart Association over nine years. Faith & Tech: ActsSocial reports a major surge in new-member registrations as it prepares to launch ActsTV. Sports & Youth: Union University dedicated a new Memphis campus for adult studies in Cordova, expanding church-linked higher education options.

ICE & Civil Liberties: Memphis families and activists pressed Metro Council over the impact of ICE raids, including a Berclair nightclub operation that left children without parents and raised questions about accountability. Local Governance & Public Safety Tech: Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank says she wants to pause or end Flock license-plate cameras, with any change requiring county commission approval after residents raised “government overreach” concerns. Education & Child Safety: Greene County schools are rolling out a K-12 prevention program to help students recognize and report sexual abuse and child trafficking, aligned with Tennessee law. Kids & Learning: Clinton Elementary is getting Bee-Bots for hands-on coding in kindergarten through sixth grade, funded through an ORAU classroom grant. Sports & Community: Pellissippi State and UT Federal Credit Union signed a five-year athletics partnership, adding support for programs, scholarships, and financial literacy. Culture & Music: A Dolly Parton look-alike contest is set for the Clinch River Fall Antique Festival in Clinton, Oct. 3.

AI & Civil Rights: A Tennessee woman wrongly jailed for months after Fargo police relied on faulty AI facial recognition has filed a $10M civil rights lawsuit, putting the spotlight on how surveillance tech can upend real lives. Home Insurance Transparency: A new report says homeowners insurance data is being treated like a black box, with commissioners often not sharing climate-risk and premium information publicly. Wellness Reality Check: Consumer Reports tested midlife wellness trends like weighted vests and vibration plates, finding that “fit” and purpose matter more than the hype. Arts & Community: Chattanooga’s Townsend Atelier is hosting “Art of Spirits,” a cocktail-inspired oil painting exhibit and book launch that doubles as a local cocktail trail. Public Media Leadership: WTCI PBS named Shaun Townley interim president and CEO as Bob Culkeen departs. Local Sports Schedule: Middle Tennessee women’s soccer moved its Jackson State kickoff to 1 p.m. Music & Culture: Kenny Chesney announced his 2027 all-stadium “Original Vibe Room Tour,” with Eric Church and Sheryl Crow joining. Health Watch: Measles cases are rising among adults, not just kids, as Tennessee and the wider U.S. track new infections.

AI Policy Clash: President Trump doubled down on dismissing AI “doomsday” fears, calling them a hoax while global leaders push for guardrails—an argument that’s landing in Tennessee as local tech leaders debate regulation. Social Media & Kids: Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion over state claims that Facebook/Instagram were designed to hook young users, including limits on youth scrolling and safety setting controls. Music City Spotlight: The 78th Emmys delivered a Dolly Parton tribute—Sally Field and Reba McEntire honored her with “Appalachian Memories”—while the wider TV night crowned “Widow’s Bay” and “Hacks.” Local Youth Programs: Memphis launched its fall jobs and after-school program for 800+ students, aiming to keep teens engaged with work, training, and community service. Community & Culture: Blount County is set to vote on a proclamation honoring Dolly Parton’s life, faith, and legacy, including her Imagination Library impact. Banking Moves: Heritage Community Bank and UBank announced a merger, expected to close in early 2027 with customers seeing minimal disruption. Sports & Events: Big Ears Festival revealed its 2027 lineup for Knoxville, bringing genre-blending stars back downtown.

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.