AGP Executive Report

Education & Public Safety: Wilson County’s new school year kicked off with heavy police presence in Mt. Juliet school zones, including dozens of traffic stops, citations mostly for speeding and handheld phone use, and two arrests. Local Governance: The Williamson County Election Commission finished a state-mandated audit of the Aug. 6 mayor race, hand-counting 1,267 ballots under the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act. Courts & Federal Policy: A coalition of cities and counties sued DHS in federal court over Homeland Security grant conditions tied to election rules, including demands for citizenship checks for poll workers and a shift toward hand-marked paper ballots. Justice Department: In a Nashville-based case, DOJ is appealing a judge’s dismissal of human smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, arguing the prosecution wasn’t vindictive. Community & Culture: The Wilson County–Tennessee State Fair opened with a volunteer-focused ceremony and ribbon cutting at the Made in Tennessee Building. Sports: Father Ryan and Battle Ground Academy both look to build momentum in the new high school football season under new/renewed expectations.

Meta Trial Over Kids: In Oakland, Meta is set to face a high-stakes federal case accusing Instagram and Facebook of fueling youth mental health harms through addictive design, with other platforms facing similar suits nationwide. Housing Affordability: A new report says HUD spending hasn’t meaningfully lowered home prices, and that Tennessee’s affordability gap is among the worst, with home costs outpacing incomes across nearly every state. AI Data Center Deal: OpenAI plans to lease a massive U.S. AI data center for 20 years, backed by Nvidia financing, built on a former Ohio uranium enrichment site and tied to Nvidia chips. I-24 Toll Lane Push: Federal approval clears the way for Nashville-to-Murfreesboro Choice Lanes, but letters to South Nashville residents raise concerns about property impacts. Gas Prices: Tennessee average gas prices rose 10 cents to about $3.65. Local Education: Gov. Bill Lee appointed Memphis student Marc Williams to the State Board of Education. Sports & Culture: Nate Bargatze set a Guinness record for most tickets sold on a comedy tour; and Tennessee’s football preseason buzz continues as the AP Top 25 highlights the Vols at No. 20. Public Safety/Outdoors: TWRA is leasing dove fields for the 2026 season, and the Tennessee Wildlife Federation opened its wildlife photo contest through Aug. 31.

College Football Buzz: Ohio State starts the 2026 season atop the AP preseason Top 25 at No. 1, with Oregon at No. 2 and Georgia at No. 3; Tennessee lands at No. 20 as the SEC places nine teams in the rankings. Local Sports Spotlight: Tennessee offensive lineman Jesse Perry says he’s ready to play wherever the Vols need him after logging heavy snaps last season, while the TSWA released statewide preseason high school football rankings for all classes ahead of the Aug. 20 kickoff. Memphis Community & Culture: Mt. Carmel Ally will host its inaugural Golf Fore Charity Tournament Sept. 21 at TPC Southwind to preserve one of Memphis’ oldest Black cemeteries, Mount Carmel. Outdoor & Hunting: TWRA says leftover permits are available Aug. 19 for 2026 WMA big game quota hunts and season-long waterfowl blind permits. Health & Recovery: A Rutherford County surgeon is promoting a muscle-sparing “Jiffy Knee” approach aimed at reducing pain and stiffness during knee replacement recovery. Entertainment News: Tributes continue after Hayden Panettiere’s death at 36; police say no signs of foul play in the preliminary investigation.

Local Sports Spotlight: Scottie Scheffler roared back in Memphis, winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship by eight shots after a dominant Sunday at TPC Southwind—his first win in nearly seven months and the biggest margin in the event’s 68-year history. Entertainment & Culture: Hayden Panettiere, the “Heroes” and “Nashville” star, died at 36; her family confirmed the death, but no cause has been released yet, and her father asked for privacy. College & Community Sports: Tennessee’s Lady Vols opened the season with a 2-0 win over South Alabama, earning their first clean sheet as Ayva Jordan and Devin Davis scored first-career goals. High School Football Buzz: The Tennessee Sports Writers Association released preseason rankings across classifications, setting the stage for this week’s fall kickoff. Public Safety & Civic Life: CASA of Bradley and Polk Counties received a $20,000 grant to boost volunteer recruitment and retention for children in need.

Chattanooga River Games Update: Chattanooga’s River Games may be the last at Ross’s Landing for a while, as the riverfront redevelopment plan closes the site for about 18 months starting in November, with Gov. Bill Lee previously backing $15 million for the project. Local Sports & Community: Knox County Rescue has joined TWRA in the search for a missing kayaker on Tellico Lake, where rugged terrain and poor cell service are complicating efforts. Tennessee Sports Spotlight: Memphis’ Joshua Báez made MLB history by homering in each of his first three at-bats for the Cardinals, called up from Triple-A Memphis. Tennessee Football Buzz: USA TODAY named Chattanooga’s David Gabriel-Georges to its 2026 preseason high school All-America team, highlighting the state’s next wave of talent. Culture & Faith: Weakley County Training School’s 99th annual homecoming in Martin drew community attention and honored the historic legacy. Music & Tech Debate: Queen guitarist Brian May used AI to mock the “need” for AI in music, warning against data centers in the UK.

MLB Spotlight: Cardinals rookie Joshua Báez made history at Wrigley Field, becoming the first player to homer in each of his first three major-league at-bats, powering an 8-4 win over the Cubs. Basketball Honors: Candace Parker was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, with Tennessee ties front and center. Local Sports Watch: The Seahawks opened their preseason with a 17-7 loss to Dallas, a reminder that early-season execution still matters even when starters sit. Tennessee Community & Culture: UT Arboretum’s Butterfly Festival returns Aug. 29 with family activities, insect viewing, and talks. Public Safety: Wilson County EMA is urging heat-wave hydration and strict gear-and-rotation protocols for first responders during the hottest stretch. Sports Betting & Events: The FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis is tightening up, with Scottie Scheffler holding a two-shot lead heading into Sunday. Education & Policy: Tennessee’s TSSAA board meets Aug. 17 to discuss reclassification and other school-sports updates.

Tennessee Football: The Vols got a major preseason hit: starting safety Edrees Farooq tore a patellar tendon and is out for the entire 2026 season, forcing Tennessee to lean on depth in the secondary. NFL & Tennessee Connections: Former Vol Joey Aguilar is listed as the Browns’ fourth quarterback as Cleveland opens preseason at the Bears, with Deshaun Watson starting and Shedeur Sanders set to follow. Sports Business: The Lakers’ $12.5B sale is being framed as a new high-water mark for pro-sports franchise values, a reminder that Tennessee’s own stadium and team economics are heading toward bigger price tags. Local Crime: In Memphis, police arrested a man accused of shooting a woman in Louisiana and driving with her body in the passenger seat to Tennessee, awaiting extradition. Health & Culture: Dolly Parton canceled a Dollywood appearance after doctors advised against travel, saying she was dizzy and dehydrated. College Football Landscape: Conference realignment and possible CFP expansion are reshaping the 2026 season’s matchups and postseason stakes.

Local Government & Health: Greene County cut the ribbon on a new 12,000-square-foot Health Department building in Tusculum, funded by state and federal dollars, expanding services like primary care, dental, immunizations and prenatal support. Recovery & Community Safety: Greene County also recognized eight Recovery Court graduates, with leaders stressing that the real work begins after graduation. Statewide Poverty Response: Gov. Bill Lee launched Shelby County’s Human Flourishing Initiative, a statewide pilot meant to coordinate help for families facing housing instability, food insecurity and unemployment through a “backbone” nonprofit. Public Safety & Tragedy: A Memphis-area family is demanding answers after a 6-year-old girl allegedly was left on a daycare bus in extreme heat and died; investigators have not provided the family with details they say they need. Sports (Tennessee): Tennessee linebackers Amare Campbell and Arion Carter were named to the Butkus Award preseason watch list. Tennessee Lottery: Here are Aug. 14 winning numbers for Mega Millions and Cash 3, plus other Tennessee Lottery games. Heat & Events: Wilson County State Fair officials are prioritizing heat safety with added shade, cooling areas and air-conditioned breaks as crowds pack the midway. National Crime Claim: President Trump says a new FBI report shows the biggest drop in U.S. violent crime on record, citing 2025 declines and preliminary 2026 improvements.

TSA REAL ID headaches: Tennessee says a small number of state driver’s licenses aren’t being read at TSA checkpoints, triggering travel delays; affected travelers can get free replacements at Driver Services Centers or use other accepted IDs like passports. Death penalty court fight: After Thursday’s execution of Darrell Hines, legal proceedings wrapped for Christa Pike, the only woman on Tennessee’s death row; her team is still challenging the lethal-injection protocol and a September 30 execution date remains on the calendar. State budget news: Tennessee reported July tax revenues came in $418.2 million above the estimate, driven by stronger sales tax and franchise/excise collections. Public health crackdown: Massachusetts-style action hits kratom nationwide attention as Healey’s emergency order targets kratom products; the state moves to Schedule I under state law. Local community wins: Calhoun and partners were recognized for Hiwassee River Blueway access improvements, and Sen. Bo Watson presented a Capitol-flown Tennessee flag to Normal Park Museum Magnet School students. Sports spotlight: Middle Tennessee punter Ashton Logan was named to the Ray Guy Award preseason watch list.

Local Sports: The Tennessee Titans opened their preseason with a 19-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, with kicker Joey Slye nailing four field goals, including three from beyond 50 yards. College Football: Tennessee linebackers Amare Campbell and Arion Carter were named to the Butkus Award preseason watch list, highlighting the Vols’ linebacker depth heading into 2026. Public Safety/Travel: Some Tennessee REAL IDs are failing to scan at TSA checkpoints due to a production defect affecting certain licenses’ printed photos, and the state is offering free replacements while passports can still be used to get through security. Health: A Memphis-area dental infection case that progressed to Ludwig’s angina and sepsis is prompting renewed warnings not to ignore swelling, fever, or trouble swallowing. Community & Recreation: TVA-backed STEM programming got a boost with a new STEM center opening at a Boys & Girls Club, and Bolivar approved a $3.5 million parks grant aimed at expanding an indoor pool for year-round recreation. National Justice: Tennessee carried out the lethal injection execution of death row inmate Anthony Darrell Hines for a 1985 motel murder.

Death Penalty in Tennessee: Tennessee carried out its second of three scheduled executions Thursday, putting Anthony Darrell Hines to death in the state’s capital punishment push that also includes Oklahoma’s Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez and Alabama’s Jeremy Williams. Court Challenge: In Knoxville, a three-day hearing over condemned inmate Christa Pike’s upcoming execution ended with a special master set to review claims that the method would violate her constitutional rights. Health Care Costs: A new AARP report says expanding Medicare’s drug price negotiation—using “most-favored-nation” style pricing—could cut costs for seniors and reduce federal spending, but would need Congress to act. Local Parks & Community: Metro Nashville awarded a $4 million boost to improve The Farm at Mill Ridge Park, including a renovated barn for nature education and community events. Nashville Economy & Taxes: Country star John Rich warned that rising property appraisals and taxes could force longtime Lower Broadway businesses to close, threatening the live-music culture. TSA/ID Troubles: Tennessee residents report some REAL IDs failing to scan at TSA checkpoints, with officials urging affected travelers to get replacements. Sports: The Titans’ preseason opener vs. the 49ers draws attention as fans search for ways to watch without costly subscriptions.

Sports Business Shock: The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold again in less than a year—this time to Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger—for a record $12.5 billion, a deal that would make the franchise the priciest pro sports team ever. NFL Preseason Focus (Tennessee): The Titans open their preseason Thursday at the 49ers, with Tennessee bringing a new defensive staff under Robert Saleh and QB Cam Ward entering his second season as starter. College Football Recruiting & Rankings: Auburn landed a 2028 in-state QB commitment from Alabama’s Sam Sollie, while CBS Sports’ preseason ladder shows Florida climbing 49 spots and Tennessee sitting among the top SEC teams. Local Government & Schools: Maryville School Board approved $171,600 for new kindergarten iPads, and Alcoa began master planning for parks and recreation after years of complaints about local conditions. Public Safety & Health: Tennessee suspended a Jamestown funeral home’s license amid allegations of fake life insurance death claims, and a new report warns 36% of rural hospitals are at risk of closing. Energy & Jobs: TVA marked Watts Bar Nuclear Plant’s 30th anniversary as it plans major new generation and ramps up demand for skilled workers.

Capital Punishment: Tennessee is set to execute Darrell Hines on Thursday after a prior botched lethal injection attempt, with lawyers urging the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene and critics pointing to secrecy around drugs and procedures. Local Sports: Murray State will open its 2026-27 season in a 24-hour Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon, taking on Tennessee State Nov. 2 in Sioux Falls, with the full slate spanning the day. Memphis & Sports Business: The FedEx St. Jude Championship begins Thursday at TPC Southwind, with PGA Tour playoff stakes and top names like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in the field. Nashville/State Infrastructure: TDOT is pushing a major 5.34-mile widening project on Maynardville Highway (SR 33) in Union County, aiming to finish in winter 2027. Tech & Jobs (Tennessee): Prysmian announced more than $1B in fiber and optical cable investment, including $100M in Jackson, Tennessee, to expand capacity and add manufacturing jobs. National Spotlight (HBCUs): Forbes ranked FAMU No. 2 among public HBCUs in its 2026 list. NBA Ownership: The Lakers are reportedly being sold for $12.5B to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, a record-setting shift that still needs NBA approval.

Appalachian Trail Recovery: A 5.5-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail reopened at Iron Mountain Gap on the NC–TN border after Helene debris removal, a boost for hikers and the local outdoor economy. Local Government Pay & Budget: Blount County commissioners advanced a 10% pay raise request to the Budget Committee while sending school-system pay details elsewhere, and approved an emergency HVAC expense for the Records area. TSSAA Transfer Rule Fallout: Mt. Juliet Christian’s football season hinges on a TSSAA Board of Control ruling over a co-op arrangement with Nashville’s RePublic after the transfer rule left MJCA’s roster depleted. Public Voting Help: The League of Women Voters of Northeast Tennessee will host a free “Informed Ballot” workshop for voters ahead of November. Health Department Ribbon-Cutting: Greene County’s new Health Department building opens to the public with a ribbon-cutting and tours. Memphis Sports & Culture: Memphis Depay says Corinthians didn’t honor an agreement as the club declines to extend his contract; separately, Memphis mourns “Prince Mongo,” a longtime local character, who died at 89. Outdoor Access for Mobility: TVA funding helped bring a trackchair-style all-terrain vehicle to Lake Guntersville State Park to expand access for visitors with mobility challenges. Heat Tragedy: A 3-year-old boy reported missing in Pegram was found dead in a broken-down van on the property, with extreme heat cited as a factor.

Powerball Watch: No jackpot winner in Monday’s Powerball draw; the prize is now estimated at $975 million for Wednesday, with a Tennessee ticket matching five white balls plus Power Play for a $2 million win. AI + Energy in Tennessee: Tennessee announced Kyoto Fusioneering will move its U.S. headquarters to Oak Ridge, adding 51 jobs and a $46.9M investment tied to the UNITY-3 fusion test facility. Local River Cleanup: Volunteers are gearing up for a third Holston River tire cleanup in Surgoinsville, aiming to remove tires dumped decades ago that can leach harmful chemicals. Community Health: The GFWC Cookeville Jr. Woman’s Club supported an Alzheimer’s Tennessee “Coping and Caring” seminar and is looking ahead to the Oct. 24 Walk. Public Safety Online: Rutherford County parents are being warned about online bullying and predators targeting teens through phones and social platforms. Food Safety Alert: A Salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños has expanded downstream recalls, including products distributed into Tennessee. Arts & Culture: Nashville’s Josie Awards nominee Caleb Kenner earned double nominations ahead of the Sept. 20 event at the Grand Ole Opry House. Tourism Economy: State officials credit a partnership that kept Great Smoky Mountains National Park open during the 2025 shutdown for boosting 2025 visitor spending to $32.5B.

Local Politics & Accountability: Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel was suspended for 30 days after an independent review found he violated multiple conduct standards tied to sexually charged texts with a subordinate—raising fresh questions about why he wasn’t fired. Public Safety & Crime: Memphis police arrested seven after a raid at Legends Lounge in Hickory Hill, seizing drugs, firearms and cash, and citing a long record of calls and alleged overcrowding. Human Trafficking Crackdown: A Loudon County undercover operation led to two arrests on charges of trafficking for commercial sex acts involving minors. Health & Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak has spread to 27 states, including Tennessee, while officials point to produce-related risks and recall awareness. Education & Community: Blount County schools approved posting the Ten Commandments in a historical display, despite public pushback. Sports & Local Pride: Former Murray State standout Malik Honeycutt earned AF1 honors as the Nashville Kats won the arena title, and UT parking changes are reshaping campus life for the fall semester. Environment & Industry: Memphis residents are pushing back against new AI data centers, citing pollution impacts in Black neighborhoods like Boxtown. Business & Travel: Regal’s Knoxville push highlights a movie-going resurgence, with premium formats like IMAX 70mm drawing crowds. Economy: Tennessee gas prices fell 11 cents to a $3.55 state average, according to AAA.