AGP Executive Report

SEC Football Spotlight: Tennessee and No. 1 Texas meet Sept. 26 at Neyland Stadium, with gates opening at 9 a.m. and extra security/longer screening expected because President Trump will attend; College GameDay is also set for the matchup. Local Education & Youth: Former Titans receiver Kevin Dyson’s proposed tuition-free Music City Academy appeal heads to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission after Metro Nashville denied the charter in April. Courts & Civil Rights: A federal judge heard arguments in a Memphis lawsuit seeking to stop the Memphis Safe Task Force from retaliating against residents for filming police activity, alleging repeated harassment and intimidation. Public Safety & Immigration: A separate federal ruling denied a request to pause THP’s collaboration with ICE, rejecting an injunction claim tied to traffic stops. State Policy: Lawmakers discussed a 6-month emergency rule that would expand Tennessee Highway Patrol authority in entertainment districts, including arrest powers, as the legislature prepares for January 2027. Health: Tennessee’s “Fight Flu” campaign will offer free flu shots statewide Oct. 20 at 200+ locations. Arts & Tourism: Visit Franklin was named Destination Marketing Organization of the Year for a second straight year. Sports Business: Titans coach Robert Saleh said the 49ers were “about to draft” Giants RB Cam Skattebo before New York took him.

Flu Shot Push: Tennessee Department of Health is offering free flu vaccines Tuesday, Oct. 20 at local health departments statewide as part of Fight Flu TN ’26, urging Tennesseans 6 months and older to get protected. UT vs. Texas Build-Up: With top-ranked Texas visiting Knoxville Saturday, Tennessee is rolling out Volunteer Gameday coverage and fans are also getting a Peyton Manning–linked Adidas “find the contract” scavenger hunt on campus. Mental Health Facility Move: Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute is set to relocate to Lookout Valley along Birmingham Highway, with officials and lawmakers announcing the site Wednesday. Dolly Parton Estate Fight: Parton’s estate management is seeking a restraining order against her nephew Bryan Seaver, alleging threatening texts and claiming staff fled and private security was hired. State Oversight of Tourism Districts: Tennessee lawmakers are set to consider emergency rules that expand state control over public safety decisions in tourism districts, shifting power away from local governments. Local Education Data: Campbell County ranks near the bottom statewide for chronic absenteeism, while also showing mixed results on youth crime and child immunizations.

Immigration & Public Safety: ICE arrested Kenyan truck driver Eric Maloba in Hamblen County after a tractor-trailer crash, saying he overstayed his admission and was training for a Texas CDL; he’s in ICE custody pending removal. Local Governance & Safety: Metro Council postponed a vote on a scaled “No Right on Red” plan in downtown Nashville after transportation officials cited 18 pedestrian crashes in 59 studied intersections; a revised proposal heads back to Oct. 6. Sports—Tennessee vs Texas: Tennessee prepares for SEC opener vs No. 1 Texas at Neyland, with analysts pointing to UT’s line of scrimmage and Texas’s consistency; coverage also highlights QB Faizon Brandon’s early start. State Policy & Environment: Tennessee seeks applications for up to $600,000 to build EV rapid-charging stations along prioritized corridors using Volkswagen settlement funds. Community & Education: Leaders Education Foundation honored West Tennessee educators, including Dyersburg State’s Dr. Shawna Adams, and ETSU dedicated the Jessica Colter Academic Student Success Center.

POW/MIA Remembrance: Bradley County families gathered at American Legion Post 81 to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action, with nine local names recognized across WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Local Schools: Greene County Board of Education will elect officers Sept. 24, with updates ranging from security grants to bereavement leave and new procedures. NFL & Tennessee: Will Levis is headed to the New York Jets’ practice squad after a turbulent Titans exit, while Tennessee’s football program heads into the SEC opener at Texas with multiple season-ending injuries already hitting the secondary, tight end and receiver groups. High School Football: Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville will play independent for two seasons and sit out TSSAA playoffs after opting out of Division II-AAA. Public Safety & Health: FEMA announced $44M in Southeast disaster-mitigation grants, and Hayden Panettiere’s death was ruled an accidental toxic effects overdose involving fentanyl and other drugs. Tech & Transit: Waymo will let Nashville teens (13+) use its robotaxi service as it expands teen accounts beyond Phoenix.

Neyland Stadium Heat & Safety: In Nashville’s Sunday NFL matchup, turf hit about 157°F, melting cleats and sending Eagles coach Nick Sirianni for an IV, renewing calls for safer playing surfaces. College Football—Tennessee vs. Texas: No. 14 Tennessee opens SEC play hosting No. 1 Texas at sold-out Neyland on Sept. 26; coach Josh Heupel says the bigger challenge is handling Texas’s veteran defense and the noise. Local Sports—High School Rankings: West Tennessee TSWA updates after Week 5: Westview, Huntingdon, Lexington, Jackson Christian, and Munford remain unbeaten at the top in their classes. State Government—Comptroller Audit: Tennessee Comptroller reports former TCAT Elizabethton employees misappropriated $1.06M+, using college resources through a private business. Public Health Preparedness: Greene County Health Department urges residents to build emergency kits, know local risks, and sign up for alerts. Transportation Planning: TDOT seeks public input on proposed I-40 Exit 408 in Sevier County to ease congestion near Exit 407. Memphis Safe Task Force: One-year mark coverage highlights reported crime drops and thousands of arrests tied to the initiative.

NFL & Public Safety: At Nissan Stadium, the turf hit 157°F during the Eagles-Titans game, with players reporting cleats melting and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni needing an IV after the heat; the incident is reigniting calls to move away from turf. College Football: Tennessee (No. 14) heads into its biggest test yet—No. 1 Texas at Neyland—after a 42-9 win over Kennesaw State, while Ole Miss jumped to No. 4 in the AP Top 25 after beating LSU and the SEC placed 10 teams in the poll. Schools: Jackson-Madison County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marlon King was named Tennessee’s 2026–27 Superintendent of the Year. Local Justice: A former Hollow Rock city clerk was indicted over alleged unpaid $1,300 water service and claims she removed her name from cutoff reports. Chattanooga Police: Three officers are on paid leave after shooting an armed man; TBI is investigating. Sports Community: The Memphis Grizzlies held a free youth basketball clinic in Jackson for ages 6–14. State Politics: Tennessee’s campaign finance watchdog Tom Lawless died at 72. Outdoors: TWRA reminded hunters that archery-only deer and fall turkey seasons open Sept. 26.

Heat & Safety in Sports: At Nissan Stadium, the turf hit 157°F during the Eagles’ 24-20 win over the Titans, with players reporting melting cleats and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni needing an IV—renewing calls to move away from artificial turf. Local Schools & Community Fundraising: In South Nashville, Shayne Elementary replaced a rocky, worn-out field with new turf after a PTA-led push raised about $70,000. Weather & Fire Risk: West Tennessee’s prolonged heat and drought have left grass brittle and wildfire danger high, with officials warning a single spark could spread fast. Tennessee Football & Rivalry Buzz: Tennessee’s 42-9 win over Kennesaw State keeps momentum rolling as attention turns to a potentially historic Texas matchup. Sports Tragedy: Former MTSU women’s soccer player Savanah Stair, 28, died after a crash in Nashville. Adoption Spotlight: Harmony Family Center’s Parent-A-Child program featured Chayson, a sports-loving teen seeking a forever family.

Tennessee Football: The Vols kept rolling in nonconference play, blasting Kennesaw State 42-9 at Neyland Stadium and setting up a huge SEC opener next week: No. 1 Texas visits after Tennessee’s run game powered the win, with Daune Morris posting 116 yards and Faizon Brandon leading efficient scoring drives. College Football Polls: Ole Miss jumped to No. 4 in the AP Top 25 after beating LSU, while Tennessee stayed ranked at No. 13 as the SEC again flexed with 10 teams in the poll. NFL—Titans vs Eagles: Nashville hosts Philadelphia for Week 2 with kickoff on FOX; the Titans list Cor’Dale Flott and James Williams as inactive, while the Eagles’ Dallas Goedert is questionable with a knee injury and Saquon Barkley is also dealing with a stinger. Local Sports/Community: A storm hit South Pittsburg hard, displacing residents after a senior-living roof was ripped off, with crews restoring power. Business/Local Life: The Predators detailed a new streaming plan for 2026-27, and a Nashville-area HR/payroll provider expanded services to Middle Tennessee. Food Safety: Saratoga Potato Chips recalled certain J. HIGGS Loaded Bacon & Cheddar bags sold at Save A Lot in Tennessee and other states due to an undeclared soy allergen.

Tennessee Football: No. 15 Vols rolled past Kennesaw State 42-9 at Neyland Stadium, improving to 3-0 as Faizon Brandon threw for 178 yards and a TD and Daune Morris added 116 yards and a rushing score; the win sets up a huge SEC opener next week vs. No. 1 Texas. Lady Vols Soccer: Tennessee’s women’s team drew 2-2 at Texas, with Shae O’Rourke scoring in the 11th minute and Kylee Simmons equalizing in the 68th. Titans: Here’s how to watch Titans vs. Eagles on Sunday in Nashville—Fox broadcast with Adam Amin and Drew Brees, kickoff at 1 p.m. ET. Middle Tennessee Football: MTSU stayed strong at home, beating Nevada 27-20 behind a defense that forced turnovers and a late Antonio Martin Jr. touchdown. Memphis Zoo: The Memphis Zoo announced Sumatran tiger cubs’ names—Boneka and Kari—chosen by public vote. Community & Culture: Cooper-Young Festival drew big crowds in Midtown despite extreme heat, with groups like the Mid-South Food Bank handing out water.

NFL Spotlight: The Philadelphia Eagles visit Nashville for Titans-Eagles at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 20 (1 p.m. ET, FOX), with Drew Brees joining the broadcast booth. Local Safety: Metro police say a stolen Chevy Suburban tied to 20+ thefts struck an officer on Trousdale Drive; a stolen firearm was found and the driver was detained. Community & Culture: Nashville’s biggest parklet yet turns six Jefferson Street parking spaces into a green public space for PARK(ing) Day. Sports—College Football: Week 3’s marquee is LSU at Ole Miss, with Lane Kiffin returning to Oxford; Tennessee also plays Kennesaw State at Neyland (7:45 p.m., SEC Network) and Ethan Davis says he may be back in 2027 after an ACL injury. Public Life: A giant card-signing event is planned for longtime Metro Council member Phil Ponder, who’s in hospice care. Business/Entertainment: Reports say Paramount is eyeing Nashville as a possible move, while Nashville’s airport renaming for Dolly Parton continues to draw attention.

Hurricane Helene: The last missing Tennessee victim, Nancy Tucker, 76, was found two years after the Sept. 2024 storm, ending a long search that was delayed by debris and federal land approvals. Courts & Civil Rights: A Tennessee woman jailed after an AI facial-recognition mix-up is suing Fargo and officials for $10 million, arguing she was wrongly charged and arrested. Local Government & Safety: A Metro Nashville bus driver says many MNPS buses lack air conditioning and can exceed 110 degrees, while pay concerns remain amid recruitment efforts. Economy: Tennessee’s unemployment rate held at a year-low 3.4% in August, and state tax collections came in at $1.7 billion for the month. Arts & Culture: Nashville Zoo canceled its traditional Zoolumination lantern festival after visa denials for artisans, replacing it with “Glow Wild.” Music & Community: Memphis will rename its library music lab for late producer Tay Keith, with a new youth beatmaking curriculum. Sports: Bristol Motor Speedway hosts NASCAR Cup Chase action, and Tennessee high school football Week 5 scores rolled in statewide.

Local Public Safety: A daycare driver in Cordova admitted she skipped a required van safety check because “she was hot,” after records show falsified logs and missed alarms in the 6-year-old Winter Jones hot-van death. State Politics & Courts: A federal judge said issues in the Trump administration anti-weaponization case are still “alive and kicking” despite DOJ efforts to dismiss. Tennessee Law Enforcement: TBI arrested a man on its Most Wanted list for second-degree murder, with extradition pending after capture in Kentucky. Business & Industry: Hankook Tire won International’s 2026 Diamond Supplier Award at its Clarksville plant, citing quality, delivery, technology and sustainability. Health Policy: Iowa AG Brenna Bird joined a multi-state push for stronger federal action against counterfeit GLP-1 drugs, naming Tennessee among signers. Community & Culture: Northwest Tennessee brought home five statewide tourism honors at the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association awards. Sports (Nashville/UT): UT wraps nonconference play Saturday with Kennesaw State at Neyland Stadium, with “Salute to Service” events and updated traffic patterns.

Daycare Accountability: Memphis records say three Kid University workers lied about checking a bus after 6-year-old Winter Jones was left in a hot van; they face criminally negligent homicide, aggravated child neglect, and tampering with government records. State Politics & Public Safety: Gov. Bill Lee weighed whether the National Guard will stay in Memphis, as lawmakers and agencies continue to debate local enforcement and safety priorities. Local Sports: Nashville SC hosts Chicago Fire in a key matchup, with Nashville unbeaten at home and both teams chasing momentum. Business & Energy: Hyosung Heavy Industries is expanding U.S. power equipment manufacturing, producing high-voltage circuit breakers in Pennsylvania to meet grid demand tied to data centers and AI. International Spotlight: South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty and other U.S. lawmakers to press for swift alliance follow-through. Arts & Community: A comedy series in Murray is expanding to two monthly shows at Corvette Lanes starting in November.

Education Oversight: Tennessee’s Department of Education has opened an investigation into Metro Nashville Public Schools and Stratford STEM Magnet High School after a former teacher of the year alleged grade-rigging, payroll errors, and staff safety failures. Public Safety: Three daycare workers in Memphis face charges after a 6-year-old girl died in a hot van; the case is now in court with pleas entered. Weather: A heat dome is pushing Tennessee to record temperatures, with humidity and limited cloud cover making conditions dangerous for days. Elections & Privacy: A new explainer says Trump administration efforts to consolidate state voter rolls face legal blocks, with courts rejecting attempts to build a national database from unredacted files. Local Sports & Community: AAA is warning tailgaters about game-day fire and impaired-driving risks as gas prices climb, while UTC kicked off Founder’s Week with a State of the University address highlighting student and faculty wins. Health Access: Walmart is piloting a pharmacist-led “Health Ambassador” role in Lexington, Tennessee, aimed at connecting rural customers to care and resources.

High School Football Rivalry: Brooke and Indian Creek head into Friday’s homecoming showdown with momentum on the line, after both teams started fast and traded big wins. College Football Spotlight: Murray State’s defense is finding its bite with sacks piling up, and the Racers head to face Oklahoma State as a huge underdog after a statement upset over Oregon. Tennessee Sports at Neyland: Tennessee hosts Kennesaw State Saturday, and KnoxTNToday’s “Beat the Writers” game ball has fans predicting scores for a chance to win. Public Safety & Health: Memphis-area heat is pushing a Heat Advisory through Saturday, while three daycare employees accused in the death of a 6-year-old girl posted bond after charges tied to a hot van. Local Community & Culture: First Horizon is rolling out “Smokey” as its “Chief Fan Officer” for Vols football, and Food City honors veteran associates with NASCAR-style pre-race ceremonies at Bristol. Business & Policy Watch: Paramount is reportedly hunting Nashville office space as it weighs a potential California exit amid its Warner Bros. fight.

Nashville Immigration Fight: Residents packed Metro Council to oppose a planned national ICE coordination support center in Nashville, citing federal documents tied to Koniag Services and fears of mass arrests and deportations. Local Government & Services: Shelby County Clerk Dr. La Sonya Hall suspended in-person car registration renewals to clear a dealer-packet backlog, while other clerk services continue. Public Safety: A Madisonville DHS office shooting left an armed former employee injured after an officer fired; TBI opened an independent probe. Crime Update: U.S. Marshals arrested Millington murder suspect Seth Walls in Slovenia after a yearslong fugitive hunt, setting up extradition. Economy & Growth: UT’s Neyland Stadium is getting “865 Neyland,” a $288M 100,000-square-foot entertainment district with a hotel/residential tower and major job and visitor projections. Business Watch: Tennessee’s Secretary of State Tre Hargett warned newly formed businesses about a fake “Business Resource Center Compliance Division” mail scam. Culture & Community: Nashville’s Greek Festival returns Sept. 25-27 with Byzantine tours, music, and food. Sports: Tennessee’s Neyland entertainment district and high school football highlights share the spotlight as Week 4 plays roll in.