AGP Executive Report

Redistricting Watch: The Congressional Black Caucus warns Southern redistricting could cut Black representation in Congress by about a third, after Supreme Court moves loosened how states can draw voting maps. Health & Science: A new DNA study links BRCA gene variants to more aggressive early-onset breast cancer in Black women, underscoring the need for genetic testing. Local Politics (Memphis): Memphis Democrats are mobilizing voters after Tennessee Republicans split the city into three congressional districts, betting turnout can flip seats. Nashville Data Center Fight: The Nashville Zoo’s petition against a proposed data center next door has topped 288,000 signatures, with residents and supporters pushing back over impacts on animals and the community. Education & Immigration: A national look at Plyler v. Doe highlights how Tennessee and other states have tried to limit undocumented students’ access to public schools. Big UT Gift: Dee and Jimmy Haslam are investing $130 million in the University of Tennessee, the largest gift in UT history. World News (Tech): SpaceX and Google are moving ahead with a major compute deal ahead of SpaceX’s IPO.

World Cup Prep: FIFA says it’s fully ready for the 2026 tournament after installing advanced hybrid turf at the final stadium in Houston, with 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 host sites. Sports Betting & Taxes: Tennessee expects sports-betting tax revenue to rise with Super Bowl LXIV in 2030, since more out-of-state visitors may place bets in person. Local Business/Development: A decades-old bank building on Apalachee Parkway was demolished to make way for a second Raising Cane’s location in the capital. Media & Community: Main Street Media launched a new all-in-one mobile app for local news, radio, podcasts, and local deals. Pride Backlash: A new Gallup poll finds U.S. support for LGBTQ+ rights has fallen for the fourth straight year, adding fuel to a tense Pride-season debate. Nashville Tech Fight: The Nashville Zoo is opposing a nearby data center project, warning it could harm animals, including clouded leopards. AI Compute Deal: SpaceX lined up another major Google compute agreement, paying about $920M a month for tens of thousands of GPUs ahead of SpaceX’s IPO.

Election Integrity & Power: Republicans running for governor in competitive states have histories of rejecting the 2020 election results, raising concerns they could shape how elections are administered if elected. Healthcare Business: HCA is expanding in South Carolina urgent care by buying about a dozen MedCare clinics from Nashville-based Urgent Care Group, rebranding sites to HCA CareNow. AI & Energy Demand: A new look at U.S. data-center permits shows power use surging fast, with AI driving much of the jump and pushing companies to seek new nuclear and other steady power sources. Nuclear Diplomacy (Oak Ridge): Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reportedly visited Oak Ridge nuclear experts as Iran talks enter a critical phase. World Cup Turf Science (UT): University of Tennessee researchers help engineer World Cup stadium grass to meet FIFA’s strict, consistent playing requirements. Nashville Community: A stretch of Clarksville Pike was dedicated to honor the late Sen. Thelma Harper, the first Black woman elected to the Tennessee Senate. Memphis Public Safety: Police say a crash in Memphis left two women injured; one was taken to the hospital in critical condition and an arrested driver faces multiple charges.

AI and Privacy: A new facial recognition push tied to major events and airports is raising accuracy and bias concerns, even as researchers say advanced models can be highly reliable in controlled settings. Local Safety: Vallejo plans to remove three marked crosswalks on Tennessee Street after pedestrian-collision history and ADA issues, directing walkers to nearby controlled intersections. Crash Update (Memphis): Memphis police say a driver was arrested after a crash injured two women, with one in critical condition. Nuclear Energy: The Energy Department says an advanced microreactor hit “criticality,” a milestone toward generating electricity in the next few years. Education & Sports (Chattanooga): The Chattanooga Women’s Golf Association donated $13,250 to First Tee and local high school girls’ golf programs. Business & Tech (Tennessee ties): Google is set to pay SpaceX about $920 million a month for AI compute, with Memphis-linked data centers part of the broader deal. Politics (Voting): The U.S. Senate blocked Trump’s SAVE America Act, dealing a blow to proposed voting restrictions. Energy Policy: The administration plans nearly $700 million for coal projects using wartime-era powers, including funding that reaches Tennessee. Arts & Culture: Evanescence released “Sanctuary” and announced a 2027 tour that includes Tennessee.

AI & Business: SpaceX is set to cash in big ahead of its IPO, signing a cloud deal with Google’s Alphabet worth about $920 million a month for access to roughly 110,000 Nvidia GPUs, with payments totaling around $30 billion through 2029. Local Economy & Health: CMS data show NHC Healthcare in Chattanooga has been run by Nhc-Op LP since 2000, with a Q1 2026 CMS rating of 3 and no fines or penalties. Courts & Public Safety: In Chattanooga, the Randy Vega crash trial continues as the chief medical examiner testified about injuries in the fatal 2023 Frazier Avenue crash. Community & Culture: Memphis kicked off its 33rd Juneteenth Festival in the Medical District Park, with events running through Saturday and a Freedom Luncheon next week. Sports & Entertainment: CMA Fest night two at Nissan Stadium drew about 70,000 fans, with standout sets and surprise moments from major country acts. Business News: Hollywood Feed is reportedly laying off 20 corporate staff in Memphis as it cites economic pressure on the pet industry.

Inflation Watch: An AP analysis says inflation is back on the rise, hitting both red and blue states, with Tennesseans feeling the squeeze on gas and groceries. Local Business & Jobs: Spring Hill’s Experience Spring Hill Business Expo & Job Fair returns June 13, aiming to connect thousands of attendees with local employers and services. AI & Data Centers: Nashville Zoo and supporters are pushing back hard against a proposed data center next door, with a petition surging to nearly 150,000 signatures. Tech & Money: SpaceX says it landed a massive Google cloud deal—$920 million a month for AI compute—highlighting how Tennessee’s SpaceX data-center footprint is tied to the AI boom. Public Health: Tennessee issued new animal import restrictions after the New World screwworm was detected in a Texas calf, a rare U.S. case. Sports & Culture: Vanderbilt’s statewide poll finds widespread economic anxiety and skepticism about AI in healthcare. Community Spotlight: Clear Dental Billing, a Nashville-based firm, launched outsourced billing for dental practices and DSOs nationwide.

SpaceX & Wall Street: Goldman Sachs is backing SpaceX’s IPO with an eye-popping forecast that its AI revenue could jump to $322 billion by 2030, helping justify a valuation topping $1.7 trillion. Tennessee Higher Ed: Dee and Jimmy Haslam are giving UT Knoxville $130 million—$100 million for the Haslam College of Business—while Virginia Tech received a $75 million anonymous gift. Health Care & Policy: CVS sued Tennessee over the new Fair Rx Act after Gov. Bill Lee signed it, arguing the pharmacy benefit manager ban is unconstitutional. Nursing Home Watch: CMS data shows Heartland (Davidson) and Quality Center for Rehabilitation and Healing (Wilson) both scored below the state average in Q1 2026, with Life Care Center of Red Bank (Hamilton) also rated low. Local Politics & Courts: A Pleasant View woman was arrested and indicted in a case involving alleged harassing messages and aggravated stalking of a Tennessee politician and relative. Memphis & Environment: Memphis residents rallied around a petition to block a proposed data center next to the Nashville Zoo, citing animal and resource concerns. Business & Community: Cookeville approved first readings of its 2026-27 budgets, including a slight property tax rate change and pay increases.

World Cup Security: Federal and local law enforcement are coordinating across 11 U.S. cities for the 2026 tournament, with more than 400 agencies involved to secure stadiums, fan festivals, and team bases. Coal Power Push: Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to announce $700M for “clean, beautiful coal,” including upgrades to 13 coal plants and support for a major West Coast export terminal—funding that includes Tennessee facilities. Local Politics & Accountability: A House bid to force answers about an Army flyby near Kid Rock’s Tennessee mansion failed, as lawmakers argued over whether the investigation was improperly canceled. Memphis Community: Memphis named a street for the late James A. Bridges Sr., honoring his long community and business involvement. Public Safety: A Pleasant View woman was arrested and charged with aggravated stalking and harassment tied to alleged threatening social media messages aimed at a Tennessee politician and relative. Cost-of-Living Pressure: A new report warns Social Security recipients could face automatic benefit cuts averaging about $500 a month nationwide by 2032 if Congress doesn’t act.

College Costs: MTSU is seeking a 4.5% tuition and 5.27% fee increase for 2026-27, with an online public comment period running through June 11 before trustees vote June 16. Local Housing & Access: Memphis City Council backed a plan to revive Mud Island Amphitheater with ADA upgrades, setting aside about $96,000 for initial work and up to $150,000 for possible overruns. Nursing Home Watch: CMS data highlights NHC Healthcare in Chattanooga as the county’s second-largest nursing home in Q1 2026, while Beech Tree Health and Rehabilitation ranked second in Campbell County but received a 1-out-of-5 overall rating. Politics & Voting: A Supreme Court voting-rights ruling has reshaped congressional maps, with Tennessee’s Memphis-area district split into three majority-white districts. Business & Jobs: First Horizon’s CFO will present at Morgan Stanley’s U.S. Financials Conference June 10; meanwhile, Averitt is planning a $113 million Bullitt County, Kentucky expansion.

Democratic Primary: Gordon Bryan, a Navy veteran and retired FedEx pilot, launched his bid for Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District Democratic primary, pitching healthcare access and working-family economics as he challenges Rep. David Kustoff amid redistricting fallout that critics say dilutes Memphis’s Black voting power. Housing Watch: Chattanooga realtors pushed back on a MoneyLion study ranking the city among the most overpriced housing markets, arguing the methodology overstates the gap by relying on averages instead of local median MLS sales. TVA Leadership: With two TVA director terms expiring, the utility could face governance churn if replacements aren’t secured, raising questions about what changes might mean for the region’s power planning. Local Government/Traffic: Farragut approved a contract for a new traffic signal at Jamestowne Boulevard and Campbell Station Road, aiming to improve access and reduce congestion. Public Safety: An Amber Alert for a 3-year-old boy ended with him found safe in a Clarksville attic after an extensive search. Politics & Culture: GOP Rep. Andy Ogles faced backlash over a homophobic X post tied to “Nuclear Family Month,” then said a staffer was responsible and that the employee was reprimanded. Business/Healthcare Tech: Shyld AI is set to demonstrate its infection-prevention AI agents at APIC 2026 in Nashville. Sports/Local Interest: The Tennessee Aquarium celebrated the birth of its first Red-collared Brown Lemur baby in the Lemur Forest exhibit.

Chattanooga Politics & Hiring: Mayor Tim Kelly named Erica Collins as the city’s new chief human resources officer, aiming to streamline hiring as the city touts faster fill times. Memphis Redistricting: Memphis leaders held a town hall on Tennessee’s congressional map, with speakers saying the changes could dilute Memphis voters and pushing a renewed push for registration and turnout. LGBTQ+ Rights: A new Gallup poll finds support for same-sex marriage has plateaued and dipped among Republicans, signaling a potential stall after years of gains. Healthcare Watch: CMS data spotlighted nursing home performance across Tennessee, including a 4-star rating for Life Care Center of Hixson and a 1-star rating for Franklin Wellness and Rehabilitation Center. Public Safety & Community: Tennessee’s AG received 21 complaints related to a Memphis business, while storm-damage loan applications face a June 10 deadline. Agriculture: Tennessee farmers are looking to expand subsurface drip irrigation to boost efficiency and cut costs.

Nashville Politics & Democracy: A reader warns a U.S. Supreme Court Voting Rights Act ruling could threaten democracy, as Tennessee and other states face renewed redistricting fights. Nashville Sports: The Predators hire Chris MacFarland as president of hockey operations and GM, replacing Barry Trotz as the team looks to rebound after missing the postseason. Local Planning: Wilson County planners discuss a proposed 2026 Master Land Use Plan meant to guide growth through 2045, with officials stressing it’s advisory and zoning rules still control development. Finance & Business: Chattanooga banking veteran Jay Dale joins Pinnacle Financial Partners’ local leadership team. Education & Research: UTC researchers advance to the final four of a nationwide transportation innovation competition, using an AI platform tied to real-world corridor data. Books & Families: Missouri cuts Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library funding from $6M to $2M, putting thousands of children’s access at risk. Economy: AAA reports Tennessee gas prices fell 21 cents over the week to about $3.93 a gallon.

NFL Trade: The Eagles officially traded star WR A.J. Brown to the Patriots for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder, ending months of speculation and giving New England a clear No. 1 target for Drake Maye. Local Education: Knox County Schools is clarifying its book-banning process after “Roots” was removed and then reinstated, with parents pressing for clearer rules and transparency. Business & Jobs: Tennessee approved a law requiring data centers to pay for power upgrades, as the state grapples with rapid growth in AI infrastructure. Tech & Markets: AI giant Anthropic filed confidentially for an IPO, signaling another major moment for the AI boom. Community Health: Baxter Health honored a sleep lab technologist with a “Heroes with Halos” award after a patient nominated him for care during a sleep study. Sports & Culture: Knoxville’s growth is fueling both pride and frustration, with residents debating affordability, development, and traffic as the area expands.

NFL Trade: The Eagles officially traded WR A.J. Brown to the Patriots for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, reshaping the short-term outlook for both contenders and ending Brown’s four-year run in Philadelphia. Tennessee Travel & Tourism: TDOT and Tourist Development unveiled new “Welcome to Tennessee” signs on I-26 in Unicoi County, with vintage design, three grand-division images, and the governor’s name. Local Development: Nashville’s East Bank is moving ahead with multiple bridge projects to unlock the 550-acre riverfront area. Workforce & Safety: Tennessee ranked among the lowest states for safety manager ratios, raising questions about workplace protection capacity. Health & Policy: Tennessee hemp shops are bracing for major changes as new rules take effect July 1, impacting THCA and other products. Community Support: Tennessee’s Family First Community Grant applications are open for non-profits serving low-income families. Sports (College): Texas swept Tennessee in the Women’s College World Series, sending Hannah Wells to the championship series.

Daylight Saving Time Push: U.S. lawmakers advanced a measure that would let states opt into year-round daylight saving time, reviving a long-running fight over clocks and schedules. Investigations—Risky Medicine: A Tennessee clinic owner says he moved his controversial IV therapy practice to Georgia after Tennessee regulators targeted chelation, highlighting how oversight gaps can follow patients across state lines. Investigations—AI Missed Fentanyl: Tennessee’s nursing board says a nurse at Erlanger stole fentanyl for months, and Sentri7 AI monitoring failed to flag missing drugs and “inconsistencies,” raising questions about transparency and safeguards. LGBTQ+ Climate: A new index finds America’s acceptance of gay people is declining again, with ZIP-code differences widening between supportive states and those rolling back protections. Local Economy—Chattanooga Growth: Chattanooga’s downtown retail and hospitality scene is adding businesses again after a slow stretch, with leaders pointing to events, tourism, and community support. Nashville/Tech & Energy: Chattanooga’s EPB and local tech leaders tout momentum in grid modernization and emerging tech, while data-center growth keeps reshaping energy and business planning. Health & Work: WARN filings suggest layoffs are easing into June, even as companies keep trimming roles amid automation and AI.

Tennessee Politics & Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court’s April ruling gutting Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is triggering fresh redistricting fights across the South, with Tennessee named among states where lawmakers are reshaping minority voting power. Local Sports: Tennessee softball coach Karen Weekly denied a Texas Tech player’s claim about a postgame handshake line, as the Vols beat Texas Tech 2-1 in the Women’s College World Series before moving on. Nashville & Music: George Strait and Lainey Wilson join Alan Jackson’s “Last Call” finale at Nissan Stadium in June, with proceeds tied to CMT research. NASCAR: The Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway kicks off the second half of the Cup season, with TV and radio details set for Sunday. Business & Housing: A new look at migration shows Americans leaving high-tax blue states for lower-cost, Republican-led southern markets—Nashville included—while a separate report flags the Whitehaven STEM Center still not fully used months after its ribbon-cutting. Health & Science: Vanderbilt-linked researchers describe a first-in-human robotic approach for bladder tumor resection, and a Wake Forest study uses routine ECGs to track how children mature.