AGP Executive Report

Local Crime: Memphis police say three people were hurt, including two seriously, in a Hollywood neighborhood shooting Wednesday; no arrests yet and investigators are asking for witnesses and surveillance footage. Agriculture & Weather: Tennessee farmers are feeling the strain as drought and brutal heat stress crops across the Mid-South, with irrigation access making the difference between saving fields and shutting down. Health & Business Deal: Williamson County commissioners approved a non-binding letter of intent for the proposed $700M sale of Williamson Health to Ascension Saint Thomas, starting due diligence amid scrutiny after a medication error. Public Safety & Housing: Downtown Macon business leaders are pushing a new ordinance aimed at managing chronic homelessness in a defined entertainment district. Local Economy & Jobs: Blount County will host a Vendor Day Sept. 16 to help businesses connect with county and partner purchasing teams. Sports & Community: UTC says autonomous shuttle plans are moving forward after a CARTA partnership grant, pairing real-world tech training with student learning. Retail Closures: O’Charley’s is shutting down remaining corporate locations across Tennessee and beyond.

Autonomous Transit in Nashville: Waymo robotaxis are now bookable through the Lyft app across central Nashville, with Lyft handling local operations and Waymo providing the driving tech. Housing & Cost Pressure: Home prices are falling in many major metros as mortgage rates keep affordability tight, with Memphis among the cities seeing notable declines. SNAP Legal Fight: The USDA has filed an appeal after a judge struck down SNAP waivers that barred purchases like candy and soda in Tennessee and other states. State Policy & Business Climate: Tennessee lawmakers are pushing regulatory changes aimed at forcing more transparency around rule costs, while a new TWRA leadership role brings legislative liaison experience back to the wildlife agency. Local Economy & Community: Tractor Supply’s Harvest Fest spotlights local farmers and makers, and Nashville’s Dolly Parton SongTeller Hotel and Life of Many Colors Museum are set to open Sept. 29. Sports & Culture: Blades Brown, a Nashville native, is on track for a PGA Tour card via the Korn Ferry path, and Dolly Parton’s impact on Tennessee continues to be celebrated statewide.

Tennessee Politics & Courts: Hamilton County commissioners will hold a special meeting Wednesday to break leadership stalemates and elect a new chairman and vice chairman after last week’s 5-5 ties. Local Governance: Clarksville-area officials are weighing a move to replace Mayor Wes Golden as Montgomery County Commission chair next week. Nashville Business & Jobs: Truist named Harold Ford Jr. vice chair of wholesale banking, tapping his Tennessee ties and decades in finance to expand client relationships. Sports & Community: Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter returns for Georgia Tech after a suspension tied to a $427 payment, and he’s turning that story into cancer research donations for each tackle. Mid-South Economy: Memphis-area radio shakeups hit 92Q, with layoffs including Kenny Smoov and morning show hosts. Health & Public Awareness: A new report highlights how school meals reach students nationwide, with Vermont ranking No. 1 for school lunch performance in 2026. Manufacturing & Growth: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco is breaking ground on a $250M Hopkinsville expansion expected to add 200+ jobs.

Nuclear Waste Fight: Tennessee was picked for a DOE Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus in Oak Ridge, but rural lawmakers are pushing back hard over plans that could involve storing nuclear waste in nearby counties like Pickett, Scott, Fentress, Clay and Morgan. Air Travel Upgrade: Southwest Airlines is rolling out its first airport lounges, with early locations including Nashville, plus Austin, Baltimore/Washington and Honolulu, with the first guests expected in late 2027. Local Business Pullback: Genesco, the Nashville-based parent of Journeys and Johnston & Murphy, closed 25 stores in its latest quarter as it trims its footprint to protect margins. School Meals Spotlight: A new national report ranks Vermont No. 1 for school lunch access in 2026, while Tennessee readers get a reminder that breakfast and lunch are a major learning-support system. Community & Culture: A mobile book bus is touring Macon County schools and events after local business donations, and a Girl Scout restored rail-trail benches to earn her Silver Award.

Tennessee Football & Community Impact: Vols LB Arion Carter returns for the Georgia Tech opener after an NCAA suspension and turns his $427-per-tackle pledge into cancer research donations, matching the amount tied to his eligibility case. Rural Health Funding: The Tennessee Department of Health announced first recipients of Rural Health Transformation Program grants, backing 53 projects across 44 counties to expand access and strengthen rural care. Statehouse Update: Tennessee Capitol and Legislative Plaza renovations are nearing completion, with window, roof and grounds work plus a new David Crockett statue and welcome center progress ahead of the January legislative return and governor’s inauguration. UT Agriculture Event: UTIA’s Ag Day 2026 adds an after-hours festival with live music, lawn games and hands-on learning on Oct. 2. Public Health Access: Ballad Health offers free first-time low-dose CT lung cancer screenings in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia through Jan. 29. Local Sports: Memphis, Middle Tennessee and Vanderbilt all opened with wins over the weekend, while Tennessee Tech beat Chattanooga in FCS action. Environment & Gardening: UT Gardens hosts the free Smart Yards and Friends Festival Sept. 12 to teach native plants, stormwater and composting.

Nuclear policy debate: Gov. Bill Lee is touting Tennessee as a finalist to host the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, but some lawmakers worry about nuclear waste and whether the state really wants more of it. Local government & transparency: A national investigation highlights how data center projects can be shielded by nondisclosure agreements, raising concerns about what communities are kept from knowing. Labor Day cost pressure: A Labor Day business brief warns Tennessee employers face another round of rising health benefit costs heading into open enrollment, with federal and state rules plus drug pricing adding strain. Higher education leadership: The University of Michigan named Vanderbilt provost C. Cybele Raver as its next president, effective Dec. 1. Memphis public safety: A Memphis police officer was injured in a crash and was cited for disregarding a red light, according to MPD. Sports business note: ESPN reports Mike Vrabel is still navigating fallout from an offseason scandal as the NFL season begins.

Student Loans: Borrowers are seeing higher monthly bills after the SAVE plan ends for many, with the new Repayment Assistance Plan rolling out and interest restarting for some who were in forbearance. Northeast Tennessee Tourism: Visitor spending in the eight-county region topped $1 billion in 2025 for the first time, up 8.9% from 2024, led by transportation, food and lodging. Insurance Consumer Alert: Tennessee’s Department of Commerce & Insurance is pushing Life Insurance Awareness Month, pointing people to review coverage needs and use the NAIC policy locator. Local Safety Tech: Alcoa officials paused a proposal for private speed cameras near schools, saying the business model and camera hours don’t match school-zone priorities. Airport Access Change: TSA PreCheck members can now bring non-ticketed guests to gates at 13 U.S. airports via a new Gateside program. Memphis Sports Legacy: Wrestling legend Bill Dundee, a longtime Memphis figure, died at 82, prompting tributes from WWE and across the industry. Labor Day Hours: Most retailers and restaurants stay open in Tennessee, while banks and stock markets close and schools are off. Tennessee Fusion Milestone: Tennessee issued its first commercial nuclear fusion license, clearing the way for Type One Energy’s prototype plans near Knoxville.

Data Centers & Health: A Gulf War veteran in Memphis says Elon Musk’s xAI data center is wrecking her sleep and breathing, with noise and fumes tied to a doubling power bill. Violence in Memphis: A man died and a woman was critically hurt after an overnight shooting near Perkins and Lamar; police have no suspect info. Drugs in Robertson County: Greenbrier police seized 350+ packages and preliminary testing flagged a fentanyl analogue, including p-fluorofentanyl, in a drug and money-laundering probe. Local Crime Update: Highland Heights saw an attempted robbery turn deadly for one victim, who was shot and left in critical condition. Public Safety & Community: Davidson County’s fall migration surge brought 800,000 birds over Nashville-area skies, with forecasters warning more is coming. Business & Jobs: Tyson shuttered an Illinois meatpacking plant and laid off 2,500 workers overnight, citing a cattle shortage. Nuclear Industry Watch: NuScale Power shares plunged after revenue collapse and concerns about securing a first sale, with dilution fears looming. Sports & Culture: Tennessee honored Dolly Parton during its season opener with stadium-wide tributes, including a “9 to 5” performance and a singalong.

Nuclear push: Tennessee is in the running for a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, a bid that could bring major investment, jobs, and a new supply-chain push tied to the state’s long nuclear history. Local philanthropy: Maryville College says RT Lodge co-owners David and Annie Haslam Colquitt are pledging $1.5 million to expand its Alexander Institute for Conservation Leadership, including a new public environmental education center. Personal finance education: Tennessee Tech in Cookeville will host a screening and Q&A of the Netflix/HBO/PBS documentary “This Is Not Financial Advice,” aimed at helping students spot the line between investing and gambling. Middle Tennessee community: United Way of Greater Nashville is rebranding as United Way of Middle Tennessee, rolling out Jan. 1, 2027, after a merger and a new five-year plan. Tech and jobs: Reports highlight TikTok’s Nashville office closure and other tech restructuring as layoffs searches rise, even as broader labor data stays steadier than the headlines suggest. Tourism economy: Chattanooga’s Hamilton County generated nearly $1.9B in visitor spending in 2025, ranking among the top Tennessee counties. Sports (Tennessee): Neyland Stadium turned into a Dolly Parton singalong for Tennessee’s opener; Memphis also won its home opener at renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, though fans complained about long entry lines.

Local Governance: Clarksville is moving forward on an ordinance that would keep new smoke and vape shops at least 1,000 feet from schools, churches and parks, with extra spacing between similar businesses; it passed first reading and needs a second vote to become official. Education & Equity: At East Tennessee State University, Washington County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for white students was 54.9% by 2024, below the statewide 61.2% figure. Public Safety: Four convicted felons were sentenced in federal court for selling illegal firearms and fentanyl from a Memphis hotel parking lot, including one man facing 15 years with no parole. Energy & Rates: TVA’s board approved updates to its wholesale rate structure, a FY 2027 budget, and actions tied to its integrated resource plan, aiming to protect consumers as data-center demand grows. Tech & Business: Elon Musk says SpaceX will standardize its AI and computing infrastructure around Nvidia hardware, locking in a long-term, single-vendor approach. Culture: Dolly Parton’s sister Stella Parton urged people to ignore “AI and endless garbage” online after Dolly’s death, asking for more compassion.

Tennessee Education & Access: THEC is pushing September as College Application and Exploration Month, highlighting fee-free options through TN Direct Admissions and boosting FAFSA completion with regional college access coordinators. Local Economy & Jobs: West Tennessee tourism hit $482.7 million in 2025 spending, supporting about 3,800 jobs and nearly $20 million in local taxes. Business & Energy: Tennessee issued its first commercial nuclear fusion license, clearing the way for Type One Energy’s Project Infinity at the Bull Run site. Public Safety & Courts: Simmons Bank will close 26 branches, including several in the Mid-South, as it shifts customers toward digital and self-service. Crime & Justice: Four men were sentenced to federal prison for selling guns in a Memphis hotel parking lot. Transportation: A new analysis finds Tennessee ranked 6th nationally for deadly single-vehicle crashes in September. Sports: Tyner’s Dion Edwards starred on both sides as the Rams beat Red Bank 30-14 in Week 3 prep football. Culture: Dolly Parton’s death sparked tributes and debate online, including a response from her sister Stella against AI posts.

Rural Healthcare Funding: The Tennessee Department of Health announced the first Rural Health Transformation Program grants, with 53 projects statewide and multiple Putnam County awards aimed at expanding access and building healthier rural systems. Local Government & Ethics: The Tennessee Ethics Commission ordered a show-cause hearing for Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris over an ethics complaint alleging he failed to report his wife’s income on disclosure forms. Public Safety Billing: Henry County’s ESN122 property owners in Paris will soon get fire protection subscription bills, with fees tied to assessed property values and payment due by Sept. 30. Consumer Scams: New BBB Scam Tracker updates show Tennessee cities continue to rack up fraud reports, including Memphis and Nashville leading the state list for July. AI & Tech Disruption: A major, simultaneous outage hit multiple top AI chatbots, leaving users across platforms scrambling as providers pointed to different causes. Sports: Vanderbilt shut out Tennessee Tech 7-0 to stay undefeated at home as nonconference play wrapped.

Local Education & Tech: Knoxville’s Vine Middle Magnet School is getting a $50,000 state-supported grant to build an AI tool that helps teachers target math and English remediation for students below grade level. Healthcare Access: Ballad Health is offering free first-time low-dose CT lung cancer screenings across parts of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia from Sept. 1, 2026, through Jan. 29, 2027. Public Safety & Surveillance: Cookeville residents are pushing back on Flock camera use, questioning transparency and constitutional concerns after a city council meeting. Local Government: Memphis City Council members split over an honorary street naming for former Mayor Lee Harris, tied to disputes about funding and involvement in the Regional One Hospital project. Business & Jobs: Simmons Bank plans to close 26 branches, including six in Tennessee, with closures expected Dec. 4. Defense & Workforce: A Hardeman County defense contractor will lay off 127 workers by end of October, with the plant not closing. National Politics: President Trump named Adam Telle acting Army secretary after Dan Driscoll’s resignation. Arts & Community: Athens’ Arts on the Side returns Sept. 15 with free dinner and arts programming, including a community quilt project and pet memorialization demo. Culture: Dolly Parton’s death at 80 sparked renewed focus on her philanthropy, including the Imagination Library.

Air Travel & Local Business: Southwest Airlines says it’s opening its first-ever airport lounge network in late 2027, with lounges planned for Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu and Nashville (BNA), plus more locations after that. Tennessee Politics & Public Safety: Tennessee lawmakers pledge full state funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, while a separate push highlights how state money could lock in 100% support. Sports & Tennessee Pride: Tennessee football will wear new adidas uniforms for the Sept. 5 opener vs. Furman, featuring a First Horizon Bank jersey patch—though a poster mix-up briefly listed the wrong quarterback. Banking & Fraud Prevention: Regions Bank is rolling out business-focused fraud education, urging a simple “Stop. Call. Confirm.” routine to protect accounts as scams evolve. Economy & Agriculture: A Farm Credit Mid-America study finds farmland values up 7.1% overall, with Tennessee averaging a 9.2% increase but big differences by local market conditions. Tech & Data Centers: A federal judge denied Entergy Arkansas’ bid to block publication of financial records tied to Google’s West Memphis data center, keeping the dispute alive.

Local Politics: Jackson’s FY27 budget is stuck because the Tennessee Comptroller says the city’s overdue 2025 audit hasn’t been provided; officials say core services and payroll are still funded while the audit is finalized. State Funding: Tennessee lawmakers pledge full state funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library starting in the 2027 budget, taking over the local cost share for the book program for kids birth to age five. Public Safety: Smyrna police are investigating the death of a 7-month-old found unresponsive at an alleged unlicensed home daycare; the state says the case is under joint investigation and a temporary injunction was issued. Air Travel & Business: Southwest Airlines is rolling out its first airport lounges in 2027, with Nashville International Airport among the initial four locations, using a Chase-linked Rapid Rewards credit card for access. Technology & Privacy: Murfreesboro is evaluating a “drone as first responder” program as it expands drone use, while the FAA-style push for beyond-visual operations raises surveillance concerns. Arts & Law: Nashville musicians are suing AI music generator Suno, arguing it can copy distinctive artist sounds without consent or pay. Economy Watch: The Fed’s latest “beige book” says the outlook is positive but uncertainty is rising due to energy prices, policy issues, and the Iran war.

Dolly Parton: Her Hollywood Walk of Fame star was vandalized with scratches days after her Nashville death, as crews work to repair the landmark. Local Economy & Tourism: Dollywood is set to announce plans Wednesday to honor Parton’s legacy, while Tennessee leaders continue pushing to rename Nashville International Airport for her. State Funding: Rep. Renea Jones announced $2.642M for Nolichucky River recreation upgrades in Unicoi County and Erwin, including new accessible river access and restroom facilities. Business & Growth: Construction is underway on additional buildings at NorthPark Logistics in Clarksville, signaling continued industrial momentum in the Nashville ecosystem. Transportation: Southwest plans its first airport lounges—starting with Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu and Nashville—partnering with JPMorgan Chase, with openings expected in late 2027. Public Safety/Local Life: A Portland man was charged after allegedly crashing into an ambulance while personnel and a patient were inside. Healthcare: Ardent Health expanded specialty care in East Texas inside the new UT Tyler School of Medicine building.