AGP Executive Report

VA Clinic Breaks Ground in Cookeville: The VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System held a groundbreaking for a new Cookeville clinic at 1053 Neal St, funded through the PACT Act, with plans to open by 2029 and expand care for nearly 15,000 local veterans. Memphis Schools Takeover: Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation creating a nine-person oversight board with sweeping authority over Memphis-Shelby County Schools, including appointees like former Memphis superintendent Dorsey Hopson. Courtroom Win in Immigration Case: A federal judge dismissed the human smuggling case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, calling the prosecution “vindictive,” after his mistaken deportation to El Salvador. Food Safety Alert: Whole Foods recalled a Minestrone soup sold across many states, including Tennessee, after the FDA said it may contain undeclared shrimp. Tech & Education: MTSU and Middle Tennessee Electric signed an MOU to expand quantum research and education. Sports & Community: NASCAR mourned Kyle Busch’s death at 41, while the Lady Vols pushed Georgia in Game 2 of the Super Regionals.

Knox County GOP infighting: A leaked group text shows Knox County Republican leaders pressuring commissioners to back GOP nominees after the May 5 primary, with some pushing back and others staying silent—raising fresh questions about party unity. Tennessee politics & culture: President Trump endorsed East Tennessee educator Kenny Cody for the TN House, calling him a “MAGA Warrior,” while separate coverage highlights how Tennessee’s redistricting fight is reshaping Black political power. Local public safety: Memphis Police graduated its 149th basic recruit class (81 recruits, largest in nearly 10 years), and the department is also investigating a child shot in South Memphis. Food & health: The state flagged six restaurants north of Nashville with low health scores, citing issues like storage and hygiene. Sports (Tennessee): Tennessee softball beat Georgia 3-1 in the NCAA super regional opener, needing one more win to reach the Women’s College World Series.

Title IX Watch: A watchdog says the U.S. Education Department still hasn’t released a final report on whether it ignored a court order on Title IX enforcement, keeping the fight over how schools handle gender identity and sexual orientation complaints in the spotlight. NCAA Pressure: College tennis is still shrinking as programs cut or shutter teams amid financial strain, even as the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship gets underway with Tennessee among the teams advancing. Sports Shock: The Cavaliers’ Game 1 collapse—after leading by 22 late—sets up a tense Game 2 in the NBA East finals. Tennessee on the Move: Tennessee is celebrating Super Bowl LXIV coming to Nashville in 2030, while local sports and campus life keep rolling with new coaching hires and fresh higher-ed program approvals. Tech & Safety: Federal prosecutors charged two men with AI deepfake nude content under a new law aimed at “deepfake pornography.” Local Culture: A Memorial Day weekend ceremony honors the 10th Mountain Division at the Tennessee Pass Summit.

Summer Meals Kickoff: The YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South is rolling out free weekly summer meal packs for kids, running May 22 through Aug. 1, with pickup at no cost for children 18 and under. Fraud Probe: Tennessee is investigating a Memphis medical supply business accused of fraudulent charges after complaints from people across the country tied to the same address. Education Policy: The National Assessment Governing Board is restoring part of the NAEP schedule, bringing back some previously cut state-level 12th grade reading and math assessments. TSSAA Track Highlights: Knoxville Webb’s Lacy Young repeated as a state champ in the 100 and 200, and Battle Ground Academy’s boys won the title as weather delayed the meet’s second day. Local Schools Watch: Third grade TCAP reading scores are out, triggering a fast-moving process for families navigating Tennessee’s retention law. Sports & Community: Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cedric Coward earned NBA All-Rookie first-team honors, while East Henderson High grads are set to earn tuition-free associate degrees through Blue Ridge Community College.

Notre Dame Basketball: Star guard Hannah Hidalgo is “running it back,” returning for her senior season after a standout run that included Notre Dame’s Elite Eight push. U.S.-Korea Diplomacy: Former Rep. Michelle Steel told the Senate she’ll push for “equal treatment” for American companies if confirmed as ambassador to South Korea. Tennessee Courts & Free Speech: Tennessee officials will pay $835,000 to settle a lawsuit from Larry Bushart, who spent 37 days jailed over Facebook memes tied to Charlie Kirk’s death. Super Bowl Buzz: Nashville is officially set for Super Bowl LXIV in 2030 at the Titans’ new Nissan Stadium, with ticket prices already drawing attention. Healthcare Access: Remote Area Medical is partnering with Ferris State for a free health care weekend in Michigan, highlighting the ongoing push for low-cost services. Food Safety: Sugar Foods recalled Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons in multiple states, including Tennessee, over possible salmonella risk.

Memphis Safety Shock: A Cooper-Young man says a child pointed a gun at him in his yard, with police investigating after neighbors reported kids taunting and threatening him. Child Injury Update: In another Memphis case, a toddler is recovering after neighbors say the child accidentally shot himself inside an apartment—investigators are still sorting out how the gun was accessible. Local Community Wins: Whitehaven opened the Robertson Family Aquatic Center, aiming to teach water safety and prevent drowning. Politics & Power: Georgia’s GOP Senate primary is headed to a June runoff—Mike Collins vs. Derek Dooley—after neither hit 50%. Education Upheaval: Memphis-Shelby County board action is closing Ida B. Wells Academy, and families are showing up for the final days. Food Recall: Kroger is recalling certain seasoned croutons in multiple states, including Tennessee, due to possible Salmonella contamination. Sports: OU baseball fell to LSU in the SEC Tournament opener.

Super Bowl in the spotlight: NFL owners just voted to bring Super Bowl LXIV to Nashville in 2030, with the game at the Titans’ new Nissan Stadium opening in 2027—an instant win for “Music City” after the 2019 NFL Draft proved it can handle massive crowds. Local education push: Chattanooga is joining a national early-childhood initiative aimed at boosting learning and breaking poverty cycles, adding training and support for families. School safety and accountability: A Washington County school board member accused of calling a student “hot” has now been charged with assault. Sports on the move: NCAA men’s golf regionals wrapped second-round action across multiple sites, with Vanderbilt leading the Athens Regional. Community wins: Whitehaven High School says its Class of 2026 racked up more than $300 million in scholarships and strong ACT results despite tough conditions. Health care watch: CMS data continues to track Tennessee nursing home ratings and ownership details, including several facilities reporting no fines in Q1 2026.

ACM Awards Buzz: Shania Twain hosted the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, with Cody Johnson taking Entertainer of the Year and Ella Langley winning Female Artist—while Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, and Miranda Lambert racked up major nominations. AI Backlash in Real Life: At U.S. graduation ceremonies, students booed high-profile AI boosters, including Eric Schmidt, turning commencement into a visible generational argument over the future of work. Tech Meets Tennessee: In Memphis, Whitehaven High School highlighted a different kind of progress—$300M+ in scholarships for the Class of 2026, plus 57 students scoring 30+ on the ACT—while still facing bigger community challenges. Policy in Motion: Tennessee lawmakers passed an expansion of the Safe Haven Law, adding more surrender locations and tightening newborn safety rules. Local Health & Care: UAMS celebrated 1,237 health-professional graduates, and Knox-area surgeons marked a milestone with the first prosthetic thumb surgery in the region.

AI Backlash at Graduation: Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt got booed at the University of Arizona as he warned that AI will shape the world—while students voiced fears about jobs and learning. Tennessee Sports: Rick Barnes added VCU transfer Christian Fermin to the Vols’ 2026-27 roster, and Tennessee softball opens its NCAA super regional vs. Georgia May 21 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. Local Education & Community: Tennessee Aquarium received $12,000 in robotics kits for STEM learning, and Anderson County’s Palestine High School reported 1,003 students in 2024-25. Health & Safety: Doctors at Regional One Health are bracing for “trauma season” as summer injuries rise. Politics Watch: The Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act ruling is fueling fresh redistricting fights across the South, with Tennessee among the states in the spotlight.

Memphis Violence Watch: A child was hospitalized after a Midtown shooting Sunday afternoon on Angelus Street; police say the boy is in non-critical condition and haven’t released suspect details, while officials note multiple child-involved shootings over the weekend. Tennessee Politics & Voting Rights: The fallout from the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act rollback is still driving fast redistricting moves across the South, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warning the court’s speed is “spawned chaos.” Lady Vols Spotlight: Tennessee softball keeps rolling—hosting a best-of-three NCAA super regional vs. Georgia starting May 21 after sweeping its regional. Country Music Buzz: Keith Urban drops a soothing cover of Robbie Dupree’s “Steal Away,” and ACM Awards night crowned Ella Langley as the big winner in Las Vegas. Local Arts & Community: The 10th Mountain Division Foundation marks Memorial Day Weekend with events at Tennessee Pass and Leadville, honoring the division’s legacy.

Local Housing Hope: Ella’s House in East Nashville is giving pregnant and parenting students a real shot—low-cost rent at 30% of income, diapers and essentials, plus financial counseling and check-ins—after one mother’s job loss sparked a search for help. NCAA Spotlight: The Lady Vols are back in the NCAA regional final for a fifth straight year, set to face Virginia again at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium after a big win over Northern Kentucky. Community & Faith: Morehouse College named Rev. Dr. Jason R. Curry as the new dean of the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel, stepping in after the founding dean retires. Family Fun Fundraiser: Malco is bringing back $3 midweek movie tickets for animated classics, with proceeds benefiting children’s hospitals across the Mid-South. Entertainment Buzz: Nashville comedian Nate Bargatze says he wants to build “Nateland,” a Disney World-style theme park.

Voting Rights Shake-Up: A fresh wave of emergency moves is hitting the South after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling, which sharply limits how race can be used in drawing voting districts—Alabama, Arizona, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and even Wyoming officials are weighing next steps. Tennessee Politics: The fallout is already landing locally as Tennessee lawmakers and courts react to the new redistricting rules. Sports—Tennessee Spotlight: Tennessee softball kept rolling, beating Virginia 7-5 to reach the NCAA regional final, with Makenzie Butt driving key moments. Local Sports & Community: At CUSA Outdoor Championships, UT Tyler’s Sam Schott delivered an inspiring message to area students, while Middle Tennessee’s track meet wrapped with standout performances. Education & Life: Memphis Airport hosted a “Flying Together” event to help families with special needs handle travel stress.

Voting Rights Showdown: Protesters gathered on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma and in Montgomery as activists warned southern states—including Tennessee—are rushing new congressional maps after the Voting Rights Act was dismantled, with the Supreme Court also denying Virginia Democrats’ last-ditch bid to revive a voter-approved redistricting plan. Local Civic Life: Nashville’s Jefferson Street corridor study is holding community input sessions to shape parking, sidewalks, and future development for a historically Black business hub. Tennessee Sports: Tennessee softball survived its NCAA regional opener vs. Northern Kentucky and then advanced in the winners’ bracket, setting up a Saturday showdown with Virginia. Community & Culture: UT held multiple 2026 commencement ceremonies at Thompson-Boling Arena, while Glenwood Cemetery honored Civil War Union veterans with headstone dedications. Health & Money: New Tennessee Reconnect evaluation shows fewer adults are enrolling than at the start, even as the program has funded tens of thousands of learners.

SEC Sports: Texas A&M’s Morgan Davis surged to win the women’s long jump at the SEC meet, while Tennessee’s Ismaila Sawaneh took the men’s high jump. Local Public Safety: A city council pitch in Decatur is pushing for upgrades to police body cameras—and adding drones—after complaints about delays and “gray area” footage. Oak Ridge Culture: The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge’s director, Beth Shea, is now elected to a national board, putting local early-learning work in the spotlight. Politics in Tennessee: Rep. Steve Cohen announced he’s ending his reelection bid after redistricting reshaped his Memphis district. FEMA Funding: Capitol Beat reports FEMA money has finally arrived, easing long-delayed disaster repair work. Tennessee Sports (Softball): The Lady Vols opened their NCAA regional with a 3-1 win over Northern Kentucky, powered by Elsa Morrison’s go-ahead homer and a one-hitter from Erin Nuwer. Tech & Kids: Tech-in-school debates keep heating up as parents push back on classroom devices.

Big Tech on the Hot Seat: Meta, Alphabet, TikTok and Snap CEOs have been invited back to Capitol Hill for a public grilling on children’s online safety, as Tennessee’s Marsha Blackburn and others push for stronger rules while lawsuits pile up. Local Governance: Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto used his State of the County address to challenge “myths” about growth and school strain, pointing to shifting population trends and the share of growth inside city limits. Veterans Support: Tennessee launched the Veterans Connect Portal to route service members, veterans, and families to verified help across jobs, health care, housing and more. Politics—Major Change in Memphis: Rep. Steve Cohen ended his reelection bid after GOP redistricting split his district, with courts now in the mix. Community & Safety: Tennessee also rolled out a public domestic violence offender registry, and rangers are urging life-jacket use as Safe Boating Week kicks off. Sports: Tennessee softball opens NCAA regionals Friday vs. Northern Kentucky in Knoxville.

NFL Schedule Drop: The league released the full 2026 slate, kicking off Sept. 9 with a Super Bowl rematch—Seattle hosting New England—and adding a record nine international games, including a Sept. 10 “Down Under” matchup between the Rams and 49ers in Melbourne. Memphis Sports Loss: Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, died suddenly; the team says he was found unresponsive in Los Angeles and the death is being investigated. Health-Care Pipeline: A new look at how colleges are tackling workforce shortages highlights student-run and short-path programs that expand care access while training the next generation. Retirement Reality Check: A study maps how much it takes to retire comfortably by state, with Hawaii topping the list after accounting for costs and Social Security. Local Crime Alert (Clarksville): Police are seeking a suspect accused of photographing a woman in a restroom at a MAPCO, describing a man with dreadlocks and a light-blue outfit. UFO/Religion Buzz: Tennessee pastors claim secret briefings show “translucent beings,” tying the story to end-times prophecy—while the government’s document releases continue.