AGP Executive Report

Local Justice: TBI arrested a man on its Most Wanted list, charging Jesse Wayne Phillips with second-degree murder in the May killing of Brad Yates in Pickett County; Phillips was taken into custody in Kentucky and is awaiting extradition. AI & Copyright: The Memphis Flyer joined a growing lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, arguing AI companies are profiting from unauthorized use of original local reporting. Public Safety & Transit: TDOT and Memphis officials are rolling out new security and traffic changes at the newly renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium for the next University of Memphis home game. Politics: A Tennessee attorney general candidate, Knox County DA Randy Nichols, is campaigning for governor and is pushing his case with business groups. Community & Culture: Nashville’s African Street Festival returns for its 44th year at Hadley Park, running Sept. 18–20. Sports: Jets ruled out Minkah Fitzpatrick for the Packers game after a groin injury suffered vs. Tennessee.

Memphis Public Safety: FOX13 reports state records show three daycare workers at Kid University falsified required bus checks the day 6-year-old Winter Jones died after being left on a hot van; all three face criminally negligent homicide, aggravated child neglect, and tampering charges. Gov & Policy: Tennessee AG Jonathan Skrmetti says license plate reader cameras are likely legal if used for limited purposes, but expects lawmakers to tighten rules or consider a ban as privacy concerns grow. Memphis Crime Crackdown: Gov. Bill Lee says the Memphis Safe Task Force has made more than 12,000 arrests and questions remain about whether National Guard lodging contracts will be renewed after Oct. 13. Local Government: Memphis City Council is increasingly muting public comments during meetings, drawing criticism from residents and activists. Economy: Rising gas prices are squeezing West Tennessee small businesses, with owners saying fuel costs are forcing cutbacks. Tennessee Sports: Eagles DT Jalen Carter expects to play Sunday with a cast on his injured wrist; Nashville’s new pro women’s team, the Vibe, is set to debut in 2027. Community & Culture: Nashville announces a citywide Dolly Day celebration for 9/25, and the Trousdale County Fair hosts its first Ms. Tennessee Senior America Pageant.

Health Access: Walmart is piloting a pharmacist-led “Health Ambassador” role in Lexington, Tennessee, to connect rural customers with health goals and local resources. Courts & Safety: Three Memphis-area daycare workers pleaded not guilty after a 6-year-old died in a hot van; charges include aggravated child neglect and criminally negligent homicide. Public Health & Policy: Tennessee says a TSA scanning glitch affected some driver’s licenses, and it’s offering free replacements at Driver Services Centers. Music & Culture: Nashville is rolling out “Dolly Day” on Sept. 25, and the CMA will air a two-hour Dolly Parton tribute live Oct. 21 from Belmont. Sports: The Eagles visit the Titans in Week 2 as Tennessee looks to bounce back from a 23-10 loss to the Jets. Local Economy: Nashville gas prices topped $4 a gallon for the first time in months. Entertainment News: Memphis producer Tay Keith’s death was ruled accidental due to a drug overdose involving kratom-related compounds and ketamine. Business/Industry: CurvaFix says surgeons will present real-world performance data on its first 3,800 implants at an OTA meeting in Nashville.

NFL Preview: The Titans look to bounce back from a 23-10 season-opening loss to the Jets as they host the Eagles in Nashville, with fans watching for improvement after a rough start. Local Politics: Memphis Mayor Paul Young faced backlash after a social media post that included a censored expletive, with critics saying it was aimed at them. Courts & Safety: A former Tennessee sheriff’s deputy was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after posing as a teen online to exploit children. Homelessness Funding: A federal appeals court allowed HUD to move forward with changes to a homelessness program, setting aside $1.3B for new projects and shifting emphasis toward transitional housing and supportive services. Health & Weather: A heat advisory remains in effect for the Mid-South through Saturday night, with dangerous heat indices expected. Memphis Tragedy: Three daycare employees charged in the death of a 6-year-old girl posted bond after a judge cut it in half. Arts & Entertainment: Brad Pitt walked the Franklin red carpet for “Heart of the Beast,” as Paramount explores office space in Nashville amid its ongoing antitrust fight.

Elections & Advocacy: Tennessee Right to Life PAC endorsed Noah Smith for TN House District 36, arguing he’ll be a strong voice for the state’s pro-life agenda. Scams & Consumer Alerts: Sec. of State Tre Hargett warned businesses about a mail scam targeting newly formed companies with unnecessary “certificate” fees. Local Government & Public Safety: Shelby County Clerk’s Office suspended in-person car registration renewals to tackle a dealer-packet backlog, while Mayor Mickell Lowery announced his first five appointments. Immigration Policy Fight: Nashville residents packed Metro Council to oppose plans for an ICE coordination support center, citing concerns about civil liberties. Weather & Health: Nashville hit a near-100-year temperature record and a heat advisory remains in effect across Middle Tennessee. Community & Culture: The Nashville Greek Festival returns for its 38th year with food, music, tours and family activities. Business & Growth: Playability LaFollette held a grand opening, and MTSU listed LaFollette’s Diti Patel among summer 2026 graduates. Crime & Courts: Police investigated a fatal shooting in southeast Albuquerque, and TBI launched an independent probe into a Madisonville DHS office shooting involving an officer and an armed suspect.

Federal sentencing: A Dyersburg career criminal, Timothy Adams, 55, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, after a 2024 domestic-violence incident where deputies found him hiding behind a shed. Lottery: Here are Sept. 15 Tennessee Lottery results: Mega Millions 27-36-43-57-58 (MB 16); Cash 3 (Morning 4-4-7, Midday 5-0-8, Evening 2-7-5); Cash 4 (Morning 1-1-9-1, Midday 5-0-7-7, Evening 1-4-0-7); Daily Tennessee Jackpot 05-15-24-32-38; Millionaire for Life 05-06-14-36-38 (Bonus 03). Sports (college): Vanderbilt named true freshman Jared Curtis its starting QB for the NC State game after his strong Delaware performance. Tech/industry: Elon Musk says he’s living in an Airstream in Memphis while xAI expands its Colossus supercomputer buildout. Public safety & immigration: Memphis activists urged Metro Council to address civil-liberties concerns after a major ICE raid, while advocates also pushed against a proposed ICE coordination center in Donelson. Weather: A heat advisory remains in effect for Memphis and the Mid-South through Wednesday night, with heat indices near 100–110. Local government: Memphis City Council delayed a vote on a data center regulation moratorium until Oct. 6.

NFL Week 2 Preview: Experts are laying out predictions and odds for every matchup, with the Bills hosting the Lions in the week’s marquee Thursday night game. Georgia Tech Injury Update: Jaylen Mbakwe returned to Georgia Tech team meetings less than 24 hours after a collision left him hospitalized following Tennessee’s 45-24 win. Public Safety & Courts: A Tennessee woman wrongly jailed in Fargo says faulty AI facial recognition led to months behind bars, filing a federal civil rights lawsuit. Local Government: Shelby County announced debris pickup for unincorporated areas after the Aug. 22 windstorm, with residents able to request collection starting Sept. 21. Health & Consumer Watch: Consumer Reports tested midlife wellness products like weighted vests and vibration plates, focusing on what actually helps and what’s mostly hype. Community & Culture: Nashville’s Predators will shut down Broadway for a free PredsFest ahead of the final preseason game, and the Nashville airport renaming process continues after Dolly Parton’s historic push. Sports Spotlight: Faizon Brandon earned SEC Freshman of the Week again after leading Tennessee to a 45-24 win over Georgia Tech.

Tennessee Football: No. 18 Tennessee kept rolling with a 45-24 road win over Georgia Tech, but the big story off the field is injuries—starting tight end Ethan Davis tore an ACL and is out for the season. Nashville Aviation: South Nashville residents and nearby communities sued the FAA over updated flight paths at Nashville International Airport, arguing the agency didn’t properly study neighborhood impacts. Public Safety: A motorcycle crash in Oak Ridge left two people seriously injured, and Memphis police reported a fatal hit-and-run on I-240. Health Watch: Knox County remains measles-free, but East Tennessee cases are rising, with six confirmed in the region this year. Courts & Crime: A Hamblen County grand jury indicted three people, including a juvenile court services director, in a child sexual exploitation investigation. Local Life: Memphis launched its fall jobs program for students, enrolling more than 800, and Shelby County held its first meeting with eight newly elected commissioners. Gas Prices: Tennessee gas prices rose 11 cents to a statewide average of $3.92. Arts & Culture: Dolly Parton is being honored across the state, including a Blount County proclamation vote and major Emmy tributes. Business/Tech: LivTech rolled out an offline-capable in-home care app update, and Tennessee’s AI regulation debate is heating up in Memphis.

Tennessee Football: Head coach Josh Heupel confirmed senior tight end Ethan Davis is out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury suffered during Tennessee’s 45-24 win at Georgia Tech. Local Health & Rehab: Cookeville Regional Medical Center and Encompass Health broke ground on a new 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation center on the CRMC campus. Nashville Community Support: Metro Social Services will host a “Hope & Help” Community Connect event Sept. 15 (12-3) at Greater St. John M.B. Church, offering on-site case management, resource referrals, and limited food boxes. Crime & Courts: A Brentwood optometrist, Helen Boerman, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for about $6.9M in Medicare fraud tied to wound-care billing. Memphis Child Death Case: Three Memphis-area daycare employees were indicted in the death of 6-year-old Winter Jones after she was left in a daycare van for hours. Transportation Safety: A fatal single-vehicle crash on Murfreesboro Pike in East Nashville killed a 28-year-old woman after she was ejected; investigators say speeding may have played a role. Tech/Autonomous Rides: Lyft began offering Waymo robotaxi rides in Nashville through its app, with Waymo vehicles matched at no extra cost.

Titans-Jets Season Opener: Robert Saleh’s Tennessee debut ended in a 23-10 loss to the New York Jets at Nissan Stadium, with Cam Ward going 19-for-32 for 140 yards and one late TD while the Titans’ offense stalled early and couldn’t match New York’s physical edge. Injury Updates: Jets rookie WR Omar Cooper Jr. is believed to have a high ankle sprain after X-rays came back negative; safety Minkah Fitzpatrick also left with a strained groin. Community & Sports Philanthropy: Titans DT Jeffery Simmons pledged donations to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville—$1,980 per sack—aimed at helping single mothers with down payments and hardship support. Heat & Safety: A First Alert Weather Day and heat advisory hit the Mid-South, with highs near record levels and heat indices pushing toward 109. Local Sports: Middle Tennessee beat Tennessee Tech 2-0 on goals by Ania Denham and Valentina Navetta, while Tennessee’s soccer team topped LSU 3-1 to open SEC play. Memphis Public Safety: Four teens were arrested after fights at the Delta Fair, and authorities reported a woman died while in custody at Jail East.

Nashville Airport Renaming: The Metro Nashville Airport Authority has voted unanimously to begin the process of renaming Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton, a move that would allow the “Dolly Parton International Airport” name to move forward through a multi-step policy change. Titans-Jets Opener: The New York Jets host Tennessee in Week 1 at Nissan Stadium with Geno Smith returning; the Jets also list several Week 1 inactives, while Titans linebacker Cedric Gray is the only primary starter out (concussion protocol). Tennessee Football Momentum: Tennessee jumped to No. 14 in the US LBM Coaches Poll after beating Georgia Tech 45-24, despite heavy penalties and special-teams issues. Georgia Tech Injury Update: DB Jaylen Mbakwe was released from the hospital after a scary collision, with coach Brent Key saying he was talking and responsive. MLS in Nashville: Lionel Messi scored for Inter Miami, but Nashville SC answered late as Sam Surridge netted a stoppage-time equalizer to finish 2-2. Memphis Tragedy: A daycare worker, assistant director and bus driver were arrested after a 6-year-old girl was left on a hot school bus for hours and died.

Tennessee Football: No. 18 Tennessee shook off a slow start and beat Georgia Tech 45-24 in Atlanta, with DeSean Bishop running for 147 yards and two TDs and freshman QB Faizon Brandon going 10-for-21 for 148 yards and two scores. The Vols’ defense made the difference, grabbing three interceptions and forcing key stops after a blocked punt TD early. Middle Tennessee & Marshall: Marshall held on for a 28-26 win over MTSU in Huntington after a late Blue Raiders push fell short on a failed two-point try. MLS (Nashville/Miami): Lionel Messi scored for Inter Miami, but Nashville SC struck in stoppage time for a 2-2 draw, keeping Nashville atop the Eastern Conference. Southern Heritage Classic (Memphis): The Southern Heritage Classic filled Memphis with HBCU pride, from tailgates and parades to the Battle of the Bands. Health Alert: Doctors warn about Alpha-Gal Syndrome, a tick-borne allergy tied to the Lone Star tick that can make some people react dangerously to red meat. Crime: Three people were charged after stray cats were shot with blow darts near a gas station in Erin, with one cat surviving after emergency surgery.

Airport Renaming: Nashville International Airport is one step closer to becoming “Dolly Parton International Airport” after the Metro Nashville Airport Authority voted unanimously to start the formal renaming process, with officials saying it could take at least a year and that a final name is still being worked out. Vols Football Tribute: Tennessee will wear a Dolly Parton helmet decal throughout the 2026 season, including Saturday’s road opener at Georgia Tech, as the Vols continue honoring Parton’s legacy. Police Chase (Out of State): Georgia State Patrol arrested a 21-year-old Tennessee homicide suspect, Anthony Rumbel, after an I-75 chase in Cobb County that ended with a PIT maneuver; he faces Tennessee criminal homicide charges and will be extradited. Murfreesboro Shooting: An officer-involved shooting at a hotel in Murfreesboro is under investigation after police say a man charged officers with an object; the suspect was taken to the hospital in stable condition and the TBI is probing. Sports (Local): LSU women’s soccer opened SEC play with a 3-1 loss to No. 8 Tennessee.

Airport Renaming: Nashville’s airport board voted unanimously to begin the process of renaming Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton, with the final “Dolly Parton International Airport” details still to be worked out. Daycare Tragedy: In Memphis, a grand jury indicted three Kid University employees in the death of 6-year-old Winter Jones after she was left in a hot daycare van; attorneys say the family will pursue further accountability. Public Safety Tech: U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Sen. Tammy Duckworth reintroduced the ITS Codification Act to improve emergency communication and tracking for first responders. Local Transit: WeGo Transit proposed a new Antioch bus route plus service-frequency upgrades to connect riders to jobs, shopping and schools. Business Closures: O’Charley’s closed all corporate locations, including in Tennessee’s region, as the chain continues to shrink. Sports & Weather: Tennessee soccer opened SEC play with a 3-1 win at LSU; Mid-South heat stays in the forecast with only hit-or-miss rain.

Airport Renaming: Nashville International Airport is one step closer to becoming “Dolly Parton International Airport” after the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority voted 6-0 to begin the modification process, with officials saying a final name and details will be set in the coming months. 9/11 Remembrance: Tennessee Athletics will light up Neyland Stadium with two beams from 6 p.m. to midnight to mark the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, joining other East Tennessee memorial events. Local Crime: Memphis police say an arrest was made in the deadly Frayser apartment shooting at Greenbriar Apartments, charging Zarian Sanders in a case where the man killed was Devonta Johnson. Sports Notes: Cedric Gray is ruled out for the Titans’ season opener vs. the Jets after failing concussion protocol, and New York has named Jason Sanders as its starting kicker. School Safety: An expelled Stratford High School student was arrested after police found a loaded handgun and marijuana on campus. Business & Growth: Heritage Golf Group acquired Old Natchez Country Club in Franklin, expanding its Nashville-area footprint. Community & Culture: Kings of Leon returned to Nashville for an intimate Basement East show with Zach Bryan.

Local Politics: Memphis-area turmoil continues as xAI tax money remains stalled and residents in Westwood and Boxtown clash at a heated city council meeting over how the funds should be spent. Public Safety: TEMA is rolling out ReadyTN Connect, a statewide effort to push emergency preparedness info through trusted local groups like libraries, nonprofits, and schools. Crime & Courts: Shelby County Commissioner District 8 winner Will Richardson was arrested on alleged sales tax fraud tied to a Harbor Town business, with records showing missing annual reports. Health & Community: Lipscomb University and Metro Nashville DOT are using real-time pedestrian and traffic data to spot Lower Broadway safety risks after a deadly Aug. 1 crash. Business & Accountability: Memphis-Shelby County Schools is reviewing its one-to-one device policy, shifting toward technology distribution based on instructional needs and screen-time limits. Sports: MTSU women’s soccer beat Evansville 3-1, while the SEC released its 2027 softball schedule featuring Tennessee’s road opener at Texas A&M. Weather: Mid-South forecasts call for warm conditions with a low chance of severe storms.