Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1925, three deadly tornadoes, including an F4, struck Middle Tennessee, killing at least 42 people on the same day as the infamous Tri-State Tornado in Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois.

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Memphis Schools Face Possible State Takeover

Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Tennessee's largest district, is bracing for state legislation that could allow a takeover following the firing of former Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins.

Although no legislation has been filed, community groups have formed both in support of and opposition to the proposed state intervention in the school district.

A draft of the Tennessee Public School Accountability Act revealed that, if passed, the state could appoint an oversight board for MSCS and potentially extend this authority to other districts statewide.

Legislation sponsor Rep. Mark White said the act would mirror the takeover of Houston's Independent School District.

AI Weapons Detection in Nashville High Schools

Metro Nashville Schools installed a new AI weapons detection system at Overton High School and Hunters Lane High School this week, two months after the deadly shooting at Antioch High School.

The Evolv system, using AI like a traditional metal detector, efficiently identifies weapons in pockets or backpacks, screening up to 1,000 students in 15 minutes in a dual-lane system.

The Metro Nashville School Board voted in February to implement the Evolv system following the Antioch High School shooting and plans to expand it to two additional high schools each week.

Evolv systems are currently used for security at both Nissan Stadium and Bridgestone Arena.

List: Tennessee Ranked Second Nicest State

Tennessee has been ranked the second nicest state in the country, according to a recent World Population Review study, which praised the state for its "famous southern charm and hospitality."

Other Southern states in the top five include South Carolina at No. 3 and Texas at No. 4. Meanwhile, Florida and Arkansas dropped to No. 42 and No. 49, respectively.

Minnesota topped the list at No. 1 for 'being extra polite, even during the state's cold, bitter winters.'

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➤ Nashville: Authorities have charged two parents with child neglect after two young children were found unattended at a homeless encampment during Saturday's severe storms. (More)

➤ Memphis: U-Haul has opened 366 company stores to offer storm victims 30 days of free self-storage and container use after deadly tornadoes, fires, flooding, and wind damage swept through the Southeast. (More)

➤ Pigeon Ford: TVA officials confirmed Douglas Lake cleanup crews have removed 30,000 cubic yards of debris but completed only one-quarter of Hurricane Helene recovery work. (More)

➤ Seymour: Seymour High School student Bryson Quick earned a golden ticket on Sunday's American Idol and an opportunity to perform at the Grand Ole Opry with former winner Chayce Beckham. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: CHI Memorial Hospital announced it will now offer pulsed field ablation, an innovative cardiac ablation therapy, becoming the first facility in the Chattanooga region to use this technology. (More)

➤ University of Tennessee baseball, unbeaten at 20-0, is the unanimous No. 1 team after receiving all 30 first-place votes in the USA TODAY coaches poll this week. (See Poll)

➤ Nashville SC jumped 10 spots to No. 12 in the latest MLS power rankings after securing its second straight win with a 3-1 victory over the previously undefeated Union. (See Rankings)

➤ The Nashville Predators, in partnership with Ford, MTSU, and Fort Campbell, will honor military families with activities and in-game presentations tonight, Thursday, and Saturday. (More)

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➤ Tanger Outlets Nashville has transformed the Antioch area, creating over 1,000 jobs through over 50 retail and food businesses, attracting nearly 7 million visitors annually. (More)

➤ Williamson County's oldest business, Early's Honey Stand, has acquired the Tennessee Peanut Company, allowing them to offer their customers an even broader range of Southern-made goods. (More)

➤ Memphis companies FedEx, International Paper, and Mueller Industries were named among America's most trustworthy by Newsweek, based on evaluations of 700 companies across 23 industries. (More)

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➤ State Route 81 reopened in Washington and Unicoi counties Friday after reconstruction from Hurricane Helene damage, eliminating a detour that added an hour of travel for over 5,400 vehicles daily. (More)

➤ Tennessee lawmakers have had a busy start to the legislative year, banning cellphones in class, approving aid for Helene victims, and passing additional legislation. (See List)

➤ Ed Sheeran gave a surprise performance at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge on Saturday night, singing Thinking Out Loud while sporting a pink cowboy hat. (See Video)

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