Friday, April 11, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1944, an F2 tornado struck Wilson County near Lebanon, lifting a fighter aircraft and dropping it on a military barracks, killing one soldier and injuring eleven others.

In a reminder that Tennessee's bears are emerging from hibernation, two black bear cubs were filmed playfully sparring outside a Gatlinburg home. See the cute cubs in a furry fight below.

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Senate Approves School Enrollment Bill

The state Senate voted 19–13 Thursday and passed SB 0836, a bill allowing public and charter schools to deny enrollment to undocumented students.

The measure would allow schools to charge tuition to offset costs for undocumented students, though challenges are expected under the 1982 Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe, which ensures their access to public education.

Protesters shouted inside the chamber and crowded the Senate halls, arguing the bill unfairly punished children, while supporters called it a budget issue, not a social one.

The bill will now go before the state House for consideration.

Vanderbilt Pioneers New Medical Tech

Vanderbilt University Hospital became the first in Tennessee to perform a successful kidney transplant using newly FDA-approved organ preservation technology.

Developed by Paragonix, the KidneyVault Portable Renal Perfusion System enables medical staff to transport donor kidneys over long distances while maintaining stable perfusion and temperature levels. Officials also have access to real-time data monitoring.

Vanderbilt doctors expressed satisfaction with the kidney's condition upon arrival, noting that real-time reports on its location and temperature were particularly appreciated.

Doctors believe the new technology will help serve more patients, including high-risk individuals, as over 100,000 people are on the national transplant waitlist, 86% of whom need a kidney.

Bill Targeting Bullying Passes

Lawmakers unanimously passed a bill that would suspend driver's licenses for juveniles convicted of bullying, including cyberbullying.

Under the bill, offenders face a one-year license suspension, with first-time offenders eligible for restricted licenses for school, work, or church, but not for social events or extracurriculars.

Parents and lawmakers say the goal is to hit bullies where it hurts and deter the behavior that is linked to long-term trauma and, in some cases, self-harm.

The bill is now headed to Gov. Bill Lee's desk for his signature.

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➤ Statewide: Attorneys for Tennessee death row prisoners announced Thursday they will request a halt to executions until March 1, 2026, citing concerns over the state’s new lethal injection protocol. (More)

➤ Jefferson County: A Greyhound bus bound for Washington, D.C., broke down in Jefferson County Tuesday night, stranding over a dozen travelers overnight while they awaited a replacement bus. (More)

➤ Memphis: The Hilton Memphis, a 405-room, 27-story 4-star hotel near downtown, was listed for sale Thursday; it was last purchased for $31 million by Linchris Hotel Corp. in 2018. (More)

➤ Trousdale County: Trousdale Turner Correctional Center confirmed former warden Vince Vantell, who had been on administrative leave, resigned last month, stating his departure was unrelated to an ongoing Department of Justice investigation. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt are among five schools set to receive over $509,000 in grants to enhance campus inclusivity for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (More)

➤ Blountville: Utrust, a Tennessee education organization, awarded over $30,000 in mini-grants to Sullivan County Schools teachers, enhancing learning opportunities across the district’s classrooms. (More)

➤ NASCAR kicks off its first of three Tennessee stops today with the Weather Guard Truck Race, followed by Saturday’s SciApps 300 and Sunday’s Food City 500 Cup Series. (See Schedule)

➤ The Nashville Predators signed goalie Matt Murray to a two-year, two-way extension with a $775,000 NHL cap hit after a standout AHL season with Milwaukee and All-Star honors.

➤ The 2025 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, boosted by Texas and Oklahoma’s addition, set a record $26.6 million economic impact in Nashville, surpassing the previous $24.5 million mark. (More)

➤ Yesterday's results: Masters | MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAABB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Del Webb started construction on its 55+ community in Lebanon, offering 700 homes starting in the mid-$400K range. Amenities include a 16,000-square-foot clubhouse and resort-style pool. (More)

➤ Portland officials credited developer Larry Collins for boosting the city's industrial sector, noting he built two business parks and is constructing a 250,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. (More)

➤ Boyle Investment Company purchased the 100,000-square-foot Meridian Building in Cool Springs for $19.5M, adding to the nearly 4 million square feet of office space its real estate portfolio. (More)

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➤ Newborns at Williamson Medical Center were adorably dressed in handmade golf outfits to celebrate The Masters and the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Williamson Health Champions Golf Classic. (See Newborns)

➤ Two bear cubs were filmed play-fighting outside a Gatlinburg home while their mother watched nearby, serving as a reminder that bear season has returned to East Tennessee. (See Cubs)

➤ East Tennessee offers a packed weekend with a classic car show in Pigeon Forge, a night of opera in Knoxville, and UT's Orange & White Spring Game at Neyland Stadium. (More)

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