AGP Executive Report

Super Bowl News: NFL owners just voted to make Nashville the host of Super Bowl LXIV in 2030 at the Titans’ new Nissan Stadium—Nashville’s first Super Bowl, following the 2019 NFL Draft’s massive turnout. Sports—SEC Baseball: In the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Vanderbilt rallied to tie Kentucky before taking the lead, setting up a big matchup as the bracket heats up. Weather: Memphis and the Mid-South face a stormy stretch, with rain chances staying high through the week and some storms possibly turning strong/severe. Public Safety: A South Memphis commercial building fire caused about $500,000 in damage, and firefighters also rescued a worker after a trench collapse. Courts/Justice: Gov. Bill Lee says he won’t intervene in the execution of Tony Carruthers, despite calls for more forensic testing. Local Schools: Whitehaven High in Memphis touts record scholarships and strong ACT results as it pushes its “three Cs” approach. Crime/Drugs: A joint TBI drug operation in Dickson County led to four arrests tied to a large meth shipment and a conversion lab.

Super Bowl Bid: NFL Network sources say owners will vote Tuesday to name Nashville host of Super Bowl LXIV in 2030, with the Titans’ new stadium expected to open in 2027. Safe Haven Expansion: East Ridge will install a Safe Haven Baby Box May 22, the 30th in Tennessee, giving mothers a safe, anonymous surrender option. Courts & Trucking: A U.S. Supreme Court trucking ruling could let crash victims sue freight brokers for negligence nationwide, though Tennessee’s circuit already allowed similar claims. Gas Prices: AAA reports Tennessee diesel down 20 cents in a month, even as drivers say costs still feel brutal. Local Safety: Police seek cars tied to a West Memphis school-area shooting; in Lauderdale County, five were arrested and nine sought after fights disrupted a high school graduation. Education & Community: Whitehaven High School highlights record scholarships and ACT wins, while Knox County starts a process to regulate data centers.

Super Bowl Push: NFL owners are set to vote Tuesday on whether Nashville lands the 2030 Super Bowl, with the Titans’ new $2.1 billion stadium on track to open in 2027—Nashville would host its first Super Bowl ever. College Basketball: Tennessee added VCU big man Christian Fermin via the transfer portal, bringing size and shot-blocking depth with one season of eligibility left. Local Crime: Metro Nashville Police say 13 stolen Nashville Sounds baseball gloves were recovered from a resale business, and detectives are still chasing leads. Politics/Redistricting: Tennessee’s redrawn U.S. House districts are now in motion, with the adjusted qualifying deadline tied to the new maps. Road-Trip Ethics Watch: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s road-trip YouTube plans face fresh scrutiny as sponsors won’t confirm how much they paid. Memorial Day Travel: TDOT is suspending construction lane closures for the holiday weekend to keep traffic moving.

Tennessee Softball Surge: The No. 7 Lady Vols punched their fourth straight NCAA super regional in program history, beating Virginia 5-1 in the Knoxville Regional final behind Karlyn Pickens’ complete game and Taelyn Holley’s big day, setting up a best-of-three vs. Georgia starting May 21 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. Memphis Violence Watch: A child was hospitalized after a Midtown shooting Sunday, and police also reported a fatal shooting near Imogene Heights with one person detained. Public Safety: Memphis police evacuated a downtown precinct after a bomb threat; no explosives were found. Nashville SC Momentum: Hany Mukhtar’s hat trick powered Nashville SC to a 3-2 win over LAFC, keeping the team unbeaten at home. Weather Alert: A Severe Weather Day is set for Tuesday, with storms and possible damaging winds/hail moving in late afternoon into night. Sports Tragedy: Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died at 29; his fiancée shared plans they had for marriage. Music & Culture: Aubrey Nicole is gearing up for new releases and live performances after “The Voice,” while Lainey Wilson and Duck Hodges’ ACM Awards moment kept the spotlight on Music City.

Public Safety: A Silver Alert for 79-year-old Raymond Freed in Knox County ended with good news—TBI says he was found safe. Violence Update: Memphis police report one seriously injured in a Hickory Hill shooting and another man critically hurt in a Frayser shooting; in the Frayser case, several people were detained. Threats & Security: MPD headquarters was evacuated after a bomb threat; police say no explosives were found and investigators suspect it’s tied to a wider wave of hoax threats. NCAA Spotlight: The Lady Vols keep rolling in softball—Tennessee and Virginia meet again in the Knoxville regional final with a Super Regional trip on the line. Local Culture & Sports: Nashville’s Sounds say player gloves were stolen from First Horizon Baseball Park, while the team still powered a big win during its hot streak. Community & Legacy: Tennessee Coalition for Open Government founder Frank Gibson has died, according to TCOG.

Redistricting Showdown: A new wave of legal and political scrambling is hitting the U.S. after the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act ruling, with states weighing emergency moves and lawsuits over how congressional lines are drawn. Memphis Safety Crisis: Memphis Police investigated a bomb threat at the National Civil Rights Museum, evacuated the building, then gave the all-clear after no device was found; meanwhile, Orange Mound residents are rattled by a surge in deadly shootings, and police report another serious shooting in Cherokee. Tennessee Sports—Softball: The No. 7 Lady Vols jumped on Virginia early and won 7-5 to reach the Knoxville Regional final, where they’ll face Virginia again Sunday. Tennessee Sports—Baseball: Tennessee took a 9-4 win over Oklahoma in Game 2 to keep its series momentum, but the regular-season finale ended with a 12-9 loss as the Vols head to the SEC Tournament as the No. 10 seed. Local Life: World Championship Barbecue crowned Heath Riles BBQ as grand champion, and the weekend forecast turns summer-like with heat and humidity returning.

Sports Spotlight: Nashville SC is riding an Eastern Conference lead into Sunday’s home matchup with a struggling LAFC, with Bryan Acosta stepping up after injuries and helping power a 3-0 win. College Sports: Tennessee baseball closed its regular season with a 9-4 series win over Oklahoma after weather delays, while softball advances in the Knoxville regional—next up is Virginia at 3 p.m. Public Safety: Two people were killed in a shooting near Orange Mound, and a boy was injured in an East Memphis shooting. Politics & Courts: Rep. Steve Cohen said he’s dropping his reelection bid after redistricting, and the fallout continues as Democrats face committee removals. Local Life: TDOT demolished the SR 322 bridge over I-75 in Monroe County, with I-75 closures and detours in place. Community & Culture: A Jefferson Street corridor study is seeking public input on parking, sidewalks, and future development.

Congressional Shakeup: Rep. Steve Cohen says he’s quitting his reelection bid after Tennessee’s new GOP-drawn map splits his Memphis-based district, calling it “drawn to beat me” and leaving the door open to return if courts undo the map. Sports—Vols on Hold: Tennessee baseball’s Game 2 vs. Oklahoma was suspended after weather in Norman; it resumes Saturday at 2 p.m. ET with Game 3 shortly after. Memphis Violence: A child was shot in Frayser; MPD says one person is detained and the boy is in critical condition. Justice in Dolph Case: Cornelius Smith pleaded guilty in Young Dolph’s 2021 murder and received a 20-year sentence. NCAA Softball: Tennessee opened its Knoxville regional with a 3-1 win over Northern Kentucky behind a one-hitter from Erin Nuwer and a game-winning homer by Elsa Morrison. Local Safety/Traffic: Nashville Vision Zero advocates pressed Mayor O’Connell over delays, while airport construction blasting at BNA starts May 18 with brief traffic stops.

Congressional Redistricting Fallout: Rep. Steve Cohen says he won’t run again after Tennessee Republicans redrew his Memphis-area district, calling the map “gerrymandered” and saying it was designed to beat him—he’ll retire at term’s end unless courts restore the old lines. Courts & Public Safety: In Clarksville, livestreamer “Chud the Builder” Dalton Eatherly faces attempted murder charges after a courthouse shooting; a judge set bond at $1.25 million. Drugs: A McKenzie man, John David Forrest, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for meth distribution. Community & Veterans: Tennessee launched the Veterans Connect Portal to route service members and veterans to state support, and Lewisburg Elementary won a $210,000 TVA grant for energy upgrades. Sports & Local Life: State Games of Tennessee returns to Jackson in 2026 with more events and about 2,000 participants expected; and Tennessee softball opens NCAA regional play Friday vs. Northern Kentucky.

Memphis Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke, the 29-year-old fan-favorite forward who spent his entire NBA career in Memphis, died Tuesday after being found unresponsive in Los Angeles; officials are investigating, with tributes pouring in across the league. Titans/NFL: The NFL released the 2026 schedule, with Tennessee opening at home and the offseason now shifting to roster-building; meanwhile, the Predators are reportedly weighing a defenseman with the No. 10 pick. Sports (college & high school): Tennessee baseball beat Oklahoma 9-7 in the series opener; Middle Tennessee clinched a CUSA tournament spot with an 8-1 win over Liberty; and Knoxville-area softball sectional brackets are set for May 15-16. Politics (redistricting): A federal judge denied the Tennessee Democratic Party’s request for a temporary restraining order on the new congressional map, keeping the legal fight alive. Public safety: Robertson County deputies rescued a trapped woman from a house fire; Clarksville police are seeking a suspect in an alleged women’s restroom photo incident. Culture: Shania Twain announced her July 24 album “Little Miss Twain,” and Lainey Wilson tied the knot in Tennessee.

Celebrity & Culture: Lainey Wilson is officially married to former NFL quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges, with the couple wed at Ruskin Cave in Dickson, Tennessee, in a ceremony described as intimate and welcoming. State Policy: Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill protecting the entire Duck River as a Class II Scenic River, with restrictions on mining, commercial logging, and landfills near the water. Public Safety: Bodycam footage highlights a Chattanooga officer rescuing a mother and two children from a burning apartment. Courts & Crime: “Chud the Builder” (Dalton Eatherly) faces attempted murder charges after a shooting outside a Clarksville courthouse, and officials are now weighing whether “stand your ground” could apply. Local Business: Angry Chickz, the Nashville hot chicken brand, announced new Central Coast openings in Santa Maria and Chino on June 5. Economy: Tennessee’s unemployment rate held at 3.6% in March, while Putnam County’s rate dropped to 3.1%.

Memphis Safe Task Force Lawsuit: Four Memphians sued federal and Tennessee officials, alleging the Trump-ordered task force has harassed, arrested, and physically mistreated residents for recording law enforcement—claims tied to a surge of stops and warrants in the city. Capitol Retaliation Fight: At the Tennessee Capitol, House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed Democrats from committees and subcommittees after redistricting protests, escalating a fight over the new congressional map. Clarksville Courthouse Shooting: A livestreaming racist known as “Chud the Builder” was charged after a shooting outside the Montgomery County courthouse; both men were taken to hospitals and officials say there’s no ongoing threat. Memphis Violence: Police reported a man shot and killed after an argument at a Parkway Village sports bar, plus a 2-year-old found in a bullet-riddled SUV who was later upgraded to non-life-threatening. Sports & Culture: Nashville SC beat New England 3-0 with two goals by Bryan Acosta; and Memphis mourns Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, who died at 29.

NBA & Memphis Grizzlies: The NBA and Memphis communities are still reeling after Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died at 29 in the San Fernando Valley; teammates and Jaren Jackson Jr. posted tributes, calling it “absolutely devastating.” Sports & Local College: UT Southern is responding after a video surfaced showing students shouting a racial slur; the school says it’s reviewing the matter and some students were fired from jobs. Health Policy: A bipartisan push is back in Washington to force some pharmacy companies to separate from pharmacy benefit managers—lawmakers say it targets conflicts that drive drug costs; CVS has warned it could close Tennessee stores. Tech & Safety: Waymo is recalling thousands of autonomous vehicles in Nashville-area coverage after a software issue. Business & Travel: Spirit Airlines is vacating two gates at BNA as it shuts down, and tourism leaders warn higher gas prices are already cooling travel demand. Public Safety: Tennessee schools have faced more swatting hoaxes, and Memphis residents are suing over alleged retaliation tied to the Memphis Safe Task Force.

Sports Shock: Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, died Tuesday; the team and NBA offered condolences, while police say an autopsy is planned and drug paraphernalia was found at a Los Angeles-area home. Politics: Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed Democrats from committee assignments after redistricting protests during a special session, escalating a fight over the GOP map that dismantled Memphis’ Black-majority district. Public Safety: Chattanooga officer Rogers rescued a family of three from a burning apartment, then fought the flames with an extinguisher. Crime: Memphis police say a child was injured in a Westwood shooting-related crash; a teen was charged after shots were fired at a car carrying five people. Health & Outdoors: State health officials urged tick precautions as summer nears, and Tennessee State Parks/TWRA are running low-cost “Kayaking 101” classes for National Safe Boating Week. Weather: Warm-up continues with hotter weekend ahead.

Memphis Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke, the 29-year-old forward and longtime Grizzlies player, has died. The team and his agency confirmed the death but have not released details on when, where, or how he died; the NBA also offered condolences. Sports & Health: Reports say Los Angeles authorities are investigating the death as a possible overdose, with an autopsy pending, after a 911 call and drug paraphernalia were reportedly found at the home. Politics: The ACLU and ACLU of Tennessee filed a federal lawsuit to block Tennessee’s new congressional map, arguing it dismantles the state’s only majority-Black district in Memphis and dilutes Black voters’ power. Schools: Tennessee officials say fake threats, including “swatting,” have surged and are draining school resources, even as training and added homeland security staffing aim to reduce harm. Local Business: Wawa is set to open its first Tennessee store in Clarksville in mid-June, with more locations planned for 2026. Weather: Mid-South temperatures stay near 80 degrees with low rain chances through the week.

School Safety: Graduation weekend in Memphis is moving forward under heightened security after Tennessee schools reported hoax “swatting” threats, with officials saying many calls appear designed to spark panic and big police responses. Politics/Redistricting: Tennessee AG Jonathan Skrmetti is pushing to slow the NAACP’s lawsuit over the new congressional map, arguing it must wait for a three-judge panel decision from the Tennessee Supreme Court. Road Safety: In Nashville, pedestrian advocates rallied after another fatal bike crash, saying Vision Zero funding has been diverted even as pedestrian deaths keep climbing. Local Government/Workforce: Maury Regional Health won a $226,000 apprenticeship grant to build paid training pipelines for entry-level roles. Sports: Tegan Kuhns earned SEC Pitcher of the Week again after a 15-strikeout performance for Tennessee baseball.